Brexit
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This result could lead to the break up of the United Kingdom
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, February 10th, 2020 - 13 comments
Originally posted onNick Kelly’s blog
Nick is a Director of Piko Consulting and works as a Political Adviser in The House of Lords.
Listening to the results being reported while driving on that California freeway, I recall thinking ‘this result could lead to the break up of the United Kingdom’. On hearing that both Northern Ireland and Scotland had voted to stay part of the EU, in contrast to the rest of the country, it was hard to imagine that this would not become a significant issue.
Why UK Labour lost? Part 9: What the party needs to do now.
Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, January 17th, 2020 - 12 comments
Originally post on Nick Kelly’s blog
The broader context of this defeat is that over the last century, UK Labour has won 8 out of the last 28 general elections. Overall the Labour Party is not a successful electoral force in the UK. What makes the 2019 loss harder, is that the party lost sections of its historical base in the North of England and the Midlands.
Why UK Labour lost? Part 6: New Labour & Blairism
Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, January 15th, 2020 - 10 comments
Originally posted on Nick Kelly’s blog
Fact is that the world has moved on from the 1980s and 90s. Politics certainly has. The types of 3rd way or centre/centre right positions that Blair and Campbell think will win just won’t anymore.
Why UK Labour lost? Part 4: Ooooh Jeremy Corbyn
Written By: - Date published: 3:13 am, January 14th, 2020 - 12 comments
Originally posted on Nick Kelly’s blog
Why UK Labour lost? Part 3: Its Brexit innit
Written By: - Date published: 6:14 am, January 13th, 2020 - 28 comments
Originally posted on Nick Kelly’s blog
Why the Tories won the UK election?
Written By: - Date published: 2:29 am, December 30th, 2019 - 9 comments
Originally posted on Nick Kelly’s blog
Listening to left wing dissent
Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, December 16th, 2019 - 178 comments
What stands out for me are the voices of the people who are saying actually, there were solid reasons for abandoning Labour, this is why I did. There’s something important here about really listening to dissent and being willing to engage with views that don’t make sense in the context of our own personal ideologies.
Brexit – sorry its not getting done anytime soon.
Written By: - Date published: 11:23 am, December 12th, 2019 - 5 comments
Can the Conservatives get brexit done by January 31st as they are promising in the election? The short answer is no. The slogan is catchy, and taps into public sentiment. But it is also pure unadulterated bullshit. If the Conservatives do form the next government these words will haunt them, especially Boris Johnson.
The Missing Millions
Written By: - Date published: 11:18 am, December 12th, 2019 - 18 comments
Millions of people and an entire region of the UK left out of polling calculations….
Bouganville and Brexit
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, December 12th, 2019 - 2 comments
The island of Bouganville has just had a vote towards independence from Papua New Guinea. The result has interesting similarities with the Brexit vote.
The NHS and privatisation
Written By: - Date published: 12:14 pm, December 10th, 2019 - 18 comments
The NHS is well loved by the British public. It is seen as something which makes British society decent and civilised. That the NHS is now stretched and badly underfunded is seen as a national outrage. Fears of even further privatisation of the NHS due to a US trade deal has unsurprisingly made the NHS the number one election issue.
Northern Ireland’s precarious peace
Written By: - Date published: 12:37 pm, December 9th, 2019 - Comments Off on Northern Ireland’s precarious peace
On Friday, UK leader of the opposition revealed a leaked Treasury Paper which undermines the Prime Ministers claims that there will be no checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. My earlier post on each of the party’s Brexit positions pointed out how critical Northern Ireland has been in the Brexit debate.
Scotland – does independence loom?
Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, December 6th, 2019 - 14 comments
Originally posted on Nick Kelly’s blog Scotland matters in the 2019 UK general election. Yet much of the electorate have little understanding of the place, it’s politics or what could happen after the December 12 election. Scotland could well decide the outcome of the 2019 UK Election. It did in 2017. At the last election fierce […]
Youth and the aspirational centre
Written By: - Date published: 12:20 pm, December 5th, 2019 - 12 comments
In 2017 UK general election, it was predicted that the Conservatives would win by a landslide. Why? Well the polls said so. The polls made various assumptions about turnout and which constituencies were marginal and likely to turn. Also commentators assumed that Labour under Corbyn had moved too far left, and could not win the centre ground and win. All of this commentary and analysis proved to be bullshit.
Immigration: we can’t keep succumbing to fear tactics
Written By: - Date published: 11:54 am, December 2nd, 2019 - 18 comments
The folly of electoral pacts
Written By: - Date published: 2:15 am, November 30th, 2019 - 2 comments
Originally posted Nick Kelly’s blog One feature of the UK election has been various electoral alliances or deals done. This has mostly occurred around the issue of Brexit. Early on in the campaign I wrote about Trump’s intervention in the UK election, specifically him calling on The Brexit Party and The Conservatives to do a deal. […]
Economists support Labour forming the next UK government
Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, November 27th, 2019 - 24 comments
One hundred and sixty three British economists have signed a letter to the Financial Times to say they believe that Labour should form the next government. The UK economy needs reform. For too long it has prioritised consumption over investment, short-term financial returns over long-term innovation, rising asset values over rising wages, and deficit reduction […]
The 2008 financial crisis casts a long shadow over UK politics
Written By: - Date published: 3:58 am, November 16th, 2019 - 2 comments
Nick Kelly on why the 2008 Global Financial Crisis is still having a dramatic effect on United Kingdom Politics.
Compassionless Conservatives?
Written By: - Date published: 5:32 am, November 14th, 2019 - 6 comments
Nick Kelly summaries the lack of compassion shown by Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg during this weeks UK election campaign.
The Liberal Democrats
Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, November 10th, 2019 - 13 comments
Nick Kelly on the Liberal Democrats’ prospects in the upcoming UK elections.
UK Elections: Parties positions on Brexit
Written By: - Date published: 11:15 am, November 9th, 2019 - 6 comments
Nick Kelly gives a summary of each major United Kingdom political party.
Farage – thorn in the side of the UK Conservatives
Written By: - Date published: 1:01 pm, November 5th, 2019 - 4 comments
Nick Kelly is a former NZ trade union leader and NZ Labour activist. He is a co director of Piko Consulting, and currently lives in London expanding Piko into the UK. The below was originally published on Nick Kelly’s blog
The UK General Election
Written By: - Date published: 8:07 am, November 4th, 2019 - 10 comments
Nick Kelly is a form NZ trade unionist and NZ Labour activist. He is a co director of Piko Consulting, and currently lives in London expanding Piko into the UK. The below was originally published on Nick Kelly’s blog
Snap election Britain
Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, October 30th, 2019 - 55 comments
The UK will learn its political fate on Friday 13 December. MPs have voted in a one-line Bill to have an election on Thursday 12 November, in the middle of winter. BoJo’s got his way if not quite the way he wanted. All bets are off.
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- Buying a coronavirus vaccine for everyone on Earth, storing and shipping it, and giving it safely wi...Nicole Hassoun, Binghamton University, State University of New York Infectious diseases do not respect borders. An estimated 3 billion people in low-income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America are likely to lack access to a COVID-19 vaccine for years after it becomes available. In poor nations, many communities lack ...2 weeks ago
- Speeding up recovery: fast-tracking projects to boost jobs, build houses
We’ve announced three additional projects to go through the fast-track resource consenting process. Read below for a quick rundown of what these projects are, what the fast-tracking process means, and why the Government is using fast-tracking as one way to create jobs sooner and accelerate our economic recovery from COVID-19. ...3 hours ago - Reports of prisoner abuse show need for prisons rethink and independent oversight
Reports of an asthmatic woman being bombed in her cell with pepper spray, being forced to lie face down on the ground to be fed, and having to show used sanitary items to guards to receive more, shows obscene human rights violations that need addressing, Green Party Corrections and Human ...4 hours ago - Green Party announce portfolio reshuffle with talented and energised caucus teamThe Green Party Co-leaders have announced their portfolio reshuffle for the 53rd Parliament. “The Green Party caucus offers a breadth of talent and energy to the Parliament this term. In ten MPs you have a small business owner, a human rights lawyer, an academic, a climate negotiator, a transport planner, ...1 day ago
- Nearly 50 percent increase in Kiwi apprenticesAs we recover and rebuild from COVID-19, we’re investing in major shovel-ready and long-term infrastructure projects up and down the country – creating thousands of jobs in the trades nationwide. ...4 days ago
- Celebrating World Children's DayThis World Children’s Day, we’re taking a look at all the ways we’re working to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child. ...4 days ago
- Report of alleged war crimes by Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan a distressing reminder of th...The Green Party strongly condemns the revelation of alleged war crimes by the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan, with an alleged unlawful killing of 39 people by 25 Special Forces personnel. ...4 days ago
- SPEECH: 10th Anniversary of Pike River tragedyTēnei te mihi ki a tātau katoa e huihui nei i tēnei rā I greet us all who are gathered here today ...5 days ago
- Greens commit to ensuring strong oceans protection this termThe Green Party will work with Labour this term to ensure better protections for our oceans, Green MP Eugenie Sage said today. ...6 days ago
- Kiwis deserve fair prices at the supermarket2020 has been a tough year. Not only has COVID-19 presented unique challenges to the way we work, play and socialise, for many Kiwis the pandemic has also meant more of a strain on the back pocket. ...1 week ago
- Auckland COVID-19 case shows need for extended sick leave before busy Christmas periodThe case of an Auckland city worker heading to work with COVID-19 symptoms shows the need for urgent extended sick leave, Green Party Workplace Relations spokesperson Jan Logie said today. ...1 week ago
- Meet our new MPsWondering who our new Labour MPs are? We asked our 23 new Caucus members to share a little about themselves and the experience they will be bringing to Parliament... ...2 weeks ago
- Reserve Bank policies will inevitably heat housing market, Government must implement tax reform to c...The Government must use levers to prevent further over-heating of the housing market, which will result from the Reserve Bank pumping another $28 billion into the economy in the form of cheap loans to banks. ...2 weeks ago
- Successful prosecution of Talley’s deep-water fishing division shows need for more marine protecte...Today’s ruling that Talley’s deep-water fishing division, Amaltal, is guilty of bottom trawling in the Hikurangi Marine Reserve demonstrates the need for increased fisheries enforcement and strong marine protected areas off our coasts, Green MP Eugenie Sage said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party backs calls by New Zealand charities to lift the benefit by ChristmasThe Green Party supports calls by 40 welfare and poverty organisations to increase income support payments to help lift families out of poverty before Christmas. ...2 weeks ago
- Ministers sworn in to GovernmentToday the Governor-General swore in the new Executive. ...3 weeks ago
- Green Party responds to final election results from specialsGreen Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today: “The final results are in and we’re incredibly excited to confirm our outstanding success this election. ...3 weeks ago
- Greens welcome commitment to sick leave extensionThe Green Party has welcomed the Government’s commitment to introduce legislation to extend statutory minimum paid sick leave to ten days before the end of 2020. ...3 weeks ago
- Government to review housing settings
New Zealand’s stronger-than-expected economic performance has flowed through to housing demand, so the Government will review housing settings to improve access to the market, the Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced today. “Our focus is on improving access to the housing market for first home buyers and ensuring house price growth ...47 mins ago - Crown accounts reflect Govt’s careful economic managementThe better-than-expected Crown accounts released today show the Government’s careful management of the COVID-19 health crisis was the right approach to support the economy. As expected, the Crown accounts for the year to June 2020 show the operating balance before gains and losses, or OBEGAL, was in deficit. However that ...49 mins ago
- Government to consider recommendations on DNA use in criminal investigationsThe Minister of Justice has received the Law Commission’s recommending changes to the law governing the way DNA is used in criminal investigations. The report, called The Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations – Te Whahamahi I te Ira Tangata I ngā Mātai Taihara, recommends new legislation to address how ...3 hours ago
- Speech to Wakatū Nelson regional hui on tradeFirst, I want to express my thanks to Te Taumata for this hui and for all the fantastic work you are doing for Māori in the trade space. In the short time that you’ve been operating you’ve already contributed an enormous amount to the conversation, and developed impressive networks. I ...5 hours ago
- Speech to Primary Industries SummitThank you for the opportunity to speak to you today about the significant contribution the food and fibres sector makes to New Zealand and how this Government is supporting that effort. I’d like to start by acknowledging our co-Chairs, Terry Copeland and Mavis Mullins, my colleague, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, ...6 hours ago
- Fast track referrals will speed up recovery and boost jobs and home buildingThe Government is taking action to increase jobs, speed up the economic recovery and build houses by putting three more projects through its fast track approval process. “It’s great to see that the fast-track consenting process is working. Today we have referred a mix of potential projects that, if approved, ...22 hours ago
- Papakāinga provides critically needed homes in HastingsA papakāinga opened today by the Minister for Māori Development the Hon Willie Jackson will provide whānau with much needed affordable rental homes in Hastings. The four home papakāinga in Waiōhiki is the first project to be completed under the ‘Hastings Place Based’ initiative. This initiative is a Government, Hastings ...3 days ago
- New Zealand ready to host APEC virtuallyPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern took over the leadership of APEC earlier today, when she joined leaders from the 21 APEC economies virtually for the forum’s final 2020 meeting. “We look forward to hosting a fully virtual APEC 2021 next year. While this isn’t an in-person meeting, it will be one ...3 days ago
- Revival of Māori HorticulturistsThe rapid revival of Māori horticulture was unmistakeable at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards, with 2020 marking the first time this iconic Māori farming event was dedicated to horticulture enterprises. Congratulating finalists at the Awards, Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson said growing large-scale māra kai is part of Māori DNA. ...4 days ago
- Emergency benefit to help temporary visa holdersFrom 1 December, people on temporary work, student or visitor visas who can’t return home and or support themselves may get an Emergency Benefit from the Ministry of Social Development, Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today. Previously, temporary visa holders in hardship because of COVID-19 have had ...4 days ago
- School sustainability projects to help boost regional economiesForty one schools from the Far North to Southland will receive funding for projects that will reduce schools’ emissions and save them money, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. This is the second round of the Sustainability Contestable Fund, and work will begin immediately. The first round announced in April ...4 days ago
- Farmer-led projects to improve water health in Canterbury and OtagoMore than $6 million will be spent on helping farmers improve the health of rivers, wetlands, and habitat biodiversity in Canterbury and Otago, as well as improving long-term land management practices, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Four farmer-led catchment group Jobs for Nature projects have between allocated between $176,000 and ...4 days ago
- Tupu Aotearoa continues expansion to Pacific communities in Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman & Northl...Pacific communities in Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman and Northland will benefit from the expansion of the Tupu Aotearoa programme announced today by the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. The programme provides sustainable employment and education pathways and will be delivered in partnership with three providers in Northland and two ...4 days ago
- New primary school and classrooms for 1,200 students in South IslandEducation Minister Chris Hipkins unveiled major school building projects across the South Island during a visit to Waimea College in Nelson today. It’s part of the Government’s latest investment of $164 million to build new classrooms and upgrade schools around the country. “Investments like this gives the construction industry certainty ...4 days ago
- Minister of Māori Development pays tribute to Rudy TaylorToday the Minister of Māori Development, alongside other Government Ministers and MP’s said their final farewells to Nga Puhi Leader Rudy Taylor. “Rudy dedicated his life to the betterment of Māori, and his strong approach was always from the ground up, grassroots, sincere and unfaltering” “Over the past few ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister to attend APEC Leaders’ SummitPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and associated events virtually today and tomorrow. “In a world where we cannot travel due to COVID-19, continuing close collaboration with our regional partners is key to accelerating New Zealand’s economic recovery,” Jacinda Ardern said. “There is wide ...4 days ago
- Speech to Infrastructure NZ SymposiumTena Koutou, Tena Koutou and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. This is a critical time for New Zealand as we respond to the damage wreaked by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is vital that investment in our economic recovery is well thought through, and makes ...5 days ago
- Pike River 10 Year Anniversary Commemorative ServiceTēnei te mihi ki a tātau katoa e huihui nei i tēnei rā Ki a koutou ngā whānau o te hunga kua riro i kōnei – he mihi aroha ki a koutou Ki te hapori whānui – tēnā koutou Ki ngā tāngata whenua – tēnā koutou Ki ngā mate, e ...5 days ago
- Huge investment in new and upgraded classrooms to boost construction jobsAround 7,500 students are set to benefit from the Government’s latest investment of $164 million to build new classrooms and upgrade schools around the country. “The election delivered a clear mandate to accelerate our economic recovery and build back better. That’s why we are prioritising construction projects in schools so more ...5 days ago
- Keeping Pike River Mine promises 10 years onTen years after the Pike River Mine tragedy in which 29 men lost their lives while at work, a commemorative service at Parliament has honoured them and their legacy of ensuring all New Zealand workplaces are safe. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the event, along with representatives of the Pike ...5 days ago
- Additional testing to strengthen border and increase safety of workersNew testing measures are being put in place to increase the safety of border workers and further strengthen New Zealand’s barriers against COVID-19, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “These strengthened rules – to apply to all international airports and ports – build on the mandatory testing orders we’ve ...5 days ago
- More public housing delivered in AucklandThe Government’s investment in public housing is delivering more warm, dry homes with today’s official opening of 82 new apartments in New Lynn by the Housing Minister Megan Woods. The Thom Street development replaces 16 houses built in the 1940s, with brand new fit-for-purpose public housing that is in high ...5 days ago
- Agreement advanced to purchase up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccinesThe Government has confirmed an in-principle agreement to purchase up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccines – enough for 5 million people – from Janssen Pharmaceutica, subject to the vaccine successfully completing clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals in New Zealand, says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. “This agreement ...5 days ago
- Jobs for Nature funding will leave a conservation legacy for Waikanae awaNinety-two jobs will be created to help environmental restoration in the Waikanae River catchment through $8.5 million of Jobs for Nature funding, Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan announced today. “The new funding will give a four-year boost to the restoration of the Waikanae awa, and is specifically focussed on restoration through ...5 days ago
- New Dunedin Hospital project progresses to next stageAs the new Dunedin Hospital project progresses, the Government is changing the oversight group to provide more technical input, ensure continued local representation, and to make sure lessons learnt from Dunedin benefit other health infrastructure projects around the country. Concept design approval and the release of a tender for early ...5 days ago
- Jump in apprentice and trainee numbersThe number of New Zealanders taking up apprenticeships has increased nearly 50 percent, and the number of female apprentices has more than doubled. This comes as a Government campaign to raise the profile of vocational education and training (VET) begins. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced ...6 days ago
- ReBuilding Nations Symposium 2020 (Infrastructure NZ Conference opening session)Tena koutou katoa and thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. Can I acknowledge Ngarimu Blair, Ngati Whatua, and Mayor Phil Goff for the welcome. Before I start with my substantive comments, I do want to acknowledge the hard work it has taken by everyone to ensure ...6 days ago
- New Zealand's biosecurity champions honouredBiosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor has paid tribute to the winners of the 2020 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards. “These are the people and organisations who go above and beyond to protect Aotearoa from pests and disease to ensure our unique way of life is sustained for future generations,” Damien O’Connor says. ...7 days ago
- Tourism Industry Aotearoa Conferencespeech to Tourism Industry Aotearoa annual summit Te Papa, Wellington Introduction Nau mai, haere mai Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, Ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou. Thank you Tourism Industry Aotearoa for hosting today’s Summit. In particular, my acknowledgements to TIA Chair Gráinne Troute and Chief Executive Chris Roberts. You ...1 week ago
- Supermarkets announced as Government’s second market studyThe Government has today launched a market study to ensure New Zealanders are paying a fair price for groceries. “Supermarkets are an integral part of our communities and economy, so it’s important to ensure that Kiwis are getting a fair deal at the checkout,” Minister of Commerce and Consumer ...1 week ago
- Masks to be worn on Auckland public transport and all domestic flightsMasks will need to be worn on all public transport in Auckland and in and out of Auckland and on domestic flights throughout the country from this Thursday, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins said today. “I will be issuing an Order under the COVID-19 Response Act requiring the wearing ...1 week ago
- New Zealand signs Regional Comprehensive Economic PartnershipIncrease to New Zealand’s GDP by around $2 billion each year Increase opportunities for NZ exporters to access regional markets Cuts red tape and offers one set of trade rules across the Asia Pacific region New government procurement, competition policy and electronic commerce offers NZ exporters increased business opportunities Prime ...1 week ago
- Minister acknowledges students as exams beginEducation Minister Chris Hipkins has recognised the extraordinary challenges students have faced this year, ahead of NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams which begin on Monday. “I want to congratulate students for their hard work during a year of unprecedented disruption, and I wish students all the best as ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister meets with key ASEAN and East Asia Summit partnersPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern today attended the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit and discussed with Leaders a range of shared challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region, including: The ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic; The importance of working collectively to accelerate economic recovery; and Exploring further opportunities for partners to work more ...1 week ago
- Veterans Affairs Summit held in KoreaA Ministerial Summit on Veterans’ Affairs was held in the Republic of Korea this week. Ministers with veteran responsibilities were invited from all 22 countries that had been part of the United Nations Forces during the Korean War (1950 – 1953). The Summit marked the 70th anniversary of the outbreak ...2 weeks ago
- Clear direction set for the education system, skills prioritisedThe Government has released a set of priorities for early learning through to tertiary education and lifelong learning to build a stronger, fairer education system that delivers for all New Zealanders. “The election delivered a clear mandate from New Zealanders to accelerate our plan to reduce inequalities and make more ...2 weeks ago
- A Progressive AgendaSpeech to the Climate Change + Business Conference, November 12, 2020 Tena koutou katoa Thank you for inviting me to speak here today. It is great to see us all come together for a common cause: to redefine our future in the face of unprecedented times. Covid-19 and climate change are ...2 weeks ago
- Wellington Pasifika Business AwardsThank you for having me join with you as we celebrate the success of Pacific businesses tonight, and recognise the resilient and innovative entrepreneurs who lead them. Equally important to me is, that we are also able tonight to offer up our gratitude to those leaders who have organised and ...2 weeks ago
- Commemorative address at Act of Remembrance for Armistice DayTuatahi māku Ka mihi tu ki a koe Pita E pīkauria ana i te mana o Ngā tūpuna o te whenua nei. Thank you Bernadette for your warm introduction. I would also like to reflect on your acknowledgments and welcome Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui; Members of the National War Memorial ...2 weeks ago
- New fund launched to reduce carbon emissions from coal and gasThe Labour Government is quickly delivering a key election policy that will help business to switch from fossil fuels like coal and gas to clean energy for process heat while accelerating the economic recovery from Covid. The $70 million fund will allow business and industries to access financial support to ...2 weeks ago
- Why some people find it easier to stick to new habits they formed during lockdown
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Jenkins, Research Fellow, University of Otago Periods of lockdown represent a massive disruption to people’s daily routines, but they also offer an opportunity to establish new habits. Our research focus is on what motivates people to change their behaviour, particularly when ...4 mins ago - Empathy in conservation is hotly debated. Still, the world needs more stories like My Octopus Teache...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Williams, Professor in environmental psychology, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne With three hearts, blue blood, no bones and eight limbs attached to a bulbous head, octopuses seem like they’re from another planet. But in My Octopus Teacher, ...4 mins ago
- Gone By Lunchtime: Lustful frothing at parliament’s return
On the eve of the opening of the 53rd parliament of New Zealand, Toby Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas dress up as Black Rod.As 120 familiar and fresh faces swarm upon the tropical paradise of Wellington for a brand new parliament, the Gone By Lunchtime trio ruminate on the ...9 mins ago - Finance Minister Robertson calls for Reserve Bank to tackle housing
The Finance Minister wants the Reserve Bank to become more involved in checking the skyrocketing price of housing in New Zealand. ...46 mins ago - Robertson asks Reserve Bank to act on house prices
With the Government under growing pressure to curtail ever-rising growth in the housing market, it has taken the first step in a potentially major process to redefine the role of the Reserve Bank in accounting for house prices Finance Minister Grant Robertson has written to Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr ...52 mins ago - Please, stop picking on poor old WellingtonOn Sunday, Stuff published a column by journalist Andrea Vance saying Wellington’s good days were over. Wellingtonian Emily Writes steps up to defend the city’s honour.I’m a big Andrea Vance stan so I was shocked when I saw the headline to her column “Wellington, I’m sorry to say it, but ...1 hour ago
- Law Commission Recommends New DNA Laws For Criminal Investigations
Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission today released a report that recommends a new, comprehensive regime to control how DNA is obtained, used and retained for criminal investigations. The report has revealed significant gaps in the operation ...2 hours ago - The PM reminds feds of state funding on tap to help farmers meet the demands of govt’s environment...
The PM’s farmer audience would have been heartened when she said the election success of Labour in rural New Zealand was a huge honour, but with it came huge responsibility and huge opportunities. They would have been braced, too, for her promotion – and defence – of the government’s environmental ...2 hours ago - Whaea Michelle, navigator of the Family Violence CourtNew Zealand has some of the worst rates of family violence and abuse. Addressing those, especially in the courtroom, is about more than punishment. Teuila Fuatai reports. Whaea Michelle is part of Frame, a series of short documentaries produced by Wrestler for The Spinoff.Tucked away on the third floor of the Auckland ...2 hours ago
- Minister for seniors criticises Greens' Ricardo Menendez-March for 'boomer' commentMinister for seniors Ayesha Verrall does not think it's helpful to describe elderly people as "boomers". ...2 hours ago
- Remember when TVNZ made everyone download The Sopranos?It wasn’t so long ago that New Zealand would have to wait months, maybe years, to see a television show. We were fine with it. Then TVNZ took it too far.I remember the anger, the frustration, the resentment.It was 2006. I had dial-up internet that we shared with our landlord. ...3 hours ago
- Philippine checkpoint soldiers shoot and kill investigative journalistPacific Media Watch Newsdesk Philippine authorities should independently investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of journalist Ronnie Villamor and hold those responsible to account, says the Committee to Protect Journalists. In the afternoon of November 14, Philippine Army soldiers shot and killed Villamor, a contributor to the local independent Dos ...4 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – November 24 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content National Party Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): “Goodfellas”: The Neoliberal National Party shows its ugly face Henry Cooke (Stuff): National Party to examine election campaign and candidate selection process in review of ...4 hours ago
- Children’s commissioner calls to disestablish Oranga TamarikiA second review by the Children’s Commission has made four key recommendations, including the transfer of power to iwi, hapū and whānau.A new report from children’s commissioner Andrew Becroft is calling for an immediate overhaul of Oranga Tamariki – largely through a transfer of power to Māori.The report, released yesterday, ...5 hours ago
- Are first home buyers really in a worse position than three years ago?Thanks to falling interest rates and higher wages, mortgage affordability has remained surprisingly steady, writes Greg Ninness for interest.co.nz. But that doesn’t mean things aren’t a lot tougher for those trying to get onto the housing ladder. The latest house price figures make startling reading for potential first home buyers. ...6 hours ago
- Councillors Have Spoken, Time To Remove Racist Provision In Establishment Of Māori WardsRawiri WaititiMāori Party Co-leader Māori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi, congratulates Tairāwhiti & Taupō district councils for their stance in yesterday supporting the establishment of Māori wards in time for the 2022 local ...6 hours ago
- Councillors Have Spoken, Time To Remove Racist Provision In Establishment Of Māori WardsRawiri WaititiMāori Party Co-leader Māori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi, congratulates Tairāwhiti & Taupō district councils for their stance in yesterday supporting the establishment of Māori wards in time for the 2022 local ...6 hours ago
- Ancient sponges or just algae? New research overturns chemical evidence for the earliest animalsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennart van Maldegem, Postdoctoral Fellow, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University Sponges are the simplest of animals, and they may stand at the root of all complex animal life on Earth, including us humans. Scientists study the evolution of the ...7 hours ago
- Is Trump’s truculence an attempted coup or the last-ditch efforts of a man whose star is fading?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Cooper, Lecturer at Griffith University, Griffith University US President Donald Trump’s time in the White House is coming to an end. But, as has become obvious over the past few weeks, he is unlikely to deliver a gracious concession speech. Instead, ...7 hours ago
- COVID has presented unique challenges for people with eating disorders. They’ll need support beyon...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Hart, Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work and interact with one another. It has also changed the way we move, exercise, shop, prepare food, and eat. During the pandemic, we’ve seen marked increases ...7 hours ago
- Silky oaks are older than dinosaurs and literally drip nectar – but watch out for the cyanideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne As we come to the end of spring, look up from the footpath or at the park, and you may spot the fiery flowers of the silky oak, Grevillea robusta. You may already be ...7 hours ago
- Children may transmit coronavirus at the same rate as adults: what we now know about schools and COV...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoë Hyde, Epidemiologist, University of Western Australia The role children, and consequently schools, play in the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard to work out, but that puzzle is now finally starting to be solved. The latest research shows infections in children frequently ...7 hours ago
- It seemed like a good idea in lockdown, but is moving to the country right for you?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Wallis, Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland The idea of moving to the country has gained momentum through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many workplaces have introduced new policies on working from home that give employees the flexibility needed to make the switch. Lockdowns ...7 hours ago
- Axing stamp duty is a great idea, but NSW is going about it the wrong waySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Freebairn, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne In tax design as in many endeavours, it’s easy to work out how things should be; harder to work out how to get there. In NSW, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet wants to replace the ...7 hours ago
- 5 reasons why banishing backpackers and targeting wealthy tourists would be a mistake for NZSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Higham, Professor of Tourism, University of Otago Raise your hand if you’ve ever travelled for weeks or months as a backpacker on a limited daily budget. Keep your hand up if you were made welcome in the places you visited on ...7 hours ago
- 10 ‘lost’ Australian literary treasures you should read – and can soon borrow from any librarySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Giblin, ARC Future Fellow; Associate Professor; Director, Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia, University of Melbourne Many culturally important books by Australian authors are out of print, hard to find as secondhand copies, and confined to the physical shelves of a ...7 hours ago
- Māori, Crown must work in partnership for children – Kelvin DavisThe minister for children says he is "not into separatism" and that Oranga Tamariki needs to work in partnership with Māori. ...7 hours ago
- Live updates, November 24: Victoria’s last active Covid-19 patient recoversWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 24. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz10.20am: Victoria’s last active Covid-19 patient recoversThe Australian state of Victoria has no active cases of Covid-19, after the last patient with the virus was discharged from hospital yesterday.It’s the first time since February that Victoria’s hospitals were ...7 hours ago
- Live updates, November 24: Stricter rules lead to nurse shortage at managed isolation hotelsWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 24. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz7.50am: Nurse shortage at Auckland managed isolation hotelsNurses helping to keep the community safe from Covid-19 are having to work overtime, or take on double shifts, to fill gaps in the system, according to RNZ.Healthcare workers have also ...7 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Shifts in foreign policy since the electionsGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Shifts in foreign policy since the elections, government increasingly looking to fast-track through RMA, and Andy Foster gets into bizarre tent tangle.All things being equal, which US president would you enjoy a twenty minute conversation with more – Joe Biden ...8 hours ago
- Retail sales set Sept quarter record
Business & Investing: Total retail sales down just 0.2 percent for the year to October, but Europe's economic activity falls again due to the resurgence of Covid-19 ...8 hours ago - Mammy, Eve, and Jesus: A personal essay by Noelle McCarthy
Noelle McCarthy returns home in this prize-winning personal essay "Get in ‘til you see what we got you. This is my daughter.” Mammy is loud, showing off for the driver. The cab smells of drink and Estee Lauder. Wherever they’ve been, they’ve been there all morning. Angela is jammed in ...9 hours ago - Push for inclusive Covid recovery through sharp increase to minimum wage
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark's thinktank says no-one should be left behind in Covid recovery. ...9 hours ago - Holly Stewart passes tennis racquet to a new generation
Young tennis star Holly Stewart's first year at a US college was cut short by the global pandemic, but she's making the most of her time back home in NZ, giving back to young women with less opportunity. Holly Stewart knows how much a hand up can help change the ...9 hours ago - How Billy TK is using the far right
Billy TK is not a duped victim of far-right interests, but is instead employing their conspiracies for his own NZ-style conservative Evangelical purposes, writes Dr Deane Galbraith In dozens of online videos, Billy Te Kahika has told hundreds of thousands of viewers that the Covid-19 crisis obscures a massive conspiracy. He doesn’t use ...9 hours ago - Tracking Covid-19's creep across a flight to NZ
Analysis: A new study shows how Covid-19 spread on an 18-hour flight from Dubai to Auckland, eventually infecting four people on-board and another in MIQ, Marc Daalder reports On September 28, Emirates Airlines flight 448 departed Dubai for Auckland with 86 passengers on board and a full complement of aircrew. ...9 hours ago - The (potential) path ahead for NZ First
As W R Peters puts another $120k towards the party, can NZ First rise again in 2023? ...9 hours ago - Locals can't fill hole left by international tourists
Domestic tourism is booming as Kiwis get out and explore the country but without international tourists New Zealand will face a deficit of nearly $13 billion. Mark Jennings reports. It takes 12 overnight trips from someone living in New Zealand to equal the spend of one international visitor. New research ...9 hours ago - The searing report linking popular NZ brands to sexual abuse and slaveryAn investigation has found that workers on many palm oil plantations suffer shocking levels of abuse and exposure to chemicals so toxic they can cause miscarriage. But, as Amal Samaha explains, a consumer boycott of the brands that use the oil may not be the answer.Some of New Zealand’s most ...10 hours ago
- Coming Home: Who’s returning to New Zealand, and what did they leave behind?In part two of Coming Home, hosts Duncan Greive and Jane Yee meet more recently returned New Zealanders and learn what factors drew them abroad and what life looked like in their new home countries.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you usually listen to podcasts.In last week’s episode, we heard about ...10 hours ago
- Building pressure
There's no quick fix to the housing problem but the Government knows that, with this sort of political pressure, something's got to give. ...10 hours ago - The Reserve Bank's housing storm
The Reserve Bank has been caught up in a political furore over the housing crisis. Is it really the Bank's fault that the levers it pulls have seen prices spiral out of control? The Reserve Bank is under attack for pouring fuel on the house price bonfire with its latest ...10 hours ago - Scott Morrison’s message to China: Don’t pigeonhole usSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s actions should not be seen just through the lens of the strategic competition between China and the United States, Scott Morrison has said in a speech rejecting “binary choices”. With China casting Australia as ...15 hours ago
- PM defends temporary suspension of Facebook until new law in placeBy Robert Iroga in Honiara Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare insists his government will push on with the temporary suspension of Facebook while lawmakers explore ways to regulate social media. In a statement in Parliament today, a fired-up Sogavare did not hide his government’s desire to suspend Facebook. He ...18 hours ago
- Daniel Andrews plans pilot for casual workers’ sick pay but Morrison government criticalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Victorian government plans a pilot scheme for up to five days sick and carer’s pay, at the national minimum wage, for casuals or insecure workers in priority industries. Even though the initiative is at ...19 hours ago
- National Party announces terms of reference for election campaign reviewThe review will be done by five panel members, including former party president Judy Kirk and former National minister Kate Wilkinson. ...19 hours ago
- Prosecuting within complex criminal networks is hard. Data analysis could save the courts precious t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roberto Musotto, Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre Postdoctoral Fellow, Edith Cowan University It’s no secret the trail of data we leave online can reveal intimate details about our lives. And there are myriad people whose job it is to collect and sift ...20 hours ago
- Physio, chiro, osteo and myo: what’s the difference and which one should I get?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charlotte Ganderton, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology Many of us might not be as fit as we were before the pandemic hit, and as community sport restarts and gyms reopen across the country amid eased coronavirus restrictions, some ...20 hours ago
- Fiji tries to salvage Nations Cup rugby tour from covid ruinsBy RNZ Pacific Fiji’s rugby team is set to have another round of covid-19 testing today as they seek to salvage what is left of their Autumn Nations Cup tour of Europe. Over the weekend it was announced the Flying Fijians would have their third consecutive test match cancelled due ...21 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Analysis – Fixing the 2020 New Zealand House Price BubbleAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. To the surprise of most pundits, substantial real estate price inflation has resumed, after a hiatus from 2017 to 2019. As to be expected, most of the usual tropes have been employed: a lack of supply, immigration (in this latest case returning New Zealanders), ...21 hours ago
- Human Rights Commission Welcomes Calls For Transformation Of Oranga Tamariki...22 hours ago
- No one escaped COVID’s impacts, but big fall in tertiary enrolments was 80% women. Why?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Churchill, Research Fellow in Sociology, University of Melbourne The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been so profound, particularly for women, that it threatens to upend the progress on gender equality in recent years. During the lockdown, women were doing ...23 hours ago
- Action 1 December And 3 December For XR Te Whanganui A TaraTwo actions soon, please join us. 1. Demand Action on Western Sahara When : Tuesday 1 December at 8:30 am Join us on Tuesday, December 1, 8.30am at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 195a Lambton Quay, Te Whanganui-a-Tara (corner of Panama St). ...23 hours ago
- Three new infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked – Ardern, ParkerPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Environment Minister David Parker have announced three new projects to be fast-tracked past the Resource Management Act. ...23 hours ago
- Tree Planting As Resistance; A Memorial For Pouya Bakhtiari, The Face Of Iran's Bloody NovemberBy Ali Mostolizadeh Translated by Abbas Alizadeh Pouya Bakhtiari, a 27-year old graduate of electrical engineering, was never able to celebrate his 28th birthday. His family celebrated Pouya’s birthday in Behesht-e Sakineh Cemetery in Karaj. ...23 hours ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's post-Cabinet conferencePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media after today's Cabinet meeting. ...23 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki Reforms Must Address Systemic Racism And Unsafe WorkloadsThe union for Oranga Tamariki employees says Te Kuku O Te Manawa - the Children’s Commissioner’s Report on Oranga Tamariki - highlights the need for deep and far-reaching change, both at OT and throughout New Zealand society. Oranga Tamariki staff are ...23 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki Reforms Must Address Systemic Racism And Unsafe WorkloadsThe union for Oranga Tamariki employees says Te Kuku O Te Manawa - the Children’s Commissioner’s Report on Oranga Tamariki - highlights the need for deep and far-reaching change, both at OT and throughout New Zealand society. Oranga Tamariki staff are ...23 hours ago
- Ardern speaks with US President-elect Joe BidenPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken on the phone with the US President-elect Joe Biden this afternoon. ...23 hours ago
- My favourite detective: Trixie Belden, the uncool girl sleuth with a sensitive moral compassSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Dalziell, Associate Professor, English and Literary Studies, University of Western Australia In a new series, writers pay tribute to fictional detectives on page and on screen. Trixie Belden, girl detective, does not rank in the world’s pantheon of cool sleuths. ...23 hours ago
- Give a kid a book and you give them the worldLast year the fledgling charity scheme Kiwi Christmas Books gave 1600 children’s books to Auckland Women’s Refuge and the Auckland City Mission. This year they’re going national, as founder Sonya Wilson explains.My earliest memories involve books. Kew Hospital, circa 1983: I remember stiff scratchy sheets, red jelly on a grey ...24 hours ago
- Green MP Applauded For Brave Stance On Accommodation Supplement...1 day ago
- Dietary Requirements: What is seltzer and why is it suddenly everywhere?The Dietary Requirements team drag Lucy and Matt out of the office and into the studio to discuss some of The Spinoff’s most controversial food topics from the past week.Exciting news – Dietary Requirements is moving from monthly to fortnightly episodes! We’ll still have a special guest from the food ...1 day ago
- How the Nats have opted to invest in the future with small change
A post on the left-wing The Standard blog expresses bemusement at National’s re-election of its party president. MickySavage writes: You would think that the conference held immediately after National suffered one of its worst drubbings in its history National would take the opportunity to refresh its leadership and change its ...1 day ago - The Labour Government Gaslights People In PovertyThe government issued a response letter to the open letter which now has support from 70 organisations in New Zealand, calling them to lift benefits and low incomes to liveable levels before Christmas. In their response they outline what they’ve ...1 day ago
- Wellington Mayor’s Tent-pitching Undermines Democracy, Ratepayers, And Property Rights...1 day ago
- Take action to save lives in West Papua, activists tell ForumBy Laurens Ikinia in Auckland A Pacific Islands Forum-hosted webinar has called on the United Nations and Indonesia to be “more responsive” to the pleas of West Papuans and take action to resolve human rights issues in the Melanesian region. The Secretary-General of the Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, the secretary-general ...1 day ago
- Siouxsie Wiles: Aches on a plane – new findings on in-flight Covid transmissionA new New Zealand study offers some important lessons on how the coronavirus can spread aboard an aircraft. One of the good things about New Zealand pursuing an elimination strategy for Covid-19 (aside from the obvious) is that we are able to help answer some of the questions there are about ...1 day ago
- Green Party reveals portfolio reshuffle ahead of official Parliament openingThe Green Party has unveiled an unsurprising portfolio reshuffle, ahead of the official opening of Parliament this week. ...1 day ago
- Why does New Zealand love Country Calendar so much?And the one change that would make it even better.It’s been on telly for 50-odd years, it frequently tops the weekly ratings and it just won best factual series at the 2020 NZ TV Awards. What is it about Country Calendar that we just can’t get enough of? José Barbosa ...1 day ago
- Indonesian security forces attack Papuan musician, say activistsPacific Media Watch Newsdesk A young West Papuan musician, Kris Douw, who has written many powerful protest songs against Indonesia’s illegal military occupation in his homeland, has been beaten up by security forces, allege activists. Douw was atacked about 8am on by Indonesian special forces at the Kodim Complex ...1 day ago
- Inquiry: Turn child protection over to Māori
The latest official inquiry into the removal of babies by Oranga Tamariki calls directly for power and resources to be given to Māori to provide care and protection for their children The Children's Commissioner wants a "total transformation" of the country's system of care and protection for children - transferring resources ...1 day ago - Kirihimete gift guide 2020: supporting Māori and Pasifika businesses and creatorsIt’s never been more important to support local. Janaye Henry has brought her exceptional taste to the fore to help you support Māori and Pasifika-owned business this Christmas (and just all year round if you want). Kirihimete is fast approaching and what better excuse to support our Māori and Pasifika creators? ...1 day ago
- John Key backs Peter Goodfellow, Judith Collins after National Party AGMNational members copped a handful home truths at its AGM over the weekend, and former leader Sir John Key says it's time for the party to take control of the media narrative. ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – November 23 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content National Party Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Mixed messages in wake of National’s defeat Richard Harman: Goodfellow beats off challenge and calls for unity Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Sir John Key’s speech a chilling ...1 day ago
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