People who rent their home shouldn’t have to get sick or complain before the safety of their home is tested and guaranteed.
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Our modern Olympics
Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, July 26th, 2021 - 6 comments
The Olympics is an opera that runs on one orchestrated symbol after another, and this Tokyo Olympics is a superabundant tragedy.
The many and varied takes of Des Gorman on covid
Written By: - Date published: 3:05 pm, July 25th, 2021 - 29 comments
A review of Des Gorman’s comments about Covid over the last 15 months, pretty well all of which have been negative, makes you wonder how it is possible that we have been able to maintain an effective Covid free status in Aotearoa New Zealand.
What If Boris Is Right?
Written By: - Date published: 11:51 am, July 24th, 2021 - 73 comments
Now that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has “opened up” the United Kingdom from many of the Covid19 strictures that it had undergone, there is a lot at stake to his reputation and indeed to the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.
The bubble pops
Written By: - Date published: 11:32 am, July 24th, 2021 - 32 comments
The appearance of community spread Delta variant Covid in Australia has caused New Zealand to suspend the trans Tasman travel bubble.
Greens: a Warrant of Fitness for rental homes
Written By: - Date published: 6:10 am, July 23rd, 2021 - 118 comments
Act likes some rights but not others
Written By: - Date published: 7:50 am, July 22nd, 2021 - 37 comments
Following on from its campaign to protect freedom of expression Act has come out with policy on gangs which if enacted would involve some pretty egregious attacks on freedom of association and movement and due process.
Freedom day
Written By: - Date published: 7:55 am, July 19th, 2021 - 58 comments
As infection rates of Covid in the United Kingdom surge Boris Johnson has announced that today will be the UK’s Freedom day and will be removing pretty well all mandatory Covid restrictions, even the wearing of masks and social distancing.
The problem with English Soccer
Written By: - Date published: 7:38 am, July 16th, 2021 - 13 comments
Last week’s final between England and Italy showed that there is still an ugly racist underside to what should be a beautiful game.
Minister Robertson’s Economic Development Strategy
Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, July 15th, 2021 - 20 comments
Minister Roberston’s recent speech to the Trans Tasman Business Circle sets out both how this government is using the pandemic to reset whole sectors of the economy, and also how it is getting its head around economic and social challenges. The points made were unsurprising, but his intended direction was unclear.
Rare misstep
Written By: - Date published: 7:22 am, July 14th, 2021 - 37 comments
Simeon Brown in his attack on the Government for allegedly funding the Mongrel Mob has shown a disturbing ability to understand how Government works and an even more disturbing inability to perform basic maths.
Demand the debate
Written By: - Date published: 8:13 am, July 13th, 2021 - 52 comments
In two separate leaks it has emerged that Judith Collins privately briefed Don Brash on National’s demand the debate campaign and that Brash wrote to wealthy donors seeking $300,000 for an Iwi Kiwi style billboard response.
The billionaire race into space
Written By: - Date published: 8:06 am, July 12th, 2021 - 90 comments
UK billionaire Richard Branson has won the rich man’s pissing competition by being the first billionaire into space even though 12 months ago he was urgently seeking Government grants while at the same time paying no tax because of his tax residency status.
The Covid Crisis – the perils of half hearted responses
Written By: - Date published: 4:59 pm, July 11th, 2021 - 40 comments
The New South Wales’ half hearted response to community outbreak has seen infected numbers increase while in the UK Boris Johnson is planning to remove all restrictions something top scientists describe as “dangerous and premature”.
About the Hate Speech law changes
Written By: - Date published: 12:06 pm, July 6th, 2021 - 94 comments
The debate about the Government’s consultation on proposed changes to hate speech laws continues, with the level of heat increasing, but the level of actual understanding of what is being proposed in critical shortage.
RNZ’s Chinese Spies story doesn’t add up
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, July 2nd, 2021 - 47 comments
On Monday, RNZ reported that “Chinese Communist Party spies are infiltrating New Zealand universities”. Our guest poster views this thin and anecdotal ‘investigative’ reporting with deep suspicion. Was any of this activity was reported to the proper authorities. Or is it just the usual paranoia / racist dog-whistling or a paid story?
Hate speech wide-eyed scaremongering
Written By: - Date published: 11:13 am, June 30th, 2021 - 111 comments
A guest post by Clint Smith who has actually analysed the effect of the proposed changes and makes comment on the detail of what is proposed.
The Pausing of the Travel Bubble
Written By: - Date published: 9:11 am, June 28th, 2021 - 81 comments
So far there have been no discovered cases of community spread of the Covid delta variant in Wellington following the recent visit by an Australian tourist who was infected with the variant. Meanwhile in Australia the authorities are trying to stamp out community flareups that are appearing in different parts of the country.
Oppose this new hate speech bill
Written By: - Date published: 9:43 am, June 26th, 2021 - 206 comments
Hate speech is about to get a lot more criminalised with much stronger penalties. It’s worth going back to what the Royal Commission actually considered, since that’s the basis of proposing this law. The Royal Commission in fact found that trying to protect religion from very strong opinions is simply not a good idea: … we acknowledge that there […]
Let the Mills die
Written By: - Date published: 1:03 pm, June 24th, 2021 - 13 comments
From Kawerau to Nelson to Tiwai Point, our accelerated decline of heavy mass manufacturing factories continues.
The Rock is moving
Written By: - Date published: 11:09 am, June 22nd, 2021 - 5 comments
Since real estate is that machine that relentlessly powers our society and most of our economy, it’s already worth checking whether this governments’ recent policy changes are starting to have some of its intended effects.
Social insurance, a premium not afforded to all.
Written By: - Date published: 12:02 pm, June 20th, 2021 - 59 comments
One of the details announced in the budget was funding to explore a ‘social unemployment insurance’ scheme. This scheme has been pushed by the Council of Trade Unions and Business NZ, which will work with the Government in a newly set-up Tripartite Working Party. When we dig into it though, we realise it is no safety net. It’s a parachute that slows our drop, giving us time, before we hit that real net – down so far below.
Make the film and be damned
Written By: - Date published: 8:58 am, June 18th, 2021 - 23 comments
A company wants to make a film about the Christchurch mosque massacre on 15 March 2019. Maybe it should do.
Public transport, to complement cycling?
Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, June 17th, 2021 - 51 comments
Jenny looks at extending public transport to include cyclists
The America’s Cup is just another spinoff
Written By: - Date published: 7:18 am, June 17th, 2021 - 36 comments
We need less presumed hold over Team New Zealand, and more encouragement of more spinoff businesses that make their way in the world.
Fear and loathing in cycleland
Written By: - Date published: 3:52 pm, June 15th, 2021 - 32 comments
I am pleased the right have moved on from overtly racist attacks on minorities. But I am bemused by the current level of vitriol that has been thrown at a group who apart from wearing lycra is doing nothing wrong.
Government to issue an apology for the dawn raids
Written By: - Date published: 7:33 am, June 15th, 2021 - 23 comments
The Government has announced it will publicly apologise for the treatment of Pacific people in the 1970s when they were harassed and discriminated against by the Police because of the place of their birth and the colour of their skin.
Auckland’s Northern Pathway
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 11th, 2021 - 144 comments
Last week’s announcement of major changes to the New Zealand Upgrade program in my view was welcome.
Colonisation and widespread theft of Maori land is apparently good for them
Written By: - Date published: 7:53 am, June 9th, 2021 - 78 comments
Paora Goldsmith, who last hit National headlines for botching up National’s alternative budget, has again hit the headlines and for the wrong reasons. And this time members of his caucus publicly disagree with him.
National’s culture problem
Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, June 4th, 2021 - 29 comments
National’s week from hell is further evidence of a culture problem that will not be easily solved.
Why did ACT reject Lisa Lewis’s membership application?
Written By: - Date published: 3:29 pm, June 1st, 2021 - 7 comments
Two political blogs have asked why ACT turned down Sex worker Lisa Lewis’s application for membership of the party. Here at the Standard we have what we believe is the best answer.
Later Nick
Written By: - Date published: 7:58 am, June 1st, 2021 - 48 comments
Nick Smith is leaving Parliament not only to spend more time with his family but also because details of an employment dispute started after he yelled at a junior staffer were leaked.
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – “Year of the vaccine” at risk
A consensus is emerging that the Government has generally managed the Covid crisis very well over the last 18 months, but they have dropped the ball when it comes to the crucial vaccine rollout. This was nicely encapsulated in opinion polling last week showing that while 69 per cent of ...13 hours ago - Profiteering politicians delegitimise parliament
Why aren't politicians interested in actually solving the housing crisis? Because virtually the entire political class is making massive profits from it: MPs have pocketed $50 million in capital gains from their property interests in the last year amid a growing housing affordability crisis, a Stuff analysis has found. ...14 hours ago - Democracy wins in SamoaOver three months ago Samoa had an election, in which the people voted out the incumbent Human Rights Protection Party and voted in the opposition FAST Party. The incumbent Human Rights Protection Party ignored the results and clung to power, hoping to get their patsy head of state to call ...14 hours ago
- Climate Change: The solution farmers don’t want us to talk aboutRNZ this morning has a piece asking Can NZ really meet its methane emissions targets?. Posing it as a question like this frames it as difficult, more of the "but its too hard!" whine from farmers. But its not hard at all. Pretty obviously, we can meet methane reduction targets ...18 hours ago
- A Conversation That Never Happened.
18 hours ago - Graham Adams: Parliament is in recess but Kris Faafoi is too busy to discuss proposals for hate-spee...The Minister of Justice appears to have gone into hiding. Graham Adams provides an update on how the public debate on hate speech regulation is going, especially in terms of whether political opinion should or shouldn’t receive an exemption from new laws. It fell to RNZ to break the ...19 hours ago
- Engineering A Miracle: Can Judith Collins Reprise Rob Muldoon?Miracle Worker? But Judith Collins and National cannot regain power by simply hoping for the worst. Elections are won by politicians like Rob Muldoon, who persuade the voters that the incumbent government is the worst choice.WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE, as Leonard Cohen observed, is an agonising test. Especially if its ...19 hours ago
- Hearing loss and social isolation – the silent burden
Feature image: this picture was chosen as it illustrates two elderly people in each other’s company. Tying in with the theme of hearing loss and social isolation, this depicts the importance of connection to each other and the world in which we live. Charlotte Gordon* Untreated hearing loss is a ...1 day ago - 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #30
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 18, 2021 through Sat, July 24, 2021 The following articles sparked above average interest during the week: Extreme rainfall in China: over 25 inches falls in 24 hours, leaving 33 dead, As scientists have ...1 day ago - Capitalists in Space
. . Billionaire Richard Branson did it. Also-billionaire, Jeff Bezos, did it. Both will be the first money-hoarders into space (or sub-orbital near-space, to be more specific). Also-also-billionaire, Elon Musk – not content with sub-orbital ‘jaunts’ – has expressed a desire to go Full Interplanetary and personally colonise Mars. Meanwhile, ...1 day ago - Elizabeth Rata: Responding to Andrew Geddis on Treaty PartnershipsMy recent article about the role that the concept of a Treaty ‘partnership’ has played in the development of ethno-nationalism provoked a critical response from Professor Andrew Geddis. We obviously have different opinions about the value of a Treaty partnership in New Zealand’s liberal democracy. My purpose here is to ...2 days ago
- When tough on crime goes wrong
If there’s one thing that you can safely rely on, it’s right-wing politicians grandstanding with tough on crime rhetoric. It's understandable being that such propaganda is usually a sure bet, obviously because a very large proportion of the public wants to see less crime and fewer criminals in their communities.However ...3 days ago - Billionaire space race: the ultimate symbol of capitalism’s flawed obsession with growthTim Jackson, University of Surrey Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids, laments the Rocket Man in Elton John’s timeless classic. In fact, it’s cold as hell. But that doesn’t seem to worry a new generation of space entrepreneurs intent on colonising the “final frontier” as fast ...3 days ago
- Michael Cullen’s Policy Achievements
Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it.Implicit in the title of the Michael Cullen’s memoir Labour Saving is his greatest policy achievement of improving the savings of the economy, as well as his saving the Labour Party from neoliberalism. But first, ...3 days ago - Call to ‘come home’ does not apply to our sleeper cells in Australia, says Government
A map of believed New Zealand sleeper cells in Australia, which the Australian Secret Intelligence Service has described as “painfully obvious” and believes is “pretty much comprehensive.” As the Covid-19 travel bubble with Australia closes once more, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins have made clear ...3 days ago - Cranky Uncle game now being translatedThe Cranky Uncle game is now being translated into multiple languages, paving the way to building public resilience against misinformation across the world. So far, we have had volunteers offer to help translate the game into Danish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian. But we are always looking ...4 days ago
- Andrew Geddis: Responding to Elizabeth Rata on Treaty PartnershipsIn a recent post on this site, Prof Elizabeth Rata expressed her concerns at the growth of what she terms “ethno-nationalism” and the role that the concept of a “Treaty partnership” has played in this development. She does so by telling a story about how this idea of a Treaty ...4 days ago
- The Greatest Cyber-Weapon May Be The Truth.Who's Hacking Who? So, let’s be clear: the very same Western powers who were voicing their alarm at China’s alleged outsourcing of its cyber-attack capabilities to private actors, are the identical Western powers who, for years, have winked at their friends in Jerusalem outsourcing their intelligence gathering to a shadowy Tel ...4 days ago
- Morbid Symptoms: Why Are Māori Vaccination Rates Plummeting?Not Enough Shots In The Arm: The percentage of 8-month-old Māori babies in Counties Manukau receiving their primary course of immunisation on time has fallen from 85 percent in May 2020 to 68 percent in May 2021. A report prepared for the Counties Manukau DHB attributes this startling drop-off to: ...4 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29, 202194 articles Physical science of climate change, effects Three flavors of radiative feedbacks and their implications for estimating Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity Rugenstein & Armour Geophysical Research Letters DOI: 10.1029/2021gl092983 Observations of climate change, effects Multi-decadal change in western US nighttime vapor pressure deficit DOI: 10.1029/2021gl092983 Recent changes in ...5 days ago
- Looking for more coal is indefensibleSiberia is burning. China is flooding. Westport flooded last weekend. And against this backdrop of climate breakdown, the Southland District Council thinks its a good time to approve new coal exploration. This is a terrible idea. But its also a waste of time. Any coal discovered can never be burned ...5 days ago
- An end to imprisoning refugees?Back in May, Amnesty International exposed New Zealand's repuslive system of refugee detention, and the ongoing human rights abuses it leads to. It clearly embarassed the government, because today they've announced a formal inquiry into the practice - the first step to ending it: But following the release in ...5 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – The Seriousness of the rural revoltIt’s nearly a week since the “Howl of a Protest” took place throughout the country, and we’re still talking about the rural revolt. What are the farmers’ concerns? Are they legitimate? Has the rural-urban divide has become too deep, and will any of this have an impact on politics in ...5 days ago
- Extreme heat warning: what the first-ever UK Met Office alert meansChloe Brimicombe, University of Reading Summer 2021 will mark a turning point in how heat is seen by the public and communicated by experts. For the first time in its 167-year history, the UK’s Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat for much of Wales and parts ...5 days ago
- Hydrogen in Southland?New Zealand wants to move to more renewable electricity. But there's a barrier: the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. It sucks up 13% of our total electricity supply, but its continued threats to shut down create ongoing uncertainty about demand, which puts people off building the additional renewables we need. But ...5 days ago
- When an ancient volcanic ‘supereruption’ caused sudden cooling, early humans got luckyBen Black, Rutgers University and Anja Schmidt, University of Cambridge Around 74,000 years ago, a “supereruption” on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, blasted out an estimated 5,000 cubic kilometres of magma. This was the Toba eruption, the largest volcanic eruption of the past 2 million years. To put 5,000 ...5 days ago
- Talley’s Group Ltd – Arsehole of the Week5 days ago
- Climate Crisis Intensifies Dramatically in 2021
In 2007 an organisation chose its name based on the scientific consensus that 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was the uppermost level to avoid a climate tipping point. We are currently just short of 420pp of carbon and the last seven years have been the hottest ...5 days ago - Samoa’s women’s quota: Have I missed something?(Narrator voice: Yes, yes I did. See correction at the bottom) Another election petition was finalised in Samoa today, seeing the first finding of an illegal practice against a FAST candidate (a party roadshow made a customary gift - koha in NZ terms - during a period where these are ...6 days ago
- A promising startThe "rebate" half of the government's feebate scheme to lower transport emissions came into force three weeks ago. And it looks like its had an immediate effect, with two months worth of EVs registered in the first 19 days alone: More than 1300 electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles ...6 days ago
- Taking shortsighted penny-pinching to a whole new levelOver the weekend Westport was hit by devastating floods. Half the town had to be evacuated, 89 homes (so far) are uninhabitable, and another 400 (of ~1700) need serious repairs. The total cost hasn't come in yet, but its going to be well into the tens of millions of dollars. ...6 days ago
- TORN’s Spy Report on the Amazon LOTR/Second Age Series
It’s been a while since we got an update on the upcoming Amazon Second Age series. Not since the leaked Synopsis. The poor fandom twisted itself into knots speculating about supposed nudity in a Tolkien adaptation, and then… nothing. Well, that has suddenly changed. The One Ring.Net has ...6 days ago - As scientists have long predicted, warming is making heatwaves more deadlyThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In its 2001 Third Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) foresaw that global warming would lead to increasingly deadly heatwaves. “More hot days and heatwaves are very likely over nearly all land areas,” the world’s top climate scientists warned. “These increases ...6 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: NZ’s statement on China a shot across the bowA statement issued by the New Zealand Government alleging Chinese state involvement in hacking goes much further than a simple, pro forma endorsement of the views of New Zealand’s allies. Geoffrey Miller explains the significance. New Zealand joined Western allies on Monday by issuing a statement that called out ...7 days ago
- Climate Change: Calling time on “leakage”When New Zealand was trying to implement carbon pricing back in the early 2000s, polluters whined about "leakage", either threatening to take their production overseas so they could continue to pollute for free, or complaining that paying the full cost of their pollution would mean they would be out-competed by ...7 days ago
- Plague ships put elimination strategy at risk7 days ago
- Baby talk 4: first transfer
Read the full Baby Talk series Content note: this one involves my vagina, like, a lot. Also blood. And that whole infertility/anxiety thing. Of our four fertilised eggs, two were deemed high-quality enough to proceed to the next stage, embryo transfer. The old days of putting multiple embryos back into ...7 days ago - Hate Speech Laws: The Polling
After the March 2019 Christchurch mosque attack, the New Zealand Government set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into matters surrounding the tragedy. The Commission came back with recommendations, including a tightening of laws regarding Hate Speech. The Ardern Government has indicated support for such proposals, but has yet ...1 week ago - Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin: can they be more than ‘space’ joyrides for millionaires?Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University and Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his team successfully flew to the “edge of space” on the Unity 22 mission aboard a Virgin Galactic plane on July 12. The event was hailed as the start of space tourism, narrowly beating ...1 week ago
- Exporting their social licenceOne of the slogans of Friday's ugly farmer protests was "no farms, no food". But the truth is that most of what farmers grow is exported, and kiwis are increasingly being priced out of eating it at all: If you feel like red meat is more expensive than it ...1 week ago
- Graham Adams: Ardern’s nightmarish weekendCriticism of the government funding gangs and the media followed hard on the heels of nationwide protests by farmers It should have been a weekend of media adulation to further burnish the Prime Minister’s international reputation as a consensus-builder. Late on Friday night, Jacinda Ardern hosted a virtual Asia-Pacific ...1 week ago
- Why climate change is forcing conservationists to be more ambitious: by moving threatened species to...Sarah Elizabeth Dalrymple, Liverpool John Moores University As climate change brings record droughts and floods, extended fire seasons continue to make headlines, and the role of humans in this terrible situation is now undisputed, institutional change has been slow and unsteady. In particular, conservationists have been wary of pointing to ...1 week ago
- The government needs to act on this warningOver the weekend devastating floods hit the South Island. Half the population of Westport were forced from their homes, and it looks like hundreds have been made permanently homeless. Its a taste of what we can expect in the future due to climate change, and things are only going to ...1 week ago
- Free Speech vs Hate Speech – By Numbers.We Can Stop Guessing: New Zealand owes the newly-formed Free Speech Union (FSU) a debt of gratitude for commissioning Curia Research to find out exactly where the country stands on the Government’s Hate Speech proposals. JACINDA ARDERN faces a considerably less daunting task in selling her Hate Speech laws than many ...1 week ago
- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 11, 2021 through Sat, July 17, 2021 The following articles sparked above average interest during the week: Repustar Fact Brief: Is carbon dioxide incapable of warming the planet any more than it already has?, The ...1 week ago
- Some farmers are very sick puppiesI'm not sure if you're aware, but there's a significant problem within our farming community that needs to be addressed, and that’s this whole belief that Labour is anti-farming. The reality is that the current Government loves farmers. From free trade agreements that open up new markets to keeping farming ...1 week ago
- Why were all these tails wagging the farm dogs through our towns and cities again?
Because for many of these ones it’s often about feelings alone, not the facts. There’s been some entirely manufactured hysterics over the so-called “ute” tax, and rural issues as a whole, coupled with some decidedly off-the-wall, so-called impending Communist takeover and the co-option of issues by the rabid Right, ...1 week ago - Mike King needs to get his shit together1 week ago
- Weaponising They Are Us: The Draft Script
You may recall that mass shooting at the Christchurch mosque a couple of years ago. It feels an eternity, of course, what with the shooting taking place in the Before Coronavirus era. There is currently an attempt to make a film about the event, under the title They ...1 week ago - Milley-tary Intervention.1 week ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Jacinda Ardern’s APEC diplomacy could be the start of something biggerGeoffrey Miller looks over the lessons from the special APEC summit Today’s special virtual APEC summit was so modest in its aims that it was officially referred to only as an ‘informal leaders’ retreat on Covid-19’. From the outset, host Jacinda Ardern dampened down expectations for the meeting, warning reporters ...1 week ago
- In Defence of Social Democracy
I used to josh Michael Cullen that he should write a memoir about his 27 years in parliament which ended in 2009, including 12 years as a minister. He always said he was too busy and it was not his thing. Sadly things have changed. Learning he has terminal lung ...1 week ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on YouTube.
I am glad to report that the “A View from Afar” podcast is now available on the 36th Parallel Assessments YouTube channel. As a teaser, the first video is taken from an interview done in Karekare with German TV about the scourge of white supremacism/right-wing extremism. ...2 weeks ago - A howl of uglinessFarmers are protesting today, invading cities with tractors and utes in protest against water and climate change policy. The core message of their "howl of protest" is meant to be "no farmers, no food" - which rather undermines their own case, given that 80% of the food they produce is ...2 weeks ago
- Drawing The Heat.A Matter Of Signals: What is a government saying about itself when it parlays with known criminals? What is it signalling about its willingness to openly confront them? More to the point, what message does it send to all the decent, law-abiding, charity-workers who struggle every day to convince their ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #28, 2021Decomposition of increasing atmospheric methane points to a decomposing Amazon Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, relatively short-lived in the atmosphere compared to CO2 but far more effective at "helping" to retain heat, gram-for-gram. With its radiative effects "super powers," methane is a potentially dramatic additional contributor to disastrous levels ...2 weeks ago
- Proactive release: What is the government afraid of?Last month, Newsroom reported on the government's slow progress on reviewing its proactive release policy. The story quoted Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins as saying that there had been "ongoing reviews" about the effectiveness of proactive releases. Naturally, I asked for these reviews using the OIA. Naturally, I got dicked ...2 weeks ago
- The Adventures of Annalax: Volume XXV
Session Fifty-Four This session was about tying up loose ends, and transitioning to something different (at last!). Manya gave birth to the shadow creature thing the Hag had cursed her with. The child – which is growing quickly – is an aggressive little psychopath. Annalax still doesn’t ...2 weeks ago - In NZ and around the world, women are still more likely to present and report the news than appear i...Susan Fountaine, Massey University Women are more visible in the world’s news than ever before — but they’re still far from achieving parity with men. According to the just released Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), women made up 40% of reporters and 25% of news sources across print, TV, ...2 weeks ago
- UK plans amnesty for war criminalsEngland's massacres in Northern Ireland during "the Troubles" are just another in its long list of colonial crimes. And like their other colonial crimes, they plan to sweep them under the carpet, with an effective amnesty for their colonial criminals: All criminal prosecutions relating to the Troubles and future ...2 weeks ago
- Nothing Left – Or Right – To Say.Or, Better Still, Start It! When did philosophical literacy cease to be a core competence of political leadership? Past New Zealand political leaders managed to explain themselves and their parties with reasonable fluency, why not the present crop?THE NATIONAL PARTY’s “Demand the Debate” campaign speaks volumes about the Right’s ideological ...2 weeks ago
- The Ministry of health’s transparency problem againRNZ has an interesting piece this morning about the Ministry of Health's efforts to hide the truth about its misleading and nonsensical vaccine rollout graph, which showed second doses being given before first doses. The "graph" was in fact marketing bullshit, and many Ministry of Health staff were uncomfortable with ...2 weeks ago
- Climate explained: is New Zealand losing or gaining native forests?Climate explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz In recent decades, has New Zealand lost ...2 weeks ago
- Four in five New Zealanders plan to get vaccinated, but many people want more information about vacc...Jagadish Thaker, Massey University New Zealanders’ intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine is at its highest since last year, at 81% of the adult population, according to our latest research. Ministry of Health surveys, which have been tracking public acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines since last year, also confirm the ...2 weeks ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Ardern’s foreign policy address pro-US, but not necessarily anti-ChinaJacinda Ardern has delivered a keynote speech on foreign policy. Geoffrey Miller reads between the lines. It was about APEC. And the Indo-Pacific. But most of all, it was about China. Jacinda Ardern’s keynote foreign policy address on Wednesday – at the annual conference of the New Zealand Institute ...2 weeks ago
- Death Valley, California, breaks the all-time world heat record for the second year in a rowThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters For the second consecutive year, Death Valley, California, has set a world record for the hottest reliably measured temperature in Earth’s history. Death Valley National Park’s Furnace Creek Visitor Center hit an astonishing 130.0 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4°C) on Friday afternoon, ...2 weeks ago
- Do you answer emails outside work hours? Do you send them? New research shows how dangerous this can...Amy Zadow, University of South Australia What could be so bad about answering a few emails in the evening? Perhaps something urgent pops up, we are tidying up an issue from the day, or trying to get ahead for tomorrow. Always being online and available is one of the ...2 weeks ago
- Climate Change: Fixing the government’s fuckupNewsroom today has a piece on the ETS price crisis and the risk that poor market design means we will blow the carbon budget in its first real year of operation. But can we do anything about it? According to Climate Change Minister James Shaw, the answer is "no": ...2 weeks ago
- The alarms are flashing red: Five reasons to upgrade our Alert Level system before the next Covid-po...Amanda Kvalsvig, Nick Wilson, Cheryl Davies, Carmen Timu-Parata, Virginia Signal, Michael G. Baker Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ’s) Alert Level system worked well in 2020, but the Covid-19 landscape is changing and the system needs to change with it to keep NZ ahead of the pandemic. In this blog we summarise ...2 weeks ago
- National should move on from racism2 weeks ago
- Judith Collins and National: It’s a trust thing. . . Clever strategies . There are firm reasons why National continually fails to gain traction with the voting public (recent Roy Morgan poll notwithstanding, as one fall does a trend not make). The ongoing in-fighting. The revolving door on leadership changes. It’s lack of coherent policy and direction. ...2 weeks ago
- What’s the right Covid-19 risk to live with – an Australian perspectiveBlog syndicated with permission from “The Pursuit” at Melbourne University, Australia By Professor Tony Blakely, Dr Tim Wilson and Associate Professor Vijaya Sundararajan, University of Melbourne As Australia looks toward opening its international borders, new virus modelling provides scenarios that can help us decide what’s the right risk to ...2 weeks ago
- Additional fact briefs published on RepustarWith an initial batch of eight published Fact Briefs we announced our partnership with the fact-checking organization Repustar at the end of April 2021. Since then, work has progressed in the background and seven more Fact Briefs have been published and are now available for quick rebuttals. ...2 weeks ago
- Billionaire circle jerk2 weeks ago
- A significant number of New Zealanders overestimate sea-level rise — and that could stop them from...Rebecca Priestley, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Richard Levy, GNS Science; Taciano L. Milfont, University of Waikato; Timothy Naish, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, and Zoë Heine, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Following a recent storm surge in Wellington, some ...2 weeks ago
- Building back better
It’s a three-week recess in Parliament – so, no bills are going through the House and no select committees are meeting. But the hard work of our ministers continues, and many of our MPs are back in their electorates, taking the opportunity to meet with local communities and businesses about ...4 days ago - Greens call for a Warrant of Fitness for rental homes
The Green Party is launching a petition today calling on the Government’s Healthy Homes Standards to be backed up with a proper Warrant of Fitness (WoF) for rental homes. ...7 days ago - Securing our recovery: By the numbersOur plan to secure New Zealand’s recovery from COVID-19 is working, with the past three months seeing the second-highest number of people moved off a main benefit into work since records began. ...2 weeks ago
- More Kiwis in work through recovery planThe latest statistics show the Government’s focus on jobs is working. The net number of people on a main benefit dropped by around 11,190 people during the past three months, with around 31,240 people moving off a benefit into work. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party appoints new Chief of StaffThe Green Party has appointed a new Parliamentary Chief of Staff, Robin Campbell. ...2 weeks ago
- We’re turning 105!It’s our birthday! Today, 105 years ago, the New Zealand Labour Party was founded. And we haven’t stopped moving since: fighting for workers’ rights, expanding protections to boost equality, and upholding democratic socialist ideals. We’re now the oldest political party in New Zealand and, as we celebrate our 105 years, ...3 weeks ago
- Principles for guiding the Emissions Reduction Plan SpeechTēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. ...3 weeks ago
- New Bay of Islands hospital facilities to bring services closer to home
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Andrew Little have joined a ceremony to bless the site and workers for Phase Two of the redevelopment of the Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa today. The new building will house outpatients and primary care facilities, as well as expanded renal care ...18 hours ago - Cabinet accepts Turkish authorities’ request for the managed return of three NZ citizensCabinet has agreed to the managed return of a New Zealand citizen and her two young children from Turkey, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. The three have been in immigration detention in Turkey since crossing the border from Syria earlier this year. Turkey has requested that New Zealand repatriate ...18 hours ago
- Govt delivers more classrooms so children can focus on learningExtra Government investment in classrooms and school building projects will enable students and teachers to focus on education rather than overcrowding as school rolls grow across the country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis say. The pair visited Ruakākā School in Whangārei today to announce $100 ...20 hours ago
- New station a platform for AirportLink to take offEvery Aucklander with access to the rail network will now have a quick and convenient trip to the airport, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said during the official opening of the new Puhinui Interchange today. The new interchange links the rail platform with a new bus ...3 days ago
- 10 days sick leave for employees deliveredLegislation doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days comes into effect today, bringing benefits to both businesses and employees, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Our Government is delivering on a key manifesto commitment to help Kiwis and workplaces stay healthy,” Michael Wood said. “COVID-19 ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister congratulates Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on Election WinPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern tonight congratulated Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on her victory in the Samoa’s general election. “New Zealand has a special relationship with Samoa, anchored in the Treaty of Friendship. We look forward to working with Samoa’s new government in the spirit of partnership that characterises this ...3 days ago
- Quarantine Free Travel with Australia suspendedQuarantine Free Travel from all Australian states and territories to New Zealand is being suspended as the Covid situation there worsens, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. From 11.59pm today Australians will no longer be able to enter New Zealand quarantine-free. This will be ...4 days ago
- Growing conservation efforts in GisborneA big injection of Jobs for Nature funding will create much-needed jobs and financial security for families in TeTairāwhiti, and has exciting prospects for conservation in the region, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The projects target local communities most affected by the economic consequences of COVID 19 and are designed ...4 days ago
- Flood recovery given further assistanceThe Government is contributing a further $1 million to help the flood battered Buller community, Acting Emergency Management Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Buller is a small community which has found itself suddenly facing significant and ongoing welfare costs. While many emergency welfare costs are reimbursed by Government, this money ...5 days ago
- Funding for five projects to reduce food wasteThe Government is funding five projects to help address the growing problem of food waste, Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “New Zealand households throw away nearly 300,000 tonnes of food every year, half of which could still be eaten. By supporting these initiatives, we’re taking steps to reduce this ...5 days ago
- Temporary Accommodation Service activated for West Coast flooding eventThe Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated today - meaning residents on the West Coast of the South Island and in the Marlborough region hit by flooding over the weekend can now access help finding temporary accommodation, announced Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing) Poto Williams in Westport today. ...6 days ago
- Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from South Australia to New ZealandQuarantine Free Travel from South Australia to New Zealand will be paused from 11.59am (NZT) tonight, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. However, people currently in the state who ordinarily live in New Zealand will be able to return on “managed return” flights starting with the next available flight, ...6 days ago
- New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity by Chinese state-sponsored actorsNew Zealand has established links between Chinese state-sponsored actors known as Advanced Persistent Threat 40 (APT40) and malicious cyber activity in New Zealand. “The GCSB has worked through a robust technical attribution process in relation to this activity. New Zealand is today joining other countries in strongly condemning this malicious ...1 week ago
- Remarks to Diplomatic CorpsIt is a pleasure to be with you all this evening. Some of you may have been surprised when you received an invitation from the Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, and I would forgive you if you were. New Zealand is unique in having established a Ministerial portfolio ...1 week ago
- Early Pfizer shipment boosts vaccine scheduleThe largest shipment of the Pfizer vaccine to date has arrived into New Zealand two days ahead of schedule, and doses are already being delivered to vaccination centres around the country, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “The shipment of more than 370,000 doses reached New Zealand yesterday, following a ...1 week ago
- Backing for Bay of Islands predator free effortThe Government is throwing its support behind an ambitious project to restore native biodiversity and build long-term conservation careers, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. Predator Free Bay of Islands aims to eradicate predators from the three main peninsulas in the region, and significantly reduce their impact throughout the wider 80,000-plus ...1 week ago
- Government commits $600,000 to flood recoveryThe Government is contributing $600,000 to help residents affected by the weekend’s violent weather with recovery efforts. Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor have been in the Buller district this afternoon to assess flood damage and support the local response effort. They have announced ...1 week ago
- Government assisting local responses to heavy rainfall and high windActing Minister of Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says Central Government is monitoring the severe weather across the country, and is ready to provide further support to those affected if necessary. “My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this latest event, particularly communities on the West Coast and ...1 week ago
- PM Ardern chairs APEC Leaders’ meeting on COVID-19New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has chaired a meeting of Leaders representing the 21 APEC economies overnight. “For the first time in APEC’s history Leaders have come together for an extraordinary meeting focused exclusively on COVID-19, and how our region can navigate out of the worst health and economic ...1 week ago
- Health Minister welcomes progress on nurses’ payThe New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s decision to take the Government’s improved pay offer to members and to lift strike notices is a positive move towards settling district health board nurses’ pay claims, Health Minister Andrew Little said. “It’s encouraging that the discussions between NZNO and DHBs over the nurses’ employment ...2 weeks ago
- Boost for Pacific regional businessPacific businesses will get a much-needed financial boost as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the new Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The new $2 million fund will co-invest in Pacific business projects and initiatives to create ...2 weeks ago
- PM Ardern call with President BidenPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke with US President Biden this morning, ahead of the APEC Informal Leaders’ Retreat on COVID-19. “President Biden and I discussed the forthcoming APEC leaders meeting and the critical importance of working together as a region to navigate out of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Jacinda Ardern said. ...2 weeks ago
- Renewed partnership creates jobs for New Zealand youthThe Government has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, strengthening the partnership to get more young people into work. The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is a nationwide network of all Mayors in New Zealand, who are committed to making sure all young ...2 weeks ago
- South Island areas prioritised in tourism fundFive South Island areas are prioritised in the latest round of decisions from a tourism fund that is supporting infrastructure projects from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island and the Chathams. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has announced details of 57 nationwide projects to receive support from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF). ...2 weeks ago
- New code sets clear expectations for learner safety and wellbeing in tertiary educationA new code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary and international students will be in place from January next year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today The code, which makes clear that creating an environment that supports learning and wellbeing is a shared responsibility between tertiary providers, ...2 weeks ago
- First TAB New Zealand Board appointments announcedThe members of the first TAB NZ Board come with experience in racing and sport administration, business and governance, the betting industry, broadcasting and gambling harm minimisation. “This Board will progress from the excellent work done by the interim board, put in place in August 2020,” Grant Robertson said. “The ...2 weeks ago
- Northland Maori Pathways initiative introducedThe Government has today launched Māori Pathways at Northland Region Corrections Facility, a ground-breaking series of initiatives designed in partnership with Māori to reduce re-offending and improve outcomes for whānau. A key part of the Hōkai Rangi strategy, Māori Pathways looks to achieve long-term change and involves a number of ...2 weeks ago
- Extended Essential Skills visas being rolled outTwo year Essential Skills visa to provide certainty to at least 18,000 visa holders Streamlined application process to benefit at least 57,000 visa holders The Government is increasing the duration of some Essential Skills visas and streamlining the application process to provide more certainty to employers and visa holders while ...2 weeks ago
- Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New ZealandQuarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New Zealand will be paused from 1.59am (NZT) Friday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. The decision follows updated public health advice from New Zealand officials and a growing number of cases and locations of interest. The pause will run for at least ...2 weeks ago
- Hydrogen arrangement signed with SingaporeThe signing of an Arrangement of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore heralds the start of greater collaboration between it and New Zealand as both countries transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods. The cooperation arrangement between New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment ...2 weeks ago
- Hydrogen agreement signed with SingaporeThe signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore signals the start of greater collaboration between the two countries as they transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods. The cooperation agreement between New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to LGNZ ConferenceKia ora koutou katoa and thank-you for the invitation to speak to you all today. I would like to acknowledge Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby, and Chief Executive, Susan Freeman-Greene, Te Maruata Chair, Bonita Bigham, and our host, Mayor John Leggett. I also acknowledge all the elected members ...2 weeks ago
- Government to provide support for water reforms, jobs and growthThe Government today announced a $2.5 billion package to support local government transition through the reforms to New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. The package will also stimulate local economies while creating jobs and unlocking infrastructure for housing. “New Zealand’s water systems are facing a significant crisis and ...2 weeks ago
- Government Initiatives Contribute to Fall in Benefit NumbersMinister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the release of the June quarter Benefit Statistics which show a continuing fall in the number of people receiving a Main Benefit. “This Government’s plan to increase work focused support for Jobseekers is paying off,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “All up Benefit numbers ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism support package continues rolloutMental wellbeing support is being rolled out to five South Island communities most affected by the absence of international tourists. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash today announced details of how tourism operators and communities can access the help announced in May as part of the government’s $200 million Tourism Communities: Support, ...2 weeks ago
- NZ-PNG Sign Statement of PartnershipNew Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape signed the first ever New Zealand - Papua New Guinea Statement of Partnership today. “This new Statement of Partnership reflects the importance we place on the close economic, cultural and people-to-people links our two countries have ...2 weeks ago
- Further advice being sought on new cases in VictoriaFurther advice is being sought from public health officials following seven new positive cases of COVID-19 in Victoria today, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “There are also a growing number of locations of interest that are of concern, including a sports stadium on Saturday and several pubs,” Chris Hipkins ...2 weeks ago
- Christchurch Learning Community Hubs supporting ethnic familiesAs part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to working with the victims and those affected by the March 15 terror attacks, today Associate Minister of Education Hon Jan Tinetti released the report ‘Voices from the Ōtautahi’ on the Christchurch Learning Community Hubs. “It’s so important we continue to support the ...2 weeks ago
- Hundreds more hands funded to work for natureSupporting biodiversity protection through community-led projects and on private property will create at least 500 more jobs under the Mahi mō te Taiao/Jobs for Nature programme, Minister of Conservation Kiritapu Allan announced today. “The work we are funding includes everything from pest control and restoration planting to plant propagation, skill ...2 weeks ago
- Saliva testing expansion for frontline border workersAll frontline border workers who are required to be regularly tested for COVID-19 will soon be able to choose regular saliva testing as a full replacement for nasopharyngeal testing, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. Saliva testing will be expanded as an option for all those on a regular ...2 weeks ago
- Ombudsman pans council foot-dragging
Christchurch’s council gets a slap on the wrist over delays relating to a $100,000 report. David Williams reports. Delays and transparency at Christchurch’s council remain under scrutiny by Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier. Two years ago, Boshier excoriated the council for its treatment of public information requests, saying reports reflecting negatively ...26 mins ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Tuesday 27 July
...56 mins ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 27 July
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...56 mins ago - Menopause, MHT and me
A full 50% of the population will experience menopause, but confusion about its symptoms – and the options for treating them – remains widespread. Determined to address menopause’s debilitating effects, Anna Sophia embarked on an ‘experiential trial’ to discover whether hormone therapy could help.So here it is and here I ...1 hour ago - What’s it like reporting from ‘an Olympics like no other’?New Zealand journalists based in Tokyo say covering this year’s extraordinary Olympics is ‘fun, strange, uncertain and exciting’. There’s also a lot of gloves. Kimberlee Downs remembers her time spent covering the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as a “very social” occasion. Journalists from all over the world met, ...1 hour ago
- We’ve got enough food – it’s the political will that’s missingYes, the vast majority of food produced in New Zealand goes overseas, but blaming food insecurity on exporting serves only to obscure the real issue, writes Katharine Cresswell Riol.In light of ongoing food insecurity in Aotearoa, a situation that was drastically exacerbated by coronavirus-induced lockdown conditions, the recent call to ...1 hour ago
- The opposite of punitive school measures
'Restorative practice' in education reduces reliance on punitive measures such as suspensions and expulsions, creating safer environments. So do why NZ schools tend to drop it just years after bringing it in? COMMENT: Every day schools remove students from their classrooms and schools in frustration with their inability to adhere to school ...1 hour ago - Liberté, égalité – and Covid
France is getting tough on mandating a health passport for vaccination status, and the French aren't taking it lying down, writes Oliver Hartwich ...1 hour ago - Beware the 'forgotten' war
Stephen Hoadley cautions New Zealanders to take into account the security risks - and the economic opportunities - presented by the fragile inter-Korean armistice, and to be aware of the shifting power balances of the East Asian region The guns are stilled … for now. But seven decades ago one of the ...1 hour ago - The cut-throat world of kombucha
Craft kombucha maker Batchwell launches a $1 million capital raise on the Snowball Effect platform this week. But the kombucha market is more complicated than you might think. ...1 hour ago - A scary and overlooked milestone
'Earth Overshoot Day' is the day in the year humanity begins to exceed its annual consumption of the earth’s replenishable resources - and it's not cause for celebration, writes Jack Santa Barbara COMMENT: One of the most significant milestones we pass each year generally goes completely unnoticed, and unacknowledged. This year ...1 hour ago - Planned retreat from flood-prone Westport and its stoic history
As the PM visits Westport, the town faces a touch call on whether to rebuild or withdraw after the recent devastating floods ...1 hour ago - One week at the border: 60 Covid cases caught
We're keeping Covid out at the border - for now - but just last week our defences kept out 60 positive cases. Almost inevitably, that protection shield will fail. It seems to be coming at us from all angles. Covid, and its more dangerous variant Delta is knocking at the ...1 hour ago - Essay: My grandmother glitches the machine
A personal essay about machines, Mandarin, and grandma by Tan Tuck Ming A few years ago, I took part in a research study at an institute of parapsychology, an underground subfield of psychology that deals with psychic abilities. I was in my second year of university and did not ...1 hour ago - Accused spy active on encrypted chat app
A soldier charged with espionage has recently been active on the encrypted chat app Telegram, Marc Daalder reports A soldier facing four charges of espionage along with 13 other counts still has access to encrypted messaging apps on his mobile phone. The soldier, who has interim name suppression ahead of a ...1 hour ago - The liquor store plague
New Zealanders have very easy access to alcohol, and the choices are growing. But communities worried about the harm it's causing face big hurdles to stop liquor stores proliferating. How many alcohol outlets does a suburban town centre need? Well, in South Auckland’s Māngere, there are seven - all ...1 hour ago - Why we should care about air pollution
It’s time to consider how reducing emissions for the benefit of the climate could bring added health benefits to our population, argues Dr Dennis Wesselbaum. The report by He Pou a Rangi, the Climate Change Commission, has received much positive and negative attention since its publication. It suggests making dramatic changes ...1 hour ago - Samoa’s FAST party gets quickly down to work after court ruling
RNZ Pacific Samoa’s new FAST Party government has got down to work this morning, meeting with the heads of government departments, more than 100 days after it had won the election. FAST MPs were forced to swear themselves in because the Head of State had barred them from entering Parliament. ...5 hours ago - John Minto: Ben & Jerry does right thing – will Mahuta agree to UN call?COMMENT: By John Minto US ice cream manufacturer Ben and Jerry has announced it will no longer sell icecream in the occupied Palestinian Territories. This is a welcome development while Israel is continuing to flout international law with their new government approving the building of 31 more illegal Jewish-only settlements ...5 hours ago
- The Tokyo Lowdown: Day 3
On a day when NZ celebrated its first medal in Tokyo, our Kiwi sportswomen had a mixed bag of results - but it was an unforgettable day for the baby of the team. LockerRoom's daily update on our women athletes continues. Performances of the day It's been one heck of a ...8 hours ago - Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: “Year of the vaccine” at riskAnalysis by Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. A consensus is emerging that the Government has generally managed the Covid crisis very well over the last 18 months, but they have dropped the ball when it comes to the crucial vaccine rollout. This was nicely encapsulated in opinion polling ...9 hours ago
- Yes, there’s confusion about ATAGI’s AstraZeneca advice. But it’s in an extremely difficult po...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Daniel Pockett/AAP One can totally understand the frustration around where the AstraZeneca vaccine fits in our vaccine rollout in Australia. At a time when we’re grappling with so much uncertainty, we need unambiguous ...11 hours ago
- View from The Hill: Labor wouldn’t disturb tax cuts, negative gearing in ‘small target’ strate...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra After making itself a mega target in 2019, Labor has confirmed it will be a small one in 2022 by promising an Albanese government would keep the 2024 income tax cuts and not disturb negative ...12 hours ago
- How do Olympic athletes stack up against invertebrates? Not very wellSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlyn Forster, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Andreas Karyadi / Shutterstock Olympians spend years training to be the best of the best. Scientists and sportspeople have spent decades researching the mechanics of the human ...12 hours ago
- Kiwis face anxious wait for extra flights out of New South Wales
New Zealanders stuck in New South Wales are anxiously waiting on the government to organise extra return flights. ...12 hours ago - Curious Kids: are sugar rushes real?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Associate Professor/ Principal Research Fellow, Griffith University Shutterstock When I’m happy after eating something sweet mummy and daddy say I am having a “sugar rush”. But I think I’m just happy! Is a sugar rush a real ...13 hours ago
- To ensure supply of the top 3 drugs used to treat COVID-19, it’s time to boost domestic medicine m...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney We now know enough about how COVID works for health authorities to have issued clear guidance on which drugs doctors should use on hospitalised patients. The recommended drugs are dexamethasone, ...13 hours ago
- What is ‘ROC’ and why are they winning so many Olympic medals in Tokyo?A mysterious team called ROC is currently in the top 10 on the Olympic medal table. Meanwhile, Russia hasn’t won any medals in Japan yet. Could these two facts be connected? We’ll give the game away on this one straight away – ROC stands for Russian Olympic Committee, and is, in ...14 hours ago
- How a bee sees: tiny bumps on flower petals give them their intense colour — and help them surviveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Dyer, Associate Professor, RMIT University Scarlett Howard, Author provided The intense colours of flowers have inspired us for centuries. They are celebrated through poems and songs praising the red of roses and blue of violets, and have inspired iconic ...14 hours ago
- Oh, look – we can’t find any mention of “ISIS” in PM’s press statement on bringing woman a...
The Turks don’t want her, after she crossed the border into that country from Syria. The Aussies don’t want her, even though her family moved to Australia when she was six and she grew up there before departing for Syria in 2014 on an Australian passport. They cancelled her citizenship. ...15 hours ago - For too long, research was done on First Nations peoples, not with them. Universities can change thi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Victoria Rawlings, Lecturer, University of Sydney School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney Warlpiri person showing a honey ant after hunting. shutterstock For too long, “research” was an activity done to or on Indigenous people; it was something imposed from ...15 hours ago
- FIANZ Request Media To Exercise Responsibility And Respect Privacy
...15 hours ago - The forgotten Australian veterans who opposed National Service and the Vietnam WarSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Piccini, Lecturer, Australian Catholic University On July 26 1971, a top secret cabinet meeting ended what was then Australia’s longest conflict. The public would hear about it for the first time in August, when Prime Minister William McMahon announced the withdrawal ...16 hours ago
- Australia badly needs earth science skills, but universities are cutting the supplySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Selway, Senior Research Fellow, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia Earth science is vital to Australia’s economic and environmental future but we are dramatically decreasing our earth science capability. Earth scientists work not only in mining and mineral exploration (which ...16 hours ago
- Georgia Lines on finding her voice, trusting herself and not burning out earlyAs the young songwriter steps confidently into a new phase of her career, she explains how it’s unfolded to this point.Georgia Lines comes bearing gifts. Ice blocks, to be specific. Never mind that we’re past the crest of the afternoon on what might be the coldest day in an unusually ...16 hours ago
- Barnaby Joyce scores dismal ratings in Resolve poll, while Berejiklian government easily in front de...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Mick Tsikas/AAP In the latest Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, the Coalition had 38% of the primary vote (down two since June), Labor 35% (down one), the ...16 hours ago
- NZ dairy industry’s biggest challenge is meeting methane gas emission targets
New Zealand dairy farmers are some of the most efficient producers of dairy milk in the world, and while the past year has been tough for many industries, the overall picture for dairy has been overwhelmingly positive. Returns to farmers have been at record levels,. along with the economic contribution ...17 hours ago - New Zealand to bring in terror suspect Suhayra Aden and her childrenNew Zealand has agreed to repatriate Suhayra Aden and her two young children, who crossed from Syria into Turkey in February. ...17 hours ago
- Girl group parody Girls5eva, reviewed by a former 90s popstarNow available on TVNZ OnDemand, Girls5eva follows a manufactured 90s girl group reforming in their 40s. Sound familiar? Megan Alatini of TrueBliss reviews. As soon as the Girls5eva trailer launched, the TrueBliss girls and I kept getting tagged on social media. Now that I’ve seen the show myself, I can totally ...17 hours ago
- Returning Children Must Be Protected And EmbracedChildren’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft is urging the public and media to respect the privacy and wellbeing of the children returning with their mother from Turkey, following the Governments’ announcement today. “I am proud that New Zealand has ...18 hours ago
- The Returning Mother And ChildrenToday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand will meet its international legal obligations and not leave a young family stateless. While some countries may choose to reject their citizens, the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand is ...18 hours ago
- While we wonder who Poto Williams represents, let’s muse on why Greg O’Connor missed out on the ...Newstalk ZB broadcaster Mike Yardley, writing about his recent interview with Police Minister Poto Williams, said he had been keen to learn why she was so dead against Armed Response Teams. Good question. But some of Williams’ replies during the interview raised another issue: who does the Member for Christchurch ...18 hours ago
- Goddesses respond to Karlo Mila’s book of poems, Goddess MuscleKarlo Mila’s latest poetry collection spans the work of a decade. It’s been out in the world for nine months now, filling cups and lifting women up. We invited women to write about it. Selina Tusitala MarshAs a seafood lover of fierce appetite, when I see Karlo’s title Goddess Muscle I ...18 hours ago
- Unpacking Race Based Politics...19 hours ago
- What’s up with all those seal sculptures?One woman’s love letter to an enduring feature of New Zealand front yards.This story was first published on Ensemble.There sits one, freshly painted, at the front door of a house in Titirangi. There’s one balancing a ball-shaped lamp, awkwardly placed above the cubicles in a public toilet in ...20 hours ago
- ACT Party economic proposals target Carbon Act, reinstating immigrationThe ACT Party is urging a return to pre-Covid immigration settings and completely scrapping the Zero Carbon Act in its economic discussion document release. ...20 hours ago
- ACT Right To Focus On Economic Growth In New Recovery DocumentThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union welcomes ACT’s growth-focused Economic Recovery Discussion Document. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “No matter how many times Grant Robertson says things aren’t as bad as he expected, ...20 hours ago
- How an NZSL performance interpreter tells the whole storyPlatform Interpreting NZ interprets performances for Aotearoa’s Deaf community. Its founder, Kelly Hodgins, tells Sam Brooks about the unique challenges and rewards that come with her work.It was the second night of comedian Tim Minchin’s recent solo tour, but he wasn’t the only star onstage. For the entire two hours ...21 hours ago
- Jacinda Ardern commits to getting NZers back from Australia within deadlineNew Zealanders in Australia wanting to get home are being reassured they will be able to do so within the seven-day window and avoid managed isolation. ...22 hours ago
- Live updates, July 26: PM confident all stranded NZers in Australia will make it home this weekWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for July 26, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.05am: PM confident all stranded NZers in Australia will make it home this weekThe prime minister has made a commitment to New Zealanders in Australia who are trying ...22 hours ago
- ‘Anorexia coach’: sexual predators online are targeting teens wanting to lose weight. Platforms ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suku Sukunesan, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems, Swinburne University of Technology Author provided There’s no shortage of people online looking to exploit and manipulate the vulnerable among us. One such group is anorexia coaches, or “anacoaches”. They are typically middle-aged, ...22 hours ago
- ‘Girls please stay in the kitchen’ — as skateboarding debuts at the Olympics, beware of the lu...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brigid McCarthy, Lecturer in Journalism, La Trobe University Keith Birmingham/AP/AAP Skateboarding will make its Olympic debut this year at the Tokyo Games. The women’s and men’s competitions will both involve park and street events. In each, athletes perform optional ...22 hours ago
- Uniform discontent: how women athletes are taking control of their sporting outfitsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Jefferson-Buchanan, Lecturer in human movement studies (health and PE), Creative Arts, Charles Sturt University Georgios Kefalas/EPA/AAP Women’s dress codes in sport are determined by “traditions” that are both outdated and gendered. Their outfits have long tried to reconcile notions ...22 hours ago
- Australia must get serious about airborne infection transmission. Here’s what we need to doSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lidia Morawska, Professor, Science and Engineering Faculty; Director, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (WHO CC for Air Quality and Health); Director – Australia, Australia – China Centre for Air Quality Science and Management (ACC-AQSM), Queensland University of Technology ...22 hours ago
- Thinking of choosing a health or PE subject in years 11 and 12? Here’s what you need to knowSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Research), Charles Sturt University Shutterstock This article is part of a series providing school students with evidence-based advice for choosing subjects in their senior years. From kindergarten to year 10, all Australian students follow the national ...22 hours ago
- The Bulletin: International recognition for PM Fiame Mata’afaGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: International recognition for PM Fiame Mata’afa, travel bubble with Australia closed amid escalating outbreak, and Auckland councillor Efeso Collins reveals bomb threat.In the eyes of the international community, Sāmoa has a new government. It’s a strange way of stating the importance ...23 hours ago
- US markets at record high as Delta fears fade
Business & Investing: NZ market lags US rebound but hopes for season of companies reporting financial half year results ...1 day ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 26 July
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...1 day ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Monday 26 July
...1 day ago - One cent a litre to insure against no fuel for essential services
Closure of the Marsden Point refinery would expose the country to the risk of a breakdown of essential services ...1 day ago - New Zealand’s history of violence against Pacific peoples laid bareOver the past week the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in care has been holding a series of public hearings focused on the experiences of Pacific peoples. Justin Latif reports from the Māngere hearing. Inside the beautiful Fale O Sāmoa on Māngere’s Bader Drive, people mingle under muted amber lights, ...1 day ago
- Exclusive poll: Do we have faith in NZ’s contact tracing system?Broad confidence in contact tracing remains stable, reveals a new representative survey by Stickybeak for The Spinoff. But the numbers on app usage are a worry.The worldwide spread of the super-contagious delta strain of Covid-19 has put fresh pressure on contact tracing systems. New South Wales, for example, prided itself ...1 day ago
- The fascinating history of public vaccine campaignsThe life-saving innovation of immunisation has faced suspicion and distrust ever since it was first devised, more than 200 years ago.In 1798, Edward Jenner published his discovery that smallpox in humans can be prevented by exposing their bodies to the similar but less harmful cowpox. Jenner’s 1798 revelation of what ...1 day ago
- NZ's enduring affection for a cancelled author
Steve Braunias on the inclusion of a cancelled author in the latest Whitcoulls Top 100 The 2021 Whitcoulls Top 100, as below, exists to remind us that the people, as ever, want trash, escape, myth, allegory, riddles, and all manner of bullshit, preferably in a series (The Seven Sisters, The ...1 day ago - New Zealand's enduring affection for a shocking liarSteve Braunias on the inclusion of a cancelled author in the latest Whitcoulls Top 100 The 2021 Whitcoulls Top 100, as below, exists to remind us that the people, as ever, want trash, escape, myth, allegory, riddles, and all manner of bullshit, preferably in a series (The Seven Sisters, The ...1 day ago
- Rethinking ‘race’ in Aotearoa New Zealand
A new column from Dame Anne Salmond challenges the legalistic, one side up against the other approach to race relations and the Treaty of Waitangi of the past 40 years. Racist thinking runs deep. As Jess Berentson-Shaw observed in ‘Why Anti-Racism needs Nerds,’ an article about streaming in schools, “Racism gets coded ...1 day ago - Panmure 'thrown under the busway'
Roadworks have ground Panmure to a halt - and members of the community want to know when they can expect respite The bus link between Central and East Auckland has been put off for another two years - and members of one community say construction work on the project has ...1 day ago - Māori political talent exits Parliament
A powerhouse of government advisors is teaming up to start a new consultancy firm ...1 day ago - Companies offer up incentives as labour market capacity tightens
Hiring bonuses, special leave and flexibility are becoming the norm amid a tight labour market. ...1 day ago - How to avoid a repeat of Samoa's election crisis
What changes are needed to avoid similar constitutional uncertainty in future? ...1 day ago - Forestry: 'Our people are still dying'
Dozens of workers have been killed in the forestry supply chain in the past seven years. A two-day inquest in Gisborne last week focused on the avoidable death of just one. Richard Brooking has waited five years for the opportunity to stand in a court room and speak for his ...1 day ago - Looking towards Africa
We've been told New Zealand needs to take some of those trade eggs out of China's basket - and Africa is looking wide open after nations signed a continent-wide pact. But there are difficulties. The latest tensions between New Zealand and China have renewed the push to find more trading ...1 day ago - Surfer's legacy lives on in Kiwi Olympic show jumper
Show jumper Uma O’Neill has been called on at the 11th hour to compete for NZ at the Tokyo Olympics. The girl from Hawaii, whose grandfather was a surfing legend, explains to Suzanne McFadden how she ended up riding for the Kiwis. Uma O’Neill’s grandfather must have known something ...1 day ago - Morrison government orders Pfizer ‘boosters’, while hoping new ATAGI advice will warm people to ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra While still struggling with a current shortage of Pfizer, the Morrison government announced it has secured 85 million doses of that vaccine for future “booster” shots. This will be made up of 60 million doses ...1 day ago
- The Tokyo Lowdown: Day 2
Day two was generally a cracker for our Kiwi sportswomen at the Olympics, especially on the water and the artificial turf in Tokyo. LockerRoom's daily update on our women athletes continues. Performances of the day Living on the outside of the Olympic Village, Holly Pearson was pulled into the Black ...1 day ago
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