law and “order”
Categories under law and “order”
- No categories
Why we cannot afford to tolerate fascists
Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, April 4th, 2019 - 130 comments
Inn the United Kingdom a neo nazi has been convicted of making plans to kill a female Labour Member of Parliament.
Dumb as a plank
Written By: - Date published: 1:18 pm, April 2nd, 2019 - 80 comments
Pro gun lobby groups are making some outlandish claims about the Government’s proposed gun law changes.
Roastbusters redux
Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, January 27th, 2019 - 92 comments
One of the Roastbusters this week has talked publicly about what happened in an apparent attempt to start a music career. And John Tamihere has started his Mayoral campaign having to answer questions about his attitude to what happened.
The extent of the right to free speech
Written By: - Date published: 10:02 am, July 8th, 2018 - 354 comments
Lauren Southern’s cancelled lecture has caused some debate about what freedom of speech is, is it absolute, and if not where is the line to be drawn?
Collins keeps Housing Corp P debacle in news cycle
Written By: - Date published: 7:53 am, June 7th, 2018 - 122 comments
Judith Collins has managed to keep the Housing Corp methamphetamine story alive for another news cycle by attacking poor people who take drugs.
David Tamihere was framed
Written By: - Date published: 8:01 am, April 27th, 2018 - 25 comments
The identity of the secret witness who assisted in the conviction of David Tamihere for the murder of two Sweedish tourists has been revealed. And the incident shows the danger of using secret witnesses.
Income related speeding fines – bring it on!
Written By: - Date published: 2:06 pm, January 3rd, 2018 - 159 comments
[getty src=”893396660″ width=”594″ height=”396″] Dr Jarrod Gilbert has a provocative opinion piece on the Herald website today, proposing that speeding fines become income related. It’s an interesting argument, but not a new one. Gilbert cites sixteenth century French philosopher Montesquieu as one of the first to wonder if there can be equality under the law […]
The cigarette crime spree
Written By: - Date published: 8:13 am, May 27th, 2017 - 74 comments
The cigarette crime spree is a real problem for National. Their “law and order” credentials are in tatters.
Ban cigarettes, find a way to compensate dairy owners for a transitional period.
Greg O’Connor responds
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 pm, February 18th, 2017 - 86 comments
In a guest post, Labour’s Ōhāriu candidate Greg O’Connor responds to some of the topics of comments in the post “Greg O’Connor selected for Ōhāriu” and elsewhere on the blogs.
Be afraid!
Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, November 4th, 2016 - 19 comments
Reports of an unconvincing “domestic terrorism” plot, and of further illegal GCSB spying.
Trump physically slams WWE billionaire McMahon to the ground, mercilessly mutilates him
Written By: - Date published: 2:02 pm, October 8th, 2016 - 49 comments
Definitive documentary evidence of Trump the violent, volatile, unpredictable sociopath revealed.
Arrest Blair’s Mate
Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, September 29th, 2016 - 303 comments
The downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 was a Russian sponsored war crime. When will Vladimir Putin be arrested?
UPDATE: Animation and actual photos and video of the BUK launcher added.
Fewer police, more crime
Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, August 5th, 2016 - 39 comments
The number of police (per head of population) is falling, and crime figures are rising. But no doubt National will play the “tough on crime” card again next year.
National – trying to provoke TPP violence?
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, January 29th, 2016 - 165 comments
The police are “visiting” TPP activists – Key is cynically trying to blow the “law and order” dog whistle. But would he really go so far as to try and provoke open violence for political gain?
Dope-growing, cross-dressing BDSM male prostitute police officer convicted of harassment
Written By: - Date published: 9:36 am, November 25th, 2015 - 91 comments
A recent surge in the level of systemic criminality, thuggery, and general incompetence which now defines the New Zealand Police Force.
Well spoken Police Commissioner
Written By: - Date published: 9:19 am, September 12th, 2015 - 27 comments
In The Herald: “Despite the number of armed incidents recently police should remain unarmed, the Police Commissioner says.”
All police to carry tasers
Written By: - Date published: 11:08 am, July 31st, 2015 - 100 comments
All frontline police will routinely carry tasers.
The police should be above the law
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, July 1st, 2015 - 34 comments
Well that’s the opinion of Judith Collins at least.
A police investigation – Part One
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 12th, 2015 - 84 comments
There’s nothing particularly wrong with Bryce Edwards’ article except that it ignores how National Ltd™ Police Ministers have successively sat by and done nothing in response to the on-going police failings.
Second “Roast Busters” report released
Written By: - Date published: 12:24 pm, March 19th, 2015 - 120 comments
There are many failings outlined. Police were found to have largely treated women and girls with respect and compassion but their investigations were not robust or thorough, inadequate follow-up enquiries…
Pike River – Charges against Peter Whittall withdrawn
Written By: - Date published: 11:38 am, December 12th, 2013 - 45 comments
The charges that Peter Whittall faced concerning the Pike River deaths have been withdrawn. And he and the then directors of Pike River are paying $3.4 million compensation to the victims families. While it is pleasing for the families to receive some compensation for their loss does the sanctity of our justice system require that the prosecutions should have continued?
It’s not just about cyber-culture, Judith
Written By: - Date published: 7:59 pm, November 4th, 2013 - 310 comments
The reports of the Roast Busters are chilling. Watching 3 News tonight was very upsetting. Reported responses by the police, John Key and Judith Collins are inadequate. Key & Collins seem to be shifting the focus to cyber-bullying and away from the brutality of the physical acts. [Update: Scuba Nurse – positive steps to make a difference]
How to spot fascism
Written By: - Date published: 9:27 pm, May 23rd, 2013 - 95 comments
This. This is fascism. Giving spies the powers that they have in the States could prevent the kind of terrorism that just happened … in the States. The fascist author of this piece that the Herald disgracefully published even wrote: “if you have nothing to hide from the GCSB, then you have nothing to fear.” Do people actually say that and mean it? Yes, fascists do.
Police actions unlawful
Written By: - Date published: 1:07 pm, May 22nd, 2013 - 215 comments
The report on the Urewera raids from the Independent Police Complaints Authority is (unlike some other reports we could mention) certainly no whitewash.
NRT: “The worst of the worst”
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, April 30th, 2013 - 176 comments
I/S at No Right Turn on the difference between what was promised of the “3 strikes” law and the way it is being used in practice.
Falling crime
Written By: - Date published: 11:35 am, April 3rd, 2013 - 24 comments
Falling crime is good news – but the reasons are probably not the ones that occupy most of the politicians and the commentary.
Boot camps
Written By: - Date published: 10:16 am, February 19th, 2013 - 27 comments
We knew from overseas that military-style boot camps are expensive, don’t reduce recidivism, and breed sadistic violence towards inmates. It’s not just overseas experience; these were all reasons we got rid of borstals. National knew this when they introduced boot camps but they did it anyway for the populism. Now, boot camps have failed again, can we stop this stupidity?
Banks private prosecution begins
Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, December 11th, 2012 - 36 comments
The hearing into the private prosecution of John Banks over his ‘anonymous’ mayoral donations begins today. That the private prosecution has got this far shows the judge believes there is a prima facie case – which puts the Police to shame for failing to take Banks to court. Banks is trying to avoid taking the stand, but I don’t see how he ultimately can.
Will Key read the GCSB report?
Written By: - Date published: 7:06 am, September 26th, 2012 - 75 comments
Key has said we all have to wait and see what is in the Neazor Report on the GCSB spies’ illegal spying on Kim Dotcom.* He won’t even answer basic questions like: ‘what section of the law did the GCSB breach?’ Funny that Key’s so keen for us to wait to read this report. But will he read it? Or will it be like the Banks Police Report, which he won’t read? And when will anyone get to read Banks’ statement?
Sunday Reading
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, September 16th, 2012 - 8 comments
My regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. This week: torture, charter schools, economics and development.
Equal before the law?
Written By: - Date published: 10:32 pm, July 26th, 2012 - 53 comments
Police will not lay charges over the so-called banks.com saga. Assistant Police Commissioner Malcolm Burgess held a press conference this afternoon at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. Minister John Banks would be issued with a warning over the matter, Burgess said. While he only received a warning, Banks’ actions were illegal and future occurrences were likely to be prosecuted.
- A New World Order?
Does the US need to strike a grand bargain with like-minded countries to pool their efforts? What does this tell us about today’s global politics? Perhaps the most remarkable editorial of last year was the cover leader of the London Economist on 19 November 2020. Shortly after Joe Biden was ...2 weeks ago - Why Aotearoa New Zealand’s early Polynesian settlement should be recognised with World Heritage Si...
Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato and Valmaine Toki, University of Waikato Aotearoa New Zealand likes to think it punches above its weight internationally, but there is one area where we are conspicuously falling behind — the number of sites recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Globally, there are 1,121 ...2 weeks ago - Fundraiser for Lumad Communities: Lunch at Nanam Eatery
An event organised by the Auckland PhilippinesSolidarity group Have a three-course lunch at Nanam Eatery with us! Help support the organic farming of our Lumad communities through the Mindanao Community School Agricultural Foundation. Each ticket is $50. Food will be served on shared plates. To purchase, please email phsolidarity@gmail.com or ...2 weeks ago - On Prisons.
"Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here." Prisons are places of unceasing emotional and physical violence, unrelieved despair and unforgivable human waste.IT WAS NATIONAL’S Bill English who accurately described New Zealand’s prisons as “fiscal and moral failures”. On the same subject, Labour’s Dr Martyn Findlay memorably suggested that no prison ...2 weeks ago - Covid-19 and Climate Change Will Remain Inextricably Linked, Thanks to the Parallels (and the Denial...
This is a re-post from Inside Climate News by Ilana Cohen. Inside Climate News is a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for the ICN newsletter here. Whether or not people accept the science on Covid-19 and climate change, both global crises will have lasting impacts on health and ...2 weeks ago - 2020: The History That Was – Part 1
. . American Burlesque As I write this (Wednesday evening, 6 January), the US Presidential election is all but resolved, confirming Joe Biden as the next President of the (Dis-)United State of America. Trump’s turbulent political career has lasted just four years – one of the few single-term US presidents ...2 weeks ago - NZ Politics Daily: 8 January 2021
US politics and NZ Marc Daalder (Newsroom): It could happen here Matthew Hooton (Herald): Capitol Riot confirms Donald Trump leaves office as worst President in history(paywalled) Fran O’Sullivan (Herald): Kiwi Chris Liddell weighs up resigning as Trump’s deputy chief of staff Damian George (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern on US Capitol riot: Democracy ‘should never be undone by a mob’ Herald: ‘Democracy will prevail’: Jacinda ...2 weeks ago - The Adventures of Annalax: A Compendium
In the interests of keeping my D&D campaign write-up coherent, I thought I would adopt the same system as I have adopted with other multi-part blog post series. An Index/Compendium. Contextual musings: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/dd-again-drow-musings-and-originality/ Sessions 1-6: The Waking World to the Dreamland: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/the-adventures-of-annalax-volume-i/https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/06/18/the-adventures-of-annalax-volume-ii/ Sessions 7-8: Ocean and City: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/07/02/the-adventures-of-annalax-volume-iii/ ...2 weeks ago - The Adventures of Annalax: Volume XV
The session started off so well. Annalax – suitably chastised – spent a pleasant morning with his new girlfriend (he would say paramour, of course, but for our purposes, girlfriend is easier*). He told her about Waking World Drow, and their worship of Her Ladyship. And he started ...2 weeks ago - Telling It Like It Is
In a recent column I wrote for local newspapers, I ventured to suggest that Donald Trump – in addition to being a liar and a cheat, and sexist and racist – was a fascist in the making and would probably try, if he were to lose the election, to defy ...2 weeks ago - The madness of King Trump
When I was preparing for my School C English exam I knew I needed some quotes to splash through my essays. But remembering lines was never my strong point, so I tended to look for the low-hanging fruit. We’d studied Shakespeare’s King Lear that year and perhaps the lowest hanging ...2 weeks ago - The end of US democracy?
When I went to bed last night, I was expecting today to be eventful. A lot of pouting in Congress as last-ditch Trumpers staged bad-faith "objections" to a democratic election, maybe some rioting on the streets of Washington DC from angry Trump supporters. But I wasn't expecting anything like an ...2 weeks ago - NZ Politics Daily: 7 January 2021Waikeria prison riot Te Aorewa Rolleston and Te Aniwa Hurihanganui (RNZ): Police fired rubber bullets at men during Waikeria Prison standoff Alexander Gillespie (RNZ): Waikeria inmates’ protest: a symptom of a much larger problem ODT: Editorial – Thorough Waikeria review needed Mackenzie Smith (RNZ): Waikeria prison protest prompts calls for Hōkai Rangi rethink John Weekes (Herald): Waikeria riot: Jail staff union’s ...2 weeks ago
- Song for Georgia
...2 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #1, 2021Melted ice of the past answers question today? Kate Ashley and a large crew of coauthors wind back the clock to look at Antarctic sea ice behavior in times gone by, in Mid-Holocene Antarctic sea-ice increase driven by marine ice sheet retreat. For armchair scientists following the Antarctic sea ice situation, something jumps out in ...2 weeks ago
- Online Misinformation Fuels a Fight Over Folic AcidChristina Szalinski When Martha Field became pregnant in 2005, a singular fear weighed on her mind. Not long before, as a Cornell University graduate student researching how genes and nutrients interact to cause disease, she had seen images of unborn mouse pups smaller than her pinkie nail, some with ...2 weeks ago
- Realistically, “post-Trump” Era America may amount to little more than a wardrobe change in crit...
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidates for President and Vice President respectively for the US 2020 Election, may have dispensed with the erstwhile nemesis, Trump the candidate – but there are numerous critical openings through which much, much worse many out there may yet see fit to ...2 weeks ago - Geyserland: Or, What happened at TaupōI don’t know Taupō well. Even though I stop off there from time to time, I’m always on the way to somewhere else. Usually Taupō means making a hot water puddle in the gritty sand followed by a swim in the lake, noticing with bemusement and resignation the traffic, the ...2 weeks ago
- Long COVID: who is at risk?Frances Williams, King’s College London For most people, infection with SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – leads to mild, short-term symptoms, acute respiratory illness, or possibly no symptoms at all. But some people have long-lasting symptoms after their infection – this has been dubbed “long COVID”. Scientists are ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 6 January 2021Housing Financial Times: New Zealand’s housing crisis poses big test for Jacinda Ardern Jean Bell (RNZ): Buying first home will be out of reach for more people in 2021 – CoreLogic Dan Satherley (Newshub): House prices kept going up through December, Government and investors blamed David Chaston (Interest): History repeating Craig Elliffe (Herald): Taxing residential properties: Is it time to pull ...2 weeks ago
- A dangerous decision for journalismLast night, a British court ruled that Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the US. Unfortunately, its not because all he is "guilty" of is journalism, or because the offence the US wants to charge him with - espionage - is of an inherently political nature; instead the judge accepted ...3 weeks ago
- Is the Gender Identity Movement a movement for human liberation, or a regressive movement underminin...
Is the Gender Identity Movement a movement for human liberation, or is it a regressive movement which undermines women’s liberation and promotes sexist stereotypes? Should biological males be allowed to play in women’s sport, use women-only spaces (public toilets, changing rooms, other facilities), be able to have access to everything ...3 weeks ago - Six space missions to look forward to in 2021Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University and Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham Space exploration achieved several notable firsts in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, including commercial human spaceflight and returning samples of an asteroid to Earth. The coming year is shaping up to be just as interesting. Here are some of ...3 weeks ago
- Oxford COVID vaccine authorised in the UK – global health expert on why this is a key momentMichael Head, University of Southampton The UK has become the first country to authorise the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for public use, with roll-out to start in the first week of 2021. This vaccine is the second to be authorised in the UK – following the Pfizer vaccine. The British government ...3 weeks ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 5 January 2021Today’s content Waikeria prison riot Chris Trotter: A Powerful political metaphor Polly Gillespie (Stuff): The prison riot that didn’t need to happen Kim Workman (RNZ): Transforming Waikeria – Hōkai Rangi or Hōkai Nuku? John Minto (Daily Blog): Waikeria – dignity and respect still missing 38 years later Ani O’Brien: Waikeria Prison riots and calls for prison abolition Don Franks (Redline): Reflections ...3 weeks ago
- Johnson back in hospitalSo, Boris Johnson has been footering about in hospitals again. We should be grateful, perhaps, that on this occasion the Clown-in-Chief is only (probably) getting in the way and causing distractions, rather than taking up a bed, vital equipment and resources and adding more strain and danger to exhausted staff.Look at ...3 weeks ago
- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #01Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... SkS in the News... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... Story of the Week... Many Scientists Now Say Global Warming Could Stop Relatively Quickly After Emissions Go to Zero That’s one of several recent ...3 weeks ago
- COVID 19 – Double+ UngoodThe situation in the UK is looking catastrophic.Cases: over *70,000* people who were tested in England on 29th December tested positive. This is *not* because there were more tests on that day. It *is* 4 days after Christmas though, around when people who caught Covid on Christmas Day might start ...3 weeks ago
- Reflections after Waikeria incident
by Don Franks For five days over New Year weekend, sixteen prisoners in the archaic pre WW1 block of Waikeria Prison defied authorities by setting fires and occupying the building’s roof. They eventually agreed to surrender after intervention from Maori party co-leader Rawiri Waititi. A message from the protesting men had stated: ...3 weeks ago - A Powerful Political Metaphor.Lost Opportunity: The powerful political metaphor of the Maori Party leading the despised and marginalised from danger to safety, is one Labour could have pre-empted by taking the uprising at Waikeria Prison much more seriously. AS WORD OF Rawiri Waititi’s successful intervention in the Waikeria Prison stand-off spreads, the Maori ...3 weeks ago
- A covidious year
Dear friends, it’s been a covidious year, A testing time for all of us here— Citizens of an island nation In a state of managed isolation, A team (someone said) five million strong, Making it up as we went along: Somehow in typical Kiwi fashion, Without any wild excess ...3 weeks ago
- Business is Boring: How All Good is once again changing the banana game
Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand. This week he’s joined by Simon Coley, co-founder of All Good and Karma Drinks.Bananas are one of the ...2 days ago - Review: He’ll Be Right deftly challenges what it means to be a modern manTackling topics such as rugby and body image, Stuff’s latest podcast shines a much-needed light on Aotearoa’s complex relationship with masculinity, writes Trevor McKewen, author of the book Real Men Wear Black.I wasn’t sure what to think when two episodes of the new local podcast He’ll Be Right landed in ...2 days ago
- New Data Reveals COVID-19 Puts Sustainability And Responsible Business Top Of Mind For Kiwis
The Rainforest Alliance reveals that 68%* of Kiwis say the COVID-19 pandemic has made them more conscious about environmental and social sustainability issues. Seventy two percent* state that they have been trying to make more sustainable purchasing ...2 days ago - Web’s inventor says news media bargaining code could break the internet. He’s right — but ther...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University The inventor of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, has raised concerns that Australia’s proposed News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code could fundamentally break the internet as we know it. His concerns ...2 days ago - Joe Biden sends a clear message to watching world – America’s backANALYSIS: By Scott Lucas, University of Birmingham Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path Two weeks after the storming of the US Capitol by the followers of his predecessor, in the middle of an out-of-control pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 ...2 days ago
- Abused, neglected, abandoned — did Roald Dahl hate children as much as the witches did?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Cantrell, Lecturer, Creative Writing & English Literature, University of Southern Queensland Described as “the world’s greatest storyteller”, Roald Dahl is frequently ranked as the best children’s author of all time by teachers, authors and librarians. However, the new film adaptation of ...2 days ago
- CHA Welcomes The Update Of The Public Housing Plan And Urges The Government To Redouble NZ’s Respo...Peak housing body, Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) welcomes the updated Public Housing Plan announced today by Minister Woods, and the commitment by this Government to fix New Zealand’s housing crisis. The 8,000 additional homes are a significant ...2 days ago
- What I learnt walking Te Araroa for 50 daysHaving recently walked much of the South Island stretch of Te Araroa, Kirsten O’Regan reflects on the magnificent landscapes and interesting characters she encountered along the way.On our 36th day of walking, we climb through the fire-blackened hills above Ohau, stopping to examine heat-disfigured trail markers. Fresh green shoots have ...2 days ago
- The new store selling delicious Mexican sandwiches to hungry AucklandersMiss Torta in central Auckland is putting the spotlight on a snack that’s commonplace in Mexico, but until now relatively unknown in New Zealand.You’ve heard of a torta, but what is it, exactly? Well, depending on the cuisine it can mean a flatbread, cake, tart, sweet pie, savoury pie or ...2 days ago
- The PM congratulates a bloke who (if he turned to blogging) would fail Micky Savage’s age test
Two of three ministerial statements from the Beehive have been released in the name of the PM over the past two days. The more important, insofar as it involves political action that will affect the wellbeing of significant numbers of Kiwis, was the release of the government’s Public Housing Plan ...2 days ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – January 21 2021Editor’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 Housing Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Greens say house prices need to fall Vita Molyneux (Newshub): Green Party will continue to push for wealth tax, blast Govt for ‘not doing enough’ about housing ...2 days ago
- Covid focus critical, PM Jacinda Ardern reminds MPs
Jacinda Ardern has reminded Labour MPs "ongoing vigilance" will be required in 2021 to avoid another Covid outbreak, admitting she held her breath over the summer break. ...2 days ago - Young people remain ill-equipped to participate in Australian democracySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zareh Ghazarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Monash University Despite many young Australians having a deep interest in political issues, most teenagers have a limited understanding about their nation’s democratic system. Results from the 2019 National Assessment Program – Civics and ...2 days ago
- PSA: You might not need to pay that parking finePinged $65 for overstaying 10 minutes in a parking block? Put away your hard-earned cash and read this first.Hopefully, by now, I’ve already established myself at The Spinoff as the resident tightarse, determined to avoid all unfair and unnecessary punishments (see: oversize baggage charges). Today, I’m focusing my attention on ...2 days ago
- Toothless nuclear treaty can still bite
Nuclear weapons states and their allies risk reputational ruin if they flout a new UN Treaty, Carolina Panico argues The United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will come into force this month, on January 22, 2021, turning nuclear weapons into illegal objects. It is an achievement that ...2 days ago - Sorry, but I checked and Facebook comments continue to be a toxic cesspitHow does one turn into a rabid extremist over the description of a children’s bike? Emily Writes looks at Facebook comments so you don’t have to.You’ve been there, I know it. You’re scrolling along, trying to avoid QAnon conspiracy theories and Trump apocalypse memes when a story catches your eye. ...2 days ago
- Dunne Speaks: President Biden Takes OfficeJoe Biden is now the President of the United States and many people across America and throughout the world will consequently be breathing more easily. But while the erratic, unpredictable and irresponsible years of the Trump Presidency may be over, ...2 days ago
- Call for more strict glyphosate-use guidelines after Japan's honey warningTough border testing for New Zealand honey imports to Japan is re-igniting the conversation about the use of the weed killer glypohsate in New Zealand. ...2 days ago
- ACC Payout For Illegal OverstayerThe Taxpayers Union should be aware of the law and of the history of ACC. The ACC is a legal system introduced in 1974 to replace the common law right of accident victims to sue for damages for personal injury sustained as a result of negligence ...2 days ago
- To publish or not to publish? The media’s free-speech dilemmas in a world of division, violence an...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne Terrorism, political extremism, Donald Trump, social media and the phenomenon of “cancel culture” are confronting journalists with a range of agonising free-speech dilemmas to which there are no easy answers. ...2 days ago
- I’ve heard COVID is leading to medicine shortages. What can I do if my medicine is out of stock?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney You’ve just come from your monthly GP appointment with a new script for your ongoing medical condition. But your local pharmacy is out of stock of your usual medicine. Your ...2 days ago
- Engineers have built machines to scrub CO₂ from the air. But will it halt climate change?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna D’Alessandro, Professor & ARC Future Fellow, University of Sydney On Wednesday this week, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was measured at at 415 parts per million (ppm). The level is the highest in human history, and is growing ...2 days ago
- Expect the new normal for NZ’s temperature to get warmerSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Renwick, Professor, Physical Geography (climate science), Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington It might be summer in New Zealand but we’re in for some wild weather this week with forecasts of heavy wind and rain, and a plunge in ...2 days ago
- Young Australians remain ill-equipped to participate in Australian democracySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zareh Ghazarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Monash University Despite many young Australians having a deep interest in political issues, most teenagers have a limited understanding about their nation’s democratic system. Results from the 2019 National Assessment Program – Civics and ...2 days ago
- The open Australian beach is a myth: not everyone can access these spaces equallySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University Last week, the McIver’s Ladies Baths in Sydney came under fire for their (since removed) policy stating “only transgender women who’ve undergone a gender reassignment surgery are allowed entry”. The policy was ...2 days ago
- American Democracy Will Survive Trump: The Case for Optimism
There are good grounds for optimism after the guardrails of American democracy held firm through to Joe Biden's inauguration today as President, writes Stephen Hoadley Pessimism abounds about the perilous condition of American democracy. Commentators and headline writers proffer memes such as ‘broken and divided nation’, ‘the threat from within’. ...2 days ago - Donald Trump's legacy: How the outgoing president will be remembered
*This article was originally appeared on RNZ and is republished with permission. Donald Trump will forever be remembered as the president who was impeached twice - and for his rhetoric that struck a chord so deep in America that it will take years to dissipate. Donald Trump leaves Washington with the lowest approval ...2 days ago - Ardern lays out path to 18,000 more state homes
A new plan shows how and where the Government will build 8,000 new state housing places it funded in Budget 2020, Marc Daalder reports Jacinda Ardern has kicked off the political year with a major announcement, promising hundreds of new state housing places in regional centres across the country. With ...2 days ago - 'We must end this uncivil war' – Biden speech in full
This is the full transcript of President Joe Biden's speech after being sworn in at his inauguration this morning in Washington DC Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, and my distinguished guests, my fellow Americans, this is America's day. This ...2 days ago - Increase in online threats targeting students
Analysis from the crown company responsible for keeping students safe online shows an increase in the number of targeted threats. ...2 days ago - NZ White House official withdraws from OECD race: 'It was an honour'
Analysis: President Donald Trump has left the White House, and his deputy chief of staff confirms he is withdrawing his candidacy to lead the OECD. New Zealander Christopher Liddell withdrew his nomination to be Secretary-General of the powerful 37-member OECD and was one of the last members of the Trump Administration to depart ...2 days ago - Public housing tops agenda at Labour MPs' retreatLabour has put the focus on public housing ahead of its MPs' annual retreat, unveiling details of where 8000 promised homes will be built. ...2 days ago
- Book of the Week: Searching for Grahame Sydney
Andrew Paul Wood assesses the best-selling picture book by Grahame Sydney It's no great secret the commercially very successful Grahame Sydney has a long-standing beef that his work doesn’t receive more critical and institutional approval. I sympathise about the lack of critical attention, but I can understand why. The Discourse™ ...2 days ago - Dangerous heat, unequal consequences
This story was produced in collaboration with the Center for Public Integrity and Columbia Journalism Investigations. It was originally published by Public Integrity , Mother Jones, The Arizona Republic and Orlando Sentinel. It is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the ...2 days ago - Ocean swimmer won't let incurable cancer defeat her
Kate Wills is facing stage four cancer with the same fierce approach she takes into her ocean swimming - never say can't. Even on the mornings Kate Wills feels wretched from her fortnightly chemotherapy treatment, she drags herself up at 5am and goes swimming. “I have to. It’s my job – to ...2 days ago - Exposing the hidden costs of meetings
Some costs associated with meetings speak for themselves, others are less conspicuous. Victoria University of Wellington's Val Hooper lays those costs out, making suggestions on where we can rein them in. Meetings – when last did we count the costs? And so it’s back to work and one of the ...2 days ago - Government's 'unhealthy' refusal to hear different voices on Covid-19
Analysis: It has been easy to ignore anyone daring to criticise or even question any aspect of the government’s Covid-19 response. Their voices have rarely been heard, and when they have been raised they have been quickly and decisively howled down by the favoured coterie of academics. ...2 days ago - Inauguration Live: ‘Democracy has prevailed’ – Biden addresses nation after swearing inWelcome to The Spinoff’s US presidential inauguration live blog: inauguration news, analysis and reaction, updated through Wednesday and Thursday. The inauguration ceremony begins at 5.15am Thursday, NZ time, and Joe Biden takes the oath of office around 6am. 7.25am: And what about Trump?In the early hours of this morning, NZ ...2 days ago
- 10 x 100: Motorists on driving New Zealand roads this summerIn 10 x 100, we survey a group of 100 people via Stickybeak and ask them 10 questions. Last month we quizzed Wellingtonians. Today, we ask NZ drivers how they’ve found a holiday period without international tourists, and what they get up to while they’re on the road.Across Aotearoa roads ...2 days ago
- NZ Muslim group lodges UN complaint about French govt
Emmanuel Macron's anti-separatist policies have garnered backlash from the international Muslim community. Now, a global coalition has complained to the UN. ...2 days ago - On the Rag: Why aren’t women allowed to be angry?Summer reissue: Join Michèle A’Court, Alex Casey and Leonie Hayden as they go on an odyssey of women’s rage, and find out how we can channel our anger into good. First published September 15, 2020.Independent journalism depends on you. Help us stay curious in 2021. The Spinoff’s journalism is funded by ...2 days ago
- Chancellor defends UP as ‘bastion of academic freedom’ against militaryBy Lorraine Ecarma in Cebu City The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) will continue to stand against any threats to human rights, chancellor Clement Camposano has declared in response to the termination of a long-standing accord preventing military incursion on campus. In a Facebook post, Camposano said the academic ...3 days ago
- As Joe Biden becomes president, US still reels from deadly consequences of ‘alternative facts’ANALYSIS: By Jennifer S. Hunt, Australian National University Every four years on January 20, the US exercises a key tenant of democratic government: the peaceful transfer of power. This year, the scene looks a bit different. If the last US presidential inauguration in 2017 debuted the phrase “alternative facts”, the ...3 days ago
- Papua New Guineans defy national mask-wearing rules in spite of covidBy Lulu Mark in Port Moresby In spite of Papua New Guinea’s mandatory mask-wearing requirement under the National Pandemic Act 2020, many public servants attending a dedication service in Port Moresby have failed to wear one. They were issued masks before entering the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex but took ...3 days ago
- Curious Kids: how do scabs form?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University How do scabs form? — Talila, aged 8 Great question, Talila! Our skin has many different jobs. One is to act as a barrier, protecting us from harmful things in the ...3 days ago
- Trump pardons Steve Bannon, considers starting new political partyUS President Donald Trump is pardoning former White House adviser Steve Bannon, who is accused of fraud in a case involving funds for the border wall. ...3 days ago
- On the tools: Why music producers are the focus of a new funding schemeJoel Little with Lorde, Dera Meelan with Church & AP, Josh Fountain with Maala and Randa and Benee – producers make good songs great. Now a new fund from NZ on Air is putting the focus on them.Six months ago it looked like the music industry was on the brink ...3 days ago
- Men and women kill their children in roughly equal numbers, and we need to understand whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denise Buiten, Senior Lecturer in Social Justice and Sociology, University of Notre Dame Australia On average, one child is killed by a parent almost every fortnight in Australia. Last week, three children — Claire, 7, Anna, 5, and Matthew, 3 — were ...3 days ago
- Why we should cheer the grounding of the annual helicopter cannabis huntThis commendable and realistic decision again underlines that it is the police, not government, who are largely responsible for the reduction in cannabis prosecutions over the past 15 years, writes Russell Brown.The news that New Zealand police have discontinued the annual Helicopter Recovery Operation, which has, each summer for more ...3 days ago
- The big barriers to global vaccination: patent rights, national self-interest and the wealth gapSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ilan Noy, Professor and Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington We will not be able to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us until the world’s population is mostly immune through vaccination ...3 days ago
- US inauguration updates: Massive security operation as Trump spends his last day in White HouseWelcome to The Spinoff’s US inauguration live blog: inauguration news, analysis and reaction, updated throughout Wednesday and Thursday, NZ time. Reach me at catherine@thespinoff.co.nz.4.00pm: What will Trump be doing tomorrow?It’s pretty well known by now that outgoing president Donald Trump intends to throw out the rulebook when it comes to ...3 days ago
- Phil Goff's “bullshit” Claim Is BullshitThe Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is calling out Mayor Phil Goff for his undignified comment that the claim made by Councillor Greg Sayers asking why Auckland Council is funding yoga classes is “bullshit.” Yesterday, Councillor Greg Sayers penned ...3 days ago
- After riots, Donald Trump leaves office with under 40% approvalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne At 4am Thursday AEDT, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be inaugurated as president and vice president of the United States, replacing Donald Trump and Mike Pence. What follows is ...3 days ago
- Tourism struggling to fill $6b hole left by lack of international travellers
*This article was originally published on RNZ and is republished with permission. New Zealanders flocked to beaches and lakes this summer, but it wasn't enough to fill the gap left by international tourists in other regions. The tourism industry is struggling to fill a $6 billion hole left by international tourists ...3 days ago - Dietary Requirements: Monique Fiso on her incredible new book and the kai Māori renaissanceSummer reissue: Chef Monique Fiso joins us for a chat about Hiakai – her acclaimed Wellington restaurant, and the title of her stunning new book.First published November 3, 2020.Independent journalism depends on you. Help us stay curious in 2021. The Spinoff’s journalism is funded by its members – click here to learn ...3 days ago
- How “partnership” can shape relationships between councils and tribes – and the establishment ...
A new trough was brought to our attention this morning, although ethnicity will limit the numbers of eligible applicants. If you are non-Maori, it looks like you shouldn’t bother getting into the queue – but who knows? We learned of the trough from the Scoop website, where the Kapiti ...3 days ago - Crimes at sea: when we frame illegal fishers as human and drug smugglers, everyone losesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Britta Denise Hardesty, Principal Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, CSIRO Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing costs economies up to US$50 billion globally each year, and makes up to one-fifth of the global catch. It’s a huge problem not only for the ...3 days ago
- Greenlight Given To Drug Dealers And Gangs For More Profit And More HarmPolice stopping major cannabis eradication operations has given the green light to drug dealers and gangs to expand operations, make more profit, and continue to wreak havoc on the most vulnerable in our society, says Sensible Sentencing Trust. ...3 days ago
- The rise of the merino wool shoeVarieties of merino wool footwear are emerging faster than Netflix series about British aristocracy. Michael Andrew takes a look at the rise of the shoe that almost everyone – including his 95-year-old grandma – is wearing.Some might say it all started with Allbirds. After all, to the average consumer, it ...3 days ago
- Disability Rights Report Highlights Challenges Under LockdownA new report from New Zealand’s Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) highlights the realities and challenges disabled people faced during the COVID-19 emergency. The report, Making Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic, Te Whakatinana i ngā Tika ...3 days ago
- Liddell reportedly pulls out of race for OECD top jobNew Zealander Chris Liddell, a top Trump advisor, is reportedly withdrawing his candidacy to become secretary general of the OECD. ...3 days ago
- Ports Of Auckland Management Decisions Behind DelaysThe Maritime Union is questioning the reasons provided for ongoing delays at the Ports of Auckland. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says there is a need for an honest conversation about what has gone wrong at the ...3 days ago
- Petition Launched To ‘Get Vets’ Into NZAs New Zealand faces a dire shortage of veterinarians, a petition has been launched urging the Government to reclassify veterinarians as critical workers so we can Get Vets into NZ. “New Zealand desperately needs veterinarians from overseas to counter ...3 days ago
- New Zealand Continues To Disregard Biodiversity Targets, Lobbies For More Bottom TrawlingNew Zealand is fast developing a reputation as a South Pacific vandal, says Greenpeace, as the government continues to fight against increased ocean protection. At the upcoming meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), ...3 days ago
- Keeping Children Safe And Informed About Events Related To The US InaugurationThe Department of Internal Affairs and Netsafe are urging parents and caregivers to be mindful of the online content their tamariki may be consuming in the lead up to the inauguration of president-elect of the United States of America Joe Biden ...3 days ago
- Giving the best possible care to our animals teaches others to do the sameCare is at the centre of Auckland Zoo’s mandate, and it’s clear to see when you witness the staff doing their day-to-day jobs up close. Leonie Hayden went behind the scenes to talk to two people who would do anything for the animals they look after. “We were having this ...3 days ago
- Game Animal Council Working To Improve New Rules For Firearms UsersThe Game Animal Council (GAC) is applying its expertise in the use of firearms for hunting to work alongside Police, other agencies and stakeholder groups to improve the compliance provisions for hunters and other firearms users. The GAC has been ...3 days ago
- Trump’s time is up, but his Twitter legacy lives on in the global spread of QAnon conspiracy theor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Verica Rupar, Professor, Auckland University of Technology “The lie outlasts the liar,” writes historian Timothy Snyder, referring to outgoing president Donald Trump and his contribution to the “post-truth” era in the US. Indeed, the mass rejection of reason that erupted in a ...3 days ago
- It’s time to rethink the internetThe internet ain’t what it used to be, thanks to privacy issues, data leaks, censorship and hate speech. But a group of New Zealanders are working on a way to give power back to the people. A flood of headlines over the last week made it clear: the internet has become ...3 days ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – January 20 2021Editor’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 Housing Henry Cooke (Stuff): Public housing waitlist grows by 1000 in two months to new record high as high rents hit the poor Jason Walls (Herald): The Crown spent $16.5 million ...3 days ago
- Family matters: why people can hold political views that disadvantage their own sexSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Brooks, Scientia Professor of Evolutionary Ecology; Academic Lead of UNSW’s Grand Challenges Program, UNSW The views of women and men can differ on important gendered issues such as abortion, gender equity and government spending priorities. Surprisingly, however, average differences in sex ...3 days ago
- As Joe Biden prepares to become president, the US still reels from the deadly consequences of ‘alt...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer S. Hunt, Lecturer in National Security, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Every four years on January 20, the US exercises a key tenant of democratic government: the peaceful transfer of power. This year, the scene looks a bit ...3 days ago
- Not feeling motivated to tackle those sneaky COVID kilos? Try these 4 healthy eating tips insteadSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle In Australia and around the world, research is showing changes in body weight, cooking, eating and drinking patterns associated with COVID lockdowns. Some changes have been positive, such as people cooking ...3 days ago
- Forget about the trade spat – coal is passé in much of China, and that’s a bigger problem for A...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hao Tan, Associate professor, University of Newcastle Australian coal exports to China plummeted last year. While this is due in part to recent trade tensions between Australia and China, our research suggests coal plant closures are a bigger threat to Australia’s export ...3 days ago
- Coronavirus: is it safe for kids to go back to school? And what about the new mutant strain?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asha Bowen, Head, Skin Health, Telethon Kids Institute A year ago, in late January 2020, Australia reported its first cases of COVID-19. Since then, we have seen almost 29,000 confirmed cases and 909 deaths. As cases climbed in Australian cities in 2020, ...3 days ago
Recent Comments