tenants’ rights
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No Right Turn: One way of fixing the housing crisis
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, January 14th, 2021 - 63 comments
Yesterday we had the unseemly sight of a landleech threatening to keep his houses empty in response to better tenancy laws. Meanwhile in Catalonia they have a solution for that: nationalisation
How can NZ incomes be lifted to match housing costs?
Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, December 12th, 2020 - 68 comments
Not a vague let’s raise wages and benefits explanation, but an in-depth, number crunching, evidence-driven explanation. Where is it?
What progressive housing policy for renters looks like
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, September 4th, 2020 - 17 comments
Currently your politicians do NOT represent people who rent. But you all have a choice to vote for solutions that do!
We are all socialists now
Written By: - Date published: 1:38 pm, March 26th, 2020 - 131 comments
It seems that the pure free market approach is ill equipped to provide the world with the leadership and guidance it requires.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out
Written By: - Date published: 12:27 pm, March 7th, 2020 - 163 comments
Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act have a few landlords threatening to quit the business.
Rent increased over 40% under National (Key years)
Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, December 10th, 2019 - 137 comments
Now Simon Bridges as a bridge to sell you.
Goodbye shitty landlords
Written By: - Date published: 10:27 am, November 18th, 2019 - 97 comments
The only way out of the housing crisis is for the state to mandate the right to a home.
The Greens on the need for rental law changes
Written By: - Date published: 7:15 am, September 26th, 2019 - 11 comments
Marama Davidson: renting has to be a valid way of life.
Institutional poverty
Written By: - Date published: 12:34 pm, August 3rd, 2019 - 32 comments
Christchurch City Council have provided hundreds of social housing tenants with bubble wrap and a mop instead of insulating their houses.
CGT Dumped
Written By: - Date published: 2:08 pm, April 17th, 2019 - 244 comments
The Government has announced that there will be no Capital Gains Tax. It’s a shame, but it’s good politics.
Let it Be
Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, December 12th, 2018 - 56 comments
Letting fees are a thing of the past. Labour’s Phil Twyford has outlawed the practice of charging tenants an upfront fee for a non existent service. It’s about fairness and it’s about time.
Rental Rights Review
Written By: - Date published: 2:06 pm, August 27th, 2018 - 68 comments
The Labour led Government has announced a review into tenancy laws. It’s about time we balanced the rental market, which has for too long let renters down.
Labour ban letting fees
Written By: - Date published: 6:33 am, March 23rd, 2018 - 134 comments
A good start from Labour on rent reforms, but will their bigger plans be enough?
The Housing Crisis.
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, February 11th, 2018 - 154 comments
Can politics deliver?
The NZ Government passes Health Homes Guarantee Act
Written By: - Date published: 6:15 am, December 1st, 2017 - 119 comments
“Every New Zealander deserves a warm, healthy home to live in, and the Health Homes Guarantee Act will help ensure that”
Home Sweet Home
Written By: - Date published: 11:52 am, November 4th, 2017 - 23 comments
The changing face of New Zealand.
“The Green Party is committed to reforming renting so that every house is a home”
Written By: - Date published: 6:47 am, September 19th, 2017 - 29 comments
People who rent should have security so they can put down roots and benefit from being able to participate in their community.
Squatters’ rights
Written By: - Date published: 11:53 am, April 29th, 2017 - 87 comments
You know things are bad when MPs start thinking squatting is a viable option.
Housing. Cut the Crap.
Written By: - Date published: 1:11 pm, January 24th, 2017 - 135 comments
All this housing malarkey…are we over it yet?
Housing? A National mess
Written By: - Date published: 12:06 pm, December 15th, 2016 - 97 comments
3 stories from Checkpoint yesterday that add up to a picture of National’s response to housing: waste on unacceptable temporary housing; empty state houses where they’re needed most; and vilify anyone who dares complain.
Meth and housing
Written By: - Date published: 7:56 am, October 27th, 2016 - 29 comments
Why has Housing NZ ignored repeated advice and misused meth tests to evict tenants? RNZ: “Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said Housing New Zealand had caused a huge amount of harm by knowingly misusing the guidelines.”
Green Party Bill to improve the rights of renters
Written By: - Date published: 6:55 pm, August 11th, 2016 - 92 comments
It’s time to stop viewing renting as second best, and put some decent laws in place to ensure everyone has the security of a home. The Green Party’s Member’s Bill aims to “strengthen tenants’ rights and promote secure, long-term tenancies.”
The Greens take a stand on the housing bubble
Written By: - Date published: 3:04 pm, July 27th, 2016 - 264 comments
“I want to be very clear that we are talking about a responsible, carefully managed reduction in house prices over a period of time like 10 to 15 years.”
Metiria Turei
House Tales.
Written By: - Date published: 3:01 pm, March 22nd, 2016 - 32 comments
If ‘home is where the heart is’ then what’s the story when everything’s heartless?
Let’s Lynch the Landlord
Written By: - Date published: 9:45 am, August 3rd, 2015 - 53 comments
As The Standard said at the time, the Government’s decision to destroy Relationships Aotearoa could be a colossal stuff up. And this morning we learn that a Canterbury landlord has allowed access to the sensitive files left behind when RA closed. Anne Tolley must act or Anne Tolley must go.
Phil Quin resigns from Labour
Written By: - Date published: 12:37 pm, July 14th, 2015 - 390 comments
Phil Quin: “I cannot, however, belong to an organisation that considers racial profiling fair sport. It really is that simple. I will rejoin once this or any future leader publicly repudiates such tactics.”
China Crisis
Written By: - Date published: 12:43 pm, July 12th, 2015 - 199 comments
Good on Labour for saying what needed to be said. Can they, the Greens and NZ First save the next generation of Kiwis from being tenants in our own land?
Includes Bonus Seinfeld reference!
Speculation
Written By: - Date published: 8:32 pm, July 30th, 2013 - 143 comments
I know many of the liberal left don’t like or can’t accept the thought that banning non-residents from speculating on residential property in NZ is in any way xenophobic. Thankfully, from my perspective at least, the liberal left doesn’t speak for the whole of the left. Thing is, this banning of foreign investment is similar […]
Akl Unitary Plan: the good, the bad & the debatable
Written By: - Date published: 10:44 am, March 17th, 2013 - 39 comments
The Draft Auckland Unitary Plan has much to commend it. It focuses on resource management, responds to the reality of climate change & aims for a more dense but ‘liveable’ city. It has weaknesses, embraces destructive “growth” and raises questions: e.g. about affordable housing & environmental management.
Green Party “I’m in – for the future”
Written By: - Date published: 8:21 am, January 27th, 2013 - 109 comments
For once lately, I agree with Matt McCarten on the Green Party being Centre Stage this week: a housing policy for renters and buyers on low incomes, including state housing. Memorable speech at Ratana by Turei. Today: Picnic for the Planet, State of the Planet speech & the launch of a new “I’m in – for the future” initiative.
- Hard News: Cannabis: Who owns Say Nope to Dope anyway?
After a quiet spell in the news on account of, well, other stories, cannabis and what to do about it staged a modest headline revival this week. First there was this Stuff report on a journal article by Massey University researchers Marta Rychert and Chris Wilkins on how the cannabis referendum campaign ...25 mins ago - Problematique: Wellington City Council defies temptation toward transphobia
SATIRE This column is about calling it out. There’s so much folx need to educate ourselves about and DO BETTER. From cis privilege to white privilege, whether it’s how to decolonise, how to handle the pronoun illiterates, this column is an inclusive space, for ALL GENDERS and ALL IDENTITIES. It ...8 hours ago - Send it back to Australia
Surprise! There's another 75,000 tons of toxic waste at Tiwai Point! The Bluff aluminium smelter has revealed it has another 75,000 tonnes of highly toxic hazardous waste stored in buildings at Tiwai Point - and does not have a solution what to do with it yet. The company says ...17 hours ago - Still ignoring white supremacyTwo years ago, institutional racism in our police and intelligence services allowed a white supremacist to murder 51 people at two Christchurch mosques. In the wake of the attack, the police and spies promised they'd pay more attention to white supremacists. But just last week, a man was arrested after ...17 hours ago
- Get In The People Who Get Things Done.
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Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Feb 28, 2021 through Sat, Mar 6, 2021 A note from the Skeptical Science team Some of you may already have noticed that we've published fewer posts per day since February 28. The reason ...22 hours ago - NZ Politics Daily: 8 March 2021
Covid: Govt comms, blame, compliance Graham Adams (Democracy Project): Ardern’s halo slips, rhetoric wears thin Luke Malpass (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern’s Covid comms strategy is starting to look a bit tired Michael Morrah (Newshub): Epidemiologist Michael Baker says recent COVID-19 cluster should have been contained earlier – points to communication issues George Block (Stuff): Health officials never checked case ...23 hours ago - Graham Adams: Ardern’s halo slips, rhetoric wears thinLast week felt much like mid-2016 when a very popular Prime Minister was surprised to find a blowtorch being applied to his feet. Graham Adams tallies the damage to the current incumbent after a messy five days. When the media tires of even a popular Prime Minister it happens ...1 day ago
- Is Air NZ the Covid re-infection problem? Possible evidence points to national airline
. . A shroud of secrecy surrounds isolation facilities used by Air New Zealand international flight crews. Until recently, Aucklanders were not even aware that Air NZ had begun to use hotels in the CBD to isolate returning flight crews. Furthermore, it was revealed that returning Air NZ were leaving ...2 days ago - Are We Really Budgeting for Wellbeing?
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Below is a statement we received from LGB Fight Back in the States, a new group that advocates for LGB rights under vicious, homophobic attack by trans ideology activists. LGB Fight Back, a US-based organization that represents the interests of lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people, launched on February 14, ...4 days ago - ‘Knowledge is power’
Mā te mōhiotanga, ka mārama – mā te māramatanga, ka ora. (Through awareness comes understanding, and enlightenment empowers well-being) Dr Tahu Kukutai embodies this whakataukī (proverb), a wahine (woman) who is driven by a purpose to unveil the stories behind population statistics. Tahu specialises in Māori population research, Indigenous ...4 days ago - Driven to reconnect Māori with te taiaoMihi mai ki a Jade Rangiwhiua Hyslop whose area of research is river restoration and kaupapa Māori. Passionate about the outdoors, learning and improving the environment in socially-just and innovative ways, she works at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton). A budding researcher in its Manaaki Taiao Māori research ...4 days ago
- More evidence that UBIs workThe report is back on another Universal Basic Income trial, this time in the USA. And as with the others, it shows that this policy works: After getting $500 per month for two years without rules on how to spend it, 125 people in California paid off debt, got ...4 days ago
- The Revolution All Around Us.Revolutionary Formula: A new Aotearoa is on the rise. Tangata Whenua (Māori) + Tangata Tiriti (all other ethnicities who are committed to a tiriti centric Aotearoa) = the Aotearoa I believe in fighting for. - Rawiri Waititi, Co-Leader of the Maori Party.NEW ZEALAND is in the early stages of a revolution. ...4 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 5 March 2021Covid Chris Trotter: Atavistic urges Matthew Hooton (Herald): Lockdown 4 sparks Jacinda Ardern’s wrath (paywalled) Peter Dunne: The government urgently needs to upgrade its Covid19 strategy Michael Morrah (Newshub): Information contradicting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on KFC worker came from Ministry of Health Emile Donovan (Stuff): The Detail: NZ’s Covid-19 communications response has been hailed the world over, but is ...4 days ago
- Atavistic Urges.Mob Psychology: Deep down inside us dwell all manner of dark and violent impulses. In times of social stress and/or crisis, these “atavistic” urges have a nasty habit of rising to the surface like an insufficiently weighted corpse – and unleashing mayhem.ARE WE AS SAVAGE as our forebears? Would we ...4 days ago
- Peter Brannen's Paleo Proxy Twitter ThreadRecently, award-winning science journalist, Peter Brannen penned an informative twitter thread (Figure 1) on how Earth scientists know what they know about Earth's deep-past climates. He wrote it as an addendum to his recent article in The Atlantic, The Terrifying Warning Lurking in the Earth’s Ancient Rock Record, which offers a backwards ...4 days ago
- Labour’s organic secrecyOver the past few years there's been a growing trend for bespoke secrecy clauses in legislation, excluding specific types of information (or even whole agencies) from the coverage of the Official Information Act. These pop up in all sorts of unusual places, sometimes when introduced, sometimes put there by select ...5 days ago
- Media Link: “A View from Afar” podcast on the private military-security industry and NZ’s role...
In this week’s podcast Selwyn Manning and I discuss the ethics and practicalities involved in the so-called “conflict industry.” It includes a discussion of the who and what of the “kill chain” and the implications of Rocket Lab’s position as a major US military logistical provider. You can find it ...5 days ago - The Biden Administration Increases the Social Cost of CarbonRamin Skibba To turn the tide against climate change, on the day of his inauguration President Joe Biden signed an executive order instituting a raft of policy changes and initiatives. One directed his team to reassess the social cost of carbon. This seemingly obscure concept puts a number on how ...5 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 4 March 2021Covid: Govt messaging, blame, compliance Chris Trotter (The Daily Blog): When It Comes to Covid, the “Little People” Cast a Big Shadow Claire Trevett (Herald): The Prime Minister, Case L and the pickle of confusion (paywalled) Michael Morrah (Newshub): Growing calls for an apology after Unite Against Covid-19 post contradicts Jacinda Ardern Jo Moir (Newsroom): Prime minister’s ‘kindness’ must extend ...5 days ago
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- The Adventures of Annalax: Volume XVIII
Session Thirty-Seven… our last full session in the Dreamland. So the Fae Queen was after a rematch. To the extent that she was literally willing to destroy her own forest in order to replenish her forces. I imagine one of her advisers pointed out that “destroying something in ...5 days ago - So, I was right about paid character assassin Carrick Graham, eh?
Today the shabby little train of denial ran out of smoke. Payment, apology in Dirty Politics case — Newsroom Crushing defeat for Dirty Politics PR man with apology to defamed academics — The Spinoff Here’s the apology wording, below. It’s ruined only by the clearly bullshit implication that there was ...5 days ago - Illusions of certainty are causing collective stupidity on a monumental scale…
It’s always tempting to reach for the easiest “answers” to make sense of an uncertain world. It’s a tendency that has been there for a long time, but in the time of COVID, a lot of it seems to be on steroids. Desperate people do desperate things. In ...5 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #9, 2021Why New Research? Skeptical Science exists for the purpose of improving public capacity for critical thinking about anthropogenic climate change. Effective critical analysis requires a basis of information, and for our purpose the wellsprings of fundamental understanding are found in peer-reviewed academic literature, our best grasp of how Earth's climate operates and ...5 days ago
- Problematique: Hi FolxsThis column will be calling it out. There’s so much folx need to educate ourselves about and DO BETTER. From cis privilege to white privilege, whether it’s how to decolonise, how to handle the pronoun illiterates, this column will be an inclusive space, for ALL GENDERS and ALL IDENTITIES. It ...6 days ago
- Keeping males out of women’s prisonsby Gearóid Ó Loingsigh, Colombia, 26 February 2021 The recent decision taken in California to place men and women in the same wings of prisons as a response to the violence meted out to trans prisoners is a nascent issue in Colombia, but sooner or later it will get here. ...6 days ago
- We Should leave 'Be Kind' for the cushion covers
About 10 years ago there was a proliferation of home wares promoting ‘Keep calm and carry on’. This adage came from World War 2 posters produced by the British Government in an effort to boost the morale of its citizens. Typically printed as white lettering on a red background you ...6 days ago - A sensible idea from NationalHaving spent most of the pandemic alternately calling for mass-death by relaxing lockdowns "for the economy", and for those who breach lockdowns to face harsher and harsher punishments, the National Party has finally made a useful contribution by calling for people told to self-isolate to be paid directly: The ...6 days ago
- Before we introduce vaccine passports we need to know how they’ll be usedTim Dare, University of Auckland Air New Zealand is to trial digital “vaccine passports” on trans-Tasman routes in April. A media release says: “The goal is to enable customers to seamlessly manage their digital travel documentation throughout their travel experience.” And it’s easy to see why. Airlines want people back ...6 days ago
- Time for a new OmbudsmanThe Ombudsman is supposed to be our core watchdog on administrative decision-making. Their central job is to review decisions by public agencies to ensure they are fair and reasonable and followed a proper process. So its more than a little embarrassing that they've been called to account by the courts ...6 days ago
- The internet's big carbon footprint need not doom the climateThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Samantha Harrington For many, people life moved online in 2020. From preschool to dissertation defenses, first dates to weddings, video calls brought us together. To entertain ourselves, we streamed concerts and movies, played video games, and scrolled social media. Demand for internet ...6 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 3 March 2021Covid: Govt messaging, blame, compliance Branko Marcetic (Democracy Project): We’ve cut the Govt slack for its own Covid missteps, so let’s do the same for workers Josie Pagani (Stuff): Let’s stop this lockdown blame game, finger-wagging won’t get you anywhere Josh Van Veen (Democracy Project): Bloomfieldian Optimism – The Tragedy of Case M Chris Trotter (Interest): Sunday services Alex ...6 days ago
- Branko Marcetic: We’ve cut the Govt slack for its own Covid missteps, so let’s do the same for w...The Government has made a litany of mistakes over Covid, and we have been more than willing to forgive Labour these missteps and give them some leeway. Branko Marcetic says that when members of the public also make mistakes, we should be focusing on designing a wider system that insulates ...6 days ago
- Josh Van Veen: Bloomfieldian Optimism – The Tragedy of Case MNaïve optimism has been blinding everyone from Ashley Bloomfield to Case M. Josh Van Veen argues we need to be more aware of our biases in dealing with Covid – but especially the authorities. In the United States, naive optimism was at the heart of the Trump Administration’s failed ...7 days ago
- Border CostsCecile Meier walks us through some of the costs of a border system that has neither been able to safely scale up to meet need, nor able to find any reasonable way of prioritising entry into those scarce MIQ spaces. When Zane Gillbee hugged his family goodbye in South Africa ...7 days ago
- Technology listicles, deep tech, and social systemsTechnology lists, what’s this thing called “Deep Tech”, and thinking beyond the tech. Top “x” lists of technology developments, breakthroughs and trends aren’t hard to find. But how useful are they? MIT’s “Breakthrough Technologies” This time every year MIT’s Technology Review magazine produces a “10 breakthrough technologies” list. This ...7 days ago
- US capitalists as political saviours.Having watched and read about the Conference of the Paranoid, Angry and just plain Crazy (CPAC), including the Orange Merkin’s return to the political centre stage, I am more convinced then ever that if US conservatism, and indeed the US itself, is to find its way back to some semblance ...7 days ago
- A toxic organisationBack in 2019, following media revelations that bullying was widespread within the police, the Independent Police Conduct Authority announced that it would be investigating the issue. Today, they reported back, and found the police to be a completely toxic organisation: An independent report into police culture has described a ...7 days ago
- How to best prioritise Covid-19 Vaccination in Aotearoa/New ZealandDr Ben Gray* New Zealand has begun to roll out its Covid-19 vaccination programme, starting with those working at the border, including in the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facilities. There have been calls for prioritising other groups such as those in South Auckland [1] and meat industry workers ...7 days ago
- Blessed are they that have not seen the model, and yet have believedThe Climate Change Commission’s recommendations span the breadth of the economy. They are required to come up with sector-by-sector climate budgets consistent with getting New Zealand with net zero emissions under the Zero Carbon Act. The sector-by-sector budgets rest on underlying models. The models build predictions about what will happen ...7 days ago
- How best to get COVID-19 contacts to do the right thing?
The revelation that Auckland’s new level three lockdown was triggered by infectious individuals failing to properly self-isolate has awakened some people’s vengeful angels. The rules must be tightened, it’s claimed. The police must prosecute, it’s argued. Even Jacinda Ardern came as close to leading out a torches-and-pitchfork mob as we’re ever likely to see from her: “No one ...7 days ago - NZ Politics Daily: 2 March 2021Covid: Auckland community outbreak Crystal Wu (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern refuses to apologise to KFC worker, says family was told to self-isolate 1News: Auckland KFC worker with Covid-19 says she was never told to isolate, wants apology from PM Mandy Te (Stuff): Questions raised over whether people are being told they must self-isolate following Covid-19 tests ...7 days ago
- The Long March From The Bottom To The Top.Revolution From Below: The original “Long March” was, of course, undertaken by Mao Zedong and what was left of his communist military forces. They did not, however, head off for the nearest school or university, government office or medical clinic. Their goal was not to infiltrate the institutions of capitalism, but ...1 week ago
- Yelling at the Clouds: Philip Pullman on Tolkien and Lewis
There are some genre authors who like to demonstrate their edgy, iconoclastic credentials by sticking the boot into J.R.R. Tolkien. Michael Moorcock springs to mind, with the much-beaten dead horse that is the Epic Pooh essay. Each to their own, I suppose, though seeing as Epic Pooh really boils ...1 week ago - Book Review: The Unintended Consequences of Taming NatureJohn Schwartz Elizabeth Kolbert lives her stories. In the course of reporting her new book, “Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future,” she got hit by a leaping carp near Ottawa, Illinois (“It felt like someone had slammed me in the shin with a Wiffle-ball bat”) and visited ...1 week ago
- For a bigger carbon dividendNew Zealand has an excellent Emissions Trading Scheme covering everything except agriculture – a non-trivial exclusion, but we can come back to that later. The ETS has a cap. Net emissions from the covered sector cannot exceed the cap. So any other regulations that affect sectors covered by the cap ...1 week ago
- Can Cult Studies Offer Help With QAnon? The Science Is ThinMichael Schulson Days before the inauguration of President Joe Biden, at a time when some Americans were animated by the false conviction that former President Donald J. Trump had actually won the November election, a man in Colorado began texting warnings to his family. The coming days, he wrote, would ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: Even dodgier accountingLast year, Beef and Lamb New Zealand produced a bought-and-paid-for report claiming that their industry was already carbon neutral, so didn't need to do anything to reduce emissions. The report was full of obviously dodgy accounting - basicly, it didn't bother to follow international carbon accounting rules, because they would ...1 week ago
- Why are we paying for MPI again?Last year, the government chickened out on clean rivers, setting "water standards" that failed to properly control poisonous nitrates. So who was to blame? MPI: The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) opposed introducing a tough bottom line for nitrogen levels in rivers over concerns the economic impact would outweigh ...1 week ago
- How did NASA’s Martian rover come to land in a crater named after a tiny Balkan village?Robert Greenberg, University of Auckland The world was excited by the news last week that NASA’s Perseverance rover had successfully landed in a Martian crater. The rover will now set about collecting samples from what scientists say was an ancient lake fed by a river. The name of this exotic ...1 week ago
- Sunday Services.Faith In The Essentials: Fenced-in, almost literally, by motorways. Located, seemingly permanently, at the bottom of politicians’ priority-lists. Heaped with praise for their cultural vibrancy, but not rewarded for it by the presence of white pupils in their public schools, South Aucklanders (like people of colour everywhere) provide their paler ...1 week ago
- February ’21 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking
1 week ago - More tyranny in the UKSince the pandemic began, the UK government has restricted protests in an effort to contain the plague. But of course, they're plotting to make these restrictions permanent: Concern over the government’s limitation of the right to protest during lockdown continues to mount after it emerged that the home secretary, ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 1 March 2021Covid: Auckland community outbreak Richard Harman: Ardern’s new tough talk Claire Trevett (Herald): When will Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s patience with rule-breakers wear thin?(paywalled) Thomas Manch (Stuff): Blame and fear for the team of five million, as PM pleads for compliance Michael Baker (Herald): Why government is right to yo-yo between alert levels Joel Maxwell and Thomas Manch ...1 week ago
- 2021 Reading Log: February (+ Writing Update)
Completed reads for February: The Dream of Scipio, by CiceroThe Dragon Masters, by Jack Vance The Dream of Scipio is Pearman’s translation. A very quiet month in the reading department… but a truly excellent one in the writing department. Better yet, this was not merely short stories, but solid ...1 week ago - Colombia: The ELN and what the release of two captured soldiers has shownby Gearóid Ó Loingsigh (Colombia, 18 February 2020) Two soldiers, Jhony Andrés Castillo Ospino and Jesús Alberto Muñoz Segovia, fell into the hands of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN; National Liberation Army). Their capture produced the usual reactions that they had been kidnapped when in fact they were prisoners ...1 week ago
- Lockdowns: Sweden was the ‘control group’
As much of the world is still implementing lockdowns, including New Zealand, it is a good time to see how Sweden has fared. After being demonised for a year for having relatively moderate restrictions the Swedish death toll is rather much in line with other years. Sweden followed the standard ...1 week ago - Suffer The Little Children: Neoliberalism’s Attack On Local Democracy Intensifies.Under The Influence Of The "Governance" Kool-Aid: The furore surrounding Mayor Andy Foster's "review" of the Wellington City Council's "governance" is but the latest example of the quite conscious delegitimization, and sinister re-framing, of spirited political opposition and debate as irresponsible, immature and “dysfunctional”. It shows how very far from ...1 week ago
- David Seymour speaks about stuff
Hello there everybody. I’ve been asked by Mr Thinks to come on his blog today and speak my mind about stuff. The government has a lot to answer for. I was sitting there last week as Auckland came out of it’s latest lockdown and I knew the government was making ...1 week ago - We Must Avoid Treating Māori As Living Fossils.
There are times when tikanga needs to be broken for tikanga to survive.I recently gave a presentation on Māori economic history based on my Not in Narrow Seas. Its most important message was that Māori proved to be a very adaptable people continually evolving as new opportunities arose. The European ...2 weeks ago - Teaming up with Facebook to fight misinformationSome of you may remember our blog post "A conundrum: our continued presence on Facebook" in which we detailed our misgivings about and decision to stick with Facebook for the time being. So these latest developments - reposted from the Cranky Uncle homepage - might come as a bit of surprise! ...2 weeks ago
- Data dredging, p-hacking and motivated discussion in anti-fluoride paperImage credit: Quick Data Lessons: Data Dredging Oh dear – another scientific paper claiming evidence of toxic effects from fluoridation. But a critical look at the paper shows evidence of p-hacking, data dredging and motivated reasoning to derive their conclusions. And it was published in a journal shown to be ...2 weeks ago
- The central problem with housing policyWe've had a housing crisis for the past decade, and successive governments have done nothing to solve it. Why not? Bernard Hickey gets it right when he says its all about protecting the rich: The Government is reluctant to push down house prices fearing they'll loses the support of ...2 weeks ago
- The Obama legacy contd.There’s more of the Obama legacy here and Deporter in Chief: Obama chucks out 2,000,000 and Can Trump really deport more people than Obama? and Obama, gay rights and the killing drones ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s smoking rates dropped dramatically thanks to a hard-hitting campaign. Could we do the same to...Caroline Shaw, University of Otago New Zealand has the highest per capita car ownership in the OECD, and reducing emissions from the transport sector is seen as a wicked problem. As part of its recently released advice for the government’s first emissions reduction plan, the Climate Change Commission is calling ...2 weeks ago
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- Correcting Corrections – And Its Minister.My Department Right Or Wrong: Far from “politicians involving themselves in some Corrections matters” being a bad thing, their involvement – along with that of the Ombudsman – constitutes a necessary check upon the unreasonable and unlawful exercise of authority over prison inmates by prison staff. A Corrections Minister who ...2 weeks ago
- A failure of enforcementYesterday, Silver Fern Farms was fined $337,000 over a potentially lethal ammonia leak. Today RNZ reports that they've subcontracted some of their waste business to Whanganui's Tasman Tanning, which has an appalling environmental record: Tasman Tanning's plant in Whanganui was already the country's leader in breaching trade wastewater consents ...2 weeks ago
- Give the Rangitata backBack in 2018, National's unelected Canterbury dictatorship issued a resource consent to take water from the Rangitata river for irrigation, in violation of its Water Conservation Order. Now, after two years of legal battles, the company has "voluntarily" surrendered it: An irrigation company's decision to relinquish its consent to ...2 weeks ago
- The rich should pay their fair shareNew Zealand is supposed to have a progressive tax system, which taxes people according to their ability to pay. But it turns out that the rich are cheating: The wealthiest New Zealanders pay just 12 per cent of their total income in tax on average, according to research from ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 25 February 2021Housing Richard Harman: Government has little to say about housing crisis Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): Govt set to bring out big tools to manage housing pressure Miriam Bell (Stuff): Housing affordability at worst point in ‘at least 17 years’ Adam Jacobson (RNZ): New Zealand housing affordability plummets to historically low levels Zane Small (Newshub): National’s Nicola Willis in disbelief as Megan ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #8, 2021Ground truths on warming When we think about rapid climate change of the kind we've accidentally unleashed and the warming of Earth systems inherent in the process, we tend to focus on phenomena in order of their immediate tangibility, their drama. Sea ice loss in the Arctic, atmospheric and ocean ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls on Government to stop dirty fishing practice of bottom trawling
The Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently stop dirty, degrading fishing practices in areas most vulnerable to destruction. ...2 days ago - A push to remove the Pasifika poverty status quoThe Green Party will push for better wages and fair pay agreements to help tackle poverty within our Pasifika Communities. ...7 days ago
- Government must keep improving COVID-19 support scheme so New Zealanders can self-isolate: GreensThe Green Party are calling on the Government to assess how the COVID-19 leave support scheme can be better improved, distributed and enforced so that workers can properly take leave when self-isolating. ...7 days ago
- What’s Labour doing for rural New Zealand?
We know that when our rural communities do well, all of New Zealand benefits. Labour is committed to supporting our regions so that, together, we can achieve even more. Here are just some of the ways we’re backing rural communities. ...1 week ago - A win for Pasifika Communities to have a stable homeThe Green Party welcome the Government announcement to support Pasifika peoples to become Community Housing Providers. ...2 weeks ago
- Tax data exposes gross inequity between the wealthiest and poorest New ZealandersGovernment data today shows that the wealthiest New Zealanders aren’t paying their fair share of tax, whilst everyone else chips in, Green Party spokesperson on Finance Julie Anne Genter said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action to cool house prices still needed despite Reserve Bank changeThe Green Party welcomes the change in the Reserve Bank’s remit to consider the impacts on housing when making financial decisions, but housing affordability shouldn’t be left to the Reserve Bank, Green Party Co-leader and Housing spokesperson Marama Davidson said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Māori now have a seat at the local government tableThe Green Party welcomes the passing of the Local Electorate Act Māori Wards Amendment Bill which ensures Māori have a say on local issues across Aotearoa New Zealand. ...2 weeks ago
- Child poverty data shows disabled children, Māori and Pasifika being left behindThe Green Party is disappointed that disabled children and Māori and Pasifika children are still more likely to be living in poverty. ...2 weeks ago
- Research shows New Zealanders want income support increasedNew UMR research reveals that 69 percent of New Zealanders agree that the government should increase the amount if income support paid to those on low incomes or not in paid work. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party celebrate fast tracked timeline for banning conversion therapy, will push for best bill ...The Green Party are celebrating the Labour Government bringing forward the timeline to ban conversion therapy, and will push to ensure any draft bill properly protects all of our Rainbow communities. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes PCE report that calls for more sustainable tourismThe Green Party welcomes the report that calls for more sustainable tourism by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. ...3 weeks ago
- Green Party echoes calls for ‘brave’ action on rising inequalityThe Green Party is joining the call for ‘brave policy action’ to address rapidly increasing inequality in New Zealand, which is likely to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. ...3 weeks ago
- Govt purchases enough Pfizer vaccines for whole country
The Government has guaranteed that every New Zealander will have access to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, after securing an additional 8.5 million doses, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “The Government has signed an advance purchase agreement for 8.5 million additional doses, enough to vaccinate 4.25 million people. The vaccines are ...15 hours ago - Celebrating Women in our COVID response – International Women’s Day 2021“This International Women’s Day I acknowledge the women who have been crucial in our COVID-19 recovery – our scientists, healthcare professionals, and essential workers – and everyone who is working every day to help women and girls achieve their potential in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Minister for Women Jan Tinetti ...18 hours ago
- $950k funding boost for World Conference on Women and SportAn additional $950,000 investment has been made to support New Zealand’s hosting of the 8th World Conference of the International Working Group on Women in Sport (IWG) in Auckland in 2022. The funding comes from the $265 million Sport Recovery Package and is for Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine ...21 hours ago
- Celebrating Children’s Day / Te Rā o Ngā TamarikiToday marks Children’s Day / Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki and the Minister for Children, Kelvin Davis is asking all New Zealanders to think about their responsibility to support the lives of the tamariki in their communities and to make this a special day for celebrating them. Children’s Day / ...2 days ago
- Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report shows progressHealth Minister Andrew Little welcomes the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s assessment that transformation of New Zealand’s approach to mental health and addiction is underway. “This is an important step in the Government’s work to provide better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in New ...4 days ago
- Over $300m returned to COVID-hit travellersThe Government’s Consumer Travel Reimbursement Scheme has helped return over $352 million of refunds and credits to New Zealanders who had overseas travel cancelled due to COVID-19, Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says. “Working with the travel sector, we are helping New Zealanders retrieve the money owed to them by ...5 days ago
- Hundreds more schools join free lunches programmeAn additional 88,000 students in 322 schools and kura across the country have started the school year with a regular lunch on the menu, thanks to the Government’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme. They join 42,000 students already receiving weekday lunches under the scheme, which launched last ...5 days ago
- Govt’s balanced economic approach reflected in Crown accountsNew Zealand’s economic recovery has again been reflected in the Government’s books, which are in better shape than expected. The Crown accounts for the seven months to the end of January 2021 were better than forecast in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU). The operating balance before gains ...5 days ago
- Over half of border workforce receive first vaccinationsMore than half of New Zealand’s estimated 12,000 border workforce have now received their first vaccinations, as a third batch of vaccines arrive in the country, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. As of midnight Tuesday, a total of 9,431 people had received their first doses. More than 70 percent ...6 days ago
- Boost in funding to deliver jobs while restoring Central Otago’s lakes and waterwaysThe Government is significantly increasing its investment in restoring Central Otago’s waterways while at the same time delivering jobs to the region hard-hit by the economic impact of Covid-19, says Land Information Minister, Damien O’Connor. Mr O’Connor says two new community projects under the Jobs for Nature funding programme will ...6 days ago
- Next stage of COVID-19 support for business and workersThe Government has confirmed details of COVID-19 support for business and workers following the increased alert levels due to a resurgence of the virus over the weekend. Following two new community cases of COVID-19, Auckland moved to Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand moved to Alert Level ...6 days ago
- Govt committed to hosting Rugby World CupThe Government remains committed to hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2022 should a decision be made by World Rugby this weekend to postpone this year’s tournament. World Rugby is recommending the event be postponed until next year due to COVID-19, with a final decision to ...6 days ago
- Support Available for Communities affected by COVID-19Community and social service support providers have again swung into action to help people and families affected by the current COVID-19 alert levels. “The Government recognises that in many instances social service, community, iwi and Whānau Ora organisations are best placed to provide vital support to the communities impacted by ...7 days ago
- Govt announces review into PHARMACThe Government is following through on an election promise to conduct an independent review into PHARMAC, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Andrew Little announced today. The Review will focus on two areas: How well PHARMAC performs against its current objectives and whether and how its performance against these ...7 days ago
- Impressive response to DOC scholarship programmeSome of the country’s most forward-thinking early-career conservationists are among recipients of a new scholarship aimed at supporting a new generation of biodiversity champions, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has awarded one-year postgraduate research scholarships of $15,000 to ten Masters students in the natural ...1 week ago
- Speech to ANZLF Virtual Indigenous Business Trade and Connections EventI acknowledge our whānau overseas, joining us from Te Whenua Moemoeā, and I wish to pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you all today. I am very pleased to be part of the conversation on Indigenous business, and part ...1 week ago
- Main benefits to increase in line with wagesSocial Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today that main benefits will increase by 3.1 percent on 1 April, in line with the rise in the average wage. The Government announced changes to the annual adjustment of main benefits in Budget 2019, indexing main benefit increases to the average ...1 week ago
- Deed of Settlement signed with Ngāti Maru (Taranaki)A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Ngāti Maru and the Crown settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little announced today. The Ngāti Maru rohe is centred on the inland Waitara River valley, east to the Whanganui River and its ...1 week ago
- Support in place for people connected to Auckland COVID-19 casesWith a suite of Government income support packages available, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni is encouraging people, and businesses, connected to the recent Auckland COVID-19 cases to check the Work and Income website if they’ve been impacted by the need to self-isolate. “If you are required to ...1 week ago
- Statement on passing of former PNG PM Sir Michael SomarePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed her condolences at the passing of long-serving former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. “Our thoughts are with Lady Veronica Somare and family, Prime Minister James Marape and the people of Papua New Guinea during this time of great ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to the National Māori Housing Conference 2021E te tī, e te tā Tēnei te mihi maioha ki a koutou Ki te whenua e takoto nei Ki te rangi e tū iho nei Ki a tātou e tau nei Tēnā tātou. It’s great to be with you today, along with some of the ministerial housing team; Hon Peeni Henare, the ...2 weeks ago
- Drone project to aid protection of Māui dolphinThe Government is backing a new project to use drone technology to transform our understanding and protection of the Māui dolphin, Aotearoa’s most endangered dolphin. “The project is just one part of the Government’s plan to save the Māui dolphin. We are committed to protecting this treasure,” Oceans and Fisheries ...2 weeks ago
- New water regulator board announced as major Government reform moves forwardMajor water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says. Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai. “Dame ...2 weeks ago
- North Auckland gets public transport upgradeThe newly completed Hibiscus Coast Bus Station will help people make better transport choices to help ease congestion and benefit the environment, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said today. Michael Wood and Phil Goff officially opened the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station which sits just off the ...2 weeks ago
- Supporting work to protect Northland reserveNew funding announced by Conservation Minister Kiri Allan today will provide work and help protect the unique values of Northland’s Te Ārai Nature Reserve for future generations. Te Ārai is culturally important to Te Aupōuri as the last resting place of the spirits before they depart to Te Rerenga Wairua. ...2 weeks ago
- Critical step to new housing deal for Pacific communitiesToday the Government has taken a key step to support Pacific people to becoming Community Housing providers, says the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. “This will be great news for Pacific communities with the decision to provide Pacific Financial Capability Grant funding and a tender process to ...2 weeks ago
- Consultation opens on proposed Bay of Islands marine mammal sanctuaryConservation Minister Kiri Allan is encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on a proposed marine mammal sanctuary to address the rapid decline of bottlenose dolphins in Te Pēwhairangi, the Bay of Islands. The proposal, developed jointly with Ngā Hapū o te Pēwhairangi, would protect all marine mammals of the ...2 weeks ago
- Three District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges. Two of the appointees will take up their roles on 1 April, replacing sitting Judges who have reached retirement age. Kirsten Lummis, lawyer of Auckland has been appointed as a District Court Judge with jury jurisdiction to ...2 weeks ago
- Government announces list of life-shortening conditions guaranteeing early KiwiSaver accessGovernment announces list of life-shortening conditions guaranteeing early KiwiSaver access The Government changed the KiwiSaver rules in 2019 so people with life-shortening congenital conditions can withdraw their savings early The four conditions guaranteed early access are – down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder An alternative ...2 weeks ago
- Reserve Bank to take account of housing in decision makingThe Reserve Bank is now required to consider the impact on housing when making monetary and financial policy decisions, Grant Robertson announced today. Changes have been made to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s remit requiring it to take into account government policy relating to more sustainable house prices, while working ...2 weeks ago
- Investment to reduce cochlear implant waitlistThe Labour Government will invest $6 million for 70 additional adult cochlear implants this year to significantly reduce the historical waitlist, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Cochlear implants are life changing for kiwis who suffer from severe hearing loss. As well as improving an individual’s hearing, they open doors to ...2 weeks ago
- Māori wards Bill passes third readingThe Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill passed its third reading today and will become law, Minister of Local Government Hon Nanaia Mahuta says. “This is a significant step forward for Māori representation in local government. We know how important it is to have diversity around ...2 weeks ago
- Government delivers 1,000 more transitional housing placesThe Government has added 1,000 more transitional housing places as promised under the Aotearoa New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan (HAP), launched one year ago. Minister of Housing Megan Woods says the milestone supports the Government’s priority to ensure every New Zealander has warm, dry, secure housing. “Transitional housing provides people ...2 weeks ago
- Second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech doses arrives safely – as the first vaccinations take place in the...A second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived safely yesterday at Auckland International Airport, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “This shipment contained about 76,000 doses, and follows our first shipment of 60,000 doses that arrived last week. We expect further shipments of vaccine over the coming weeks,” Chris Hipkins said. ...2 weeks ago
- $18 million for creative spaces to make arts more accessibleThe Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni has today announced $18 million to support creative spaces. Creative spaces are places in the community where people with mental health needs, disabled people, and those looking for social connection, are welcomed and supported to practice and participate in the arts ...2 weeks ago
- Moriori Claims Settlement Bill passes first readingTreaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little today welcomed Moriori to Parliament to witness the first reading of the Moriori Claims Settlement Bill. “This bill is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work from all the parties involved. “I am delighted to reach this significant milestone today,” Andrew ...2 weeks ago
- Government action reduces child poverty22,400 fewer children experiencing material hardship 45,400 fewer children in low income households on after-housing costs measure After-housing costs target achieved a year ahead of schedule Government action has seen child poverty reduce against all nine official measures compared to the baseline year, Prime Minister and Minister for Child Poverty ...2 weeks ago
- Entries open for the 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence AwardsIt’s time to recognise the outstanding work early learning services, kōhanga reo, schools and kura do to support children and young people to succeed, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins says. The 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards are now open through until April 16. “The past year has reminded us ...2 weeks ago
- Jobs for Nature benefits three projectsThree new Jobs for Nature projects will help nature thrive in the Bay of Plenty and keep local people in work says Conservation Minister Kiri Allan. “Up to 30 people will be employed in the projects, which are aimed at boosting local conservation efforts, enhancing some of the region’s most ...2 weeks ago
- Improvements to the Holidays Act on the wayThe Government has accepted all of the Holidays Act Taskforce’s recommended changes, which will provide certainty to employers and help employees receive their leave entitlements, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood said the Government established the Holidays Act Taskforce to help address challenges with the ...2 weeks ago
- UMR Poll Finds Broad Bipartisan Support For Cannabis Legalisation Or Decriminalisation & Little ...
A new poll released by the Helen Clark Foundation shows that cannabis legalisation or decriminalisation is favoured by a majority of supporters of the Labour, National, Green, and Act Parties. (Figures for other parties were too small to report accurately.) ...29 mins ago - Group that alerted police of Christchurch mosque threat question security agencies
A person who helped alert police about a threat to attack two Christchurch mosques had previously met the man who was arrested and recognised him online. ...35 mins ago - New Poll Shows Overwhelming Support For Reform Of Cannabis LawsIn research released by The Helen Clark Foundation today, 69% of voters wanted cannabis to be decriminalised (20%) or legalised (49%). Only 30% of respondents thought our cannabis laws should stay the same or get tougher. NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director ...42 mins ago
- Roller coaster ride for energy stocks now on a downward slide
Business & Investing: Changes to a global green energy index hit the shares of two of our big power companies, Plus Elon Musk's $27 billion personal haircut ...58 mins ago - Pfizer vaccine for all is 'good news' – National MPOpposition MPs and medical experts are backing the government's decision to make Pfizer New Zealand's main Covid-19 vaccine. ...1 hour ago
- Pumped hydro already delayed a year
The Government's investigation into a pumped hydroelectric scheme to chart the way to 100 percent renewable electricity has already been delayed. ...2 hours ago - EVs: Don't mistake a speed bump for a roadblock
Electric vehicles and their batteries come with environmental drawbacks - but that is not a reason to go slow on electrifying our vehicle fleet. ...2 hours ago - The backroom deal to find Germany's next Chancellor
There are few certainties in the upcoming election to replace Angela Merkel. ...2 hours ago - Last piece in puzzle for Mackenzie protection
As an important hearing begins, the Conservation Department is questioned about its advocacy for nature. David Williams reports The election of a new Government in 2017 was meant to unshackle the Department of Conservation, freeing it to advocate once again for the natural environment in resource management hearings. However, questions are ...2 hours ago - Do we need stricter rules for the most at risk?
The messaging and tone from the Government has been very kind, but we’ve found ourselves at a point where that is not enough, says Raymond Xia. ...2 hours ago - Why are women still angry?
A new documentary takes a look at one of New Zealand's most singular crimes - asking some tough questions about this country's enduring rape culture TV1’s documentary Six Angry Women screened last night on International Women’s Day. It traces the story of one of New Zealand’s most singular crimes, the abducting in ...2 hours ago - The strange case of the amniotic sac
Ted Dawe on the folk-lore of children born in a caul It wasn’t an island, more just a tooth of rock rearing hundreds of feet straight up from the Andaman Sea. The little wooden long-tail we had hired gently pitched and tossed on the ebb tide as we waited for ...2 hours ago - Camryn's on track, chasing down Olympian mum
Camryn Smart is proving herself as one of NZ's top 400m runners this summer - helped by a rivalry with her flatmate, and some competition from her Olympian running mum. It’s not often when you’re one of the top young runners in the country that your mum can still help ...2 hours ago - Siouxsie Wiles: Reflections from the rollercoaster, one year after my first collaboration with Toby ...
On March 9 2020, the first Covid-19 collaboration by Siouxsie Wiles and Toby Morris was published. Twelve whiplash months on, Siouxsie ranks the good, the not so good, and the downright ridiculous.Our Covid-19 coverage is funded by The Spinoff Members. To help us stay on top of this ...2 hours ago - How did an air crew member test positive after having a Covid vaccine jab?We learned yesterday that a flight attendant tested positive after having had their first dose of vaccine. Mirjam Guesgen explains why vaccines take a while to kick in.Support the Spinoff by becoming a Member – and score a Toby Morris tea towel.Did they test positive because of the vaccine?No. The vaccine only ...2 hours ago
- The pain and the passion over Māori wards
Giving Māori a place at the table of local government decision makers has taken another step, but debate over Māori wards is still fierce. “What’s happening in Māori politics is fascinatingly complex and demanding," says NZME's Simon Wilson. "If there are Māori wards on councils that will be the ...2 hours ago - Another $1.2 billion for apprentices’ subsidy, with post-JobKeeper targeted package imminent
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison will announce on Tuesday a $1.2 billion extension of the government’s wage subsidy for businesses taking on apprentices, as the government starts to roll out targeted assistance for the post-JobKeeper economy. The Boosting ...7 hours ago - Siouxsie Wiles: One year after the first Toby-Siouxsie, here’s 10 experiences, rankedOn March 9 2020, the first Covid-19 collaboration by Siouxsie Wiles and Toby Morris was published. Twelve whiplash months on, Siouxsie reflects on the good and the bad.Our Covid-19 coverage is funded by The Spinoff Members. To help us stay on top of this and other vital New ...9 hours ago
- Murray Horton: Reflections on Owen Wilkes, iconic peace researcher, adventurer and ‘bird watcher...COMMENTARY: By Murray Horton in Christchurch Owen Wilkes, an internationally renowned peace researcher and Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA) founder, died in 2005, aged 65 (see my obituary in Watchdog 109, August 2005). And yet, 16 years later, I’m still learning more about him and gaining insights into ...10 hours ago
- WA election could be historical Labor landslide, but party with less than 1% vote may win upper hous...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Western Australian election will be held on Saturday, March 13. Polls close at 9pm AEDT. I am not aware of any WA polling conducted since the blowout 68-32 ...12 hours ago
- WA election could be historical Labor landslide, but party with less that 1% vote may win upper hous...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Western Australian election will be held on Saturday, March 13. Polls close at 9pm AEDT. I am not aware of any WA polling conducted since the blowout 68-32 ...13 hours ago
- It’s not too late to move to New Zealand, Meghan and Harry. Haere mai!The royal self-exilers pondered moving to New Zealand, they’ve told Oprah Winfrey. We say: welcome, Hazzer and Megs.Over recent years reasons cited for moving from the UK or US to Aotearoa are many. The election of George W Bush. Brexit. The election of Donald Trump. To that list can now ...13 hours ago
- The most revealing moments from that blockbuster Meghan and Harry interviewOprah Winfrey’s sitdown with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was the most hyped interview of the year so far – and, it turns out, rightfully so. Sam Brooks picks the highlights from an explosive conversation. To say that Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has been a controversial figure would be ...14 hours ago
- Diplomat says NZ didn’t draft draconian Fiji police billBy Michael Field of The Pacific Newsroom New Zealand’s High Commissioner in Fiji, Jonathan Curr, has taken to social media to counter claims that Wellington drafted a bill to give greatly increased powers to Fiji’s often corrupt police force. The Police Bill, tabled in Parliament last week, has been labelled ...15 hours ago
- Fiji must commit political will over crimes against women, girls, says AliBy Talebula Kate in Suva While International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, Fiji must not lose sight of the struggles ahead, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali. She stressed this in a statement as Fiji marked International Women’s Day today, March 8, ...15 hours ago
- Covid-19 vaccine: Government has purchased enough for every New Zealander
*This story first appeared on RNZ and is republished with permission. The Government has purchased enough of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for every New Zealander, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. The Government has signed an advance purchase agreement for an additional 8.5 million doses on top of what it has ...15 hours ago - Work Needed To Rebuild Better Working Lives For Women After PandemicThe Maritime Union says an international shipper is threatening the future of New Zealand coastal shipping by exploiting legal loopholes. Global shipping giant Maersk has announced a new service called Sirius Star which will use two overseas flagged ...15 hours ago
- Live: Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins give post-Cabinet briefingJacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins are providing an update on the situation in New Zealand following today's Cabinet meeting. Watch live here. ...15 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Essay – Friday’s Tsunami Messaging: Why Not Tauranga and Auckland?16 hours ago
- Review: Six Angry Women doesn’t tell you what to think – it demands that you thinkThe new TVNZ1 documentary about the Mervyn Thompson Affair – when an Auckland University lecturer was tied to a tree by six feminists and beaten – treats a thorny subject with necessary ambivalence, writes Linda Burgess.I don’t much like docudramas, or, as in this case, documentaries with re-enactments. I don’t ...16 hours ago
- Cousins tells Māori stories with subtlety, kindness and arohaA film adaptation of Patricia Grace’s novel Cousins, directed by Māori directors Briar Grace-Smith and Ainsley Gardiner, is a hopeful glimpse at what could be a new era of cinema in New Zealand, writes Charlotte Muru-Lanning.It says a lot about our expectations of New Zealand cinema that seeing Māori characters ...16 hours ago
- Govt celebrates special days for children and women (but without new money unless they are involved ...
It was Children’s Day yesterday, an occasion that prompted a press statement from the Minister for Children, Kelvin Davis. But no new handouts of money for children’s events or for policy programmes were mentioned. Today is International Women’s Day and the Minister for Women, Jan Tinetti, similarly issued a statement ...16 hours ago - Forget the ideal worker myth. Unis need to become more inclusive for all women (men will benefit too...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leisa Sargent, Senior Deputy Dean, UNSW Business School, Co-DVC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UNSW Movements like #metoo and #blacklivesmatter have increased voice and visibility of gender and race disparities in society and, in particular, workplaces. That includes universities. As we recover from ...16 hours ago
- More than 1 in 3 New Zealanders remain hesitant or sceptical about COVID-19 vaccines. Here’s how t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jagadish Thaker, Senior Lecturer, School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University As Aotearoa New Zealand begins the third week of COVID-19 vaccinations, the focus turns from the 12,000-strong border workforce to their families and household contacts. Frontline health and emergency staff ...17 hours ago
- Ritchie Civil Launches Suicide Prevention FundDerek and Rebecca Watson of Ritchie Civil Engineering have established a Suicide Prevention fund at Sunrise. It was the loss to suicide of their friend and work colleague, that prompted the couple to act. Derek says “I can still remember to this day when ...17 hours ago
- The story of Scorpion Princess: a first look inside the new book by The AuntiesA New Zealand woman on how she and her children were abused by a string of partners – and finally managed to break free.This essay is extracted from the remarkable book Her Say: Survivors of Domestic Abuse Tell their Own Stories, by Jackie Clark and The Aunties. There are 16 ...17 hours ago
- For children, it’s not just about getting enough sleep. Bed time matters, tooSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yaqoot Fatima, Senior Research Fellow, James Cook University Adequate sleep is key to good health, well-being and proper functioning across all life stages but is especially critical for children. Poor sleep can inhibit rapid growth and development in early childhood. And it’s ...18 hours ago
- No good governance without diversity
On International Women's Day, Professor Susan Watson challenges New Zealand businesses to maintain a culture where diversity is recognised as a critical and inherent feature of good governance Choose to Challenge, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, provides an opportunity for us to stop and consider aspects of women’s ...18 hours ago - Police Licence Backlog Threatens Hunting Season...18 hours ago
- An Open Letter To Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern On International Womens DayDear Jacinda, Happy International Womens Day. 90% of the hotel workers that Unite Union represents are women. Hundreds are currently working in Managed Isolation facilities. They are carrying the safety of a nation on their shoulders every single day. They ...18 hours ago
- Dragon’s Den for giving: The live event where charities sell themselves to donorsThere are 27,800 registered charities in New Zealand. 10×10 Philanthropy offers a helping hand to the ones that can create the most impact.Roughly seven years ago, when Lee Nicolson was driving her daughter home from hospital after a ski accident, her phone rang.“I believe you’re coming home from hospital today?” ...18 hours ago
- When climate change and other emergencies threaten where we live, how will we manage our retreat?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Hanna, Lecturer, Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Despite living in dynamic environments and facing an uncertain future due to climate change, New Zealanders generally expect their land and property rights will endure indefinitely. But little stays the same. As last week’s ...18 hours ago
- “Crown Needs To Start Again On Site Selection” Dame Asks For Timeline On Iwi Consultation...18 hours ago
- New year, new kōrero: What does our post-bubble future hold?One of our most popular new podcasts for 2020 makes its highly anticipated return – this time as a live event.In 2020, the launch of the Conversations that Count – Ngā Kōrero Whai Take podcast saw The Spinoff and Massey University turn a sharply focused eye on some of the most ...20 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 08 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 Covid: Govt comms, blame, compliance Graham Adams (Democracy Project): Ardern’s halo slips, rhetoric wears thin Luke Malpass (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern’s Covid comms strategy is starting to look a bit ...21 hours ago
- Liveable Incomes Needed Now For Pasifika And Māori Communities Who Are More Susceptible To Covid-19During the pandemic Pasifika people have had rates of hospital admission for Covid-19 almost five times that of non-Pasifika and non-Māori. Data from the Minister of Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins has revealed that seven of the 18 people admitted ...22 hours ago
- How women are changing the face of businessCovid-19 may have exposed the egregious gender disparity in our labour market. But, as Vanisha Narsey writes, it should be an opportunity to use the data and rebalance the scales.I’m a statistic – one of 10,000 women made redundant in 2020 following New Zealand’s Covid-19 level four lockdown. That was ...22 hours ago
- Mike Hosking lashes out at Jacinda Ardern as she quits weekly Newstalk ZB slotThe PM is ‘running for the hills’, says the Newstalk ZB host. ‘She, and all her ministers, will continue to appear on the show as and when issues arise,’ says the prime minister’s office.Monday mornings for Jacinda Ardern have long involved a flurry of media interviews, where the prime minister ...22 hours ago
- Why we need safe areas outside abortion clinicsThis week, a bill that would ensure pregnant people seeking abortion don’t have to be confronted by angry mobs outside of clinics is expected to have its first reading. Terry Bellamak explains why safe areas are so crucial for vulnerable patients.Last March, New Zealand legalised abortion. The new law changed ...23 hours ago
- Australia has a long history of coercing people into work. There are better options than ‘dobbing ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frances Flanagan, Sydney Fellow, Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies, University of Sydney After heated criticism from several quarters, the federal government last month announced a meagre rise in the JobSeeker payment for people looking for work. But at just $25 more ...23 hours ago
- Gender bias in medicine and medical research is still putting women’s health at riskSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Burrowes, Senior Researcher, University of Auckland International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements and raises awareness of the continuing mission towards gender equality. So it’s a good time to be reminded we still need to correct decades — centuries even — of ...23 hours ago
- Will the COVID vaccine make me test positive for the coronavirus? 5 questions about vaccines and COV...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meru Sheel, Epidemiologist | Senior Research Fellow, Australian National University COVID-19 vaccination is rolling out across Australia. So health authorities are keen to dispel myths about the vaccines, including any impact on COVID testing. Do the vaccines give you COVID, or make ...23 hours ago
- A manatee with ‘TRUMP’ scraped into its back was itself disturbing. But it reflects a deeper env...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Carr, Senior Lecturer, Environment and Society Group, UNSW Days after US rioters stormed Capitol Hill in January, a manatee was found in a Florida river with the word “TRUMP” scraped into its back. The aftermath of the disturbing incident revealed a ...23 hours ago
- No change at the top for university leaders as men outnumber women 3 to 1Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcia Devlin, Adjunct Professor, Victoria University Australian university leaders are nearly three times more likely to be a man than a woman. Of 37 public university chancellors, just 10 are women (27%) and 27 (73%) are men. It’s exactly the same for ...23 hours ago
- Imagine having your period and no money for pads or tampons. Would you still go to school?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Duffy, Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University The New South Wales Education Department said last week said it would trial a program to hand out free pads and tampons in schools. Department secretary Mark Scott said: We are developing ...23 hours ago
- Electronic cities: between COVID and gentrification, dance music is struggling to find its groove ag...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastien Darchen, Senior Lecturer in Planning, The University of Queensland Electronic music is the fifth-most-popular music genre globally. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the electronic music industry. Its estimated value fell from US$7.3 billion in 2019 to US$3.3 billion ...23 hours ago
- Flexible work arrangements help women, but only if they are also offered to menSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Associate Professor in Sociology and Co-Director of The Policy Lab, The University of Melbourne Flexible workplace policies designed to improve gender gaps in employment and pay might actually make things worse for women. Flexible work has been on offer to ...23 hours ago
- Wise women: 6 ancient female philosophers you should know aboutSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dawn LaValle Norman, Research Fellow, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry, Australian Catholic University When we conjure up ancient philosophers the image that springs to mind might be a bald Socrates discoursing with beautiful young men in the sun, or a scholarly ...23 hours ago
- Live updates, March 8: Restrictions for air crew may be increased after new Covid caseWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for March 8. Auckland is now at alert level two, NZ at level one. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz Help us keep you informed on the stories that matter. Click here to learn how you can support The Spinoff from as little as $1.8.00am: Restrictions ...23 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Assessing the latest lockdownGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Assessing the latest lockdown, two arrested after threats to Christchurch mosques, and tsunami warning system holds up well. Plus – some thoughts down the page on reaching an anniversary.As with any major government decision made in a potential emergency situation, ...24 hours ago
- Covid-19: Govt rejects Nats' push for outbreak inquiryThe government has poured cold water on the call for an inquiry into the Valentine's Day outbreak. ...1 day ago
- Women can't be excluded from vaccine trials
On International Women’s Day, Dr Nikki Turner, Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre, talks about the importance of vaccines and why women should never be excluded Women’s voices, women’s approach and women’s thinking should be visible in every level of our society. Too often they’re not and the results are frustrating. ...1 day ago - Alert level 5
Aerial photographs of New Zealand volcanic eruptions from a new book Lloyd Homer took more than140,000 aerial and landscape photos in his career as a photographer for the New Zealand Geological Survey. He used a Pentax 67, and his favourite camera, a Technorama 617. He worked on the edge of ...1 day ago - Government urged to move fast on modern slavery law
NZ risks falling behind as countries act to ensure their companies don't benefit from forced labour. ...1 day ago - 'Big Four' will change women's sport in NZ
On International Women's Day, three of our top sportswomen band together to support each other ahead of an exceptional two years in NZ sport. Sophie Devine, Kendra Cocksedge and Katie Bowen hovered on the rooftop over Eden Park, looking down on the ground all three may play on in their upcoming World Cups. Getting ...1 day ago - Heroines of the Hīkoi: Miriama Rauhihi Ness
In part six of our video series: Hīkoi: Long Shadow of the March we profile Miriama Rauhihi Ness. Miriama was a key organiser of the epic land march led by Dame Whina Cooper in 1975, attending the first hui for the hīkoi in Auckland’s Fanshaw Street in 1974. Responsible for the ...1 day ago - Clouds always on Team NZ's horizon
The weather guru who's helped Team NZ skippers call the shots for more than two decades hopes his final forecasts will be winners. When Te Rehutai first glides into the America’s Cup start box on Wednesday, Clouds will be sitting on a hill somewhere overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, looking at, ...1 day ago - Who should get the vaccine first in NZ, and why
The University of Otago's Dr Ben Gray explains who he believes we should be prioritising in our vaccine rollout New Zealand has begun to roll out its Covid-19 vaccination programme, starting with those working at the border, including in the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facilities. There have been calls ...1 day ago - Why aren't police on the lookout for extremism?
Police and intelligence agencies should be routinely monitoring websites like 4chan for extremist activity. ...1 day ago - Hiking cost of getting to NZ 'good' thing, says Air NZ adviser
The national airline’s chief environmental advisor says it would be good if price hikes put some people off flying here ...1 day ago - The lending trap: Small apartments, big deposits
You can still buy a small apartment in Auckland for between $300,000 and $400,000. But you will need a massive deposit to do so. ...1 day ago - Payout forecast sees farmers gear up retail therapy
Business & Investing: A bigger than expected dairy payout on the horizon, Plus My Food Bag investors now wait for its first financial results in May ...1 day ago - Friday delivered a big test for NZ’s tsunami response. How did we do?Two types of tsunami threat in one day showed the range of tactics, scientific, personal and political, required in responding to major events, writes earthquake expert Ursula Cochran. It was an exceptional morning: three large earthquakes within six hours, and an unfolding of events that put our emergency preparedness to the ...1 day ago
- I’m a doctor and a woman of colour. Here’s how my profession can tackle vaccine hesitancyAs a doctor with an ear to minority ethnic communities, Carolyn Providence has bad news: for many, vaccine hesitancy is perfectly rational – and it’s next to impossible to shame people out of it. I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens when trust between communities and healthcare systems erodes ...1 day ago
- The Dirty Politics saga
No one expected the level of intensity and brazenness used by a blogger, a former politician and a PR man in the saga that became known as "dirty politics" Whaleoil … Rawshark … inside information … political skullduggery … court delaying tactics … this saga has seen it all. ...1 day ago
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