slippery
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#Sheepgate and the war of metaphor
Written By: - Date published: 7:57 am, August 12th, 2015 - 96 comments
The war of metaphor requires the continuous repetition of a simple statement in the hope it becomes the accepted truth. Most of the time it works. But with #sheepgate it is starting to unravel.
National’s terrible deal making
Written By: - Date published: 10:20 am, August 9th, 2015 - 114 comments
A brief analysis of a number of deals that National has negotiated suggests that its reputation as a supposedly tough dealmaker is misplaced.
The dump of the #sheepgate papers
Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, August 5th, 2015 - 97 comments
The sheepgate papers have been dumped and despite John Key’s claims to the contrary the only evidence of a change in position on live sheep exports is that of the National Government, not the previous Labour Government.
The great state house sell off – small groups need not apply
Written By: - Date published: 12:19 pm, July 21st, 2015 - 10 comments
Treasure has indicated that the sell off of State housing should occur in minimum lots of a hundred houses. Only large wealthy organisations need apply and claims that the sale was about the building of capacity amongst local social service providers cannot be reconciled with this.
Another #Keyfib about Kiwisaver
Written By: - Date published: 8:27 am, July 10th, 2015 - 42 comments
The treasury release of budget policy advice suggests that John Key’s claim that changes to Kiwisaver would not have any effect on participation numbers was, ahem, erroneous.
#Sheepgate – it was the official’s fault
Written By: - Date published: 1:51 pm, June 11th, 2015 - 48 comments
National is appearing to be changing tack and trying to now blame a junior official rather than the Labour Party for the failure to complete the Gulf Free Trade Agreement. And the promised release of the relevant cabinet papers proving it was all Labour’s fault has still not occurred.
Superannuation and Government forecasts
Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, May 25th, 2015 - 197 comments
National has again refused to consider doing anything about the future of Superannuation. Yet its policies of increasing Crown debt, stopping contributions to the Cullen Fund and attacking Kiwisaver have made a discussion about the future of superannuation more important than ever.
Key announces new schools – again
Written By: - Date published: 12:45 pm, April 17th, 2015 - 35 comments
At least two of the four new schools that John Key recently announced had been announced previously. And it appears that one of them has had its concrete foundations already poured.
Ten Bridges Too Far
Written By: - Date published: 7:15 am, April 17th, 2015 - 18 comments
With Crosby Textor by his side, John Key has since learned to employ all manner of specialist PR techniques including ad homs, blame-shifting, distraction, use of Dirty Politics proxies to defuse the situation, and false equivalence, all woven together in an intricately performed semantic shuffle designed to provide wiggle room for when he does get caught.
John Key channels Clarke and Dawe
Written By: - Date published: 7:16 pm, February 26th, 2015 - 27 comments
David Parker recaps Key’s bluster on his Donghua Liu dinner, and it’s pure comedy.
If the voice fits….?
Written By: - Date published: 10:06 am, December 27th, 2014 - 218 comments
Politics has traditionally been men’s business. Gradually women have come to be given more space in this sphere of public activity. However, there are still strains of traditional masculine values evident in political activity, organisation and debate. How much does Key trade in
bloke-iness?
NRT: A surprise policy
Written By: - Date published: 7:12 pm, October 7th, 2014 - 32 comments
Remember National’s social housing policy? The one they campaigned on? The one that talked about how much money they were spending and was all about upgrading and investing in state houses? Somehow, post-election, its transmogrified into selling off a third of the state housing stock. John Key lying to voters as usual eh?
First they sold Auckland, then the rest of NZ…?
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, October 3rd, 2014 - 28 comments
A quiet shift in a dodgy Key govt-SkyCity deal: TVNZ land, sold to SkyCity for its convention centre, is to be used for a new hotel. Plus: non-mandated deal between Auckland Transport Authority & a US corporate – intense surveillance of Aucklanders’ diverse activities.
Slip, slip, slip
Written By: - Date published: 1:48 pm, September 16th, 2014 - 82 comments
John Key will no doubt – like with Dirty Politics – keep saying that “most of it is proven false” about the Snowden revelations… while slowly admitting most of the charges against him.
Where is Jason Ede?
Written By: - Date published: 10:54 am, September 8th, 2014 - 19 comments
Jason Ede’s disappearance from public view suggests a cover up in response to Hager’s Dirty Politics. The book implicates Ede (past PM staffer) in a coordinated black ops smear machine working with blogs like Whale Oil. Key may need to come clean soon about some of Ede’s activities.
Perceptions of National’s government
Written By: - Date published: 12:57 pm, September 6th, 2014 - 114 comments
There is how John Key and a few of his acolytes like to think of his government. Then there is how everyone else now does. The many ministers who have been abusing their position, were caught and ‘resigned’. Now we can see the true nature than lurks beneath. A vote for National is a vote for Cameron Slater.
Show us the money John
Written By: - Date published: 1:32 pm, September 4th, 2014 - 76 comments
John Key and National are talking about tax cuts. But when you think about the actual cost of the Christchurch rebuild and tumbling international milk prices you have to question if tax cuts are affordable or even justifiable.
Polity: Hooton on Key on SIS: Bullshit!
Written By: - Date published: 9:41 am, August 26th, 2014 - 118 comments
Rob says: Key was either complicit in the SIS document release to Whaleoil, or he has a gross dereliction of duty. Let’s hear what his answers are to that.
John Key’s groundhog day
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, August 21st, 2014 - 52 comments
Poor John Key must think he is in the movie Groundhog Day. The media clearly do not accept his explanation for Dirty Politics. And each day further information comes out which casts more and more doubt on the veracity of what he has been saying.
Mr Clean talks Dirty Politics: Key standup transcript pt2
Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, August 20th, 2014 - 12 comments
In this part of the transcript of John Key’s Aug 14 standup, Key repeats dubious spin lines, & tries to maintain his Mr Clean image. Topics include Jason Ede, Judith Collins, Bronwyn Pullar. Key tries to implicate left wing blogs, naming The Standard
Dirty Politics roundup
Written By: - Date published: 11:46 am, August 20th, 2014 - 21 comments
Pot pourri, grab bag… Nicky Hager’s sister’s response, Media Take, John Key’s wanting to talk about policy, political passion, at the end of the day…
“Mr Slater’s made it quite clear”: Key standup transcript pt1
Written By: - Date published: 1:10 pm, August 19th, 2014 - 26 comments
How slippery is John Key? Part one of transcript of Key’s press standup last Thursday. On accessing Labour’s website private details, OIAs to the SIS, Dirty Politics, Nicky Hager and Mr Slater. [Updated]
Left wing blogs aren’t “the same”
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 19th, 2014 - 165 comments
Part of John Key’s frantic spin is that left wing blogs are just the same as Whaleoil. As a left wing blogger I take personal umbrage – there is no equivalence. [Update: As also stated by RNZ political reporter Brent Edwards on Morning Report this morning (7:25am)]
Muddying the waters: transcript Key on RNZ
Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, August 18th, 2014 - 81 comments
Guyon Espiner’s interview on Radio NZ today, exposes the moral failings of John Key’s leadership -as Key attempts to divert, & justify the dirty game that NZ politics has become under his watch. Partial transcript of the interview: to be continued Updated: Transcript completed
Shadow play: Key’s 2-track politics
Written By: - Date published: 11:31 am, August 16th, 2014 - 40 comments
Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics tells of the “two track strategy” of John Key’s leadership of the National Party & the country: a smiley nice front, & vicious, covert black ops behind the scenes. Key has overseen one of the darkest, nastiest periods in NZ politics. Vote Left for necessary, democratic change, for people-centred governance.
Why can’t John Key tell us how much Hauiti has ripped us off?
Written By: - Date published: 11:50 am, July 24th, 2014 - 30 comments
John Key claims to not know how much money Claudette Hauiti has spent on her credit card and suggests that a list demotion has persuaded her to stand down. Surely he should ask. If he doesn’t then the media should ask why not. And was Hauiti persuaded or pushed into not standing again?
A quick note to John Key
Written By: - Date published: 9:59 am, July 7th, 2014 - 44 comments
Remember when John Key explained why he sends his children to private schools….. and now the Nats and Parata are saying that such advantages don’t work for all Kiwis.
Is Bill English’s ‘big data’, Big Brother & privatisation of govt?
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, June 30th, 2014 - 135 comments
Bill English has stated that a third term Key government would majorly reform the government’s budgeting & spending. It’s a major move towards privatisation of public services, & full spectrum digitally-enhanced monitoring of individuals’ lives: especially those of the already demonised and harassed single mothers on benefits.
It’s the season of books & posters: write your own
Written By: - Date published: 7:27 am, June 29th, 2014 - 7 comments
It seems to be the season of books and faux movie posters. Mary-Ellen O’Connor has published a Nats’ cook book. Proceeds of the sales will apparently be donated to the “centre left”.
John Key: a tale of two ‘truths’
Written By: - Date published: 9:08 am, June 23rd, 2014 - 34 comments
John Key claimed he didn’t know about the big shift in the US-NZ surveillance relationship in 2009. Now he claims he always likes to be fully briefed on intelligence matters. Robert David Steele points the way from such anti-democratic governance & misinformation, to an open source everything revolution.
Key-Fletcher nexus: anti-democratic ‘Intelligence communities’
Written By: - Date published: 11:36 am, May 23rd, 2014 - 47 comments
Campbell Live pointed to a massive, integrated shift in NZ governance under John Key’s watch. This enhances the power of international trade and commerce, incorporating the GCSB the US, & 5 Eyes . At the centre of this shift, is the murky relationship between John Key & Ian Fletcher.
- Big Eyes
2014, directed by Tim Burton I didn’t expect to be watching a Harvey Weinstein movie today. How it happened was, I had a few hours to kill before my regular afternoon streamer came on, so I was browsing Netflix looking for something I hadn’t already seen that didn’t look terrible, ...1 week ago - What a thing to happen.
Subjection!Poor, unloved, disparaged, AT. What a thing to happen.In the Game of Thrones version, smirking Little Lord Simeon orders them to disrobe and commands them to parade along K Road, across the rainbow crossings, down Queen Street to Britomart while being pelted with trash, rotten produce and Big Mac boxes.Here ...1 week ago - Government’s personal grievance changes will empower bad employers
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting President Rachel Mackintosh is saying that the Government’s proposal to further weight the scales in favour of employers in personal grievance cases will make workplace culture worse and harm efforts to create a fair playing field for workers. “Making the personal grievance regime even tougher ...1 week ago - Climate Change: The ETS needs reform
The final ETS auction of the year was held today, resulting in a partial clearance: 4 million of the available 11.1 million units were sold, at the minimum price of $64/ton. Once you add in March's partial sale, the government managed to sell just over 7 million tons all year ...1 week ago - Throw Away All You Know.
In the cradle of the civilised disobedience derivedFrom a forlorn weeping widow crying tearsthat don’t see eye to eyeKeep the well fullA thirst forgotten A misery made for twoThat’ll use you then throw you awayThat’ll use you then throw you awayThat’ll use you then throw you awaySong: Nowhere.Today, I’m feeling ...1 week ago - NZCTU Rūnanga calling for submissions on proposed changes to NZ Post
The CTU Rūnanga is asking affiliates to support postal workers and get out and make submissions against contracting out postal delivery, to stop job cuts and ensure fair pay and conditions for postal workers. The Postal Workers Union is fighting NZ Post’s plans to replace postal workers with contracted couriers. ...1 week ago
- ‘The cuts will continue until the economy improves’
Health Minister Shane Reti has even more cuts in his sights. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMorena. Long stories short on Wednesday, December 4, with more detail and analysis in the podcast above:Health Minister Shane Reti says spending cuts will continue for an extra year into 2027 because of a ...1 week ago - Auckland Transport (mostly) goneburger
Auckland Transport has long been a easy punching bag for the public, politicians and media, sometimes deservedly so, other times not. That could all be about to change following an announcement yesterday by the Browns – Wayne and Simeon. Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew ...1 week ago - Luxon Takes A Beating
The latest polls are in.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. And who could have guessed that a government that destroys the economy (‘economic vandalism on steroids’), tears up our public health system (‘National is BAD for health’), de-stabilises Crown-Māori relations (‘largest protest in modern history’), eviscerates environmental progress and protections ...1 week ago - It’s not easy being green
As Kermit the frog said, it isn’t easy being green. A Select Committee yesterday heard how difficult it was for the country’s electricity grid operator, Transpower, to prepare for the electrification of New Zealand that will be required if we are to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Their ...1 week ago - *THOSE* polls! And *NOT* a hung Parliament!
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.One bad poll for a government can be dismissed as “rogue”. Two? That’s damaging.A recent Talbot Mills done for the Labour Party - released on 1 December - had startling results that would’ve raised ...1 week ago - Sabin 33 #5 – Is solar energy worse for the climate than burning fossil fuels?
On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia ...1 week ago - We like to watch
Some millions of years ago, our ancestors learned the trick of standing upright. This made it much easier to reach the bottles on the top shelf and surely aided our progress towards splitting the atom.It also made us more vulnerable. Giving birth became more perilous. Our infants - needing to ...1 week ago - Waimate Water: Not A New Problem
The last time residents of Waimate received a nitrate warning was only two years ago. In 2022, the Glenavy township in South Canterbury were unable to drink their own water for over four months due to it containing nitrate levels high enough to kill an infant. This restriction was lifted ...1 week ago - Restoring the status quo is not enough
Labour held its party conference over the weekend, and Chris Hipkins gave a speech promising to make the current coalition a one term government. Along the way he made some policy promises: restoring free prescriptions, resuming the Smokefree Aotearoa policy, restarting the build of Dunedin hospital, restoring state housing investment, ...1 week ago
- No Matter What I Do, Everything I Do Is Bad
Hi,I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind a bit lately, and I’m not quite sure how to say it besides expressing this idea that on some days I feel like throwing myself into the sea.I am saying this metaphorically — don’t worry — but it’s just this ...1 week ago - Political Wrap Up: 11,000 construction jobs gone, Nurses Strike & Unemployment to reach Pandemic...
Good morning, here’s a quick wrap up of 10 developments:1. HEALTH: AUSTERITY BUDGETFront-line hospital workers told jobs could soon be gone (RNZ / Lauren Crimp)The government is set to fire non-clinical front line roles in Auckland as part of its cost saving measures. This includes teams who support clinical logistics, ...1 week ago - Tuesday 3 December 2024
Today NZNO healthcare workers are striking for safe staffing and fair pay. More job losses are on the line at NZDF due to budget deficits. In political news, Chris Hipkins is trying to build some momentum following the Labour Party conference. Union coverage NZNO: 36,000 Health NZ nurses to ...1 week ago
- Where Is My Mind?
With your feet in the air and your head on the groundTry this trick and spin it, yeah (Yeah)Your head will collapse, and there's nothing in itAnd you'll ask yourselfWhere is my mind?Where is my mind?Where is my mind?Songwriter: Black FrancisClear craniums are the order of the day. Not to ...1 week ago - Gt North Rd improvements to finally start
After around 10 years of delays and frustration, Auckland Transport are finally going to make Gt North Rd greater. In an update sent out yesterday, they said: We are pleased to advise that we have appointed JFC Ltd to deliver the work and they’ll be starting work early January. The ...1 week ago
- Govt says borrowing to build now last resort
The way through our $100 billion-plus infrastructure deficit will not be eased by Chris Bishop’s approach. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Chris Bishop unveiled his major infrastructure funding and financing plan yesterday that made clear borrowing with public debt to build infrastructure would be a last resort, with private ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell On Why An AUKUS Led By Trump Is A Scary Prospect
According to Social Development Minister Louise Upton her latest crackdown on the unemployed is just “common sense.” Oh, really. Upston is threatening to reduce or cancel the income of an increasing number of people already living on the breadline – unless they spend more of their scarce money on the ...1 week ago - Incy Wincy History: Pre-Tolkien Fantasy Arachnids of Unusual Size
It has been remarked that the only truly original invention in The Hobbit is the hobbit himself. Tolkien stole his dwarves from the Poetic Edda (albeit, he redefined the spelling of the plural). The trolls and the manner of their death are also borrowed from Norse tradition. Gandalf is rooted ...1 week ago - How Plastics Fuel Climate Change
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). We're choking our planet with pollution - whether that's greenhouse gases or plastics. But these two crises are deeply connected - ...1 week ago
- Labour 2026, Democrats 2024, and Luxon Accidentally Admits Neoliberalism has Broken the Country
Kia ora kotou, and I hope everyone is having a good start to their week. Usually I try to be a bit more themed and connected and essay-like in what I write, but it’s been too long since I got anything out at all and the topics I keep meaning ...1 week ago - Gendered violence and harassment in the world of work
International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 190 (C190) provides a framework for the legal, cultural and industrial changes necessary to eliminate and prevent violence, in all its forms, from the world of work. It establishes the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based ...1 week ago
- The Prime Minister hits the cones
More Than A Feilding: Prime Minister thanks for taking the time to chat again with More Than A Feilding.Prime Minister Old Mate Grabaseat: Gidday Jack what I would say to you Jack is what I would say to you.MTAF: I think that was yesterday’s interview, Prime Minister. I’m Dave.OMG: Oh. ...1 week ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on the lame duck window of opportunity.
In the last episode of this year Selwyn Manning and I discuss the rebel assault on Aleppo in Syria and tit-for-tat missile exchanges between Russia and Ukraine as illustrative of foreign actor attempts to gain geopolitical leverage as part of … Continue reading ...1 week ago - Subsidising ecocide
Aotearoa has long been an opponent of fossil fuel subsidies. In 2010 we joined the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. In 2015 we reviewed our policies to eliminate subsidies following advice from APEC. In 2021 we "lead the call" for subsidy reform at the WTO. And at COP29 just ...1 week ago
- A two-faced “apology”
Last month, the government formally apologised to victims of child torture and abuse-in-care. Part of the apology was meant to be for the state's long-standing policy of aggressively minimising its liabilities by dragging out cases, slandering its victims and ultimately denying redress. So you'd think that the state would actually ...1 week ago
- Labour leaning back towards Capital Gains Tax
1 week ago - Going in circles: How to fix transport in the City Centre
The last few years have seen headline after headline talk about how much of a ‘mess’ the City Centre is in terms of transport. Whether it be parking, confusing bus lanes (and buses being held up), the GV lane on Queen Street, loading and delivery, enforcement (or lack thereof), congestion, ...1 week ago
- Inside Labour’s difficult tax politics
The former Minister, former finance spokesperson, and one-time leadership contender David Parker suffered a defeat at the Labour Party conference over the weekend over what has been his political crusade: a wealth tax.The conference rejected, apparently by a wide margin, a remit calling for a wealth tax “to proceed”.Instead, they ...1 week ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 24, 2024 thru Sat, November 30, 2024. Story of the week Before Skeptical Science and an entire fleet of other websites devoted to combating and correcting climate misinformation ...1 week ago
- Kaamos: Published
New story out, as part of the December issue of Bare Back Magazine:https://www.barebackmag.com/post/kaamos (As previously noted, this one is magical realism mashed up with erotica. But it’s nice for a story first written ... 2 weeks ago - Luxon Finally Shows
Mr Moon I like the way you thinkLet's sit a while and have another drinkYou can tell me how the new will rise,How the old will sinkOpen my eyes and make me wiseDon't fall from the sky just yetCause it won't be long enough to make me strongSongwriters: Grant Fell ...2 weeks ago - Never mind the planet, check out these savings!
The same day Solar Zero got their legs cut off, we paid a deposit to an other installer. Solar panels should be on our roof on December 23. Merry Christmas to our carbon footprint.We also have a new oven and hot water cylinder coming, which means we'll be able to ...2 weeks ago - The Enemy Within – Maire Leadbeater & Nicky Hager
Like so many others involved in social justice movements, Maire Leadbeater was subjected to state surveillance during a long life of activism. With the help of archival material, released SIS files, and other formerly secret material, she has been able to examine the depth of stateintrusion into the lives of ...2 weeks ago - Sabre-Rattling.
Putin’s Thunderbolts: What message was the devastating arrival of the Russian Federation’s nuclear-defanged MIRVs supposed to send? And how should the government of far-away New Zealand respond?THE IMAGES BROADCAST ON CNN were terrifying. Out of a glowing circle of dim light, multiple bolts of fire, moving at astonishing speed, burst from the lowering ...2 weeks ago - No Cheers For Democracy.
Sic’em! The silver-tongued demagogue whips up the impoverished masses against those deemed responsible for both the nation’s decline and their own immiseration. He then proceeds to direct his mesmerised followers against a succession of terrified scapegoats, with results that are neither just nor pretty. Out of the ensuing chaos, demagoguery ...2 weeks ago
- Hearing Ourselves Think.
No Longer Silent: The one sound loud enough to be heard above the efforts of even the most determined makers of political noise, is the sound of the long-suffering majority making up its mind. Emeritus Professor Nigel Biggar addresses the Free Speech Union AGM held at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre on ...2 weeks ago
- Privatisation Kills So Why is Reti, Luxon and Lester Levy Speeding Towards It Like A Rocket Ship?
In 2022, Lancet Medical Journal issued the findings of a long term longitudinal study on the effects of increased outsourcing of health to the private sector i.e. privatisation.Examining the outcomes from between 2013-2020, it conclusively found:The privatisation of the NHS in England, through the outsourcing of services to for-profit companies, ...2 weeks ago - 2024 Reading Summary: November (+ Writing Update)
Completed reads for November: Clarimonde, by Théophile Gautier The Mummy’s Foot, by Théophile Gautier One of Cleopatra’s Nights, by Théophile Gautier Arria Marcella, by Théophile Gautier Omphale: A Rococo Story, by Théophile Gautier King Candaules, by Théophile Gautier Lot No. 249, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The Captain of ...2 weeks ago
- Translation #20 of The Debunking Handbook 2020 published!
In November 2011, we published the first version of The Debunking Handbook. As the update notice on that page already shows, more research has come in since then and the time had finally come for a complete overhaul of this very popular handbook (it still gets downloaded a couple of thousand ...2 weeks ago
- The Meaning of MAGA
The Dangers of Delusions of GrandeurThis is a column about MAGA – Make America Great Again. But as a prequel I scroll back sixty years to when I was teaching in England. I have fond memories of the students – bright and personable as they were. But their attitudes to ...2 weeks ago - Police: “It’s OK if you’re a cop”
Imagine you want to buy some guns, but you want to hide the fact from someone. So you abuse your access privileges to obtain the details of a registered owner, then use them to fraudulently register the weapons. If you or I did this, we'd obviously be going to jail. ...2 weeks ago
- The Parade That Didn’t Exist
Hi,I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all the stories you shared under my last newsletter about my shitty day.Some of your own shitty days were hilarious. Others were devastating. They involved aging parents and lost pets, things lost and things found. Some felt like chaos theory in ...2 weeks ago - ‘Why we’ve cut the OCR so much since August’
SummaryIn this conversation, Paul Conway, the Chief Economist for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, discusses the recent cuts to the official cash rate and the underlying economic factors influencing these decisions. He explains the dynamics of inflation in New Zealand, the impact of administered prices, and the role of ...2 weeks ago
- Another day, another breach of te Tiriti
Back in February, the National government disestablished Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. It was a revolting breach of te Tiriti, but the government avoided a formal ruling of that by rushing the legislation into the House specifically to deprive the Waitangi Tribunal of jurisdiction and kill its ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon surrenders worker protections to ACT Party
“The Government’s plan to remove unjustified dismissal protections from workers earning over $180,000 shows a concerning lack of leadership from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who has handed too many critical workplace decisions to ACT’s Brooke van Velden, the Minister for Workplace Relations who seems hell-bent on trampling on workers’ rights,” ...2 weeks ago
- Can it be only a year?
This is our fifth first year babyAnd I feel like I'm in jail, LordI'm holding on to this cardCan't seem to get it in the mailAnd the card reads ...Happy anniversary babyGot you on my mindHappy anniversary babyGot you on my mindSongwriters: Beeb Birtles, David Briggs.First, they came for the ...2 weeks ago - Working in high temperatures
Guidance for workers and union officials regarding high temperatures at work Working in high temperature can be hazardous. Exposure to excessive heat either indoors or outside can pose risks to worker health and safety. If temperatures at your work are creating a serious and immediate to your safety – you ...2 weeks ago
- Unity for 2025
As we approach 2025, we find ourselves navigating challenging and uncertain times. The global political stage has shifted dramatically, with Trump’s re-election in the US intensifying international instability, environmental inaction, and the rise of far-right movements. Meanwhile, global conflicts are escalating, pressuring governments, economies, and working people worldwide. Here in ...2 weeks ago
- Weekly Roundup 29-November-2024
It’s another Friday and we’re almost in the final month of the year and the Pohutukawa’s are starting to blossom. Here’s some of the stories that have caught our attention this week. This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible ...2 weeks ago
- The Hoon around the week to November 29
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with: on the Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North Korea and whether NZ joins AUKUS;Special guest Community Housing Aotearoa CEO Paul Gilberd talking about the Community ...2 weeks ago
- Report questions Labour’s big Covid spendup
Over 2020 and 2021, the Ardern Government spent a staggering 22 per cent of one year of the country’s GDP on Covid financial relief. All up, over those two years, they spent $70 billion. The money was borrowed, and the Treasury told the Government not to worry about the huge ...2 weeks ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission’s fine-tuning of vaccine mandates and lockdowns
Let’s hope politicians of all stripes can agree to limit their urge to politicise the Royal Commission of Inquiry findings about the Covid response. Since ensuring we get properly equipped next time around – having enough PEP gear, hiring sufficient trained medical staff etc – will involve political decisions, some ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #48 2024
Open access notables Progression of ocean interior acidification over the industrial era, Müller & Gruber Gruber, Science Advances: Ocean acidification driven by the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 represents a major threat to ocean ecosystems, yet little is known about its progression beneath the surface. Here, we reconstruct the history of ocean ...2 weeks ago
- Under his eye
The only thing can I remember of the few christenings I went to as a child is the spectacle of proud parents with their best friends standing alongside them - the ones who, God forbid a horrible car or plane crash, might become New Mum and New Dad.I don't believe ...2 weeks ago - The law means something
Former Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson has been convicted of violating his duty to run a safe workplace over the death of one of his workers: In a judgement released today, Judge Steve Bonnar found Gibson was guilty of one charge raised under the Health and Safety at ...2 weeks ago
- How to make a submission on the Treaty Principles Bill
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti sent a clear and resounding message to the coalition Government. There’s deep kotahitanga for Te Tiriti, and major opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill across Aotearoa and the union movement. It’s an important opportunity for our Affiliate Unions to submit to Select Committee submissions. The CTU ...2 weeks ago
- Economy Nose Dives
The economy is spluttering:4.8% unemployment - a near four year record high - even as NZ keeps breaking new records for citizen departuresEmployment confidence declined to the lowest level since the first Covid lockdownsThe Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion reported firms are more pessimistic about their current trading conditions than ...2 weeks ago
- Smoke gets in your eyes
They said, "Someday, you'll find all who love are blindOh-oh-oh-oh-oh, when your heart's on fireYou must realise smoke gets in your eyes."Songwriters: Jerome Kern / Otto A. HarbachToday in Nick’s Kōrero:Smoke gets in your eyes and into more people’s lungsDoing more with less in the health sectorIt’s the economy stupid, ...2 weeks ago - Love your Berm
In today’s guest post, former Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom highlights the value of berms in Auckland – and encourages everyone to submit on ongoing consultation! Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and fans. If you’d like ...2 weeks ago
- RBNZ loosening as Govt tightening
Orr delivered a Christmas present for landlords and homeowners with mortgages, but there is little other seasonal cheer as it is becoming clearer how much the Government’s austerity programme is dragging on consumer spending and employment. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note ...2 weeks ago
- Look out Nicola, your surplus is slipping
With the Reserve Bank’s move to cut the Official Cash Rate yesterday all eyes are now on next year’s Budget. And the question will be whether the blowout in health expenditure and the drop in tax revenue means the return to surplus will have to be delayed again until 2028-29. ...2 weeks ago
- Recorded webinar about climate change misinformation and disinformation
On November 6, 2024 the Consortium for Climate Risks in the Urban Northeast (CCRUN) hosted a webinar within the Green Infrastructure, Climate, and Cities Seminar Series about climate change misinformation and disinformation. CCRUN is a NOAA-funded initiative that has been studying the impact of climate change on the Northeast since 2010. ...2 weeks ago
- The Fascism of David Seymour: Censorship
Fascism is a strong word. Powerful. Dangerous.Wield it carefully, the right say, as they defend their politicians from nazi-like behaviour and participate in the dismantling of their own constitutional protections. If you throw it around at just anyone, they say, it weakens it. Fascism doesn’t mean anything when you use ...2 weeks ago - Let me through I’m here to make money
What kind of government is this, really? What moves it? What is its guiding light? Pretty simple, really. It is a dumb waiter delivering what its paymasters have ordered.And what moves these paymasters? What is their guiding light?Also pretty simple:Get out of my way I want to make moneyGet out ...2 weeks ago - Secrecy destroys trust: the case of the nuclear waste dump
Something I was not expecting to learn this morning: the government has built a secret nuclear waste dump in rural Manawatu: A facility for storing all of New Zealand’s radioactive waste has been secretly built near Palmerston North, in a decision neighbouring farmers have called “horrifying” and “deceptive”. The ...2 weeks ago
- RBNZ data highlights weak economy and labour market
“Unemployment is forecast to remain elevated until the end of 2025 and isn’t expected to fall back to its pre-recession lows within the forecast period. Without a plan to reduce it, we are choosing a permanently higher unemployment rate in New Zealand. It’s no wonder so many Kiwis are emigrating ...2 weeks ago
- Malcolm McKinnon: Māori and other nationalisms
Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga, mana motuhake, a declaration of independence, partnership under Te Tiriti: these are all staples of Māori political mobilization. A succession of political parties – Ratana, Mana Motuhake, the Māori Party, Te Pati Māori – have upheld the cause, with erratic political success but enduring moral, social ...2 weeks ago - Wednesday 27 November 2024
The Reserve Bank will be announcing a change to the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, with most economists expecting a cut of around 50 basis points. The Government is reallocating $30,000 towards more senior doctors and specialist nurses, but some including the NZNO say that this is a “sticking plaster” ...2 weeks ago
- NZTA pushing for PT fare hikes and service cuts
How does an up to 70 percent hike in public transport fares sound, or maybe a lower increase but a big cut to services? That could be the reality of a new policy from Waka Kotahi outlined in a discussion document last week to public transport authorities (PTAs) like Auckland Transport. ...2 weeks ago
- Bishop cautious on guaranteeing social housing bonds
Chris Bishop has disappointed Community Housing Providers (CHiPs) by pouring cold water on the idea of Government guarantees for CHiPs’ borrowing from KiwiSaver managers, and by proposing more leasing of social homes. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around ...2 weeks ago
- Government’s First Year a ‘Catastrophe for Māori’
Te Pāti Māori is calling the Government’s first year a catastrophe for Māori, following a year of policies that have done nothing but marginalise tangata-whenua. Today marks one year since the coalition was sworn into power. “This year has been an absolute catastrophe for Māori. This Government has fast-tracked us back ...2 weeks ago
- Release: 1500 Te Whatu Ora cuts will hurt New Zealanders’ health
Massive cuts across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora demonstrate National’s willingness to risk the health of New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago - Release: Government to make public transport more expensive… again
The Government’s decision to push for significant fare increases on buses and trains over the next few years is a huge blow to communities across the country. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National has given up on climate action
Climate action is missing from the list of things National is patting themselves on the back for one year on from becoming government. ...2 weeks ago
- Public transport fare hikes a disaster
The Government’s directive to councils to increase bus and train fares substantially over the next few years is a bitter pill to swallow for communities across the country. ...2 weeks ago - Release: Minister leaves Community Housing Providers out in the cold
Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s speech to Community Housing Providers today should have been titled ‘we want you to build houses, but we refuse to spend money so you’re on your own’. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff
Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins sad to hear about Nikki Kaye
"The news today that Nikki Kaye has passed away after her long battle with cancer is incredibly sad," Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...2 weeks ago
- New courthouses for Whanganui and Papakura
The Government has agreed to fund new courthouses for both Whanganui and Papakura to help improve access to justice and court timeliness, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Minister Nicole McKee say. “In both cases the current buildings are not fit for purpose and need to be replaced. Staying put ...1 week ago - Positive progress for the NZ ETS
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) auction today has resulted in a partial clearance, showing work to restore credibility in the market is working, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Today’s auction result shows the market is moving in the right direction to restore credibility in the NZ ...1 week ago
- Catalyst Fund updated for global impact
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced an updated plan for the Catalyst Fund to be laser focused on clear outcomes and priority research areas. “We are taking a more strategic approach to science funding across the board, as we seek to deliver greater economic impact for ...1 week ago
- Marsden Fund refocused for science with a purpose
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced the Government has updated the Marsden Fund to focus on core scientific research that helps lift our economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose. “The Government has been clear in its mandate to rebuild our economy. We are ...1 week ago
- Speech to Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and members
Removing rewards for poor employee behaviour Good afternoon everyone, and thank you Malcolm for that lovely introduction. It’s wonderful to be here today at MJH Engineering. Thank you to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and MJH Engineering for inviting me to speak and share some exciting announcements with you ...1 week ago
- Govt delivers Māori Education Action Plan
The Government has released its Māori Education Action Plan which sets out its approach to deliver better outcomes in the classroom for Māori students, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “25 per cent of learners within our schooling system are Māori. While many achieve excellent results, on average Māori experience worse ...1 week ago
- Removing rewards for poor employee behaviour
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says it is important employees are not rewarded in the personal grievance system for poor behaviour or performance and is introducing changes to personal grievances to strengthen employee accountability. “Simplifying personal grievances is a policy ACT campaigned on, in particular, removing the ...1 week ago
- Protecting NZ food production and ETS credibility
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts have today announced clear rules to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). “These changes deliver on a key election commitment to protect food production for farmers while providing ETS certainty for foresters,” Mr ...1 week ago
- Fuel companies required to store more jet fuel
New rules will be introduced that require fuel companies to hold at least 10 days of jet fuel near the country’s busiest airport to provide resilience against supply disruptions, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says. “For more than seven years fuel companies have held jet fuel supplies at lower than ...1 week ago
- Strong growth in international student enrolments
New Zealand’s international education sector is rebounding strongly, up 24 per cent year-on-year and 6 per cent above 2023 totals, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “With 73,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, more enrolments have been achieved in just two terms this year than we saw ...1 week ago
- Speech to Early Childhood Education sector– Reducing red tape and barriers to ECE
When I was delegated responsibility for the ECE Sector from the Minister for Education it became immediately clear that my focus had to be on reducing red tape and regulatory obstacles for the early learning sector. While there is huge demand for ECEs from families across New Zealand, numbers show ...1 week ago
- Democracy restored to transport in Auckland
The Government is restoring democratic accountability to transport decision-making in Auckland, ensuring voters can hold their elected representatives responsible for the city's transport policies, Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say."Aucklanders have become increasingly frustrated with how transport decisions are made and how little their ...1 week ago
- Health NZ makes progress on financial recovery
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand is making encouraging progress recovering from a financial shambles left behind by the previous government. “Health NZ reported today that its revised budget for 2024/25 is a $1.1 billion deficit,” Dr Reti says. “That’s significantly lower than the $1.76 billion deficit they ...1 week ago
- Wait times for veterans improve
Additional funding in Budget 2024 has reduced the waiting list of veterans seeking medical and rehabilitation support, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says. “When we were elected a year ago, the Government made a commitment to improve New Zealand’s public services. As Veterans Minister this means improving access for veterans to ...1 week ago
- 30 per cent growth in international visitor spend
The latest International Visitor Survey shows that New Zealand continues to bounce back and the economy is benefiting from the shifting trends in international visitation, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. International Visitor Survey results for the year ending September 2024 released today show a promising increase of 30 ...1 week ago
- New data shows fewer victims of violent crime
New data shows an encouraging reduction in the number of victims of violent crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 14,000 fewer victims of crime nationwide over the 12 months to August 2024, than there were over the 12 months ...1 week ago
- Government open for business on market-led infrastructure proposals
The Government has released new guidelines for market-led proposals to clarify how market participants can contribute innovative ideas for solving New Zealand’s infrastructure problems, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say. A market-led approach is where a private sector player wishes to deal directly with Government with ...1 week ago
- Speech to Stuff Infrastructure Panel Event
Introduction Good afternoon to you all. I am glad to be here today to discuss changes we are making to the infrastructure system, which will lay the foundations for New Zealand to prosper. Thanks to Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post for organising this event, and Chapman Tripp for hosting ...1 week ago
- Speech to The Post Infrastructure Panel Event
Introduction Good afternoon to you all. I am glad to be here today to discuss changes we are making to the infrastructure system, which will lay the foundations for New Zealand to prosper. Thanks to Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post for organising this event, and Chapman Tripp for hosting ...1 week ago
- Targets data positive but action needed on welfare
The second quarterly update on the nine Government targets shows a range of areas moving in the right direction but underlines the need for robust measures to get people off welfare and into work, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “The Government’s ambitious targets put Kiwis first by driving outcomes that ...1 week ago
- More support to help people on benefit into work
Up to 70,000 job seekers are to receive a new, more comprehensive needs assessment of the challenges holding them back from finding work and a personalised job plan to help overcome them. “Individual Job Plans are a significant step forward in the Government’s efforts to provide welfare that works for ...1 week ago
- New Funding and Financing Framework released
Cabinet has agreed to an ambitious new Funding and Financing Framework to help the Crown make smarter and more informed funding and financing decisions, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “Improving the way we fund and finance infrastructure will help drive better value for money from public investment, make public investment ...1 week ago
- Open work rights unlocked for Partners of Skilled Migrants
The Government has today taken steps to ensure New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants. “Starting today, the partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders in higher-skilled roles will be eligible for open work rights. ...1 week ago
- ‘Twelve Days of Giving’ to encourage generosity
Growing the amount of philanthropic giving across New Zealand is the aim of the Twelve Days of Giving campaign launched today alongside Philanthropy New Zealand, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “New Zealand is one of the most charitable countries in the world, with an estimated $3.8 billion worth of ...1 week ago
- NZ welcomes Singapore food security delegation
Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today welcomes a delegation from Singapore, who are in New Zealand for a food security mission. “The visit will strengthen our trade and investment ties and demonstrate how New Zealand’s world-leading agri-food ecosystem can support Singapore’s long-term food security. “This mission will elevate ...1 week ago
- Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopens to walkers
The Government has delivered on its promise to restore public walking access to the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove in time for Summer 2024-2025. The walking track to the famous Coromandel beach - renowned for its natural rock arch feature and idyllic waters – was severely damaged by extreme weather events ...2 weeks ago
- Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...2 weeks ago
- New infrastructure agency up and running
From today the Government’s new national infrastructure agency is up and running, acting as the shopfront for investors into public infrastructure and the centre of expertise on funding and financing for infrastructure projects, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “National committed to a national infrastructure agency during the 2023 election campaign, ...2 weeks ago
- NZ and United Kingdom strengthen partnership
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy held the inaugural annual New Zealand-United Kingdom Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue today in London. “The United Kingdom is our oldest, and one of our closest and most trusted partners,” Mr Peters says. “While we are separated ...2 weeks ago
- Minister reminds public health officials of priorities
Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says the National Public Health Service should concentrate its focus on prioritising serious public health issues facing New Zealanders. “Earlier this week I was informed about an 8-page submission by the southern arm of the NPHS regarding a proposed fast food outlet in Wanaka,” ...2 weeks ago
- World class visitor centre for Punakaiki
Sightseers to the iconic Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track) will enjoy a richer experience thanks to a world class visitor experience centre run by local Iwi, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. This state-of-the-art facility provides visitors to the West Coast with a high-quality experience and helps boost the region’s ...2 weeks ago
- Healthy Homes Initiative improves health of more than 200,000 people
A five-year evaluation of the Healthy Homes Initiative has demonstrated the positive impact of warm, dry homes on the health and wellbeing of more than 200,000 people. The Healthy Homes Initiative, led by Health New Zealand, helps families living in cold, damp homes, providing support like education, beds and bedding, ...2 weeks ago
- A year of concrete progress for infrastructure and transport
In a busy year of delivery, the Government has made concrete progress toward improving the foundations of the infrastructure system and addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, and is streets ahead when it comes to getting transport back on track, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown say. “It ...2 weeks ago
- Mining stats show a sector delivering for NZ
New figures on mining activity across New Zealand show the Crown collected nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in revenue in the 2023/24 financial year, bolstered by royalties collected from petroleum and gold, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The statistics, released this morning by the Ministry of Business, Innovation ...2 weeks ago
- Safer ports – approved code of practice for loading and unloading cargo takes effect today
Today marks a significant milestone for the port and maritime sector, with the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Brooke van Velden, and the Associate Minister of Transport celebrating the Approved Code of Practice for Loading and Unloading Cargo at Ports and on Ships (ACOP) coming into effect. “The ...2 weeks ago
- Red Tape tipline gets over 300 reports in first week
In just its first week, over 300 people have reported red tape issues to the new Red Tape tipline, Regulation Minister David Seymour says. “Red tape wastes valuable time, money and sanity. I am not surprised to see an outpouring of discontent from Kiwis who are sick of the tangle ...2 weeks ago
- More flexible dismissal process for high-income employees
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says an upcoming change to the Employment Relations Act will enable employers to ensure they have the right fit for their high impact leadership and specialist roles. This policy delivers on the ACT-National coalition to set an income threshold above which personal ...2 weeks ago
- NZ and Germany deepen cooperation
New Zealand and Germany are committed to enhancing their partnership, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our discussions in Berlin over the last few days have underlined the broad range of interests that New Zealand and Germany share,” says Mr Peters, following his meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. ...2 weeks ago
- Chemical weapons and Iranian missiles targeted in new Russia sanctions
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced new sanctions in response to Russia’s ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine – and joined partners in a Call to Action on sanctions-evading ‘shadow fleet’ activities. “These new sanctions respond to recent findings by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that illegal ...2 weeks ago
- Exporters benefit from new trade system
The modernisation of New Zealand’s trade certification system, which supports $33 billion of exports, is making selling top Kiwi products overseas more reliable and adaptable for the future, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.“New Zealand food and wine is admired around the world and brings jobs, money, and opportunities into ...2 weeks ago
- If ‘correlation doesn’t imply causation’, how do scientists figure out why things happen?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University Denise Jans/Unsplash Most of us have heard the phrase “correlation does not equal causation”. But understanding how scientists move beyond identifying correlations to establish causation remains a mystery to many. Finding out what causes ...20 hours ago - Crisis accommodation is failing women fleeing domestic violence. Here’s how to fix it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor of Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Shutterstock Every day in Australia, thousands of people call a family violence crisis support line. Often, it’s someone experiencing family violence who fears for their safety and needs support to leave ...20 hours ago
- Chinese security companies are putting boots on the ground in Myanmar. It could go disastrously wron...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia Just as the legal noose tightens on the leader of Myanmar’s military junta, with a request for an arrest warrant from the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Chinese government ...20 hours ago
- ‘A sick wish fulfilment fantasy, so badly written’: Harry Ricketts’ biggest book regret
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Harry Ricketts – poet, literary scholar and author of memoir First Things and around 30 other books. The book I wish I’d written Byron’s comic verse-novel Don Juan. ...20 hours ago - Pure SEO Report Reveals Carbon Footprint Of New Zealand MPs
The critical analysis of MPs’ travel emissions reveals inefficiencies and discrepancies across all major parties. National leads in both expenses and emissions, with Labour close behind, reflecting the significant environmental impact of the dominant parties. ...20 hours ago - Live: Government won’t reveal cost of new Cook Strait ferry plan
Nicola Willis says a new company will now work how to get new ferries by 2029, but won't say how much it will cost. Meanwhile, Winston Peters has been made "Minister for Rail". ...20 hours ago - Local governments are using AI without clear rules or policies, and the public has no idea
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tan Yigitcanlar, Professor of Urban Studies, Technology and Planning, Queensland University of Technology BNMK 0819/Shutterstock In 2017, the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands deployed an artificial intelligence (AI) system to determine how likely welfare recipients were to commit fraud. After ...21 hours ago
- ‘Pressure makes diamonds’: how Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout can get even faster
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Gaviglio, Lecturer Strength and Conditioning, University of Southern Queensland At just 16 years of age, Gout Gout captured the world’s attention with his record-breaking performance at the Australian National All-Schools Championships. He ran an extraordinary 20.04 seconds for the 200m, ...21 hours ago
- Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters converge on Parliament’s lawn
Police had set up a barricade between the two sides of the lawn. ...21 hours ago
- Taranaki council quashes Treaty talk despite Seymour’s debate call
Taranaki councillors have shut down a discussion on the Treaty Principles Bill, despite the legislation's cheerleader wanting everyone to read and debate it. ...21 hours ago
- Kirihimete gift guide 2024: cool stuff from Māori and Pasifika-led brands
Our legendary guide is back to help you through another silly season. Note: When we first published this guide six years ago, it was about finding the small labels and makers out there and pointing hungry shoppers in their direction. Since then, there has been huge and exciting growth in ...22 hours ago
- Five classic summer road trips, with burgers to match
Lollies and chips can only sustain you so far. Here are five of our favourite New Zealand road trips, with burger pairings to enjoy along the way. Auckland to Northland I know not everyone is a fan of new roads being built, but the drive from Auckland to Northland is ...24 hours ago
- Watch: Climate Minister says government still committed to Paris targets
Despite an 84m tonne gap needing to be filled to meet the first target under the Paris Agreement, Watts says he remains committed to the target. ...24 hours ago
- NZ tumbles in international adult literacy, maths rankings
New Zealand adults' literacy and numeracy scores in the OECD dropped significantly in the past eight years. ...24 hours ago
- Watch: Climate Minister Simon Watts explains new emissions plan
There is a gap between the government's plans and what is needed to meet its target for 2030 under the Paris Agreement. ...1 day ago
- Stuff ‘consciously uncouples’ into two separate digital and print businesses
Exclusive: Leaked emails and documents show that the media giant will soon be two legal entities – opening up a range of options for owner Sinead Boucher. Duncan Greive analyses the move. News media giant Stuff will soon be two separate businesses, as it splits into one built around the ...1 day ago
- With its daily news bulletin scrapped, what’s next for Whakaata Māori?
With funding stagnant since 2008, the broadcaster is racing to adapt to a digital world – and a hard pivot might be the key to ensuring its survival. Last week, Whakaata Māori announced the end of its flagship daily news bulletin, Te Ao Māori News, which has been a fixture ...1 day ago
- Chris Hipkins questions why only Māori MPs rebuked over haka
A number of non-Māori were doing the haka from their seats during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill and haven't been referred by the Speaker, Chris Hipkins says. ...1 day ago
- Vaccination rates among Australian teens are dropping. Here’s how we can get back on track
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Archana Koirala, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist, University of Sydney Prostock-studio/Shutterstock Australia has a successful adolescent immunisation program, routinely achieving high vaccine coverage for teenagers. However, recent data shows the number of Australian teens receiving the recommended vaccines for their age ...1 day ago
- ‘I was scared’: many student teachers had bad maths experiences at school. Here’s how they can...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Muir, Professor in Education (STEM), Australian Catholic University Toey Adante/ Shutterstock What do you remember about maths at school? Did you whizz through the problems and enjoy getting the answers right? Or did you often feel lost and worried ...1 day ago
- Retiring with debt? Experts explain downsizing, using super for your mortgage, and pension eligibili...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathleen Walsh, Professor of Finance, University of Technology Sydney RDNE Stock project/Pexels This article is part of The Conversation’s “Retirement” series where experts examine issues including how much money we need to retire, retiring with debt, the psychological impact of retiring ...1 day ago
- Raygun’s claim against a parody musical may not stand up: here’s what the law says
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Hook, Senior Lecturer in Law, Western Sydney University Rachel Gunn, aka Raygun, is no stranger to controversy. In August the university lecturer went viral for her quirky, marsupial-inspired breakdancing at the Olympics. Over the weekend, Gunn was back in the ...1 day ago
- Advocates divided as government unveils Cook Strait ferry plan
Ahead of the announcement, transport advocates are divided over whether rail-enabled ferries are needed. ...1 day ago
- PSA Takes Legal Action To Stop Govt Cutting Working From Home Arrangements
The PSA has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices, including the recent directive on working from home. "The PSA is firmly of the view that the Government is unable to do ...1 day ago
- Surging global tourism emissions are driven by just 20 countries – major new study
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Higham, Professor of Tourism, Griffith University Getty Images Surging global tourism emissions are driven almost entirely by 20 countries, and efforts to rein in the trend aren’t working. That is the main finding of our new research, published in ...1 day ago
- Rehoming greyhounds to be a ‘special project’, Winston Peters says
Some former racing dogs will be rehomed overseas. ...1 day ago
- Greyhound racing sprints toward the finish line
Some in the industry say a small number of negligent trainers ‘buggered it’ for everyone else, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 day ago
- Government to unveil plan for Cook Strait ferry replacement
The coalition ditched the previous iRex replacement project as the bill rose to more than $3 billion. ...1 day ago
- Furious minister calls ‘please explain’ meeting over Lake Alice payments
Survivors of torture in state care say they’re being shortchanged by the Health Ministry, a situation that has left Cabinet Minister Erica Stanford “incandescent”.In October, Stanford, the minister in charge of the Crown’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, announced the Government had set aside $2.6 million ...1 day ago - Fast-Track projects: Speaker rules no private benefit in list
Parliament's Speaker has taken the rare step of disagreeing with the Clerk and the Assistant Speaker, ruling the list of Fast-Track projects does not grant a private benefit. ...1 day ago
- New emissions plan still not on track to meet climate targets
However the government's new plan moves the country closer to its crucial emissions budget for 2031-2035. ...1 day ago
- PSA takes legal action against govt over working from home restrictions
The PSA said the government cannot simply require public servants stop working from home. ...1 day ago
- New emissions plan still not on track to meet 2031-2035 climate targets
However the government's new plan moves the country closer to its crucial emissions budget for 2031-2035. ...1 day ago
- Calls for inquiry into billion dollar Kiwi dietary supplement
The US Food and Drug Administration reveals it’s received 118 adverse event reports this year alone, for users of a supplement marketed by big-name influencers as ‘made in NZ’.In particular, there are 30-plus reports of elevated hepatic enzymes and related symptoms of liver harm in 2023 and 2024. Scientists and ...1 day ago
- Auckland Council opposes new housing because motorists won’t be able to see a hill
Over the motorway from Sylvia Park is Mutukāroa / Hamlins Hill Regional Park. Parts of it can be seen from the motorway and Auckland Council is fighting to keep that view sacred. If there’s one rule for being a safe driver, it’s keeping your eyes on the road. That may ...1 day ago
- How does New Zealand produce so many successful child actors?
Alex Casey takes a look back at the long history of Aotearoa’s child stars shining on the world stage and asks: are they our greatest export? If you too feel as if your sense of national pride is sinking into oblivion like a pavlova left outside in the forthcoming hottest ...1 day ago
- Govt’s final climate plan relies on unproven technology
Analysis: The Government’s new climate plan relies on unproven methane-busting technology and partially disproven carbon capture schemes for as much as half of its promised greenhouse emissions reductions.The final version of the second emissions reduction plan, which outlines the Government’s climate policy for 2026 to 2030 as it seeks to ...1 day ago
- Daily crossword, Wednesday 11 December
The post Daily crossword, Wednesday 11 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
- How NZ businesses can find offshore success
As a small country at the bottom of the world, opportunities for New Zealand businesses to bring in offshore revenue at scale can be few and far between. But a sector that transcends borders – the technology industry – has shown an ability to do so and do so at ...1 day ago
- ECan councillors briefed in private by vested interests
Canterbury regional councillor expresses discomfort with minuteless, closed-door meetings which often have a ‘single narrative’ The post ECan councillors briefed in private by vested interests appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
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