Daily Review 03/03/2017
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5:49 pm, March 3rd, 2017 - 5 comments
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- 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. ...2 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Petition calling for ban on conversion therapy gains huge momentumAotearoa New Zealand is getting on board in record numbers to call for an urgent ban on conversion therapy. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party to take precautions with COVID-19 responseGreen MPs currently in Auckland, Marama Davidson, Chlöe Swarbrick and Golriz Ghahraman, will remain in Auckland for the next 72 hours. Those in Auckland today for Big Gay Out who have flown home will self-isolate for 72 hours. These decisions will be subject to any new information that may arise ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls to end conversion therapy nowThe Green Party is calling on the Labour Government to urgently prioritise banning conversion therapy. ...3 weeks ago
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- Over half of border workforce receive first vaccinations
More 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 ...10 hours 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 ...14 hours ago
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- 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 ...3 days 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 ...4 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...5 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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. ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...7 days 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 ...7 days 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 ...7 days 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week ago
- NZ’s credit rating lifted as economy recoversThe Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and faster than expected economic recovery has been acknowledged in today’s credit rating upgrade. Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) today raised New Zealand’s local currency credit rating to AAA with a stable outlook. This follows Fitch reaffirming its AA+ rating last ...1 week ago
- Speech to National Remembrance Service on the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakeTena koutou e nga Maata Waka Ngai Tuahuriri, Ngai Tahu whanui, Tena koutou. Nau mai whakatau mai ki tenei ra maumahara i te Ru Whenua Apiti hono tatai hono, Te hunga mate ki te hunga mate Apiti hono tatai hono, Te hunga ora ki te hunga ora Tena koutou, Tena ...1 week ago
- Government reaffirms urgent commitment to ban harmful conversion practicesThe Minister of Justice has reaffirmed the Government’s urgent commitment, as stated in its 2020 Election Manifesto, to ban conversion practices in New Zealand by this time next year. “The Government has work underway to develop policy which will bring legislation to Parliament by the middle of this year and ...1 week ago
- New creative service aims to benefit 1,000 peoples’ careersMinister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Social Development Hon Carmel Sepuloni today launched a new Creative Careers Service, which is expected to support up to 1,000 creatives, across three regions over the next two years. The new service builds on the most successful aspects of the former Pathways to ...2 weeks ago
- Honey exporters busy meeting surging demandOverseas consumers eager for natural products in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic have helped boost honey export revenue by 20 percent to $425 million in the year to June 30, 2020, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says. “The results from the latest Ministry for Primary Industries’ 2020 Apiculture Monitoring ...2 weeks ago
- Government delivers more wellbeing support for young peopleThanks to more than $10-million in new services from the Government, more rangatahi will be able to access mental health and addiction support in their community. Minister of Health Andrew Little made the announcement today while visiting Odyssey House Christchurch and acknowledged that significant events like the devastating earthquakes ten ...2 weeks ago
- Government eases visa restrictions for visitors in New ZealandTwo month automatic visitor visa extension for most visitor visa holders Temporary waiver of time spent in New Zealand rule for visitor stays Visitor visa holders will be able to stay in New Zealand a little longer as the Government eases restrictions for those still here, the Minister of Immigration ...2 weeks ago
- Push for sustainable tourism gathers paceThe Tourism and Conservation Ministers say today’s report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) adds to calls to overhaul the tourism model that existed prior to COVID19. “The PCE tourism report joins a chorus of analysis which has established that previous settings, which prioritised volume over value, are ...2 weeks ago
- Government extends dietary supplements regulationsThe Government is providing certainty for the dietary supplements industry as we work to overhaul the rules governing the products, Minister for Food Safety Dr Ayesha Verrall said. Dietary supplements are health and wellness products taken orally to supplement a traditional diet. Some examples include vitamin and mineral supplements, echinacea, ...2 weeks ago
- GDP is V-shaped, but not yet good. These three graphs show us how
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University There’s one graph that sums up both the good and not-yet-as-good detailed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg at Wednesday’s national accounts press conference. It’s a graph of the level of Australia’s ...14 mins ago - GDP is V-shaped, but not yet good. These three graphs tell us howSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University There’s one graph that sums up both the good and not-as-good detailed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg at Wednesday’s national accounts press conference. It’s a graph of the level of Australia’s ...30 mins ago
- Has Christian Porter been subjected to a ‘trial by media’? No, the media did its job of being a ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne Aside from his strenuous denials of the rape allegation against him, the central point made by Attorney-General Christian Porter at his media conference was that he had been the ...2 hours ago
- Statement Regarding Whale Oil Defamation Trial
The New Zealand Food & Grocery Council (NZFGC) is pleased to hear this long-running Court proceeding is effectively now at an end. However, NZFGC wishes to reiterate it did not pay anyone to write any stories on its behalf on Whale Oil, or any other ...2 hours ago - Has Christian Porter been subjected to a ‘trial by media’? No, the media did its job responsiblySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne Aside from his strenuous denials of the rape allegation against him, the central point made by Attorney-General Christian Porter at his media conference was that he had been the ...3 hours ago
- Australia’s recovery is V-shaped, but the GDP shows we’ve more to doSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University There’s one graph that sums up both the good and not-as-good detailed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg at Wednesday’s national accounts press conference. It’s a graph of the level of Australia’s ...3 hours ago
- The Bachelor NZ power rankings: Moses has roses
Everyone’s a winner on The Bachelor NZ (well, apart from the four women sent packing). Tara Ward delivers the first power rankings of the new season.Find out who got Jane and Duncan’s first impression roses in this week’s episode of The Real Pod. Listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you ...4 hours ago - Covid-19: Government rejects full wage for isolation payments
The government has poured cold water over calls to pay 100 percent of a person's wages for two weeks if they have been told to self-isolate. ...5 hours ago - Attorney-General Christian Porter declares alleged rape ‘did not happen’ – and he won’t stan...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Attorney-General Christian Porter has identified himself as the minister accused of historical rape but declared categorically that the 1988 claimed assault “simply did not happen”. A highly emotional Porter told a Perth he had not ...5 hours ago
- We all hope for a ‘good death’. But many aged-care residents are denied proper end-of-life careSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Davina Porock, Professor of Nursing, Director of Centre for Research in Aged Care, Edith Cowan University Death is inevitable, and in a civilised society everyone deserves a good one. It would therefore be logical to expect aged-care homes would provide superior end-of-life ...5 hours ago
- In Victoria, animal abuse may soon be considered a form of family violence. Here’s why that matter...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristin Diemer, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne A woman’s decision to leave a violent and abusive relationship is a complex process. She first needs to consider the risks to her and her children. Paradoxically, taking that step towards safety is ...6 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Essay – Our Neanderthal AncestryEssay by Keith Rankin. Homo sapiens neanderthalensis Mr._N. Creative Commons, Pressebilder Neanderthal Museum, Mettmann, https://www.neanderthal.de/de/urmenschen.html I’m a neanderthal man You’re not a neanderthal girl Let’s make hybrid love In this neanderthal world [with apologies to Hotlegs, 1970] Homo Stupidus? After my partner read Dan Salmon’s novel Neands – written during ...7 hours ago
- Senator Hanson-Young’s defamation win reminds us how the law can silence sexual slurs and raise su...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Lake, Research Fellow, Australian Catholic University Former senator David Leyonhjelm today lost his appeal against a defamation ruling and must pay A$120,000 compensation to Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young for his comments that she should “stop shagging men”. “It is hard and ...7 hours ago
- Crushing defeat for Dirty Politics PR man with apology to defamed academicsCarrick Graham has made a full apology for defaming a trio of academics in hit pieces on Cameron Slater’s Whale Oil blog, in order to settle court proceedings. Alex Braae reports. One of the last chapters of Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics book has been closed, with PR man Carrick Graham admitting ...7 hours ago
- Our Response To Covid 19 Lockdown: Toddlers In The Sandpit!...8 hours ago
- Guttered: a joyful immersion and subversion of expectations between the bowling lanesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Peters, Senior Lecturer in Drama, Flinders University Review: Guttered, directed by Michelle Ryan. Restless Dance Theatre for Adelaide Festival. We are greeted at the entrance of Kingpin Norwood. Seasoned bowlers make a beeline for shoe hire while teens flock to the ...8 hours ago
- While Case L waits for an apology, the govt announces support for women’s rugby and an extension o...
Our Beehive Bulletin The news we expected to find – no, the news we thought we might find – was not there when we checked the Beehive website this morning. It was an acknowledgement from our kindly PM that maybe she had been a tad unkindly when she failed to ...9 hours ago - Dirty PR Exposed In Whale Oil Defamation TrialThree public health advocates are relieved that their long-standing Whale Oil defamation trial against Cameron Slater, Carrick Graham, Katherine Rich and the Food and Grocery Council has finally concluded and they are pleased that the truth has come out. Shane ...9 hours ago
- Haiti’s Ongoing Struggle for Uninterrupted Democracy against International InterventionismSource: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage Tamanisha J. John From Miami, Florida Overview Towards the latter months of 2018, “Kot Kòb Petwo Karibe a?” (“Where is the PetroCaribe money?”) became a rallying cry for Haitians demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse. Haitian protestors charged Moïse with ...9 hours ago
- COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Extension Announcement Good For Working PeopleThe Council of Trade Unions welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Finance today to extend the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme. The payment will protect jobs for businesses affected by the recent rise in alert levels. Applications to the Wage ...9 hours ago
- NZ Risks Being On The Wrong Side Of History On “vaccine Apartheid”A response from the Minister of Trade to a letter from 42 organisations and noted experts regarding a proposed waiver to WTO intellectual property rules shows that New Zealand risks being on the wrong side of history. "88 percent of WTO members ...10 hours ago
- Were families of Covid-19 contacts required to isolate?
Analysis: The return to lockdown and the contact tracing of Case M has been overshadowed by a furore over confusing communications to members of the Papatoetoe school community. Marc Daalder lays out who was told to isolate and when Although it was rule-breaking by Case M - who developed symptoms ...10 hours ago - Ten things you should be watching on StarThere are 435 films and 155 series on new Disney+ bolt-on service Star – where on earth do you start? Sam Brooks selects some highlights. What is Star? The short version is that Disney have put a lot of their considerable archival catalogue – movies and series alike – online, ...11 hours ago
- Biden is already carving out a different Middle East policy from Trump — and even ObamaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Rich, Senior lecturer in International Relations and Security Studies, Curtin University The Biden administration hasn’t wasted time in making a significant shift in US policy toward the Middle East. Over the past week, the US has launched reprisal strikes against Iranian ...11 hours ago
- Lots of law, not enough order — the government must be clearer about dealing with COVID rule-break...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato New Zealand’s COVID-19 response might be the envy of the world, but that hasn’t stopped New Zealanders themselves getting angry about it this week. In short, there appeared to have been breaches of isolation ...11 hours ago
- The last of the Wailers
Bunny Wailer, the last of Jamaican trio the Wailers to die, was considered one of the senior statesmen of reggae and Rastafarianism, writes Graham Reid The death of Neville Livingston at 73 – better known as Bunny Wailer – means there are now no surviving members of the famous Jamaican ...11 hours ago - Pining for St Kilda instead of Moscow: The Cherry Orchard grapples with our cultural inheritanceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Mercer, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, Curtin University Review: The Cherry Orchard, directed by Clare Watson. Black Swan State Theatre Company for the Perth Festival. Stories get told over and over, each version sitting atop every other in a never-ending palimpsest. ...11 hours ago
- Dairy price lift will give fillip to regional economies and fortify Fonterra’s confidence in press...
Our dairy provinces are reverberating to the news that prices soared at the latest Fonterra GDT auction. The prosperity this brings to the regions will provide a significant counterbalance to the loss of earning power in the tourism sector because of the pandemic. The average price at the auction climbed ...11 hours ago - Siouxsie Wiles & Toby Morris: The symptoms of the UK Covid variant, in seven languagesHow to recognise possible symptoms of the new B.1.1.7 variant of Covid-19, in illustrated form, in seven different languages.Our Covid-19 coverage is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support the ongoing work, please donate here. In April 2020, Toby and Siouxsie created a symptoms chart so people could ...12 hours ago
- Dirty Politics case close to settlement
One of the final public battles over the Nicky Hager book Dirty Politics - a defamation trial over the defunct Whaleoil blog site - could be over within hours of its High Court opening today. Tim Murphy reports. A long-running defamation case against former Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater and PR man ...12 hours ago - Prime Minister Led Move That Will Lead To Desecration Of Mataharehare – “It’s A Rich Man......12 hours ago
- Te Waihanga Looks At State Of Play Of Infrastructure In The Resource Recovery And Waste SectorNew Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga’s latest discussion document looks at the state of play of infrastructure in the resource recovery and waste sector. One of a series of reports into key infrastructure sectors, it highlights some of ...12 hours ago
- Support Grows For Workers To Be Paid 100% Through COVID CrisisE tū, the biggest private sector union in Aotearoa New Zealand, says that workers should not lose out on pay when they are required to self-isolate, or otherwise miss work, because of COVID-19. E tū has been calling for workers’ wages to lead the ...12 hours ago
- Please excuse Chris Tse as he freaks out over these poetry finalistsThe shortlist for the prestigious Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, which carries prize money worth $10,000, was made public this morning. Our poetry editor Chris Tse is ecstatic. Here’s a sobering statistic: since 2001, only two non-Pākehā poets have won the poetry category at the book awards – David ...12 hours ago
- Tiny ‘flying Penguins’ Need Greater Attention On Land And At Sea...12 hours ago
- Jacinda Ardern And This Labour Government Ok With Leaving People BehindOver the weekend Jacinda Ardern appeared on Newshub The Nation and made some problematic comments about lifting people out of poverty, saying the Labour government has prioritised targeting families with children. “This is the problem - Jacinda Ardern and this ...13 hours ago
- New Zealand Cohort Life Tables: March 2021 UpdateCohort life tables track the mortality experience of people born in each year from 1876. Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV: New Zealand cohort life tables: March 2021 update CSV files for download ...14 hours ago
- A wish list for all that capital gains tax revenue, which doesn’t existUnlike most developed countries, New Zealand doesn’t have a capital gains tax. But if we did, it would bring in billions worth of revenue over the next five years. Here are some of the things you could spend that money on.There’s little point dwelling on things that didn’t happen. Lamenting ...14 hours ago
- Hutt City Council Matter Is Dirty Politics At Its FinestThe public attacks and investigations against a Hutt City Councillor asking questions about allegations relating to the Mayor, look more like a vindictive witch hunt than a Council striving for good ethical standards, says the Taxpayers’ Union . “For ...14 hours ago
- ‘This one was personal’: Mihi Forbes on the new Tainui wars documentaryThe latest documentary in the New Zealand Wars series hit different for presenter Mihingarangi Forbes. She explains why to Leonie Hayden.Content warning: contains descriptions of the murder of women and children, and sexual assault.The military campaign by the British Crown to suppress Māori sovereignty and acquire Māori land for the ...15 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 03 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 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 ...15 hours ago
- The Liberals face electoral wipeout in WA, but have 3 good reasons to keep campaigningSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Drum, Lecturer Politics and International Relations, University of Notre Dame Australia Time is running out for the Western Australian Liberal Party. Polling points to a massive Labor landslide at the upcoming state election on March 13. Following last month’s Newspoll, which ...16 hours ago
- Chinese-Australians have a sense of dual ‘belonging’: Lowy pollSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A substantial minority of Chinese-Australians have experienced a backlash from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 deterioration in bilateral relations, according to a survey from the Lowy Institute. In the poll, 37% said they had ...16 hours ago
- I’m a sexual assault counsellor. Here’s why it’s so hard for survivors to come forward, and wh...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neeraja Sanmuhanathan, Senior Sexual Assault Counsellor, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Lecturer in Counselling, University of Notre Dame Australia As a senior sexual assault counsellor working with Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, I often sit across from people on the worst day of ...16 hours ago
- Think all your plastic is being recycled? New research shows it can end up in the oceanSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monique Retamal, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney We all know it’s wrong to toss your rubbish into the ocean or another natural place. But it might surprise you to learn some plastic waste ends up in the ...16 hours ago
- We can see the gender bias of all-boys’ schools by the books they study in EnglishSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cody Reynolds, Researcher & Educator, University of Newcastle “She’s more crazy than she is female.” So declared a senior student in a furious critique of Sylvia Plath’s poetry. The classroom was entirely male, myself included. As the teacher, I mediated discussion but ...16 hours ago
- Prepare, connect, care: essential steps for new students to manage and enjoy uni lifeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Stokes, Senior Lecturer in Digital and Information Literacy (Education Futures), University of South Australia Starting university is usually a time of hope focused on bright futures. This year feels different. As cities move in and out of lockdown, new students are ...16 hours ago
- NZ’s Climate Change Commission needs to account for the huge potential health benefits of reducing...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Wilson, Professor of Public Health, University of Otago The Climate Change Commission’s recent draft report and recommendations has helped to kick-start an extremely important process. But, as others have argued, there remain serious questions about its narrow view and lack of ...16 hours ago
- Live updates, March 3: ‘An encouraging sign’ – no new Covid-19 cases overnightLive coverage of the snap lockdown and the search for a source of the latest infection. Auckland is now at alert level three, NZ at level two. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.45am: ‘An encouraging sign’ – no new Covid-19 cases overnightThere are no new community cases of Covid-19 this morning, ...17 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Pharmac review unlikely to give patient advocates what they wantGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Pharmac review unlikely to give patient advocates what they want, feedback shows confusion on managed isolation communication, and National wants more generous Covid leave scheme.An independent review into Pharmac has been announced, and will focus on how and how quickly ...17 hours ago
- National wants government to pay wages of those self-isolatingThe National Party wants the government to pay 100 percent of a person's wages for two weeks if they have been told to self-isolate. ...17 hours ago
- Less 'kind talk', more rigour needed in post-Covid economy
Ahead of the Finance Minister's speech to the National Economic Forum, Otago University's Dr Dennis Wesselbaum says the Government's focus on wellbeing has undermined the ability of economic research to inform policy-making, just when we need rigorous research the most Since the end of the Second World War, the New ...17 hours ago - Govt investigates phone app that detects Covid-19 before onset of symptomsThe government has been quietly investigating if returnees and border workers should use a phone app that can detect Covid-19 two or three days before symptoms set in. ...18 hours ago
- Rocket Lab set to become the country’s newest moon-shot
Business & Investing: What is Peter Beck's high school careers advisor thinking now? Plus international freight charges rise steeply ...18 hours ago - Watercare seeks Govt help with $1.3b infrastructure hole
Watercare thought it was doing the right thing to deal with decades of infrastructure underspending. Then Covid got in the way. Now it wants Government to step in. The mood at Watercare’s final board meeting for 2020 was sombre. It was December 23, but there was little Christmas spirit. In front ...18 hours ago - Please Explain, PM“The Prime Minister has some serious explaining to do after her Government's Official COVID-19 Facebook Page contradicted her claim that Case J (Kmart worker) and Case L (KFC worker) were told to isolate. The Page replied to a member of the public saying ...18 hours ago
- Crunchtime for homeowners who deferred mortgage payments in downturn
The Finance Minister is worried about the risk interest-only home loans pose to the country's financial stability. ...18 hours ago - Big spend-up on Auckland recycling
With China shutting its doors to New Zealand’s waste, Auckland Council is pinning its hopes on community-run recycling centres. Auckland Council has approved a plan to more than double the number of recycling facilities across the region by 2031. The updated Resource Recovery Network Strategy calls for a dramatic expansion ...19 hours ago - Passport revenues plummet in Covid-19 world
As Kiwis sit on expired passports, tens of millions in lost fees mount up. ...19 hours ago - Liftoff for Rocket Lab – but will investors get burnt?
Rocket Lab is promising the sky with its NZ$5.7 billion Nasdaq listing, but potential investors should go in with their feet firmly on the ground. There’s something crazy exciting and deeply scary about Rocket Lab’s announcement it will soon be listing on the US’s Nasdaq stock market, with a valuation of US$4.1 ...19 hours ago - A ward by any other name just as democratic
Councils use wards to recognise communities of interest, so why are Māori wards singled out for this criticism when other wards are not? The Government recently removed the provision in the Local Electoral Act that allowed a public poll to overturn a council’s decision to establish a Māori ward. This has reignited ...19 hours ago - Let's see your working please, Climate Commission
The Climate Commission has an urgent task, but not so urgent that the work should forgo basic scrutiny, says Eric Crampton Academic debates are rarely high stakes. Compared with the kind of work the Climate Change Commission is doing, debates among academics are of almost no consequence at all. But ...19 hours ago - Willie Jackson unleashes on Māori MPs
Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson has taken a swing at National’s Simon Bridges and ACT’s David Seymour, saying they’re a “total waste of bloody time’’ when it comes to advocating for their own Māori people, writes political editor Jo Moir Willie Jackson is offended, hacked off, but not surprised there ...19 hours ago - DoC dobs itself in for errant spraying
How did two weed control operations on public conservation land go so wrong? David Williams reports The effects of the herbicide spraying becomes obvious just past the old, corrugated-iron musterers’ hut, with its tack shed and veranda. Scattered among grasses at the southern edge of Lake Emma in Canterbury’s Hakatere ...19 hours ago - The woman keeping close tabs on Team NZ's race boat
A sailing rookie hailing from the mountains of Colorado, Kelly Hartzell plays a crucial part in Team New Zealand's defence of the America's Cup. She explains her role as a mechatronics engineer to Suzanne McFadden. Kelly Hartzell may have one of the coolest offices in New Zealand right now. Most ...19 hours ago - If we’re serious about public health, the government must keep a critical promiseAt the heart of our Covid-19 response has been the recognition that health and economic goals are intertwined. We can cement those values in an independent Public Health Agency, writes Robert Beaglehole, a public health expert who is professor emeritus of the University of Auckland and formerly based at the World ...19 hours ago
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If you want a good laugh check out Twitter and the “this is the future that liberals want” meme. It is very funny …
It started off with a RWNJ posting a picture of a woman in a hijab and a drag queen sitting together on a train. Since then the different permutations and possibilities have exploded …
https://twitter.com/search?q=this%20is%20the%20future%20liberals%20want&src=typd
Yeah, although it’s also a bit sad that the RWNJ seems to think the original was a travesty (not in a literal French way, I mean).
We might all be human, yet we seem to be so alien sometimes.
Lorde’s latest single …
People grumble about Martyn Bradbury sometimes – including me – but I think he has got this one right:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/03/02/the-2-things-most-political-pundits-are-missing-in-their-analysis-of-jacinda-becoming-deputy/
He casts Annette King aside rather unfairly, but apart from that he’s on the button.
http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/charctic-interactive-sea-ice-graph/
You’ll want to check the position of the light blue line for both the Arctic and the Antarctic.