Ms Ardern is brilliant. She wipes the floor with him every time.
Heard her being interviewed on the jihadi guy. The interviewer appeared to be trying to get her to say she felt compassion for him and she just didn’t go there. Very skillful.
It is not often that Simon Bridges gets the better of Jacinda Ardern in Question Time. It is even more rare for Bridges to be applauded by his own side. But both happened today – until Speaker Trevor Mallard intervened.
It’s a hospital pass that Ardern keeps passing to herself, and she will keep getting smashed. She has no commercial experience and pretending that her time at an NGO is sort of kind of like running a small business is cringeworthy.
She should just say that if they think a society or a country is like a business – no wonder they left the place in such an effing mess.
No comparison, no discernible equivalence, entirely different sorts of human beings required for the two jobs.
There are too many poorly-run businesses in NZ. People believing it’s somehow a qualification to govern a nation is a reflection of the same unambitious ignorance.
She should just say that if they think a society or a country is like a business – no wonder they left the place in such an effing mess.
No comparison, no discernible equivalence, entirely different sorts of human beings required for the two jobs.
People in NZ who own small businesses (think “John Smith Plumber Ltd”) are worried about how the Tax Working Group’s recommendations might affect them.
Whenever the PM says something like “Trust me I understand your concerns I know all about the pressures of owning a small business because I was once President of the International Union of Socialist Youth” that sounds so tonedeaf it’s practically a let them eat cake moment.
These moments are entirely avoidable. She just needs to stop claiming that she’s ever had any involvement or experience in running a small business, or that her sheltered taxpayer-funded political work history has given her any sort of understanding of what it’s like to work in a small self-owned business. But for some reason she keeps making these hospital passes, and she keeps getting smashed.
My God they’re in a rage over the latest polls! This is when the true character of the “nasty party” is laid bare for all to see.
This line of questioning has started with the Prime Minister, but it will likely spread to include other ministers. The constant needling and efforts to discredit them over something in their past will be an attempt to provoke one or more of them into losing their cool.
However, I get the impression Trevor Mallard saw it coming and he’s ready for them.
You bet Anne, and the “nasty” party hasn’t even got a head of steam on yet. If Labour internal polling is correct wait till the next round of colmar/Reid polls are released, then we will see the true ugly face of blue panic.
Really efficient and inexpensive transport but all the former coastal shipping companies have all been sold off I believe, and new ships don’t come cheap.
The skills don’t either. Pretty new ships with raw crews tend to lose a bit of paint. That said, coastal trade boats are well within local capacity to build. If govt were serious about reducing carbon, getting freight on water would be a priority.
Castlecliff port in the 18th & early 19th centuries was the transit point for goods into and produce out of the central North Island region. Improvements in road transport however made the last half century one of decline for the port.
It would take some freight away from Wellington port and the cross channel ferries. And if Wellington was damaged by an earthquake, there would be an alternative link with the South Island.
Trucks could divert to Whanganui, perhaps passing through New Plymouth and taking the fairly flat coastal route to the Whanganui port and from there would be an apparently direct sea route from there to Motueka.
Also wikipedia says there is a secondary rail line –
Marton – Wanganui – Hawera – New Plymouth for freight only.
There is no rail from Motueka, the freight for further south would have to go by truck either by the inland route to Maruia, Springs Junction, Culverden and then Christchurch.
Or going to Marlborough it would be the route across the twisty Whangamoas, quite a good road but quite a climb, then flat to Blenheim. There is a railway platform there and a loading site there. Presumably it would go on the Main North Line betweeen Picton and Christchurch.
Information from Kiwirail Freight –
Using the rail network
From fixed schedule shuttle trains designed specifically for container movements, to domestic freight trains, or ‘hook and tow’ options for those customers with their own equipment.KiwiRail Freight is a cost-efficient linehaul transport provider for bulk-commodity or containerised freight.
In November 2018 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that KiwiRail is to get $40 million from the Provincial Growth Fund, to provide a year-round service by the Coastal Pacific and to upgrade the Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton stations.[11]
KiwiRail committed to inland freight hub
15 November 2018 9:09AM
The Government’s $40m investment in a new freight hub near Palmerston North will ready the Manawatu-Whanganui region for the coming freight growth, KiwiRail’s Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says.
Northland rail investigations on track
31 January 2019 2:02PM
Video of speeches made by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Minister of Regional Development Shane Jones, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle and KiwiRail Chairman Greg Miller is available here: https://youtu.be/2R1v2fDR6kE
(https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/news-and-press-releases
It beggars belief that some of these people don’t know teenagers, excl the part where they got their hands – or some of them did – on alcohol you would hope that someone would have blown the whistle very loud at the time. I actually have three daughters and none got “out and about” until they knew exactly how to extracate themselves from problems. As far as I am concerned it was a missed opportunity to all concerned to show just what can happen if people don;t step up and call bad behaviour out.
I was just wondering whether Gosman & James are part of Goebbels Family and can whakapapa themselves back to Josef Goebbels and the German Regime in WW11.
That isn’t really fair. If you’re spending your life waiting for the climactic moment an alleged sex offender appears in court you’re entitled to stay at home frothing at the mouth and not getting out more.
Sad little thing our James sitting behind the computer all day tapping away on the keyboard, you really should get out and smell the roses, rosemary is very good for Mental Health & Memory.
Its Jimmys under daks, the elastic is too tight causing RWS. Either that or the batteries are flat and require re juicing. BM has the opposite syndrome only confined to his right hand, or he may be left handed.
Okay so you and James have info – well shit it must be true because you wingnuts would never bullshit now would you. Luckily the left aren’t as thick as you two or your gnat puppet masters. Lol try again losers.
Personally I’m more worried about John Key using the SIS to discredit Phil Goff, and his use of stroke victim Cameron Slater to do hit jobs on his opponents.
Most of NZ knows who it is and the case will have an outcome no doubt but very many NZ parents have had an occasion to dwell on things that happen so unless you believe that that any failings or sins “of the children” should always be visited on the parents it is by comparison in that regard a non-event.
Sad little thing our James sitting behind the computer all day tapping away on the keyboard, you really should get out and smell the roses, rosemary is very good for Mental Health & Memory.
It’s no more wrong than when everyone knew who Dowie was or the TV personality and in all those cases the person as a sole individual was judged on their actions just as they should be in this case unless people try to politicse it which is exactly what is being hinted at and threatened here regarding people not even present.
We will have to wait and see if the rumours are correct or not. If they are it will make sense then – don’t want to say more as being careful not to get into the details of the rumour.
Yeah. Sometimes you’re mildly humourous, occasionally even constructive.
But when you’re in your little perverted rumour-spreading mode, you really are a vile piece of shit. You take every opportunity to let people’s imaginations run wild, and remind everybody of other lies (which you hasten to say are untrue, despite taking the effort to remind people and pique their curiousity about the rumours).
Rather than not-spreading spreading ugly slanders and rumours, why don’t you cheerlead the fine efforts of the the top-performing National party caucus membership and leadership? I guess not only do you guys have nothing now, you don’t even have anything in the pipeline.
But no matter how desperate you are, you ain’t like the shadders or BM handles. You can do so much better than trying to get people to google slanders.
@ indiana … regardless of how she drew attention to her plight, why wasn’t John Key made accountable for constantly touching the young woman over a fairly long period of time, which disturbed her?
Wouldn’t be easy to get authorities to believe a humble waitress laying an assault complaint against John Key would it? She deserved much better treatment than that she received.
You’re waiting for a train wreck and hoping for casualties and people to be destroyed. Do you say daily prayers that the country craps out so you can gloat? You seem the type.
“I’m looking forward to people being held to account.”
Still brings us back to one lecherous former PM being held to account doesn’t it?
On your obviously strong belief in being accountable for one’s actions (and I’m with you all the way on that one), you still haven’t answered my previous question re John Key and his dirty touchy touchy feely feely behaviour towards a young woman, as well as several young girls!
I’d appreciate a response from you on that topic as well as the one you are throwing around on TS today.
How am I even meant to take praise from someone like you, BM. You just had a go at me for being an algorithm. It’s very abnormal to be snooping around sexual assault cases and making claims of insider information. The victim and there families would rightly say to you who the fuck are you? Just stop embarrassing yourself.
Interesting isn’t it. When it was a sex assault after a Sat. night Young Labour event the media went into overdrive for weeks on end. You would have thought the entire Labour Party Council was to blame.
A young Nat does the same thing – or even worse by the sounds of it – and apart from a brief report not a whisper from the MSM.
When it happens to the National Party sanity prevails and no-one accuses National of being at fault. But Labour….
The woman was taken to a room where he allegedly grabbed her face, tried to kiss her and keep her from her friends, at one stage pulling her away from them by her wrists. When she got out of the room and left the flat she was pursued across a road and to a fast food outlet’s toilet area as the man allegedly continued to try to grope her.
My understanding from the Labour story at the time… it was a quick grope at the actual event but he did not pursue his victims. Admittedly he did it to more than one young woman but the Young Nat incident sounds a lot more serious and frightening for his victim.
But of course you hard-right misogynistic males know better than another woman don’t you.
Honestly have no direct knowledge or expertise regarding these events, so my opinion would be next to worthless. [Check out the “Fair witness” concept.]
But, for what it’s worth, I think they are events for our (hopefully adequately resourced) courts to evaluate, and adjudicate on.
And you probably wouldn’t believe the VERY credible rumours about why John Key resigned.
Lets just say it involved a female called XXX XXXXX. And old workmates were able to confirm certain aspects of the story. Or am I skating on thin ice there?
Well over due for engine size to be reflected in vehicle registration costs. 3+lt tank suv models should exponentially incur taxes way more than a piddly 1lt run-about. Note, the kids still get to school on time, you’ve just used way less fuel and created less emissions to get them there. Sure, it may not look as good outside the cafe in front of your chosen social group and yes, you’ll sit lower on the road when driving so that feeling of superiority will dissolve faster than the planet’s chances of survival, but until we get really clinical with our thinking on climate change, at least you’ll still be able to pay much more for the privilege of your ‘choice’ while your vehicles are still permitted on the roads.
Don’t know why it hasn’t been done here before.
The Nats changed it to be the other way around, indirectly. The ACC part of rego varied according to frequency of injury to occupants, never mind what happened to people in the other car or to pedestrians. So my 1994 Landrover Defender was rated as safer (cheaper ACC band) than my 2001 Daihatsu Sirion with ABS, airbags, pretensioning seatbelts, properly engineered crumple zones and a properly engineered collapse zone on the bonnet …
I have a Toyota Passo, which is bascially a rebadged Sirion and its a good car. Can turn on a dime, good on petrol, speedy, and if you fold the rear seats down, you can load it up with all sorts of stuff.
“What’s really special about the Pininfarina Battista, recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is this: it’s all-electric.
So, here are some stats. Maker Automobili Pininfarina claims its Battista does 0-62mph in less than two seconds, 186mph in less than 12 seconds, has a top speed of more than 250mph, and does 280 miles on one charge.
Its brake horse power (bhp) is equivalent to 1,900, about twice that of a Formula 1 car (a decent-sized Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling car, has a bhp of between about 84 and 138).”
It goes a little further – the Gnats themselves have infiltrated irrigation bodies to lift the value of their own farms, pushing them through by overriding environmental advice and pulling crap like stacking ECan (and I hear the Southland version) with nodding dogs.
The average farmer is not nearly the problem that these ambitious clowns are.
The muppet spits out press releases almost daily that are more appropriate for someone who’s running for some insignificant Fed Farmers committee. And all aimed at the lowest core nat supporter. I’m wondering wtf is going on, has their poling started showing Mark Patterson (NZF local) making some ground in the rural heartland.
As for Queenstown the guy hasn’t a clue about the place, he came out with one today blaming tourism for the congestion we have. It’s bad, but only during the week, tourism is a 7 day industry, it doesn’t have weekends. There’s no congestion in the weekend. The problem is all the development and new people from the Nat’s SHAs and unfettered development without proper planning.
This is what I advocate in this new era of fake news attacks and bizarre controversy manufacture from the Nats. Even today Bridges ran with a Hosking interview, in parliament for God’s sake, in an attempt to discredit the PM on the after-school jobs she had as a teenager.
I advocate jumping on this stuff early and hard but I must say some commenters here don’t see this as a good response, instead preferring to rely on those dated rules of conduct: good faith argument, and robust discussion.
Palmerston North train unlocks possibility for ‘super’ freight service to Christchurch
15 August 2012 1:01PM
Dedicated overnight rail freight services are being introduced between Auckland and Palmerston North in September.
These new services are expected to play a critical part in the plan to increase KiwiRail’s share of the domestic freight business over the length of the country.
Their introduction will enable the development of a “super” service from Auckland to Christchurch and free up capacity on other premier freight services heading down the North Island Main Trunk to Wellington, Christchurch and beyond, says KiwiRail Freight General Manager Iain Hill.
“By introducing this new service offering we are able to better streamline all our premier services, making them more destination-specific. In particular it gives us the opportunity to run a pure Auckland to Christchurch service, specifically tailored to the ‘just in time’ market.”
The introduction of the new services has been made possible by improvements to the business over the past 12 months.
‘The new locomotives and wagons, and the lengthened Aratere have unlocked previous bottle necks on the network and we now have the capacity and the capability to do this, “he says.
“In the short term it means we are well set up for the peak season this year. And in the medium term it means we will be in a strong position once the rebuild of Christchurch gathers momentum and economic recovery begins.”
At present volumes destined for Palmerston North, the key distribution hub for the lower North Island, are carried on a number of services which continue to Wellington and Christchurch.
The introduction of the new Palmerston North service, will enable one of the other services to be set up as a 32-wagon Auckland to Christchurch service, leaving Auckland at 10.00 pm, arriving in Wellington in time for a critical Aratere sailing, and then arriving in Christchurch early on day two.
Palmerston North is an increasingly important distribution hub for the lower North Island. The south-bound service service, which will consist of around 30 wagons departs Auckland at 18.10PM and is scheduled to arrive at 06.15AM in Palmerston North.
And they have done worthwhile things on pay, bridge innovation, and electric locos.
Landmark pay deal struck at KiwiRail
27 August 2018 1:01PM
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union and KiwiRail have today signed a landmark pay deal which will see a flat rate of higher pay applied across all 2319 of its members, rather than the usual percentage increase for workers.
Read more
Innovative KiwiRail bridge recognised
15 October 2018 11:11AM
A North Island bridge that was the first in the world to feature innovative seismic strengthening technology has been named one of the country’s outstanding concrete structures.
Read more
Electric locomotives to continue with Government investment
30 October 2018 1:01PM
The Government’s commitment to fund the refurbishment of KiwiRail’s ageing electric locomotives on the North Island Main Trunk line will provide additional capacity as rail continues its freight growth, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says.
Was going to mention a couple of things from the New Zealand Railway Observer for this quarter. That last Government wouldn’t do and what this current Government is doing IRT investment to KiwiRail IRT freight, passenger services and infrastructure. The last which has not seen much money allocated to infrastructure since 90’s which has been on a ad-hoc basis since then.
Marshall Mathers is determined to protect his music and is going after the hapless Nats again.
Dildo Joyce has slithered off so I guess it’s the guy who forces women to sign NDAs so they don’t talk, Peter Goodfellow, who will be in the firing line.
Eminem, worth $100m in 2018 according to Forbes, had said he would donate any damages he received to relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey, which ravaged southern Texas in late August 2017.
It’s shocking that the National Party of New Zealand would steal money from victims of Hurricane Harvey.
King’s College, London study looks at the disinformation and propaganda techniques employed by Kremlin mouthpieces Sputnik and RT.
Media outlets RT and Sputnik perform a “damage control” function for the Russian state during incidents such as the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal and deploy a range of tactics to project Russian strength and construct news agendas.
This is the first comprehensive study of how RT and Sputnik sow confusion and division in the UK and beyond. It is based on an analysis of nearly 12,000 articles published in English by the two outlets and over 150,000 online articles by UK news outlets. The articles were collected between May and June 2017, and in March 2018, in the immediate aftermath of the Skripal poisoning.
[…]
The range of competing narratives around the Skripal incident included:
32 narratives relating to the response of the UK and its allies to the Salisbury poisoning, including that the response is driven by inherent “Russophobia”, that the investigation was a “witch hunt” and that the UK’s response to the poisoning was illegal.
20 narratives about Novichok – the substance identified as having been used in the poisoning – including that it could be from the UK, the US, Ukraine, Iran, or a number of other European or post-Soviet states.
16 narratives about the Skripals themselves, ranging from the allegation that links to organized crime explain the poisoning, to claims that Yulia Skripal brought the nerve agent into the UK and that the Skripals were never, in fact, poisoned.
Seven narratives that constitute conspiracy theories, including that the poisoning was set up by the UK or by the intelligence agencies of a third country in order to harm Russia, and claims that the incident was a hoax, with the poisoning never having taken place.
Why do I get the feeling there’s going to be some sudden and quick relocations of rich pricks in the months ahead. 😅
“New Zealand taxpayers are strongly advised to check they have correctly accounted for their offshore investments. If not, they should make a voluntary disclosure to Inland Revenue without delay,” Mr Nash said.
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
If you like a good laugh, watch question one from Parliament today.
https://vimeo.com/321378871
Jeepers bridges is so poor. He needs to leave the arena. He is finished.
His best friends wouldn’t tell him.
He turfed the only one who might have for leaking.
I thought Simon tried really hard and Gerry was very smart, until he got chucked out.
Ms Ardern is brilliant. She wipes the floor with him every time.
Heard her being interviewed on the jihadi guy. The interviewer appeared to be trying to get her to say she felt compassion for him and she just didn’t go there. Very skillful.
And yes Bridges is hapless
Of course Aunty Audrey reckons her special lad was triumphant: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12209774
God what a load of dribble Audrey writes.
It’s completely pointless questioning because the govt haven’t even said yet what bits they will support of the tax working groups recommendations
But his colleagues applauded, see. He must be popular after all.
Poor Audrey, Just another tired, braindead National poodle.
That is a really weird take …
Yes, seems to be something else going on there.
It’s a hospital pass that Ardern keeps passing to herself, and she will keep getting smashed. She has no commercial experience and pretending that her time at an NGO is sort of kind of like running a small business is cringeworthy.
She should just say that if they think a society or a country is like a business – no wonder they left the place in such an effing mess.
No comparison, no discernible equivalence, entirely different sorts of human beings required for the two jobs.
There are too many poorly-run businesses in NZ. People believing it’s somehow a qualification to govern a nation is a reflection of the same unambitious ignorance.
She should just say that if they think a society or a country is like a business – no wonder they left the place in such an effing mess.
No comparison, no discernible equivalence, entirely different sorts of human beings required for the two jobs.
People in NZ who own small businesses (think “John Smith Plumber Ltd”) are worried about how the Tax Working Group’s recommendations might affect them.
Whenever the PM says something like “Trust me I understand your concerns I know all about the pressures of owning a small business because I was once President of the International Union of Socialist Youth” that sounds so tonedeaf it’s practically a let them eat cake moment.
These moments are entirely avoidable. She just needs to stop claiming that she’s ever had any involvement or experience in running a small business, or that her sheltered taxpayer-funded political work history has given her any sort of understanding of what it’s like to work in a small self-owned business. But for some reason she keeps making these hospital passes, and she keeps getting smashed.
My God they’re in a rage over the latest polls! This is when the true character of the “nasty party” is laid bare for all to see.
This line of questioning has started with the Prime Minister, but it will likely spread to include other ministers. The constant needling and efforts to discredit them over something in their past will be an attempt to provoke one or more of them into losing their cool.
However, I get the impression Trevor Mallard saw it coming and he’s ready for them.
You bet Anne, and the “nasty” party hasn’t even got a head of steam on yet. If Labour internal polling is correct wait till the next round of colmar/Reid polls are released, then we will see the true ugly face of blue panic.
Tilting at windmills comes to mind …
Here is the perfect future proofing investment for Shane Jones to look at investing in, provincially speaking.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111039779/marine-expert-backs-plan-to-run-new-northsouth-shipping-service
Long past time we had a bit more shipping. Wasn’t so very long ago we were a major shipping nation.
Really efficient and inexpensive transport but all the former coastal shipping companies have all been sold off I believe, and new ships don’t come cheap.
The skills don’t either. Pretty new ships with raw crews tend to lose a bit of paint. That said, coastal trade boats are well within local capacity to build. If govt were serious about reducing carbon, getting freight on water would be a priority.
Whanganui port- Castlecliff
https://www.castlecliff.nz/port
Castlecliff port in the 18th & early 19th centuries was the transit point for goods into and produce out of the central North Island region. Improvements in road transport however made the last half century one of decline for the port.
It would take some freight away from Wellington port and the cross channel ferries. And if Wellington was damaged by an earthquake, there would be an alternative link with the South Island.
Trucks could divert to Whanganui, perhaps passing through New Plymouth and taking the fairly flat coastal route to the Whanganui port and from there would be an apparently direct sea route from there to Motueka.
Also wikipedia says there is a secondary rail line –
Marton – Wanganui – Hawera – New Plymouth for freight only.
There is no rail from Motueka, the freight for further south would have to go by truck either by the inland route to Maruia, Springs Junction, Culverden and then Christchurch.
Or going to Marlborough it would be the route across the twisty Whangamoas, quite a good road but quite a climb, then flat to Blenheim. There is a railway platform there and a loading site there. Presumably it would go on the Main North Line betweeen Picton and Christchurch.
Information from Kiwirail Freight –
Using the rail network
From fixed schedule shuttle trains designed specifically for container movements, to domestic freight trains, or ‘hook and tow’ options for those customers with their own equipment.KiwiRail Freight is a cost-efficient linehaul transport provider for bulk-commodity or containerised freight.
In November 2018 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that KiwiRail is to get $40 million from the Provincial Growth Fund, to provide a year-round service by the Coastal Pacific and to upgrade the Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton stations.[11]
KiwiRail committed to inland freight hub
15 November 2018 9:09AM
The Government’s $40m investment in a new freight hub near Palmerston North will ready the Manawatu-Whanganui region for the coming freight growth, KiwiRail’s Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says.
Northland rail investigations on track
31 January 2019 2:02PM
Video of speeches made by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Minister of Regional Development Shane Jones, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle and KiwiRail Chairman Greg Miller is available here: https://youtu.be/2R1v2fDR6kE
(https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/news-and-press-releases
(https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-41.072561,173.5736909,10z
gsays, thanks for that.
Less than 2 weeks until the trial of the person accused of multiple sexual assaults at the labour youth camp.
Given who it is to rumoured to be there should be a lot of interest from the media – will be very interesting if found guilty.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/107027711/two-charges-dropped-against-man-accused-of-sexual-assaults-at-labour-party-summer-camp
Oh you little tease. To yellow to share the rumour are you?
Not a hope I’d post it or even give hints on here or elsewhere.
So that’s why the right are still frothing about it. Another prominent New Zillunder, you reckon.
You don’t froth over multiple sexual assaults on teenagers?
Nope.
😂
It beggars belief that some of these people don’t know teenagers, excl the part where they got their hands – or some of them did – on alcohol you would hope that someone would have blown the whistle very loud at the time. I actually have three daughters and none got “out and about” until they knew exactly how to extracate themselves from problems. As far as I am concerned it was a missed opportunity to all concerned to show just what can happen if people don;t step up and call bad behaviour out.
I was just wondering whether Gosman & James are part of Goebbels Family and can whakapapa themselves back to Josef Goebbels and the German Regime in WW11.
Can anyone on TS enlighten me ?
Doubt it, Goebbels had creative grey matter in the game, they are just wee National poodles.
Yeah that would ruin the charade.
James you’ve got to get out more
That isn’t really fair. If you’re spending your life waiting for the climactic moment an alleged sex offender appears in court you’re entitled to stay at home frothing at the mouth and not getting out more.
Sad little thing our James sitting behind the computer all day tapping away on the keyboard, you really should get out and smell the roses, rosemary is very good for Mental Health & Memory.
Its Jimmys under daks, the elastic is too tight causing RWS. Either that or the batteries are flat and require re juicing. BM has the opposite syndrome only confined to his right hand, or he may be left handed.
Tick tick tick tick tick………. ninety nine……tock!
I agree If what I’ve read is true, explosive and should be highly damaging to those involved.
Tick Tock, Tick Tock.
Okay so you and James have info – well shit it must be true because you wingnuts would never bullshit now would you. Luckily the left aren’t as thick as you two or your gnat puppet masters. Lol try again losers.
Did I say it was true?
We’ll find out sooner or later when the court case begins, no doubt someone will turn up and verify.
If true though and it’s not covered by the media.I’II have grave concerns about the long term future of NZ.
Banana republic here we are.
So you’ve heard a heinous rumour and if the MSM don’t cover it then that will be proof for you that we are a banana republic?
Lol that’s silly.
You need to dial back your bias filter, you’re not reading posts correctly.
Here me thinking the Panama papers proved that Key turned us into a Banana republic. It’s so funny that you think it any better.
Personally I’m more worried about John Key using the SIS to discredit Phil Goff, and his use of stroke victim Cameron Slater to do hit jobs on his opponents.
Now that was dangerous.
Second rate diversion attempt.
Most of NZ knows who it is and the case will have an outcome no doubt but very many NZ parents have had an occasion to dwell on things that happen so unless you believe that that any failings or sins “of the children” should always be visited on the parents it is by comparison in that regard a non-event.
I’m guessing people don’t “know”.
Remember the gayford rumours – there is still a chance the rumour on this is wrong also.
We just have to wait and see.
And yes people should be held to account for their actions or lack thereof.
Sad little thing our James sitting behind the computer all day tapping away on the keyboard, you really should get out and smell the roses, rosemary is very good for Mental Health & Memory.
Jimmy you really should have a wash put your nappies on and jump into bed, and have a good nights sleep.
You could not help bringing up the Gayford rumors again could you ?
You are obviously a little slow – I was using that as an example of how rumours can be wrong.
I’ll type slower for you so you try to keep up.
It’s no more wrong than when everyone knew who Dowie was or the TV personality and in all those cases the person as a sole individual was judged on their actions just as they should be in this case unless people try to politicse it which is exactly what is being hinted at and threatened here regarding people not even present.
We will have to wait and see if the rumours are correct or not. If they are it will make sense then – don’t want to say more as being careful not to get into the details of the rumour.
Remember the gayford rumours…
Yep, remember them. Same bottom-feeders peddling the rumours in both cases – are you happy to be in that company?
I haven’t peddled any. I just mention there are some and zero names or even how it could be related.
Yeah. Sometimes you’re mildly humourous, occasionally even constructive.
But when you’re in your little perverted rumour-spreading mode, you really are a vile piece of shit. You take every opportunity to let people’s imaginations run wild, and remind everybody of other lies (which you hasten to say are untrue, despite taking the effort to remind people and pique their curiousity about the rumours).
Rather than not-spreading spreading ugly slanders and rumours, why don’t you cheerlead the fine efforts of the the top-performing National party caucus membership and leadership? I guess not only do you guys have nothing now, you don’t even have anything in the pipeline.
But no matter how desperate you are, you ain’t like the shadders or BM handles. You can do so much better than trying to get people to google slanders.
I cannot take ownership for others imaginations or their google searches.
Bullshit. You know exactly what you’re doing.
Who started the rumours on JLR and that grubby little girl in the town next to Bluff Jimmy ?
James @ (3.3.1.1.3.1) Your final statement …
“And yes people should be held to account for their actions or lack thereof.”
Absolutely agree.
However …
Why is it then John Key was not held to account for assaulting a waitress for six months, despite her telling him to stop on several occasions?
Predatory behaviour from someone in a powerful position, abusing his status toward a young woman he obviously considered inferior to himself!
…maybe because the victim went to a blog site instead of the police…
Perfect answer
@ indiana … regardless of how she drew attention to her plight, why wasn’t John Key made accountable for constantly touching the young woman over a fairly long period of time, which disturbed her?
Wouldn’t be easy to get authorities to believe a humble waitress laying an assault complaint against John Key would it? She deserved much better treatment than that she received.
Accountability long overdue here!
I said rumour. I have no info.
Still better thick than providing underaged kids alcohol and letting them get sexually abused.
So Jimmy you are trying to ignite the sexual misbehaviour at the Labour Party Summer Camp correct ?
No not correct. I’m just looking forward to the truth coming out and the bad guy being charged and named.
Any other fallout is just candy.
You’re waiting for a train wreck and hoping for casualties and people to be destroyed. Do you say daily prayers that the country craps out so you can gloat? You seem the type.
I’m looking forward to people being held to account.
If it goes as per the rumour – the people who get destroyed will deserve it.
People? There’s just the one guy on trial isn’t there?
Who else is going to be destroyed?
That will depend on if the rumour is true or not.
James … you state ….
“I’m looking forward to people being held to account.”
Still brings us back to one lecherous former PM being held to account doesn’t it?
On your obviously strong belief in being accountable for one’s actions (and I’m with you all the way on that one), you still haven’t answered my previous question re John Key and his dirty touchy touchy feely feely behaviour towards a young woman, as well as several young girls!
I’d appreciate a response from you on that topic as well as the one you are throwing around on TS today.
Candy? That’s creepy.
The Young Nats?
Yeah, it was a Nat plant 🙄
Dude, you have no shame at all.
I mean trust you to make this about boosting your reputation. There’s something awful about people who chase virtual ambulances.
Bot Sam needs a bit of work on his logic algorithm.
Far too much junk output guys.
Says the guy who can’t help swearing after he’s had a few.
Had a few?, I’ll call you a cunt face any time of the day.
Lol. Junk output.
You are too easily triggered, mate. Get help.
(Deleted and edited by moi): Don’t need to double up on the rhetoric. Couldn’t have said it better than Muttonbird myself.
Lol, Really pushed the boat out with Sam there fella, my God what a creative genius.
How am I even meant to take praise from someone like you, BM. You just had a go at me for being an algorithm. It’s very abnormal to be snooping around sexual assault cases and making claims of insider information. The victim and there families would rightly say to you who the fuck are you? Just stop embarrassing yourself.
gReaT Com3BacK sAM!
Do you concede?
That you’re an idiot?
Absolutely
Prove it
A Russian Agent planted the rumour.
Thanks for the reminder Muttonbird.
What happened about the Young Nats sex assult?
Has anyone heard any rumours?
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/108890577/police-investigate-incident-after-young-nats-event
It’s ok when National does it.
Big-noting is a right winger’s form of virtue signalling and it’s generally approved of.
You might think so – most others wouldn’t.
Was that person charged ?
Interesting isn’t it. When it was a sex assault after a Sat. night Young Labour event the media went into overdrive for weeks on end. You would have thought the entire Labour Party Council was to blame.
A young Nat does the same thing – or even worse by the sounds of it – and apart from a brief report not a whisper from the MSM.
When it happens to the National Party sanity prevails and no-one accuses National of being at fault. But Labour….
So Anne – what makes this assault even worse?
From the link:
My understanding from the Labour story at the time… it was a quick grope at the actual event but he did not pursue his victims. Admittedly he did it to more than one young woman but the Young Nat incident sounds a lot more serious and frightening for his victim.
But of course you hard-right misogynistic males know better than another woman don’t you.
I love that you minimise it to a quick gripe as opposed to a serious sexual assault against several people – at least one male as well.
Then you play the misogyny card – pathetic.
But must be a lot more serious because Anne’s a woman and says so – blissfully overlooking a police investigation that says otherwise.
Funny old world where trying to kiss someone is a lot more serious than putting your hand done people’s pants when they don’t want it.
What about JLR the National Party sex maniac who was seducing all the women in Parliament ?
Anne, James might just be indulging in pathetic political point-scoring, but I too detect the whiff of misogyny in some of ‘his’ comments.
James‘ muck-raking highlights his lack of self-awareness – really sad.
Do you agree with Anne’s evaluation that one sexual assault was “a lot more serious” than the 4 resulting in criminal charges ?
Honestly have no direct knowledge or expertise regarding these events, so my opinion would be next to worthless. [Check out the “Fair witness” concept.]
But, for what it’s worth, I think they are events for our (hopefully adequately resourced) courts to evaluate, and adjudicate on.
Yes Anne please be quiet while james mansplains why you are wrong. He knows some rumours off his suspect webmates so sit back…
i didn’t say she was wrong. I said she was minimising the sexual assaults of others and being pathetic in playing the misogyny card.
Well I’ll just call you scum for manipulating the situations
A young Nat does the same thing
Either you’re going senile Anne or for some reason feel the need to lie?
While we are waiting on Anne’s rating system for sexual assaults – let’s compare and contrast the follow up by national and labour on the matters.
From memory they lied about knowing who the Young Nat abuser was.
I guess you can’t blame the Nats in that instance because lying is their default reaction to any situation and they seem incapable of changing.
And how well did labour do?
They didn’t lie. That’s one of the thing which sets the two parties apart.
Jimmy, change your underwear, we all know young nats only grope themselves and screens.
Yet we have proof young labour get groped by others – even if they really don’t want it.
What about John Key and one of the very attractive woman in the National Party ?
I heard it from a number of sources.
And you probably wouldn’t believe the VERY credible rumours about why John Key resigned.
Lets just say it involved a female called XXX XXXXX. And old workmates were able to confirm certain aspects of the story. Or am I skating on thin ice there?
Until they are proven all rumours are as credible as others.
I have not heard a thing. Honestly you guys should get out more.
Well over due for engine size to be reflected in vehicle registration costs. 3+lt tank suv models should exponentially incur taxes way more than a piddly 1lt run-about. Note, the kids still get to school on time, you’ve just used way less fuel and created less emissions to get them there. Sure, it may not look as good outside the cafe in front of your chosen social group and yes, you’ll sit lower on the road when driving so that feeling of superiority will dissolve faster than the planet’s chances of survival, but until we get really clinical with our thinking on climate change, at least you’ll still be able to pay much more for the privilege of your ‘choice’ while your vehicles are still permitted on the roads.
Don’t know why it hasn’t been done here before.
We already pay more for them in gst on the purchase.
Nope, clearly there some smaller engine cars which cost more than some bigger engine vanities, so that argument is poo.
I support huge tax hikes for bigger engined vehicles.
Name a single “piddy 1lt run-about” that cost more than a “3+Ltd tank”?
Aston Martin Cygnet?
Ooooh good answer.
Thanks to John Key and the 2.5% increase in Grab Snatch & Take
That’s merely the cost of purchasing a big vehicle. It doesn’t address the ongoing costs of big vehicles on the road.
Also that GST is offset against GST received when purchasing a business vehicle.
Mate, even this government wouldn’t be dumb enough to do that.
Are you sayin this guvmint is dumb.
Ninety nine change hands.
The Nats changed it to be the other way around, indirectly. The ACC part of rego varied according to frequency of injury to occupants, never mind what happened to people in the other car or to pedestrians. So my 1994 Landrover Defender was rated as safer (cheaper ACC band) than my 2001 Daihatsu Sirion with ABS, airbags, pretensioning seatbelts, properly engineered crumple zones and a properly engineered collapse zone on the bonnet …
You drive a Daihatsu Sirion ?????
Oh dear.
A Daihatsu Sirion is the ultimate Granny car.
Yup.
It’s just as well I have no shame whatsoever about what kind of car I’m seen in.
But you might be surprised at how much fun a 1.3 manual like mine actually is.
A Daihatsu Sirion reminds me of thisTop gear show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6AnXi2N_do
There’s hooks in strange places inside. The only use I can think of for them is hanging colostomy bags.
I have a Toyota Passo, which is bascially a rebadged Sirion and its a good car. Can turn on a dime, good on petrol, speedy, and if you fold the rear seats down, you can load it up with all sorts of stuff.
Yeah. No matter what you say – it’s not even remotely “speedy”
James as Mad Max?
Or maybe Peter ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (sooooo manly):
“I feel the need, the need for speed.”
What a Goose – “It’s a limit, not a target.”
Lol. Very good.
I have had no issues with my cars acceleration and velocity capabilities. It might not be a V8 turbocharged Holden like you have, but it does the job,
Pffft. I’ve never driven a Holden.
I said “some smaller engine cars”, of which there are numerous examples.
Or even no petrol engine vehicles…
rav4 gxl – $41,990 – 2.5lt petrol
Tesla M3 standard range – $136,000 – No petrol
https://www.tesla.com/en_NZ/models/design
How about this EV? Fastest car on the road.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47418405
“What’s really special about the Pininfarina Battista, recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is this: it’s all-electric.
So, here are some stats. Maker Automobili Pininfarina claims its Battista does 0-62mph in less than two seconds, 186mph in less than 12 seconds, has a top speed of more than 250mph, and does 280 miles on one charge.
Its brake horse power (bhp) is equivalent to 1,900, about twice that of a Formula 1 car (a decent-sized Ford Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling car, has a bhp of between about 84 and 138).”
It would certainly blow my Leaf away.
Ouch. Fish and Game returns serve to Hamish Walker for one of the rants he regularly has in the local media trying to maintain the base party vote.
https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/water-quality-debate-must-be-fact-based
I think this is the piece that got F & G going
https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/farmers-tired-bearing-blame
F and G don’t have a lot of love for farmers and I really don’t blame them.
So many arseholes doing bad shit and getting away with it because the regional councils are stacked with farmers who set the rules and penalties.
It’s something I wished National had worked on but unfortunately, politics, core voter stock, can’t upset them too much.
It’s really up to labour and the Greens, to get it sorted.
It goes a little further – the Gnats themselves have infiltrated irrigation bodies to lift the value of their own farms, pushing them through by overriding environmental advice and pulling crap like stacking ECan (and I hear the Southland version) with nodding dogs.
The average farmer is not nearly the problem that these ambitious clowns are.
Jeez, that MP got owned.
He sounded like the local Fed Farmers rep.
The muppet spits out press releases almost daily that are more appropriate for someone who’s running for some insignificant Fed Farmers committee. And all aimed at the lowest core nat supporter. I’m wondering wtf is going on, has their poling started showing Mark Patterson (NZF local) making some ground in the rural heartland.
As for Queenstown the guy hasn’t a clue about the place, he came out with one today blaming tourism for the congestion we have. It’s bad, but only during the week, tourism is a 7 day industry, it doesn’t have weekends. There’s no congestion in the weekend. The problem is all the development and new people from the Nat’s SHAs and unfettered development without proper planning.
Today’s effort, https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion-queenstown-buckling-under-strain
Poor planning has delivered the housing and infrastructure problems we have now and it doesn’t look like anyone has learned thing.
Those calling for removing urban boundaries and cutting red tape around consent just don’t have a clue about how much damage unplanned building does.
I mean, how do you get those people to and from work?
Car.
Boom – Boom
Go the Jingoistic drums.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47450224
They talk at cross purposes but there is no other topic that isnt impacted and therefore secondary to this
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018685155/an-uninhabitable-earth-scaremongering-or-reality
Child poverty, CGT,whatever you care to discuss…it all means nought if this isnt addressed
Fortunately many people can walk and chew gum at the same time.
oddly enough I too can walk and chew gum….it dosnt impact anything of import
I think I now know why Bill departed
What are you doing Pat – show us a path to follow while we do our walking.
What’s your line. Environment? What’s your present focus?
that line is becoming somewhat tired GWS
Rationing with a sinking lid, wartime footing …and forget about cross party support…take leadership, its why they were elected.
So Larry ‘lackwit’ Williams spent time today having a go at AOC for getting a ride from a family member.
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1102427229835984896
I thought they had put that tired old windbag out to pasture?
I reckon AOC would eviscerate the old windbag.
https://twitter.com/NY1/status/1102669162361565185
https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/03/04/exclusive-interview-in-rep–alexandria-ocasio-cortez-s-bronx-home
That’s all good.
This is what I advocate in this new era of fake news attacks and bizarre controversy manufacture from the Nats. Even today Bridges ran with a Hosking interview, in parliament for God’s sake, in an attempt to discredit the PM on the after-school jobs she had as a teenager.
I advocate jumping on this stuff early and hard but I must say some commenters here don’t see this as a good response, instead preferring to rely on those dated rules of conduct: good faith argument, and robust discussion.
I’m sorry but that shit don’t work no more.
works better than your approach of random bollocks and ill informed rants.
I think you’ve shot your load tonight, champ.
Tomorrow’s another day – you might like to dust off that citizenship application.
Putting faces to the names.
https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/1102619649802420225
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1102619649802420225.html
Looking at transport and at NZRail news releases it is plain that they have been working hard to make rail a good freight option. This from 2012 when they were setting up a dedicated Auckland to Christchurch through freight service.https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/news/176/129/Palmerston-North-train-unlocks-possibility-for-super-freight-service-to-Christchurch.html
Palmerston North train unlocks possibility for ‘super’ freight service to Christchurch
15 August 2012 1:01PM
Dedicated overnight rail freight services are being introduced between Auckland and Palmerston North in September.
These new services are expected to play a critical part in the plan to increase KiwiRail’s share of the domestic freight business over the length of the country.
Their introduction will enable the development of a “super” service from Auckland to Christchurch and free up capacity on other premier freight services heading down the North Island Main Trunk to Wellington, Christchurch and beyond, says KiwiRail Freight General Manager Iain Hill.
“By introducing this new service offering we are able to better streamline all our premier services, making them more destination-specific. In particular it gives us the opportunity to run a pure Auckland to Christchurch service, specifically tailored to the ‘just in time’ market.”
The introduction of the new services has been made possible by improvements to the business over the past 12 months.
‘The new locomotives and wagons, and the lengthened Aratere have unlocked previous bottle necks on the network and we now have the capacity and the capability to do this, “he says.
“In the short term it means we are well set up for the peak season this year. And in the medium term it means we will be in a strong position once the rebuild of Christchurch gathers momentum and economic recovery begins.”
At present volumes destined for Palmerston North, the key distribution hub for the lower North Island, are carried on a number of services which continue to Wellington and Christchurch.
The introduction of the new Palmerston North service, will enable one of the other services to be set up as a 32-wagon Auckland to Christchurch service, leaving Auckland at 10.00 pm, arriving in Wellington in time for a critical Aratere sailing, and then arriving in Christchurch early on day two.
Palmerston North is an increasingly important distribution hub for the lower North Island. The south-bound service service, which will consist of around 30 wagons departs Auckland at 18.10PM and is scheduled to arrive at 06.15AM in Palmerston North.
And they have done worthwhile things on pay, bridge innovation, and electric locos.
Landmark pay deal struck at KiwiRail
27 August 2018 1:01PM
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union and KiwiRail have today signed a landmark pay deal which will see a flat rate of higher pay applied across all 2319 of its members, rather than the usual percentage increase for workers.
Read more
Innovative KiwiRail bridge recognised
15 October 2018 11:11AM
A North Island bridge that was the first in the world to feature innovative seismic strengthening technology has been named one of the country’s outstanding concrete structures.
Read more
Electric locomotives to continue with Government investment
30 October 2018 1:01PM
The Government’s commitment to fund the refurbishment of KiwiRail’s ageing electric locomotives on the North Island Main Trunk line will provide additional capacity as rail continues its freight growth, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says.
“it is plain that they have been working hard to make rail a good freight option”
The last govt told them to focus only on freight, yes.
Was going to mention a couple of things from the New Zealand Railway Observer for this quarter. That last Government wouldn’t do and what this current Government is doing IRT investment to KiwiRail IRT freight, passenger services and infrastructure. The last which has not seen much money allocated to infrastructure since 90’s which has been on a ad-hoc basis since then.
Marshall Mathers is determined to protect his music and is going after the hapless Nats again.
Dildo Joyce has slithered off so I guess it’s the guy who forces women to sign NDAs so they don’t talk, Peter Goodfellow, who will be in the firing line.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/111053864/eminem-heads-to-the-supreme-court-to-appeal-second-damages-decision
And:
It’s shocking that the National Party of New Zealand would steal money from victims of Hurricane Harvey.
“shocking” – is it? Is it really? Btw, great comment.
King’s College, London study looks at the disinformation and propaganda techniques employed by Kremlin mouthpieces Sputnik and RT.
Media outlets RT and Sputnik perform a “damage control” function for the Russian state during incidents such as the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal and deploy a range of tactics to project Russian strength and construct news agendas.
This is the first comprehensive study of how RT and Sputnik sow confusion and division in the UK and beyond. It is based on an analysis of nearly 12,000 articles published in English by the two outlets and over 150,000 online articles by UK news outlets. The articles were collected between May and June 2017, and in March 2018, in the immediate aftermath of the Skripal poisoning.
[…]
The range of competing narratives around the Skripal incident included:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/research-analysis/weaponising-news
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/assets/weaponising-news.pdf
The Russians learned from viewing USAs National Enquirer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Enquirer
Reading all the comments so far, Monty Python would be proud.
Nashy’s on the case.
Why do I get the feeling there’s going to be some sudden and quick relocations of rich pricks in the months ahead. 😅
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/384028/anti-tax-evasion-data-sharing-network-expands-to-90-countries