I’d like to give a huge shoutout to the team at Hamilton’s MilkTestNZ, together with the gutsy advice of MPI who put the case to Treasury and then to Cabinet to put up nearly $900 million to eradicate MBovis from the entire cow herd of New Zealand.
After starting way back in 2018, they are now down to their last infected farm, and they will get it out of there soon. There were plenty of doubters at the time who I am sure will have the sense to keep quiet now.
It is of course immensely stressful and there are many hundreds of devastated farmers and indeed cow families whose cow herds have been slaughtered as part of this massive eradication programme.
Once complete it will be the only time in the world that a massive MBovis outbreak has ever been eradicated in the entire world.
It is also our biggest ever biosecurity outbreak since the Norwegian Shiprat. Faced and brought to heel.
So congratulations to the entire team of testers, public servants, Minister O’Connor, the lab scientists, trackers, cattle agents and of course the farmers who have together brought this under control.
Interesting! While 68% want a tax cut in the next budget (including 54% of labour voters) 76% of kiwi's want gst off food. Getting rid of gst is indeed a tax cut for everyone. It's also progressive af, GST is a Disgraceful consumption tax that hurts the poorest.
Since more people favor gst cuts than tax cuts , If Labour has any sense they will be dropping GST to atleast pre Key levels in the budget ( preferably they'd go further and drop to 10% like Australia) and remind everyone at every chance that nationals tax cuts will mean a GST rises which means price rises.
instead of trying to attack Luxon for what he'd personally get out of tax cuts (which didn't work with key and isn't working with Luxon) people don't care about his wealth, they would care that his tax cuts will mean they get $20 a week but pay more on every item they buy..
Since the tax take is 2.7 billion dollars higher than forecast that $2.7 billion should go to tax cuts or gst cuts.
By doing something on tax (preferably the more popular option of gst) Labour can neutralize Nationals biggest stick (tax cuts)
Do you think the Government should give New Zealanders a tax cut in the upcoming May Budget?
68% said yes. I'm surprised it wasn't 100%. Who doesn't want a tax cut.
Its up to the government to make sure that National's policy – to give themselves and their mates a massive tax cut and the rest a few coins in comparison – is known by every man and woman in the country.
Some of you may be aware of the Transpower rises in Electricity charges for manufacturers indicated last week.
It may be of further interest to know that the sole manufacturer of construction steel in NZ, including rebar and roofing will be disadvantaged by a 348% rise by April 2023. This will increase the cost of electricity for BlueScope from $3million to $14m p/a. Increasing the cost of steel by $16.50 tonne.
Although BlueScope is Australian owned, it is providing construction steel while supply lines are stretched and not reliable.
Rio Tinto on the other hand has been subsidised. There's more to this, but the impact on construction costs will be noted.
Son is doing a compulsory paper at university, and module is currently the mātauranga Māori one. During the last few days, while stuck in traffic, he pulls up the online powerpoints and we've had some interesting discussions on what is being presented.
It's been a hybrid of fact, opinion, unevidenced speculation and unconvincing equivalences of some aspects of Te Ao Māori with universal science concepts.
Yesterdays contribution – apparently delivered with a straight face, was in regards to water pollution. The use of scientific method to determine whether there was pollution was considered a colonial approach of science. According to the lecturer, mātauranga Māori approach was superior. If you were adept at mātauranga Māori, you did not have to resort to testing of any kind. You had the (unspoken but implied) superior method of looking at a body of water and knowing whether it was suitable for swimming or drinking.
This application of Māori knowledge, ill fitted, non-evidenced and unable to be challenged (yes, they were advised at the start of the module that some may find the material contentious but that was the fault of the complainers) is going to backfire. It will create understandable dismisssal and possibly resentment for those that are presented with it.
A true partnership between Māori and the Crown requires mutual respect, not this facsimile of understanding and equality.
God help us Molly. Seriously "the use of the scientific method to determine whether there was pollution was considered a colonial approach of science. Acording to the lecturer Matauranga Maori was superior. ………..you did not have to resort to testing of any kind."
Expect NZ to lose its scientists in droves because of this stuff.
Gobsmacked!
Science is apparently no longer of any value in this post-truth world.
Expect NZ international university ratings to take a nose-dive if this is embedded.
Not to mention that we are crying out for scientifically literate graduates in a whole range of areas.
I don't know about you, but if 3 Waters goes ahead, I really, really do want to have some scientific backing to claims of potability of my water supply…..
Observation (which happens in scientific enquire as well as mātauranga Māori) can give you broad indications of the health of a body of water (healthy plants, diversity of fishes and invertebrates, even colour and smell of the water, etc.), but doesn't tell you anything about fecal coliform counts or cryptosporidium levels.
It is possible to look at a river, a life force, and tell it is not healthy.
Western science is useful but is also a colonial construct used to protect economic benefits of a small number of farming elite, to the detriment of the river ecosystem.
Science – which endeavours to be a universal language – and has contributors from cultures all over the world, includes the observation you speak of as a primary source of theories.
"It is possible to look at a river, a life force, and tell it is not healthy."
Yes. But it is not possible to look at a body of water and tell if it is drinkable from that observation only. That assumes a mystical knowledge that is the antithesis of science. The observation leads to a theory that the water is able to be drunk. That theory is tested, and conclusion reached.
"Western science is useful but is also a colonial construct used to protect economic benefits of a small number of farming elite, to the detriment of the river ecosystem."
You call it a colonial construct, despite knowledge being built up over millenium from a wide variety of cultures.
To me, it is a tool, that can be used wisely or not, to examine the world around us. It can benefit all. To say it is limited to the use of a "farming elite, to the detriment of the river system" is emotive rhetoric. Which also has no place in science evaluation.
Yes. But it is not possible to look at a body of water and tell if it is drinkable from that observation only. That assumes a mystical knowledge that is the antithesis of science. The observation leads to a theory that the water is able to be drunk. That theory is tested, and conclusion reached.
I addressed this above/below but want to dig into it a bit more.
it's not just observation, it's also interaction
observation can tell us immediate things that do in fact establish drinkable eg I wouldn't drink from a pond that was full of algae. I don't need science to tell me that, and humans had ways of avoiding making themselves sick long before western science arrived on the scene.
deep observation can see things we cannot and so the ability to establish drinkable may be more than point 2. eg can the person see that over time there's been a decline in the nymph that lives in the rocks on the edge of the creek and then one year they are nearly all gone, and there's an oral history of this occurrence and people becoming very ill when drinking the water (I made that example up)
None of that is infallible, but then neither is science.
I believe observation to be the starting blocks of science. Every learned fact was first observed, and tested in some way, and conclusions reached. Whether that is from a series of observations leading to a fixed pattern being recognised or otherwise, observations are a fundamental part of scientific theory. Your example of water observation in this sense, fits well.
However, there is a limited number of Maaori who retain the intimacy and connection to land to perform this type of observation. And that loss should be recognised and mourned, and hopefully, as we become more intimate with the land, regained. However, we need to ensure when teaching, that it is not promoted as an innate ability that is unable to be understood, so it takes on a mystical quality.
If we err on that side, the inclusion of matuaranga Maaori will have justified critics. If we introduce concepts, the explanation should be robust (as yours was – I'll actually share it with my son, so he can write about it in that form) and able to be queried.
(Bit of a red flag for me: Questions were also discouraged. I really want to sit in on these lectures to see for myself what is actually going on, then I'd be able to be either reassured about content, or able to articulate better if I consider there to be problems.)
that would be a red flag for me too. I do think there is cause for concern here based on what you have share. My response is similar to Robert's and as I shared below, is faulty delivery better or worse than no delivery?
And that loss should be recognised and mourned, and hopefully, as we become more intimate with the land, regained.
That becoming more intimate with the land is currently blocked. It's why we have climate change and polluted rivers. It stems directly from the dominant cultural world view that the universe is mechanistic, as well as our general disconnect from nature. I see the push of mātauranga Māori into education as one way of changing that. My biggest concerns here are that if they don't bring people along there will be a backlash, and that if they do it badly it will undermine the usefulness of western science. The problem here is trying to teach concepts to people who don't have the conceptual language or framework.
When I learned te reo, it was taught in a specific context, te Ao Māori. It wasn't taught like Latin or French as a set of patterns of words (although that was also taught), it was embedded in culture. Opening and closing karakia, learning some haka, waiata, marae visits and so on.
If we want to decolonise knowledge and learning, then we have to look at who gets to determine the cultural context it is taught in. At the moment the default is Pākehā (British descent).
However, we need to ensure when teaching, that it is not promoted as an innate ability that is unable to be understood, so it takes on a mystical quality.
There are some things that cannot be understood with the reductionist mind. We have mysticism because it gives us the conceptual frame and language to talk about those things.
I have a book somewhere about Aboriginal culture in Australia, with chapters regarding their bushcraft and hunting and gathering rituals and practices.
I remember vividly the chapter on testing new plantstuffs to see whether they were edible. Starting with observations about the plant, and similarity to other ones that they knew were edible, to looking for the evidence regarding what other animals ate it. When both those questions were answered positively, they had a set of tests they would put the plant through. Starting with skin sensitivity, and moving through the range of exposures until they were reassured enough to ingest it in small quantities.
If I come across it, I'll post the title. But for me, a really informative look into another culture and a clear understanding of their processes, which were related alongside their rituals.
I recall buying it from the withdrawals of the library as it started with a woman giving birth in the outback, and using practiced rituals to connect to the land and sky while giving birth. (After making this comment, I want to read it again now and have it as a comparative guide when looking at the mataraunga Maaori curriculum).
Are you suggesting that critiques of western science as colonial are somehow aligned with not using western science? Because that's not my understanding. The whole point is to have mātauranga Māori and western science and get the best of both worlds.
A true partnership between Māori and the Crown requires mutual respect, not this facsimile of understanding and equality.
Well, mutual respect has been absent from the side of the crown for nearly 200 years now. Why the sudden importance? Oh, that's right, it's because Maori are asking serious questions and conservative white people don't like it.
What is your desired outcome when you write "conservative white people" and " conservative white people bubble"?
It would be interesting to know what reaction you would like in return, or is it just about releasing tension for you personally, or a show of aggression?
What serious questions did the lecturer in Molly's son class ask? It sounds like the lecture was about labelling Western science colonial and inflating the ability of Maori to know water quality on sight and smell.
As I conceded to weka, I would probably have to attend a class to ensure that I am not misrepresenting either my son, or what was being delivered.
I see some red flags, but without evidence I can only express disquiet rather than outrage.
I'd be really annoyed though, if a badly designed or taught mataraunga Maaori curriculum put the consideration of the value of the contribution of Te Ao Maaori backwards instead of forwards.
Yes and I probably need to pause and breath a little.
The book you sited about Aboriginal culture bush craft is worthy of knowing about. And Maori have similar wisdom to offer.
When I hear people denigrating science and referring to it as colonial, red flags go off for me. What it is signalling for me is an ideological approach that is most unhelpful. I have experienced this in my own profession, when at a workshop I went to, the particular expertise I has was referred to as colonisation and the speaker frankly did not understand anything about what the methodology I used. I went along in good faith to learn more about Maori approaches in my field but I had to conclude that it had very little to offer. And I actually challenged the speaker re her saying the approach I am trained in was colonisation and she was extremely patronizing towards me.
I am beginning to think that the idea of denigrating science as colonial could be pervading our educational institutions. This worries me greatly.
I also have difficulties with acceptance the colonial reference in regards to science. I understood the science knowledge base to be one built on through millenia, and contributed to by cultures around the world from various places, at different times.
I also consider the building of this knowledge base to be ongoing. A truly universal language that allows any individual or culture to participate and contribute. The outcome: Mataraunga Maaori being recognised as a valued contributor, and having input into changes processes, if changing processes is what is required.
But the flipside of equal consideration is equal scrutiny. We can and should demand that curriculum from all sources are fit for purpose, and can stand up to critique.
You raise many good and interesting points, as usual.
Many of our science graduates will live and work overseas at some time in their lives although not necessarily working in a field of science. This raises the question whether VM gives them an international advantage or not, assuming it is more than just feeding a parochial need or island mentality.
Yeah I am a science graduate, and I have never worked in science.
However I use an understanding of science knowledge all of the time in everything from writing code to arguing on here about politics. And have a sufficient base to keep growing more understanding.
is it possible to see the content? (sorry, I know you've posted a lot of links to curriculum in the past). I'd like us to tease out what is official and what is the lecturer or tutor saying (is there a problem with the course itself, or was it this particular teacher, and how much of both?)
One thing I know from learning some te reo Māori, is that there are concepts quite hard to understand to the Western mind. It requires a different kind of thinking. Thus there's a tendency to see an mātauranga body of knowledge (oh some nice myths and such but not real knowledge) as inferior rather than alongside.
Don't disagree with you about the potential problems of what is being done, although I suspect part of the problem is trying to teach conceptual ideas and content related to that to people who don't have the conceptual grasp. Part of it is the emphasis on the literal in Western thinking and the lesser ability to think in metaphor.
Re your example of rivers, to my mind there is the reductionist approach (measure known pollutants and pathogens), and there is the knowledge that comes from deep observation and experience with the landscape (something that Westerners often struggle to grasp both the complexity and degree). Someone who knows a river from livelong interaction within a framework that establishes knowledge and that within the context of generations of observation, can see things we can't. When one's life and the lives of whānau and hapū depend on that, intergenerationally, then it's not so hard to see the body of knowledge being developed. Much of this has been grossly harmed by colonisation.
The tone of the teacher seems patronising. I've also seen such things reported by people who missed what was really being said.
Engineering. Like me, on the Aspergers spectrum, and very pedantic about what is being said. I trust him to get it right, because he is also forthright about getting it wrong.
My son, as a teen, accompanied me to Tikanga Marae course, and was involved in Kapa Haka for a while. Wants to learn Te Reo, and has some exposure to some of the concepts of Te Ao Maaori.
"Someone who knows a river from livelong interaction within a framework that establishes knowledge and that within the context of generations of observation, can see things we can't."
This I understand. But this is not what was said. It is a privilege afforded to very few people – Maaori or not, to have such an intimate connection with the land. I think that there is a difference between acknowledging the value of that connection while recognising the scale of the loss of it due to urbanisation and losing contact, with assuming that it is sense incumbent within all Maaori. I really believe the standard of the delivery will be dependent on the quality and restraint of the kaiako. Someone who is passionate about the injustices of the Crown, may be more likely to stretch the alignment of concepts to the point where a break is visible.
We are urban Maaori. My maternal grandparents farm was our de-facto marae, where we all gathered at holidays, celebrations and tangihanga. I have sought out additional learning for myself and my children, as after the grandparents died the farm ownership has been in and out of court for decades, and that easy relationship has been fractured.
I believe that mataraunga Maaori can and does contribute to the well-being of not only all the people of NZ, but the land.
I just want to ensure that the policy that hopes to include it, succeeds and does not put people off learning more. I think if they are not careful about content AND delivery, it could have a negative effect.
(My experience with the three courses from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, are mostly informed by the quality and delivery of the tutors. Two were superb, and retained most of the enrolments. The third, Te Reo, was painful, by a begrudging tutor, and the course finished with less than a third of the original number. My te reo is non-existent now.)
(Addition: Not supposed to share content. He was reading off his phone while I was driving, but they are advised not to share coursework with anyone. So, we just discussed what was said. Some slides with content points, but the lecturer riffed off them, which is where variation naturally occurs.)
Thanks Molly, lots there to consider, hope to come back today or over the weekend.
(being told not to share coursework is a big red flag for me. Not that he should share, don't want him to be uncomfortable or get grief about it. But that they are telling students to be secretive about it is really not ok).
Given the transfer during Covid to online, I suspect this is a standard proviso to protect intellectual property (and income streams). At present he still has access, but is not a rule breaker so don't want to push to get access. I have asked. I think he'd be comfortable with me in the room while he's watching, but he really doesn't want to watch again. Other priorities.
The class were invited to speak amongst themselves, and the other student was resentful of what had been presented. My concern is, that if not done well this effort will have long term negative repercussions.
I think weka has actually encapsulated that really well in her examples above. I showed her comments to my son to see if between him seeing it, and us talking about it, there has been a misinterpretation on my part.
He can follow weka's comments easily, and said that what was presented was not along those lines.
I'm trying to persuade him to watch online, so I can have a look and report back not via hearsay.
I'm supportive of an education system that gives all students an opportunity to be introduced and understand Te Ao Maori. That's why I think it is really important to get right.
If anyone has an opportunity to sit in on such lectures it'd be good to hear back. Unfortunately, like most courses, it might be a failing of lecturer and delivery rather than content. Or it could be neither – or both.
This was a fascination, frustrating discussion, weka, Molly et al. It's also a critical one, imo and one that's engaging "governance" up and down nga motu 🙂
Is the anguish expressed here primarily about the potential for a valuable adjustment to our world-view being harmed by faulty delivery, or are we debating the worth of the coming to prominence of matauranga Maori in the thinking/decision-making of all of us, but especially those especially those in the political sphere? Or something else?
The debate becomes, as it so often does, nebulous, if there isn't a focus set.
It might seem odd, and might sink like a stone (he pohatu kei roto puna?) but I'd like to suggest that we discuss/share dialogue around the word/concept "hauora"?
Thinking about this and debating in the council chamber, with iwi aboard, over the past couple of years, has proved very valuable, in my opinion. However, given this thread is "old" now (how ephemeral life is 🙂 it's likely my suggestion will be erased by circumstance; such is (modern) life 🙂
Is the anguish expressed here primarily about the potential for a valuable adjustment to our world-view being harmed by faulty delivery, or are we debating the worth of the coming to prominence of matauranga Maori in the thinking/decision-making of all of us, but especially those especially those in the political sphere? Or something else?
thanks Robert. This was my thinking too, but not as eloquently thought in my head. I suspect it's mostly the former, but it risks the latter. If it's a choice between faulty delivery or no delivery, what would we choose?
I also think decolonising western minds is pertinent, and I don't know how else to do that in NZ en masse apart from engaging with te Ao Māori.
Can you lead the discussion around hauora? My first thought goes to what wellbeing is compared to how our health system sees it (something broken that needs fixing). Something I was reading from Little the other day, our mainstream health systems are a very long way from upholding health and vigour.
I'd keep away from "the health system" in a discussion about hauora, weka, as it's too, too loaded with prior expectations/agonies/anguish. I was thinking about "hauora' as it's being used with regard water quality – the hauora of the water has become the lens through which legislation etc. around water quality is being viewed and it's creating some very intense discussions. For me, it's a very useful pivot around which the whole matauranga Maori/Western/colonizer science debate can turn.
It's a flash-point, imo. From the discussions I've been involved in, it seems there is a problem with applying our usual intellectual/thinking strategies to understanding "hauora" and meaning can only be gained through more poetic approaches. I guess the same problem would occur here and little might be gained. Face to face though, in an atmosphere of eagerness-to-learn, insight can be achieved by describing "hauora" in terms of, for example, a mother and new-born and their relationship, especially in terms of how the mother wraps her entire experience of living around the little one. Using that analogy/story to help express "hauora" with regards water, might stretch to breaking point most "colonised, Western minds 🙂 Nevertheless, I have been present in discussions where this has been spoken aloud to great effect 🙂
I hear you on the loss, both generally and for families in situations like yours. The loss was similar for my people (most peoples), but it was long ago enough that we don't even acknowledge it let alone remember or feel it. Layers of colonisation and here we are at the end of the world.
I also hear you about the quality of the delivery. I guess the ideal in an engineering course would be to have someone who is 'bilingual'. Understands science well and understands mātauranga. But as you point out, we probably don't have enough people who are also skilled in teaching.
The issue then becomes what do we do next?
It is a privilege afforded to very few people – Maaori or not, to have such an intimate connection with the land.
There are quite a lot of people seeking to remedy this and building experience, skill and knowledge. Robert is one such, nearly 30 years of direct and deep engagement with one place along with intention does that. I think many Māori still on the land have it. I know other Pākehā too, quite a lot. There are Pākehā frameworks that are helping eg permaculture. So all is not lost and it is worth trying to shift the cultural stuff while we still have enough functional society and civ tech to do so.
I see an overlap here with the Freedom protests. A subsection of that is people who manage their health from direct observation and engagement, and to them vaccination in particular is just weird (plus now it's mixed in with all the conspiracy and misinformation). Intuition is valued much more highly than science.
But in the wider sub culture that they belong to, there are people recovering health that mainstream medicine had said was not possible. I know this happens in Māoridom as well. And the other side is that in alternative health there is a fair amount of stupid and bullshit (but I would say this about mainstream medicine too, it's just displayed differently and msm has the power and resources to get away with it).
All of that to me points to a binary fragmentation that is getting worse and based in a lot of people not listening to each other and not prepared to listen to each other (which is scary).
We see that in the sex/gender wars as well. And in the culture wars generally. It's not a good thing to be happening at this point in history.
Apart from the liberal fringe of coastal states, it is hard to find social attitudes at a legislative level in the United States that are much more advanced than those of the Taliban. To illustrate: once Roe goes, up to 30 US states will legislate to effectively re-criminalise abortion altogether.
Barbie Kardashian is a troubled teenager who was “born a male but identifies as female”, and has a history of particularly nasty physical and sexual violence towards women. Having previously torn the eyelids from a female care worker, Kardashian was jailed last year in the women’s wing of Limerick prison following threats of violence against two individuals. According to the court report, Kardashian was “very anxious she be detained in a prison facility for females, as she identifies as a female”.
Already there was a “pre-operative, pre-hormone therapy”, male-to-female transgender prisoner who had been convicted of ten counts of sexual assault and one count of cruelty against a child.
Violence against authority is common amongst troubled youth. Violence against fellow inmates is also common amongst troubled youth. It has nothing to do with self-ID.
Why do you believe that women's prison estates were created?
Housing is an issue, but oh, this tactic of telling women that they should show their concern on other topics before this is a tired one.
This thread is about how the impact of self-id in terms of policy for single-sex spaces puts women at increased risk of harm (and skews statistical data).
"I'd be writing to the prison authorities in question to ensure that didn't happen."
That is the thrust of the campaign regarding KPSS. Keep Prisons Single Sex.
There is no data that is used to rationalise the breaking of the single sex boundary for the prison estate.
Vulnerable men – who are not transgender – remain housed in the men's prison estate. Men who are trans-identified have not been shown to be more vulnerable than these others: young men, men with limited mental capacity, men with FASD and easily manipulated, men who are physically small or weak, men who are more effeminate in nature.
It is the responsibility of the men's estate to house all of these men safely.
Self ID enables the likes on Ms K to be housed with other women and girls. Ms K threatens to rape children and women. What leads you to deny this is a problem?
“i’d be writng to prison authorities to ensure that doesn’t happen”. And will you also write to the councils asking them to ensure that male bodied people don’t access women’s toilets?
How about putting women, who are by far the majority, ahead of people who are male but want to identify as female? You see when men start denying there is a problem with self ID it tends to suggest they either don’t understand women’s position or don’t give a shit.
And if you don’t give a shit about women, how about you start thinking about girls and teen girls? Why should they have to put up with male bodied people in the spaces?
I think you are searching. Nothing about Ireland’s self-ID changes the threat to the family of Mr Mannix.
My reading of Joyce's comment is this. Genderists in the UK in particular point to Ireland as an example of a country that already has legal self-ID (UK doesn't) as a kind of 'see, there are no problems with self-ID, it won't hurt to bring it in'.
Self-ID doesn't make this young man be violent. It enables him into women's spaces and to have his violence crime recorded as a woman's crime and reported as such in the MSM i.e. the MSM is deceiving the public. Those are obvious problems, do they really have to be explained?
The article didn't explain how Kardashian was a threat to other women, apart from her mother, who apparently abused her.
I answered it with evidence from further down the article – showing that K has explicitly threatened sexual violence (specifically rape) to other women. In that context, the fact that K is biologically male (while self-identifying as a woman) is absolutely relevant.
Other commenters have addressed why this is relevant in a more general societal context. I was making the point, that it is directly relevant in this specific case. K is physically equipped to actually carry out the sexual assault.
I looked up Coovagh House and it does not say it is in the women's estate, whatever that means. It is for troubled children.
From the article which Helen Joyce tweeted:
Coovagh House takes residents aged 11 to 17 years…The court heard that Coovagh, which has capacity for four residents, houses young people who have experienced childhood trauma, and who are at risk to themselves and or others. It is one of only four such units in the State, and that residents are placed in the units specifically on foot of orders of the High Court.
These threats any less likely to happen if Ireland did not have self-ID?
How ever transphobic to suggest there is a connection between violence and self-ID. Feminists on the other hand are pointing to male pattern violence and saying stop reporting this as women's crime. It's not.
Or is it just the label, "Woman (20)", you are worried about?
cool, if you want to know I am more than happy to explain.
One of the main issues in the gender/sex war is about language and who gets to name what. We have a major problem with male violence against women and girls (MVAWG). When we allow men to self-ID and that mean they are treated for all intents and purposes as women, we then get the MSM reporting this as a woman's crime. Women rarely do crimes like this, violence of this type is overwhelmingly done by men, generally to females.
When genderists get to control the language, it becomes harder to talk about MVAWG. Some people will accuse people of being transphobic for talking about MVAWG. MSM mislead (the IG could have reported this as a transgender crime if it didn't want to report it as a male crime, but it needed to be made clear that the person is biologically male).
Other issues arise. If self-ID means that society must refer to TW as female, then rape victims in court i.e. women who have been raped by men, can be required to refer to the accused as 'she'. This is both demeaning, as well as potentially retraumatising. It's also a mindfuck and institutional abuse.
This week there's debate about using terms like 'birthing bodies' when talking about abortion. If women lose the ability to talk about our sex based oppression we will not be able to retain rights. The conservatives in the US will both remove abortion rights and adopt neoliberal concepts like 'birthing bodies' because when you dehumanise women, or objectify them, it becomes much easier to remove more of their rights.
There are lots of rights being challenged in the US currently, and women's rights is one of them that needs to be named very clearly if we want to talk meaningfully about what is happening. Conservatives aren't just attacking rights that happen to be women's, the attack is on women specifically because they are female and they hold reproductive power.
tl;dr, self-ID causes all sorts of problems for women because it says we don't exist as a sex class any more.
This You Tube argues that Putin will soon face a Russian rebellion. Wouldn't that be a good outcome.
Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey
A Kremlin coup comprised of former generals and KGB officials may be increasingly likely in Moscow, according to multiple reports. Dr. Rashad Richey and Wosny Lambre discuss on Indisputable. Tell us what you think in the comments below. Read more here: https://www.cityam.com/kremlin-on-hig… "Rumours are swirling in Moscow that a number of former generals and KGB officials are preparing to oust Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and plan to end the war in Ukraine, which is increasingly seen across Russia as a strategic mistake and, above all, an economic disaster. The top of Putin’s former employer – the Russian security service FSB – is said to be so frustrated about the lack of military progress in Ukraine that it has reached out to a number of generals and former army officials, according to various analysts and local media reports." *** Indisputable, features Dr. Richey talking about the top news stories of the day, reading viewer comments, and engaging in debates and conversations with guests. Help support our mission and get perks. Membership protects TYT's independence from corporate ownership and allows us to provide free live shows that speak truth to power for people around the world.
It's really just a case of the Natz applying the Goebbel's principle: 'tell a lie and repeat it often enough a people will begin to believe it.'
There really is zero evidence that this government is soft on crime – but hey, when you're up to your ears in dirty politics, what on earth do facts matter?
Can't trust 'em – Dirty Politics is an oozing infected wound Nat MPs have no intention of acknowledging, let alone healing – tbh I don’t think they know how.
Most Kiwis don't understand that the Commissioner of Police must act independently of ministers, so the Minister could be telling him to be tougher for all any of us know, but he's required to ignore that.
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – 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 politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
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 ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
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. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
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. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
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. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
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 ...
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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 ...
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The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
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The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
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Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
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The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
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It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
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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 ...
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I’d like to give a huge shoutout to the team at Hamilton’s MilkTestNZ, together with the gutsy advice of MPI who put the case to Treasury and then to Cabinet to put up nearly $900 million to eradicate MBovis from the entire cow herd of New Zealand.
After starting way back in 2018, they are now down to their last infected farm, and they will get it out of there soon. There were plenty of doubters at the time who I am sure will have the sense to keep quiet now.
It is of course immensely stressful and there are many hundreds of devastated farmers and indeed cow families whose cow herds have been slaughtered as part of this massive eradication programme.
Once complete it will be the only time in the world that a massive MBovis outbreak has ever been eradicated in the entire world.
It is also our biggest ever biosecurity outbreak since the Norwegian Shiprat. Faced and brought to heel.
So congratulations to the entire team of testers, public servants, Minister O’Connor, the lab scientists, trackers, cattle agents and of course the farmers who have together brought this under control.
Eradication approach leaves just one property with M. bovis (1news.co.nz)
No idea if this government will get much recognition for it, but it’s a hard earned result of a successful delivery.
I agree, great result for NZ and farming but little if any credit ill be given.
Yep. National brought it in and let it spread. Labour cleaned up the mess.
It's the little things.
National brought it in? Is there no end to their evil?
Interesting! While 68% want a tax cut in the next budget (including 54% of labour voters) 76% of kiwi's want gst off food. Getting rid of gst is indeed a tax cut for everyone. It's also progressive af, GST is a Disgraceful consumption tax that hurts the poorest.
Since more people favor gst cuts than tax cuts , If Labour has any sense they will be dropping GST to atleast pre Key levels in the budget ( preferably they'd go further and drop to 10% like Australia) and remind everyone at every chance that nationals tax cuts will mean a GST rises which means price rises.
instead of trying to attack Luxon for what he'd personally get out of tax cuts (which didn't work with key and isn't working with Luxon) people don't care about his wealth, they would care that his tax cuts will mean they get $20 a week but pay more on every item they buy..
Since the tax take is 2.7 billion dollars higher than forecast that $2.7 billion should go to tax cuts or gst cuts.
By doing something on tax (preferably the more popular option of gst) Labour can neutralize Nationals biggest stick (tax cuts)
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/05/newshub-reid-research-poll-overwhelming-majority-want-tax-cuts-in-budget-2022.html
Yes Corey.. That would just "pull the rug"
Question:
68% said yes. I'm surprised it wasn't 100%. Who doesn't want a tax cut.
Its up to the government to make sure that National's policy – to give themselves and their mates a massive tax cut and the rest a few coins in comparison – is known by every man and woman in the country.
Some of you may be aware of the Transpower rises in Electricity charges for manufacturers indicated last week.
It may be of further interest to know that the sole manufacturer of construction steel in NZ, including rebar and roofing will be disadvantaged by a 348% rise by April 2023. This will increase the cost of electricity for BlueScope from $3million to $14m p/a. Increasing the cost of steel by $16.50 tonne.
Although BlueScope is Australian owned, it is providing construction steel while supply lines are stretched and not reliable.
Rio Tinto on the other hand has been subsidised. There's more to this, but the impact on construction costs will be noted.
Yes they have complained in a letter to the Minister a few months back.
For us in the construction industry it ranks as bad as the closure of Marsden Point refinery.
Similarly a remnant hero project from 1966s, paired with the Meremere and Huntly Power Station for local steel from local bulk generation.
Son is doing a compulsory paper at university, and module is currently the mātauranga Māori one. During the last few days, while stuck in traffic, he pulls up the online powerpoints and we've had some interesting discussions on what is being presented.
It's been a hybrid of fact, opinion, unevidenced speculation and unconvincing equivalences of some aspects of Te Ao Māori with universal science concepts.
Yesterdays contribution – apparently delivered with a straight face, was in regards to water pollution. The use of scientific method to determine whether there was pollution was considered a colonial approach of science. According to the lecturer, mātauranga Māori approach was superior. If you were adept at mātauranga Māori, you did not have to resort to testing of any kind. You had the (unspoken but implied) superior method of looking at a body of water and knowing whether it was suitable for swimming or drinking.
This application of Māori knowledge, ill fitted, non-evidenced and unable to be challenged (yes, they were advised at the start of the module that some may find the material contentious but that was the fault of the complainers) is going to backfire. It will create understandable dismisssal and possibly resentment for those that are presented with it.
A true partnership between Māori and the Crown requires mutual respect, not this facsimile of understanding and equality.
God help us Molly. Seriously "the use of the scientific method to determine whether there was pollution was considered a colonial approach of science. Acording to the lecturer Matauranga Maori was superior. ………..you did not have to resort to testing of any kind."
Expect NZ to lose its scientists in droves because of this stuff.
Thanks for posting.
What is really annoying, is that this approach may actively discourage people from seeking out knowledge for themselves on Te Ao Māori.
Gobsmacked!
Science is apparently no longer of any value in this post-truth world.
Expect NZ international university ratings to take a nose-dive if this is embedded.
Not to mention that we are crying out for scientifically literate graduates in a whole range of areas.
I don't know about you, but if 3 Waters goes ahead, I really, really do want to have some scientific backing to claims of potability of my water supply…..
Observation (which happens in scientific enquire as well as mātauranga Māori) can give you broad indications of the health of a body of water (healthy plants, diversity of fishes and invertebrates, even colour and smell of the water, etc.), but doesn't tell you anything about fecal coliform counts or cryptosporidium levels.
"…but doesn't tell you anything about fecal coliform counts or cryptosporidium levels."
Almost word for word in what I told my son.
It is possible to look at a river, a life force, and tell it is not healthy.
Western science is useful but is also a colonial construct used to protect economic benefits of a small number of farming elite, to the detriment of the river ecosystem.
Science – which endeavours to be a universal language – and has contributors from cultures all over the world, includes the observation you speak of as a primary source of theories.
"It is possible to look at a river, a life force, and tell it is not healthy."
Yes. But it is not possible to look at a body of water and tell if it is drinkable from that observation only. That assumes a mystical knowledge that is the antithesis of science. The observation leads to a theory that the water is able to be drunk. That theory is tested, and conclusion reached.
"Western science is useful but is also a colonial construct used to protect economic benefits of a small number of farming elite, to the detriment of the river ecosystem."
You call it a colonial construct, despite knowledge being built up over millenium from a wide variety of cultures.
To me, it is a tool, that can be used wisely or not, to examine the world around us. It can benefit all. To say it is limited to the use of a "farming elite, to the detriment of the river system" is emotive rhetoric. Which also has no place in science evaluation.
I addressed this above/below but want to dig into it a bit more.
None of that is infallible, but then neither is science.
I believe observation to be the starting blocks of science. Every learned fact was first observed, and tested in some way, and conclusions reached. Whether that is from a series of observations leading to a fixed pattern being recognised or otherwise, observations are a fundamental part of scientific theory. Your example of water observation in this sense, fits well.
However, there is a limited number of Maaori who retain the intimacy and connection to land to perform this type of observation. And that loss should be recognised and mourned, and hopefully, as we become more intimate with the land, regained. However, we need to ensure when teaching, that it is not promoted as an innate ability that is unable to be understood, so it takes on a mystical quality.
If we err on that side, the inclusion of matuaranga Maaori will have justified critics. If we introduce concepts, the explanation should be robust (as yours was – I'll actually share it with my son, so he can write about it in that form) and able to be queried.
(Bit of a red flag for me: Questions were also discouraged. I really want to sit in on these lectures to see for myself what is actually going on, then I'd be able to be either reassured about content, or able to articulate better if I consider there to be problems.)
that would be a red flag for me too. I do think there is cause for concern here based on what you have share. My response is similar to Robert's and as I shared below, is faulty delivery better or worse than no delivery?
That becoming more intimate with the land is currently blocked. It's why we have climate change and polluted rivers. It stems directly from the dominant cultural world view that the universe is mechanistic, as well as our general disconnect from nature. I see the push of mātauranga Māori into education as one way of changing that. My biggest concerns here are that if they don't bring people along there will be a backlash, and that if they do it badly it will undermine the usefulness of western science. The problem here is trying to teach concepts to people who don't have the conceptual language or framework.
When I learned te reo, it was taught in a specific context, te Ao Māori. It wasn't taught like Latin or French as a set of patterns of words (although that was also taught), it was embedded in culture. Opening and closing karakia, learning some haka, waiata, marae visits and so on.
If we want to decolonise knowledge and learning, then we have to look at who gets to determine the cultural context it is taught in. At the moment the default is Pākehā (British descent).
There are some things that cannot be understood with the reductionist mind. We have mysticism because it gives us the conceptual frame and language to talk about those things.
I have a book somewhere about Aboriginal culture in Australia, with chapters regarding their bushcraft and hunting and gathering rituals and practices.
I remember vividly the chapter on testing new plantstuffs to see whether they were edible. Starting with observations about the plant, and similarity to other ones that they knew were edible, to looking for the evidence regarding what other animals ate it. When both those questions were answered positively, they had a set of tests they would put the plant through. Starting with skin sensitivity, and moving through the range of exposures until they were reassured enough to ingest it in small quantities.
If I come across it, I'll post the title. But for me, a really informative look into another culture and a clear understanding of their processes, which were related alongside their rituals.
I recall buying it from the withdrawals of the library as it started with a woman giving birth in the outback, and using practiced rituals to connect to the land and sky while giving birth. (After making this comment, I want to read it again now and have it as a comparative guide when looking at the mataraunga Maaori curriculum).
sounds interesting!
https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/04-05-2022/at-home-heart-checks-could-be-game-changer-for-maori
Bloody colonial Western Science again providing heart checks for Maori.
Are you suggesting that critiques of western science as colonial are somehow aligned with not using western science? Because that's not my understanding. The whole point is to have mātauranga Māori and western science and get the best of both worlds.
Well, mutual respect has been absent from the side of the crown for nearly 200 years now. Why the sudden importance? Oh, that's right, it's because Maori are asking serious questions and conservative white people don't like it.
Suddenly it's time for respect! Lol.
Are you assuming that I am both conservative and white?
Why don't you comment on content?
Don't be so arrogant as to assume my comment was about you.
So misinterpretation and insinuation in direct reply to me, but not intended to relate to me…
Quality contribution. Just low-quality.
My comment was general. You can include yourself in the conservative white people bubble if you like, or not.
"My comment was general. You can include yourself in the conservative white people bubble if you like, or not."
How is making unevidenced generalisations about people in regards to their position on a topic – a good contribution?
What is the outcome you expect from that? Or do you gain a personal satisfaction from arbitrarily labelling people who you disagree with?
I didn't label you anything. You did that yourself.
What is your desired outcome when you write "conservative white people" and " conservative white people bubble"?
It would be interesting to know what reaction you would like in return, or is it just about releasing tension for you personally, or a show of aggression?
What serious questions did the lecturer in Molly's son class ask? It sounds like the lecture was about labelling Western science colonial and inflating the ability of Maori to know water quality on sight and smell.
What are these serious questions you talk of?
As I conceded to weka, I would probably have to attend a class to ensure that I am not misrepresenting either my son, or what was being delivered.
I see some red flags, but without evidence I can only express disquiet rather than outrage.
I'd be really annoyed though, if a badly designed or taught mataraunga Maaori curriculum put the consideration of the value of the contribution of Te Ao Maaori backwards instead of forwards.
Yes and I probably need to pause and breath a little.
The book you sited about Aboriginal culture bush craft is worthy of knowing about. And Maori have similar wisdom to offer.
When I hear people denigrating science and referring to it as colonial, red flags go off for me. What it is signalling for me is an ideological approach that is most unhelpful. I have experienced this in my own profession, when at a workshop I went to, the particular expertise I has was referred to as colonisation and the speaker frankly did not understand anything about what the methodology I used. I went along in good faith to learn more about Maori approaches in my field but I had to conclude that it had very little to offer. And I actually challenged the speaker re her saying the approach I am trained in was colonisation and she was extremely patronizing towards me.
I am beginning to think that the idea of denigrating science as colonial could be pervading our educational institutions. This worries me greatly.
I also have difficulties with acceptance the colonial reference in regards to science. I understood the science knowledge base to be one built on through millenia, and contributed to by cultures around the world from various places, at different times.
I also consider the building of this knowledge base to be ongoing. A truly universal language that allows any individual or culture to participate and contribute. The outcome: Mataraunga Maaori being recognised as a valued contributor, and having input into changes processes, if changing processes is what is required.
But the flipside of equal consideration is equal scrutiny. We can and should demand that curriculum from all sources are fit for purpose, and can stand up to critique.
You raise many good and interesting points, as usual.
Many of our science graduates will live and work overseas at some time in their lives although not necessarily working in a field of science. This raises the question whether VM gives them an international advantage or not, assuming it is more than just feeding a parochial need or island mentality.
Yeah I am a science graduate, and I have never worked in science.
However I use an understanding of science knowledge all of the time in everything from writing code to arguing on here about politics. And have a sufficient base to keep growing more understanding.
Is your son doing a science degree?
is it possible to see the content? (sorry, I know you've posted a lot of links to curriculum in the past). I'd like us to tease out what is official and what is the lecturer or tutor saying (is there a problem with the course itself, or was it this particular teacher, and how much of both?)
One thing I know from learning some te reo Māori, is that there are concepts quite hard to understand to the Western mind. It requires a different kind of thinking. Thus there's a tendency to see an mātauranga body of knowledge (oh some nice myths and such but not real knowledge) as inferior rather than alongside.
Don't disagree with you about the potential problems of what is being done, although I suspect part of the problem is trying to teach conceptual ideas and content related to that to people who don't have the conceptual grasp. Part of it is the emphasis on the literal in Western thinking and the lesser ability to think in metaphor.
Re your example of rivers, to my mind there is the reductionist approach (measure known pollutants and pathogens), and there is the knowledge that comes from deep observation and experience with the landscape (something that Westerners often struggle to grasp both the complexity and degree). Someone who knows a river from livelong interaction within a framework that establishes knowledge and that within the context of generations of observation, can see things we can't. When one's life and the lives of whānau and hapū depend on that, intergenerationally, then it's not so hard to see the body of knowledge being developed. Much of this has been grossly harmed by colonisation.
The tone of the teacher seems patronising. I've also seen such things reported by people who missed what was really being said.
Engineering. Like me, on the Aspergers spectrum, and very pedantic about what is being said. I trust him to get it right, because he is also forthright about getting it wrong.
My son, as a teen, accompanied me to Tikanga Marae course, and was involved in Kapa Haka for a while. Wants to learn Te Reo, and has some exposure to some of the concepts of Te Ao Maaori.
"Someone who knows a river from livelong interaction within a framework that establishes knowledge and that within the context of generations of observation, can see things we can't."
This I understand. But this is not what was said. It is a privilege afforded to very few people – Maaori or not, to have such an intimate connection with the land. I think that there is a difference between acknowledging the value of that connection while recognising the scale of the loss of it due to urbanisation and losing contact, with assuming that it is sense incumbent within all Maaori. I really believe the standard of the delivery will be dependent on the quality and restraint of the kaiako. Someone who is passionate about the injustices of the Crown, may be more likely to stretch the alignment of concepts to the point where a break is visible.
We are urban Maaori. My maternal grandparents farm was our de-facto marae, where we all gathered at holidays, celebrations and tangihanga. I have sought out additional learning for myself and my children, as after the grandparents died the farm ownership has been in and out of court for decades, and that easy relationship has been fractured.
I believe that mataraunga Maaori can and does contribute to the well-being of not only all the people of NZ, but the land.
I just want to ensure that the policy that hopes to include it, succeeds and does not put people off learning more. I think if they are not careful about content AND delivery, it could have a negative effect.
(My experience with the three courses from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, are mostly informed by the quality and delivery of the tutors. Two were superb, and retained most of the enrolments. The third, Te Reo, was painful, by a begrudging tutor, and the course finished with less than a third of the original number. My te reo is non-existent now.)
(Addition: Not supposed to share content. He was reading off his phone while I was driving, but they are advised not to share coursework with anyone. So, we just discussed what was said. Some slides with content points, but the lecturer riffed off them, which is where variation naturally occurs.)
Thanks Molly, lots there to consider, hope to come back today or over the weekend.
(being told not to share coursework is a big red flag for me. Not that he should share, don't want him to be uncomfortable or get grief about it. But that they are telling students to be secretive about it is really not ok).
Given the transfer during Covid to online, I suspect this is a standard proviso to protect intellectual property (and income streams). At present he still has access, but is not a rule breaker so don't want to push to get access. I have asked. I think he'd be comfortable with me in the room while he's watching, but he really doesn't want to watch again. Other priorities.
The class were invited to speak amongst themselves, and the other student was resentful of what had been presented. My concern is, that if not done well this effort will have long term negative repercussions.
how would online powerpoint be different than handouts in a class?
Don't know. But I understand that may apply there too. I'll check.
(They’ve actually posted the full lectures, not just the Powerpoints.)
I feel that there is probably a lot of contextual nuance about rohe familiarity and cultural priorities that haven't been understood here imo
I think weka has actually encapsulated that really well in her examples above. I showed her comments to my son to see if between him seeing it, and us talking about it, there has been a misinterpretation on my part.
He can follow weka's comments easily, and said that what was presented was not along those lines.
I'm trying to persuade him to watch online, so I can have a look and report back not via hearsay.
I'm supportive of an education system that gives all students an opportunity to be introduced and understand Te Ao Maori. That's why I think it is really important to get right.
If anyone has an opportunity to sit in on such lectures it'd be good to hear back. Unfortunately, like most courses, it might be a failing of lecturer and delivery rather than content. Or it could be neither – or both.
This was a fascination, frustrating discussion, weka, Molly et al. It's also a critical one, imo and one that's engaging "governance" up and down nga motu 🙂
Is the anguish expressed here primarily about the potential for a valuable adjustment to our world-view being harmed by faulty delivery, or are we debating the worth of the coming to prominence of matauranga Maori in the thinking/decision-making of all of us, but especially those especially those in the political sphere? Or something else?
The debate becomes, as it so often does, nebulous, if there isn't a focus set.
It might seem odd, and might sink like a stone (he pohatu kei roto puna?) but I'd like to suggest that we discuss/share dialogue around the word/concept "hauora"?
Thinking about this and debating in the council chamber, with iwi aboard, over the past couple of years, has proved very valuable, in my opinion. However, given this thread is "old" now (how ephemeral life is 🙂 it's likely my suggestion will be erased by circumstance; such is (modern) life 🙂
thanks Robert. This was my thinking too, but not as eloquently thought in my head. I suspect it's mostly the former, but it risks the latter. If it's a choice between faulty delivery or no delivery, what would we choose?
I also think decolonising western minds is pertinent, and I don't know how else to do that in NZ en masse apart from engaging with te Ao Māori.
Can you lead the discussion around hauora? My first thought goes to what wellbeing is compared to how our health system sees it (something broken that needs fixing). Something I was reading from Little the other day, our mainstream health systems are a very long way from upholding health and vigour.
https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=hauora
I'd keep away from "the health system" in a discussion about hauora, weka, as it's too, too loaded with prior expectations/agonies/anguish. I was thinking about "hauora' as it's being used with regard water quality – the hauora of the water has become the lens through which legislation etc. around water quality is being viewed and it's creating some very intense discussions. For me, it's a very useful pivot around which the whole matauranga Maori/Western/colonizer science debate can turn.
Is the immediate value there in the discussions being created?
It's a flash-point, imo. From the discussions I've been involved in, it seems there is a problem with applying our usual intellectual/thinking strategies to understanding "hauora" and meaning can only be gained through more poetic approaches. I guess the same problem would occur here and little might be gained. Face to face though, in an atmosphere of eagerness-to-learn, insight can be achieved by describing "hauora" in terms of, for example, a mother and new-born and their relationship, especially in terms of how the mother wraps her entire experience of living around the little one. Using that analogy/story to help express "hauora" with regards water, might stretch to breaking point most "colonised, Western minds 🙂 Nevertheless, I have been present in discussions where this has been spoken aloud to great effect 🙂
I hear you on the loss, both generally and for families in situations like yours. The loss was similar for my people (most peoples), but it was long ago enough that we don't even acknowledge it let alone remember or feel it. Layers of colonisation and here we are at the end of the world.
I also hear you about the quality of the delivery. I guess the ideal in an engineering course would be to have someone who is 'bilingual'. Understands science well and understands mātauranga. But as you point out, we probably don't have enough people who are also skilled in teaching.
The issue then becomes what do we do next?
There are quite a lot of people seeking to remedy this and building experience, skill and knowledge. Robert is one such, nearly 30 years of direct and deep engagement with one place along with intention does that. I think many Māori still on the land have it. I know other Pākehā too, quite a lot. There are Pākehā frameworks that are helping eg permaculture. So all is not lost and it is worth trying to shift the cultural stuff while we still have enough functional society and civ tech to do so.
I see an overlap here with the Freedom protests. A subsection of that is people who manage their health from direct observation and engagement, and to them vaccination in particular is just weird (plus now it's mixed in with all the conspiracy and misinformation). Intuition is valued much more highly than science.
But in the wider sub culture that they belong to, there are people recovering health that mainstream medicine had said was not possible. I know this happens in Māoridom as well. And the other side is that in alternative health there is a fair amount of stupid and bullshit (but I would say this about mainstream medicine too, it's just displayed differently and msm has the power and resources to get away with it).
All of that to me points to a binary fragmentation that is getting worse and based in a lot of people not listening to each other and not prepared to listen to each other (which is scary).
We see that in the sex/gender wars as well. And in the culture wars generally. It's not a good thing to be happening at this point in history.
This might interest you, weka et al.
The War on Reality: Mary Harrington & Paul Kingsnorth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4kms2jkKbA
Am 12 minutes in so far. Superb, thank you. It’s like more educated people channelling my thinking but with enough new bits to keep me wanting more.
Well expressed Weka.
Worth a read. I fear it is correct.
https://theshot.net.au/general-news/america-is-surely-we-all-know-by-now-fucked/
https://twitter.com/hjoycegender/status/1521968502751604741?s=21
These threats any less likely to happen if Ireland did not have self-ID?
Or is it just the label, "Woman (20)", you are worried about?
The article didn't explain how Kardashian was a threat to other women, apart from her mother, who apparently abused her.
Still not seeing how self-ID makes any difference to this particular incident.
Quote from further down the article.
It's clear that this is a very disturbed individual. But it's the threat of rape which makes the self-ID issue relevant.
I think you are searching. Nothing about Ireland’s self-ID changes the threat to the family of Mr Mannix.
The accused was travelling with a female care worker and assaulted her. I can't find the original article I read but here's another.
They retain an elevated risk to women because of their self-declared hatred of women, and their actions and threats of violence towards women.
https://unherd.com/2021/07/how-the-trans-activists-fooled-ireland/
Violence against authority is common amongst troubled youth. Violence against fellow inmates is also common amongst troubled youth. It has nothing to do with self-ID.
The consequences of inclusive policy based on self-id puts women at increased risk of harm.
I don't think it does. What increases harm is amateur landlordism and all the pressures of bringing up all children in healthy, stable environments.
Can't be done right now for a lot of people.
@Muttonbird.
Why do you believe that women's prison estates were created?
Housing is an issue, but oh, this tactic of telling women that they should show their concern on other topics before this is a tired one.
This thread is about how the impact of self-id in terms of policy for single-sex spaces puts women at increased risk of harm (and skews statistical data).
women in prison have been raped by males who self-ID as women. How is putting those trans women in women's prison not an increased risk of harm?
I'd be writing to the prison authorities in question to ensure that didn't happen.
@Muttonbird
"I'd be writing to the prison authorities in question to ensure that didn't happen."
That is the thrust of the campaign regarding KPSS. Keep Prisons Single Sex.
There is no data that is used to rationalise the breaking of the single sex boundary for the prison estate.
Vulnerable men – who are not transgender – remain housed in the men's prison estate. Men who are trans-identified have not been shown to be more vulnerable than these others: young men, men with limited mental capacity, men with FASD and easily manipulated, men who are physically small or weak, men who are more effeminate in nature.
It is the responsibility of the men's estate to house all of these men safely.
Self ID enables the likes on Ms K to be housed with other women and girls. Ms K threatens to rape children and women. What leads you to deny this is a problem?
“i’d be writng to prison authorities to ensure that doesn’t happen”. And will you also write to the councils asking them to ensure that male bodied people don’t access women’s toilets?
How about putting women, who are by far the majority, ahead of people who are male but want to identify as female? You see when men start denying there is a problem with self ID it tends to suggest they either don’t understand women’s position or don’t give a shit.
And if you don’t give a shit about women, how about you start thinking about girls and teen girls? Why should they have to put up with male bodied people in the spaces?
My reading of Joyce's comment is this. Genderists in the UK in particular point to Ireland as an example of a country that already has legal self-ID (UK doesn't) as a kind of 'see, there are no problems with self-ID, it won't hurt to bring it in'.
Self-ID doesn't make this young man be violent. It enables him into women's spaces and to have his violence crime recorded as a woman's crime and reported as such in the MSM i.e. the MSM is deceiving the public. Those are obvious problems, do they really have to be explained?
Your comment was
I answered it with evidence from further down the article – showing that K has explicitly threatened sexual violence (specifically rape) to other women. In that context, the fact that K is biologically male (while self-identifying as a woman) is absolutely relevant.
Other commenters have addressed why this is relevant in a more general societal context. I was making the point, that it is directly relevant in this specific case. K is physically equipped to actually carry out the sexual assault.
She also threatened to rape her care workers wife.
I don't want male bodied people who self id as women in woman's spaces.
There are a few problems here:
Violence statistics by sex for both victim and perpetrator are skewed,
Current policy to house self-identified transwomen in women's estate puts vulnerable women at risk (and possibly staff too);
Accused has not undertaken either medical or surgical transition, and retains full strength and sexual and physical violence capacity.
As an individual, it is apparent this person requires a high level of care and some form of restraint for public safety.
But for reasons above, not in the women's estate. And not counted as a woman in terms of data.
I looked up Coovagh House and it does not say it is in the women's estate, whatever that means. It is for troubled children.
From the article which Helen Joyce tweeted:
20 yrs old now. AFAIK, housed in Limerick's Women's Prison, as above. As per policy.
Any comments at all on risk factors?
Ms Kardasian in not a woman. They shouldn't be in women's spaces. Many of us women don't want them there.
I would suggest "Ms Kardasian" isn't housed with women or childrent.
Traumatized children shouldn’t have to put up with them
How ever transphobic to suggest there is a connection between violence and self-ID. Feminists on the other hand are pointing to male pattern violence and saying stop reporting this as women's crime. It's not.
What's the 'just' in your sentence for?
Twitter being what it is, Helen Joyce's statement was solely about the ID of Woman (20), which your repost of it here affirmed, hence the 'just'.
There was nothing else from either yourself, or Helen Joyce.
I'm asking you why you are minimising the importance of reporting a male crime as a female crime.
implies that it's no big deal for this to be reported in this way.
As I said, you didn't give anyone much to go on. You literally retweeted anti self-ID and that's it.
We are asked here at The Standard to back up with contribution, argument, and links.
You just did the link. Really hard to know what you actually meant.
cool, if you want to know I am more than happy to explain.
One of the main issues in the gender/sex war is about language and who gets to name what. We have a major problem with male violence against women and girls (MVAWG). When we allow men to self-ID and that mean they are treated for all intents and purposes as women, we then get the MSM reporting this as a woman's crime. Women rarely do crimes like this, violence of this type is overwhelmingly done by men, generally to females.
When genderists get to control the language, it becomes harder to talk about MVAWG. Some people will accuse people of being transphobic for talking about MVAWG. MSM mislead (the IG could have reported this as a transgender crime if it didn't want to report it as a male crime, but it needed to be made clear that the person is biologically male).
Other issues arise. If self-ID means that society must refer to TW as female, then rape victims in court i.e. women who have been raped by men, can be required to refer to the accused as 'she'. This is both demeaning, as well as potentially retraumatising. It's also a mindfuck and institutional abuse.
This week there's debate about using terms like 'birthing bodies' when talking about abortion. If women lose the ability to talk about our sex based oppression we will not be able to retain rights. The conservatives in the US will both remove abortion rights and adopt neoliberal concepts like 'birthing bodies' because when you dehumanise women, or objectify them, it becomes much easier to remove more of their rights.
There are lots of rights being challenged in the US currently, and women's rights is one of them that needs to be named very clearly if we want to talk meaningfully about what is happening. Conservatives aren't just attacking rights that happen to be women's, the attack is on women specifically because they are female and they hold reproductive power.
tl;dr, self-ID causes all sorts of problems for women because it says we don't exist as a sex class any more.
This You Tube argues that Putin will soon face a Russian rebellion. Wouldn't that be a good outcome.
Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey
Jacinda has confidence in everyone (even Mallard).
""Absolutely," Ardern said on Thursday, when asked if she still has confidence in Williams.
The problem is, that the public doesn't." – that sums it up.
Most Kiwis think Police Minister is too soft on crime, Newshub poll finds (msn.com)
Most people didn't want GST to go to 15% without warning. Jong Kee still did it. That is the definition of untrustworthy.
"And even Labour voters have turned on her, with a majority – 56.2 percent – saying she's too soft on crime, while just 28.1 percent said she's not."
It's really just a case of the Natz applying the Goebbel's principle: 'tell a lie and repeat it often enough a people will begin to believe it.'
There really is zero evidence that this government is soft on crime – but hey, when you're up to your ears in dirty politics, what on earth do facts matter?
Just look at crime stats. They're facts. I wonder where tonights ram raid will happen?
Can't trust 'em – Dirty Politics is an oozing infected wound Nat MPs have no intention of acknowledging, let alone healing – tbh I don’t think they know how.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/this-is-not-our-best-day-more-pain-for-nationals-mps
Most Kiwis don't understand that the Commissioner of Police must act independently of ministers, so the Minister could be telling him to be tougher for all any of us know, but he's required to ignore that.
I guess that's why some call him "cuddles" Coster.
Did you grow up in a household full with domestic violence?
No.
In other words, you received more loving and affectionate cuddles than vicious beatings at home when you grew up?