Yet another example (earlier diabetes 2 drug now funded – for up to 1/3rd of the people who need it) of Pharmac not providing a drug because of the cost to it – when not funding it means much greater cost falls on the HB's and the limited resources of our hospitals.
This time CF.
Another demonstration that the system lacks the means for an intelligent direction to provision of health care.
Given the current Minister's failure to get health staff in through MI in the past year, there is clearly a need for the Ministry to create a fund and appoint an administrator with responsibility to invest money to fund drugs where doing so saves the health system money downstream (separate to current Pharmac funding).
If they get there this weekend it would need every single person to return in 3 weeks for a second dose to make the lights early december.
We might get to 90 double dosed in the second week of December across all three Auckland dhbs but given between 2 and 5 percent dont have a second it could be longer.
Whats more likely is Covid takes hold in the regions at govt either adds additional borders or removes all the borders.
Wastewater testing is showing more positive results this evening, I suspect political expedience will see the boundries disappear before Xmas on the grounds that Covid has spread anyway.
I have been thinking about the DHBs using a 90% threshold being double vaccinated for the country to go to the traffic light system.
When I look at the context of Covid being detected in the waste water of 3 new regions today, Strafford, Gisbourne and Napier it is now a case of going through the motions.
The government need to advise the country what the position is. Just yesterday a homeless person asked me in a level 2 zone what level we were at? I answered their question and I briefly said there are 3 steps and a traffic light system as well.
I even need to go and re look up the 3 steps and the traffic light system.
It's a tense time. I've got so much shit going in my own life that I'm having to deal with, I'm not keeping up with it. I have the privilege of not having covid in my face because of where I live. I suspect there are a lot of people in that situation.
Well yeah, The tension in Auckland has made political pulses race so the strategy is changing, advice is now viewed through a political lens whereas before it was almost entirely a health focus.
How much risk is palatable compared to vote loss in Auckland has become a metric in a health crisis. I just cant see the Auckland border holding come xmas.
There is alot to go wrong two Deaths in home isolation in 2 days is a little worrying. I wonder what they're sent home with to self monitor pulse oxy meters? Panic button? Details are scarce at this point.
Reality is NZ will have our turn with Delta it will be shitty, Winter 22 is I suspect going to be when things are at there worst.
The last place you want to be dependent on is the health system during a pandemic. The health system is going to be tested like it has never ever been tested.
I had a tradie here today and they said they do not need to wear a mask. 2 tradies need to do a fair bit of work in the next month, electrical and sound proofing 4 walls.
Yep, where my wife works it looks like they will lose close to 15 staff once the mandate begins in a week or so. Some frontline others in more administrative positions and a few in relief roles that will place enormous stress on the rest as there will be no cover or replacements availble without taking from somewhere else in the health system.
Its not like we have excess staff ready to fill the gaps.
That will hurt patients and staff and is another reason why I dont support mandates, correct ppe and rapid testing are a good options. We are going to need every damn health worker we can get.
I had a tradie here today and they said they do not need to wear a mask.
@Treetop – are you in Alert Level 2 or 3?
Actually, now that I have spent some time on the COVID-19 website, I do not actually think it much matters what level you are in, at least in this non-retail business situation.
In general, face coverings should be worn whenever you can. The Delta variant is more transmissible by droplets, so face coverings are a way we can protect ourselves and each other.
If you are around people you do not know, it is a good idea to wear a face covering.
However, on the same webpage there is this:
Encourage workers and customers to wear a face covering when entering the premises.
Businesses and workers do not need to enforce the use of face coverings.
…
Be kind and respectful of privacy when approaching a customer who is not wearing a face covering. While it is not always obvious why a face covering is unsuitable, it is inappropriate to enquire about someone's disability or condition.
If someone refuses to wear a face covering, you do not need to take any further action.
Consider asking your worker to apply for an exemption card they can show customers or provide other ways to communicate to customers why your worker is not able to wear a face covering. …
There is no exemption to face covering requirements for personal reasons. In such situations, businesses should work with their staff in good faith to resolve the situation and explore alternatives.
The MoBIE refers you to its guidelines for resolving disputes, found on its Employment NZ website. Plenty of pleasant-sounding generic language that might well be useful for dispute resolution in normal times, but notably there is not a single mention of the pandemic.
Honestly, this is a process only lifer bureaucrats could comfortably embrace! It leads everywhere … and therefore goes nowhere.
In this situation, the tradies have technically every right to say they don´t have to wear masks or do much of anything else, as long as there are no customers in a retail setting or anyone in a collective setting like schools. Then the situation gets clearer and the rules get more precise and tougher.
The best bet is to recruit a fellow tradie or someone else regularly on-site to raise a concern. Then there might be cause for at least consulting together, with a prospect of taking some kind of suitable resolution.
At the very least, offer consultation with the tradie and anyone else present besides yourself. It can´t do any harm, and some progress might be made at least in human relationships if nothing else.
It is all the gray areas in business and government revealed by the pandemic particularly during the Delta outbreak that make things feel increasingly political rather than health-based, and give the impression that things are increasingly falling apart at the seams.
But there may be a silver lining in this dark cloud. If citizens cannot rely on government regulations to resolve all issues, then it is time for some positive independent initiative based on sound principles, supported by whatever mediation resources are available and able to function during higher pandemic Alert levels.
Relying on rules created solely by authorities is what children do (and must). Now that humanity is growing up, entering its collective adolescence, rules by themselves are not and should not be enough. People need to engage with one another as positively and collectively as possible, but this is a matter of choice, not coercion. Any teenager will tell you that, and show you how they have the means to resist attempts to boss them.
So it has turned out to be in the pandemic, even amongst the Team of Five Million.
The sound principles of spiritual virtue and consultation that guide me in such situations are found in my religion, the Baha´i Faith (global / Aotearoa-NZ)
Thank you for your comment. I have only skimmed through it and will read it later in the day. Looks like mask wearing needs to be simplified. As well working in warm weather wearing a mask can be uncomfortable and crawling into spaces as well and some jobs require a work mask.
I am in level 2. I put on a material face mask to protect myself. I do not ask vaccination status.
A previous quote a month ago the company rang me for a health screen. I asked if the person coming about the quote would be wearing a mask? Yes was the response, they turned up not wearing a mask. An electrician called yesterday to do another quote for the same job. The landlord organises the tradie and the tenant needs to provide the access.
… two Deaths in home isolation in 2 days is a little worrying. I wonder what they're sent home with to self monitor pulse oxy meters? Panic button? Details are scarce at this point.
My understanding, it has been confirmed the first death was not related to Covid but details have not been released yet presumably because the coroner is still investigating.
The second death… the patient discharged himself from hospital on the 3rd Nov. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but when a patient chooses to discharge themselves the hospital staff cannot stop them from leaving.
The coroner's office is where the two home isolation deaths are going to end up. I just hope the right systems/procedures are in place to answer all questions so the families have closure.
Every aspect of the two cases to date will be scrutinised by the opposition.
I'm assuming patients are sent home with some face masks and an injection they should have had 6 months ago. A pity about the lack of treatment options.. its only the biggest health crisis in a century.
I think there is still a bit of discussion on it at the cabinet level, but also that they intend to allow people in and out of Auckland for Christmas. Whether that's vaccinated travellers only depends on whether they can figure out a system to check private cars. Either way, I expect domestic flights, the ferries, trains and intercity buses to require vaccination to try to minimise spread to the South Island.
I really think they need to be clear on leaving Auckland and soon.
Last Christmas eve over 40000 cars left Auckland to check each and every passenger within will take a minute or so that runs out to at least 11 hours add traffic dynamics and inevitable attempts to slip through its just not feasible to manage. Its going to be an open or closed scenario anyting else will lead to absolute chaos.
@Cricklewood – I thing you are absolutely right about the chaos.
However, the absolutes (all open, all closed) are the least desirable from a collective point of view. There are significant portions of the population who embrace one but reject the other.
That will produce its own form of chaos — not so much a physical traffic jam, as one of disunity and political infighting so toxic to the positive qualities of the Team of Five Million.
There just don´t seem to be any clear pathways out of this Christmas Crush, no matter what form it takes.
Perhaps it would be best to go all-in with the vaccine certification programme. Make it as digital as possible, skip the physical border with all the delays, and make it very difficult for people to go anywhere other than private homes without a certificate.
This is hardly perfect, but it does offer substantial means of reducing public exposures. The vaccines can absorb the pressure of private gatherings. The unvaccinated will be limited to how they get around.
I do wonder about the new traffic light system´s essential retail loophole, where certificates will not be required in places like groceries, chemist shops, etc. Why not close this loophole, with the unvaccinated applying for essential relief or other supports from Government?
Really, all it would take is a corps of vaccinated designated shoppers and delivery people, subsidised by Government for the unvaccinated in financial need. Other unvaccinated people would pay for the services.
Given the lockdown requirements of the past, this does not seem too onerous a price to pay for closing off one of the few remaining options for legitimate superspreader events.
Auckland relaxes next week schools are open… the govt lets double vaxxed parents out for xmas with their unvaccinated kids who are potentially infected but asymptomatic. They spread it to other kids and then to parents etc etc and Covid is everywhere…
@Cricklewood – Yes, that sounds about right, and it would be a very sad outcome for the bright hopes of elimination that Aotearoa/NZ once offered itself and the world.
But there may be another possible scenario, if Government grasps it right away and the people respond very quickly.
The scenario: Go ahead and vaccinate age 5-11 with a half dose of Pfizer BioNTech.
Justifications:
1. The USA has an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for doing so, and is just now rolling it out.
2. Vienna, Austria has just announced it will vaccinate children 5 and up without waiting for the European Union´s European Medicines Agency (EMA), which appears to be willing to take long months to decide about this even as cases amongst children spike in the EU.
I know that this likely cuts against the grain of Government´s obeisance to medical bureaucracy, which in normal times is usually a good thing, but obviously these are not normal times, and the likely scenario you outline seems all but unavoidable.
Only flexibility, imagination, and – yes – some risk-taking will give Aotearoa/NZ a chance to avoid widescale spread of COVID throughout the entire motu.
It will be a real test of the nation´s true level of maturity in the face of increasingly bad news, without the security blanket afforded by the now-defunct elimination strategy.
Auckland is at a different stage regarding Covid to tbe rest of the country; with the Waikato catching up to Auckland.
The rest of the country will need to adapt as there is no hiding from Delta. It is about not overwhelming the health resources and minimising tension.
I think Prof Baker knew that the levels, steps and traffic lights were going to be problematic. Everything is problematic schools opening, f – ing Christmas (cancel it this year), the health workers will not be on holiday.
Yep no avoiding it, I really think the govt should he clear on that, all we can do is harm minimization flatten the curve… Looking at Europe Covid seems to have season peaks we need to be well prepared for next winter inevitably our first and second waves will be extremely difficult.
Don't know how the SDHB compares to the rest of the country, but it's been in a mess for years. Also a big spread geographically and lots of people living a long way from a hospital.
We're actually lucky in NZ with our geograhical spread and low density,it will help slow the spread the UK have just issued public health guidance to open windows etc to improve ventilation especially when gathering indoors.
Our drafty homes might actually help us for a change 🙃
Just had an interesting conversation with my recently retired sister in law and her husband. I've been retired for some years and realise that you actually have to condition yourself for the transition tween work and retirement. Let me say retirement is to be emphatically recommended.
So, here are my three rules for a contented retirement.
1. If you wake up in the morning and need to turn the light on, it's far too early, go back to sleep. We spend our lives going to work in the dark, and getting home in the dark. Get in touch with the natural flow of nature.
2. When you wake up, ask yourself. What do I have to do today, that I can't put off till tomorrow. My experience says that come tomorrow you may well decide that you didnt need to do it at all.
3. Now the good bit, as you lounge in bed, ask yourself. What do I want to do today.
We had that conversation 20 years ago Johnr. N was going to work until 65. I retired at 60 with a small but excellent teacher pension. Within 3 months he joined me. I was well happy doing all my interests and planning a break for us. He was overseeing huge changes in his work place. So instead of a fortnights break, it became three months where we planned our 5 year motorhome trip and explore round NZ and let our unit out to a lovely couple. We have never regretted that decision. When we finally got the pension we were "rich' relatively, after 5 years of "smell of an oily rag". but a great deal of active golf swimming fishing walking and visiting friends and family without putting them to any trouble. It has gone so quickly. I love the "turn over and go back to sleep." Funny thing is, we are much quicker to rise have a cuppa and watch the sunrise. Perverse I know.
My analysis, based on MY lived experience (but I live alone):
“1. If you wake up in the morning and need to turn the light on, it’s far too early, go back to sleep. We spend our lives going to work in the dark, and getting home in the dark. Get in touch with the natural flow of nature.”
G: If you wake up in the morning & need to turn the light on, do need to pee? No? Can you go back to sleep? No. Wide awake. Turn on the tv, watch Al Jazeera News, find out what’s happening elsewhere in the world; our msm tv channels serve us up Covid Covid Covid, big events in NZ, & oodles of parochial claptrap & fluff – they leave us ignorant about what’s going on elsewhere on the globe.
Still wide awake? Get up, have a coffee & open the kitchen window or go outside & check out the sky & the weather, & listen for the first birdsong to herald the dawn chorus – starts about 5 am around my stream. Sing out to blackie, my young resident male blackbird, to let him know breakfast awaits when it gets light enuf for him to see it.
Still wide awake? Yes, invariably – go to step 2.
“2. When you wake up, ask yourself. What do I have to do today, that I can’t put off till tomorrow. My experience says that come tomorrow you may well decide that you didnt need to do it at all.”
G: Make a list of anything you have to do (or really should do) today in your phone’s Notes App. Otherwise, you’re a lazy buggar & a dreamer and you won’t get needed stuff done until something breaks or goes wrong in the middle of the night needing a tradie you can’t get for an urgent job you could have prevented.
If there’s NOTHING you have to do today, pat yourself on the back & give yourself a day off. Kick back, put your feet up, have as much or as little fun as you need in your life right now doing only what you really enjoy. These days that often includes my reading this blog for the intelligent, thought-provoking comments of the day. Great for the grey matter. Contribute too, if you feel you have something worth saying, or asking. Learn new stuff constantly.
Tired from not enuf sleep last nite? Lock the doors, have a grandpa nap. They can work wonders for your equilibrium.
“3. Now the good bit, as you lounge in bed, ask yourself. What do I want to do today.”
G: 🤔 Fark. Already done it. 😀 I love it when I’m ahead of the game. Doesn’t happen often, so just enjoy that feeling with another coffee. ☕️
My rules for a contented retirement? Do whatever feels right for YOU. If it works out, just carry on doing that. If it doesn’t, try something different. 😎☘🐧
A man in his 50s with Covid isolating at home in Mt Eden died on Friday morning.
His friend Stewart Borland was “critical of that decision, and said he believed he should never have been allowed to isolate at home.
“I don’t think it’s safe for people to isolate at home, and regardless of the fact he chose to leave hospital, he shouldn't have been allowed to go home."
That will be sad for his family and friends. It is an example of freedom though which rallies have been about in recent weeks.
It also is an example of isolating at home rather than being in MIQ which have been prominent calls.
Sadly he discharged himself according to the news.. He needed more help to make a safer decision. Let us hope his demise stirs a few to be more supportive and give better advice. He apparently left without the necessary equipment to monitor his breathing. A very sad case.
Sadly some on here still don't want to know about so-called "Voices For Freedom", who organise the anti-vax protests, even though the information is widely reported. I can't force anybody to want to know (though wilful ignorance is a disturbing attitude in a pandemic).
But there is news about them every day, and here is today's:
On RNZ this week there was a discussion with a couple of principals. Apparently some teachers are getting bogus exemption certificates.
I appreciate some people may have genuine health reasons for seeking exemptions. I appreciate too that teachers are just ordinary people.
A moral question arises. How can any teacher expect children to be honest, to have some sort of code around that if they themselves are dishonest? I understand that kids come from homes with the widest range of humanity and values.
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
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 ...
Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Photo by Jari Hytönen on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
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. ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government is talking up the crucial role of gas as a transition fuel “through to 2050 and beyond”. In a gas strategy to be released on Thursday, the government envisages the fuel’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next week the government will again next try to get its legislation through to deal with non-citizens who won’t cooperate with efforts to deport them. The bill, which the opposition and crossbench refused to rush ...
A long-term project that will set out an alternative vision for Aotearoa that looks beyond the narrow confines of the policy straight jacket adopted by successive governments. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bree Hurst, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Law, QUT, Queensland University of Technology TK Kurikawa/Shutterstock A much-awaited report into Coles and Woolworths has found what many customers have long believed – Australia’s big supermarkets engage in price gouging. What started ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Ghezelbash, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney The Albanese government wanted to avoid an inquiry into its migration amendment bill. The report, handed down yesterday by a senate committee that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joo-Cheong Tham, Professor, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Lobbying is at the heart of government. Who has access to and influence over key government officials shapes the decisions governments make – and how they make them. The ability to influence ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Myfany Turpin, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology, Linguistics and Ethnobiology, University of Sydney The act representing Australia at this year’s Eurovision contest has sadly not qualified for the grand final. Yet for Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, the duo that makes up Electric Fields, ...
In announcing changes to the school lunches programme, David Seymour said kids would no longer be served ‘woke’ foods. To clear up any confusion, The Spinoff has compiled a guide to the wokeness levels of some common food items. Apple = NOT WOKE Avocado = WOKE Avocado, smashed = EVEN ...
The Minister Responsible for GCSB and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security have been notified of this review, and have been provided a finalised Terms of Reference. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Minglu Chen, Senior Lecturer, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Robert Way/Shutterstock As the past few years have illustrated so clearly, the Australia-China relationship is complicated. As such, it is crucial for Australians to develop a more nuanced understanding of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mariana Campbell, Research Lecturer, Conservation, Charles Darwin University Marilyn Connell Australian freshwater turtles are facing an alarming trend. Almost half of these species are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is one of Australia’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash We’ve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of “reckless economic management” that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape “must stop lying to the people of Papua New Guinea”, ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Jane Arthur, author of Brown Bird, and former bookseller at Good Books.The book I wish I’d writtenI have been working on not comparing myself to others. On accepting that what I can ...
The final decision on the Wellington District Plan makes it official: High-density housing is legal across most of Wellington. Housing minister Chris Bishop has announced his decision on the Wellington District Plan, approving a series of amendments to radically upzone most of Wellington, allowing tens of thousands of new townhouses ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...
RNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a “catastrophic humanitarian situation”. Rafah was “significant” because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...
With funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. It’s 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown.(Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canada’s largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...
Responding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...
Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations?Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...
The Taxpayers’ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Minister’s office. Taxpayers’ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...
An objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. It’s power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, there’s the rich list and the powerful “c-suite” list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeer’s phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gadd’s story has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didn’t have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail – those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...
Stewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. What’s all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary.Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...
The inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones has turned up a new witness who says he saw two teenagers and a small child in a high vis vest in the area where the boy’s body was found the day he died. Lachie’s body was discovered face up ...
Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucy’s brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where “he had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didn’t get in”. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...
Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Auckland’s water woes. This is how it’ll work. New Zealand’s pipes are munted. They’re cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. It’s a big, ...
I knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...
Opinion: “As time passes, knowledge of the circumstances of the August 2016 outbreak will fade and its immediate impact will be lost.” This statement is from the 2017 report of the Official Inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacteriosis outbreak. The then National-led government established the inquiry after the outbreak left ...
Opinion: Nicholas Khoo looks at two key points in the high-stakes foreign policy pact debate – and asks if NZ can engage with as little drama as possible. The post Where to next for the Aukus ruckus? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 8 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: ‘Reference-class forecasting’ is at the heart of improving pricing a project and identifying the expected timeframe but it doesn’t appear to be in use here The post ‘Think fast and act slowly’ is failing big projects appeared first on Newsroom. ...
What do a sombrero in Argentina and cognitive driving tests have in common? Don’t worry, we’re not setting up a bad joke. Hinengaro Clinic dementia clinician Gregory Winkelman has the answer on today’s episode of The Detail. “We ask a patient’s spouse or son or daughter: If you went to ...
Wellington long jumper Phoebe Edwards is back and she’s having fun again. Until this year, Edwards, a top athlete in her teens, had never competed as a senior athlete in New Zealand. In March, the 26-year-old won a national long jump title in a lifetime best of 6.28m after ...
After replacing a fifth of their caucus in just four months, the Greens’ opportunity to reset, reshuffle and refocus on the Government is quickly slipping away The post Persistent Green Party scandals delay caucus reset appeared first on Newsroom. ...
ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
By Robin Martin, RNZ News reporter A New Zealand local authority, Whanganui District Council, has passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemnation of all acts of violence and terror against civilians on both sides of the conflict and the immediate return of hostages. It comes as ...
Asia Pacific Report The Aotearoa chapter of the Women’s International league for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has appealed to the New Zealand government to call out Israel over the “cruel and barbaric use of force” in Gaza and demand a permanent ceasefire. The league’s open letter was sent to Prime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will invest $566 million over a decade on data, maps and other tools to promote exploration and development in Australia’s resources industry. The project will fund “the first comprehensive map of what’s ...
Asia Pacific Report Following an open letter by Auckland University academics speaking out in support of their students’ right to protest against the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza, a group of academics at Otago University have today also called on New Zealand academic institutions to “repair colonial violence” and end ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda J. Graham, Professor and Director of the Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology Ryan Tauss/ Unsplash, CC BY Two male students have been expelled from a Melbourne private school for their involvement in a list ranking female students. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The Reserve Bank is now assuming Australians will see no interest rate cuts this year – and quite possibly none before the next federal election, due next May. That’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University The Victorian budget offered more of the same on Tuesday, with the only change being how the budget papers were packaged. The usual shrink wrap was gone, hinting at savings in the pages ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Coalition is demanding extensive amendments to the government’s legislation targeting non-citizens who refuse to co-operate with their removal. In a dissenting report to the senate inquiry into the legislation, the Coalition says it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanita Yadav, Senior Research Fellow, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Brett Boardman/Belvoir The complex and grappling issue of violence against women takes centre stage in the soul-stirring solo dance drama Nayika: A Dancing Girl. During a dinner conversation ...
Interesting article from Mother Jones on the 'Mama bears' behind GlennYoungkin.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/11/the-ultra-conservative-mama-bear-movement-helped-youngkin-win-theyre-not-done/?utm_source=mj-newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter-11-04-2021
Found this in the feeds….related to differing doses of vaccines for differing ages
https://sciblogs.co.nz/covid-19/2021/11/05/why-vaccine-doses-differ-for-babies-kids-teens-and-adults-an-immunologist-explains-how-your-immune-system-changes-as-you-mature/
Yet another example (earlier diabetes 2 drug now funded – for up to 1/3rd of the people who need it) of Pharmac not providing a drug because of the cost to it – when not funding it means much greater cost falls on the HB's and the limited resources of our hospitals.
This time CF.
Another demonstration that the system lacks the means for an intelligent direction to provision of health care.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/126898156/these-lives-cant-wait-new-zealand-needs-to-fund-this-drug-now
Given the current Minister's failure to get health staff in through MI in the past year, there is clearly a need for the Ministry to create a fund and appoint an administrator with responsibility to invest money to fund drugs where doing so saves the health system money downstream (separate to current Pharmac funding).
Thinking of Gisborne. More rain to come, keep safe. Slips are dangerous and scary.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/455040/week-in-politics-more-freedom-more-covid-experts-worry-about-easing-auckland-s-restrictions
can someone please explain what the second paragraph means in regards to regional travel?
It means we open up under the traffic light system but the border remains until other dhbs catch up. I doubt that we'll be in traffic lights at the end of the month looking here https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccination-rates-around-new-zealand/ Auckland still needs 1975 first doses in Counties Manakau.
If they get there this weekend it would need every single person to return in 3 weeks for a second dose to make the lights early december.
We might get to 90 double dosed in the second week of December across all three Auckland dhbs but given between 2 and 5 percent dont have a second it could be longer.
Whats more likely is Covid takes hold in the regions at govt either adds additional borders or removes all the borders.
Wastewater testing is showing more positive results this evening, I suspect political expedience will see the boundries disappear before Xmas on the grounds that Covid has spread anyway.
Ta.
It hasn't spread to the South Island, so I guess we're waiting to see if the government will facilitate the spread of delta here 😳
I have been thinking about the DHBs using a 90% threshold being double vaccinated for the country to go to the traffic light system.
When I look at the context of Covid being detected in the waste water of 3 new regions today, Strafford, Gisbourne and Napier it is now a case of going through the motions.
The government need to advise the country what the position is. Just yesterday a homeless person asked me in a level 2 zone what level we were at? I answered their question and I briefly said there are 3 steps and a traffic light system as well.
I even need to go and re look up the 3 steps and the traffic light system.
Spelling corrections Stratford, Gisborne.
I've barely kept up with the news today. Are they going to loosen up Auckland but keep the border control on?
Your guess is as good as mine. I feel like everything is pulling apart that the government have put in place.
It's a tense time. I've got so much shit going in my own life that I'm having to deal with, I'm not keeping up with it. I have the privilege of not having covid in my face because of where I live. I suspect there are a lot of people in that situation.
Well yeah, The tension in Auckland has made political pulses race so the strategy is changing, advice is now viewed through a political lens whereas before it was almost entirely a health focus.
How much risk is palatable compared to vote loss in Auckland has become a metric in a health crisis. I just cant see the Auckland border holding come xmas.
There is alot to go wrong two Deaths in home isolation in 2 days is a little worrying. I wonder what they're sent home with to self monitor pulse oxy meters? Panic button? Details are scarce at this point.
Reality is NZ will have our turn with Delta it will be shitty, Winter 22 is I suspect going to be when things are at there worst.
The last place you want to be dependent on is the health system during a pandemic. The health system is going to be tested like it has never ever been tested.
I had a tradie here today and they said they do not need to wear a mask. 2 tradies need to do a fair bit of work in the next month, electrical and sound proofing 4 walls.
I will be ok at 8.75 current stress level.
Yep, where my wife works it looks like they will lose close to 15 staff once the mandate begins in a week or so. Some frontline others in more administrative positions and a few in relief roles that will place enormous stress on the rest as there will be no cover or replacements availble without taking from somewhere else in the health system.
Its not like we have excess staff ready to fill the gaps.
That will hurt patients and staff and is another reason why I dont support mandates, correct ppe and rapid testing are a good options. We are going to need every damn health worker we can get.
Humanitarian aid as in health worker support cannot be excluded.
@Treetop – are you in Alert Level 2 or 3?
Actually, now that I have spent some time on the COVID-19 website, I do not actually think it much matters what level you are in, at least in this non-retail business situation.
MinHealth advises wearing masks whenever possible at work.
However, on the same webpage there is this:
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (thoughfully linked from the COVID website) has the following:
The MoBIE refers you to its guidelines for resolving disputes, found on its Employment NZ website. Plenty of pleasant-sounding generic language that might well be useful for dispute resolution in normal times, but notably there is not a single mention of the pandemic.
Honestly, this is a process only lifer bureaucrats could comfortably embrace! It leads everywhere … and therefore goes nowhere.
In this situation, the tradies have technically every right to say they don´t have to wear masks or do much of anything else, as long as there are no customers in a retail setting or anyone in a collective setting like schools. Then the situation gets clearer and the rules get more precise and tougher.
The best bet is to recruit a fellow tradie or someone else regularly on-site to raise a concern. Then there might be cause for at least consulting together, with a prospect of taking some kind of suitable resolution.
At the very least, offer consultation with the tradie and anyone else present besides yourself. It can´t do any harm, and some progress might be made at least in human relationships if nothing else.
If it´s just the two of you, or tradies vs. contractor, consider calling upon mediation services, either in the MoBIE or the Dispute Resolution Centre
It is all the gray areas in business and government revealed by the pandemic particularly during the Delta outbreak that make things feel increasingly political rather than health-based, and give the impression that things are increasingly falling apart at the seams.
But there may be a silver lining in this dark cloud. If citizens cannot rely on government regulations to resolve all issues, then it is time for some positive independent initiative based on sound principles, supported by whatever mediation resources are available and able to function during higher pandemic Alert levels.
Relying on rules created solely by authorities is what children do (and must). Now that humanity is growing up, entering its collective adolescence, rules by themselves are not and should not be enough. People need to engage with one another as positively and collectively as possible, but this is a matter of choice, not coercion. Any teenager will tell you that, and show you how they have the means to resist attempts to boss them.
So it has turned out to be in the pandemic, even amongst the Team of Five Million.
The sound principles of spiritual virtue and consultation that guide me in such situations are found in my religion, the Baha´i Faith (global / Aotearoa-NZ)
Thank you for your comment. I have only skimmed through it and will read it later in the day. Looks like mask wearing needs to be simplified. As well working in warm weather wearing a mask can be uncomfortable and crawling into spaces as well and some jobs require a work mask.
I am in level 2. I put on a material face mask to protect myself. I do not ask vaccination status.
A previous quote a month ago the company rang me for a health screen. I asked if the person coming about the quote would be wearing a mask? Yes was the response, they turned up not wearing a mask. An electrician called yesterday to do another quote for the same job. The landlord organises the tradie and the tenant needs to provide the access.
My understanding, it has been confirmed the first death was not related to Covid but details have not been released yet presumably because the coroner is still investigating.
The second death… the patient discharged himself from hospital on the 3rd Nov. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but when a patient chooses to discharge themselves the hospital staff cannot stop them from leaving.
Putting him in MIQ might have been a good idea…
Only thing I saw on the first death was not related to Covid vaccine.
The coroner's office is where the two home isolation deaths are going to end up. I just hope the right systems/procedures are in place to answer all questions so the families have closure.
Every aspect of the two cases to date will be scrutinised by the opposition.
I'm assuming patients are sent home with some face masks and an injection they should have had 6 months ago. A pity about the lack of treatment options.. its only the biggest health crisis in a century.
The one today was double vaxxed according to media
I think there is still a bit of discussion on it at the cabinet level, but also that they intend to allow people in and out of Auckland for Christmas. Whether that's vaccinated travellers only depends on whether they can figure out a system to check private cars. Either way, I expect domestic flights, the ferries, trains and intercity buses to require vaccination to try to minimise spread to the South Island.
I get it that people want certainty. No matter what the government says, it can be changed in order to manage the Covid pandemic where necessary.
I really think they need to be clear on leaving Auckland and soon.
Last Christmas eve over 40000 cars left Auckland to check each and every passenger within will take a minute or so that runs out to at least 11 hours add traffic dynamics and inevitable attempts to slip through its just not feasible to manage. Its going to be an open or closed scenario anyting else will lead to absolute chaos.
@Cricklewood – I thing you are absolutely right about the chaos.
However, the absolutes (all open, all closed) are the least desirable from a collective point of view. There are significant portions of the population who embrace one but reject the other.
That will produce its own form of chaos — not so much a physical traffic jam, as one of disunity and political infighting so toxic to the positive qualities of the Team of Five Million.
There just don´t seem to be any clear pathways out of this Christmas Crush, no matter what form it takes.
Perhaps it would be best to go all-in with the vaccine certification programme. Make it as digital as possible, skip the physical border with all the delays, and make it very difficult for people to go anywhere other than private homes without a certificate.
This is hardly perfect, but it does offer substantial means of reducing public exposures. The vaccines can absorb the pressure of private gatherings. The unvaccinated will be limited to how they get around.
I do wonder about the new traffic light system´s essential retail loophole, where certificates will not be required in places like groceries, chemist shops, etc. Why not close this loophole, with the unvaccinated applying for essential relief or other supports from Government?
Really, all it would take is a corps of vaccinated designated shoppers and delivery people, subsidised by Government for the unvaccinated in financial need. Other unvaccinated people would pay for the services.
Given the lockdown requirements of the past, this does not seem too onerous a price to pay for closing off one of the few remaining options for legitimate superspreader events.
it just seems fucking mad to allow delta into the rest of the country over Christmas.
That Covid for Christmas line isn't so funny now…
Auckland relaxes next week schools are open… the govt lets double vaxxed parents out for xmas with their unvaccinated kids who are potentially infected but asymptomatic. They spread it to other kids and then to parents etc etc and Covid is everywhere…
@Cricklewood – Yes, that sounds about right, and it would be a very sad outcome for the bright hopes of elimination that Aotearoa/NZ once offered itself and the world.
But there may be another possible scenario, if Government grasps it right away and the people respond very quickly.
The scenario: Go ahead and vaccinate age 5-11 with a half dose of Pfizer BioNTech.
Justifications:
1. The USA has an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for doing so, and is just now rolling it out.
2. Vienna, Austria has just announced it will vaccinate children 5 and up without waiting for the European Union´s European Medicines Agency (EMA), which appears to be willing to take long months to decide about this even as cases amongst children spike in the EU.
I know that this likely cuts against the grain of Government´s obeisance to medical bureaucracy, which in normal times is usually a good thing, but obviously these are not normal times, and the likely scenario you outline seems all but unavoidable.
Only flexibility, imagination, and – yes – some risk-taking will give Aotearoa/NZ a chance to avoid widescale spread of COVID throughout the entire motu.
It will be a real test of the nation´s true level of maturity in the face of increasingly bad news, without the security blanket afforded by the now-defunct elimination strategy.
Auckland is at a different stage regarding Covid to tbe rest of the country; with the Waikato catching up to Auckland.
The rest of the country will need to adapt as there is no hiding from Delta. It is about not overwhelming the health resources and minimising tension.
I think Prof Baker knew that the levels, steps and traffic lights were going to be problematic. Everything is problematic schools opening, f – ing Christmas (cancel it this year), the health workers will not be on holiday.
Yep no avoiding it, I really think the govt should he clear on that, all we can do is harm minimization flatten the curve… Looking at Europe Covid seems to have season peaks we need to be well prepared for next winter inevitably our first and second waves will be extremely difficult.
Yes, flattening the curve and minimising harm. Those who do this are the people who will make a difference.
timing though.
Don't know how the SDHB compares to the rest of the country, but it's been in a mess for years. Also a big spread geographically and lots of people living a long way from a hospital.
We're actually lucky in NZ with our geograhical spread and low density,it will help slow the spread the UK have just issued public health guidance to open windows etc to improve ventilation especially when gathering indoors.
Our drafty homes might actually help us for a change 🙃
From bowel screening delays to inadequate delivery services for babies and having to travel to Christchurch for cancer teatment is what I have read.
"Going through the motions? Going through the motions? Going through the motions?"
Just had an interesting conversation with my recently retired sister in law and her husband. I've been retired for some years and realise that you actually have to condition yourself for the transition tween work and retirement. Let me say retirement is to be emphatically recommended.
So, here are my three rules for a contented retirement.
1. If you wake up in the morning and need to turn the light on, it's far too early, go back to sleep. We spend our lives going to work in the dark, and getting home in the dark. Get in touch with the natural flow of nature.
2. When you wake up, ask yourself. What do I have to do today, that I can't put off till tomorrow. My experience says that come tomorrow you may well decide that you didnt need to do it at all.
3. Now the good bit, as you lounge in bed, ask yourself. What do I want to do today.
Travel well people.
Excellent advice
We had that conversation 20 years ago Johnr. N was going to work until 65. I retired at 60 with a small but excellent teacher pension. Within 3 months he joined me. I was well happy doing all my interests and planning a break for us. He was overseeing huge changes in his work place. So instead of a fortnights break, it became three months where we planned our 5 year motorhome trip and explore round NZ and let our unit out to a lovely couple. We have never regretted that decision. When we finally got the pension we were "rich' relatively, after 5 years of "smell of an oily rag". but a great deal of active golf swimming fishing walking and visiting friends and family without putting them to any trouble. It has gone so quickly. I love the "turn over and go back to sleep." Funny thing is, we are much quicker to rise have a cuppa and watch the sunrise. Perverse I know.
My analysis, based on MY lived experience (but I live alone):
“1. If you wake up in the morning and need to turn the light on, it’s far too early, go back to sleep. We spend our lives going to work in the dark, and getting home in the dark. Get in touch with the natural flow of nature.”
G: If you wake up in the morning & need to turn the light on, do need to pee? No? Can you go back to sleep? No. Wide awake. Turn on the tv, watch Al Jazeera News, find out what’s happening elsewhere in the world; our msm tv channels serve us up Covid Covid Covid, big events in NZ, & oodles of parochial claptrap & fluff – they leave us ignorant about what’s going on elsewhere on the globe.
Still wide awake? Get up, have a coffee & open the kitchen window or go outside & check out the sky & the weather, & listen for the first birdsong to herald the dawn chorus – starts about 5 am around my stream. Sing out to blackie, my young resident male blackbird, to let him know breakfast awaits when it gets light enuf for him to see it.
Still wide awake? Yes, invariably – go to step 2.
“2. When you wake up, ask yourself. What do I have to do today, that I can’t put off till tomorrow. My experience says that come tomorrow you may well decide that you didnt need to do it at all.”
G: Make a list of anything you have to do (or really should do) today in your phone’s Notes App. Otherwise, you’re a lazy buggar & a dreamer and you won’t get needed stuff done until something breaks or goes wrong in the middle of the night needing a tradie you can’t get for an urgent job you could have prevented.
If there’s NOTHING you have to do today, pat yourself on the back & give yourself a day off. Kick back, put your feet up, have as much or as little fun as you need in your life right now doing only what you really enjoy. These days that often includes my reading this blog for the intelligent, thought-provoking comments of the day. Great for the grey matter. Contribute too, if you feel you have something worth saying, or asking. Learn new stuff constantly.
Tired from not enuf sleep last nite? Lock the doors, have a grandpa nap. They can work wonders for your equilibrium.
“3. Now the good bit, as you lounge in bed, ask yourself. What do I want to do today.”
G: 🤔 Fark. Already done it. 😀 I love it when I’m ahead of the game. Doesn’t happen often, so just enjoy that feeling with another coffee. ☕️
My rules for a contented retirement? Do whatever feels right for YOU. If it works out, just carry on doing that. If it doesn’t, try something different. 😎☘🐧
A man in his 50s with Covid isolating at home in Mt Eden died on Friday morning.
His friend Stewart Borland was “critical of that decision, and said he believed he should never have been allowed to isolate at home.
“I don’t think it’s safe for people to isolate at home, and regardless of the fact he chose to leave hospital, he shouldn't have been allowed to go home."
That will be sad for his family and friends. It is an example of freedom though which rallies have been about in recent weeks.
It also is an example of isolating at home rather than being in MIQ which have been prominent calls.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300446920/covid19-friend-of-second-man-who-died-says-he-shouldnt-have-been-isolating-at-home
Sadly he discharged himself according to the news.. He needed more help to make a safer decision. Let us hope his demise stirs a few to be more supportive and give better advice. He apparently left without the necessary equipment to monitor his breathing. A very sad case.
Sadly some on here still don't want to know about so-called "Voices For Freedom", who organise the anti-vax protests, even though the information is widely reported. I can't force anybody to want to know (though wilful ignorance is a disturbing attitude in a pandemic).
But there is news about them every day, and here is today's:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300446109/demand-at-vaccine-exemption-event-horrifying-says-host
“a group selling what they claimed were vaccine exemptions to individuals for $10 or families for $20”
They make money from fear. That is what they are. It is a scam.
who doesn't want to know?
"It is a scam." And it likely is scum.
On RNZ this week there was a discussion with a couple of principals. Apparently some teachers are getting bogus exemption certificates.
I appreciate some people may have genuine health reasons for seeking exemptions. I appreciate too that teachers are just ordinary people.
A moral question arises. How can any teacher expect children to be honest, to have some sort of code around that if they themselves are dishonest? I understand that kids come from homes with the widest range of humanity and values.
financial coercion puts that in a different light.
Thought the more important moral question was why are crucial people in our society being forced out of their careers.
https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1456505354905219072
Around 8 days away from hitting 90% first dose vaccination countrywide.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data
https://twitter.com/andrewtychen/status/1456468935163793408?s=21
Just the thing to wind up my Friday.
(nsf sensitive souls)