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.
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Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
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 ...
“The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
David Farrar writes – Kata MacNamara reports: Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
RNZ reports – It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
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 ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Ever since armed conflict has existed, ceasefires have been thought of as a bridge between war and peace. Consequently, their success has been measured by their ability to stop violence between warring parties ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antonia Shand, Research Fellow, Obstetrician, University of Sydney Backgroundy/Shutterstock Oral retinoids are a type of medicine used to treat severe acne. They’re sold under the brand name Roaccutane, among others. While oral retinoids are very effective, they can have harmful effects ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Renwick, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand This month the federal government announced a plan to ban live sheep exports, set to come into effect from May 1 2028. The announcement coincided with the release of a highly ...
Another technical answer: ‘no one really knows.’ It smells like hot fat and fish. You hug the warm bundle of newspaper, translucent with grease, swaddling it like a newborn babe. Behind the counter is a small child doing her homework, and the grumpiest Chinese lady in the world. Above you, ...
New Zealanders are being called on to give Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones “the finger” in a cheeky new campaign that aims to dramatically boost marine protection in Aotearoa. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Auckland Island merganser. Artistic reconstruction by J. G. Keulemans from Bullers Birds of New Zealand (1888)Bullers Birds of New Zealand, Author provided Ask a bird lover if they have heard of ...
Leaders from three of the biggest political parties addressed party faithful over the weekend, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A weekend ...
Kia ora, welcome to Windbag, The Spinoff’s new Wellington issues column, written by me, Joel MacManus. In this first edition, I take a closer look at the first half of Tory Whanau’s term as mayor. If you want to understand Wellington’s local political landscape, you need to start in 2013 ...
A taonga going under the hammer at an Auckland auction house tonight is expected to fetch thousands. But concerns have been raised about its unclear provenance – and about the law that’s meant to protect it. Eda Tang reports. When Tamatea* received the huia feather they bought from a licensed ...
It’s the 38th birthday present Jo Aleh never expected to receive. Last Monday, Aleh and her sailing partner, Molly Meech, flew home to Auckland from Marseille, where they’d been training for their Paris Olympics campaign in the 49erFX. Within a couple of hours of touching down, they were out on ...
“It might feel like the country is slogging it up the hill at the moment,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells party faithful in Palmerston North on Sunday, “But we’re gonna get to the top of the hill, and it’s downhill on the other side. And the reason it’s downhill is ...
One issue that all the leaders of the coalition Government have agreed on is the expansion of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. Established in 2007, the scheme allows workers from participating Pacific countries to come to New Zealand to take up roles on a short-term basis. For the government, it’s ...
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The last person anyone expected to see at last week’s Ockham national book awards was Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He was made to feel as welcome as a plague. He was mocked, and challenged. But good on him for coming. His presence gave the awards an edge, a tension, which ...
Sir Geoffrey Palmer, author of the seminal book Unbridled Power challenging Muldoon-era decision-making,says the Fast-Track Approvals Bill is a bigger threat to constitutional government The post A fast track to environmental degradation appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Uncertainty is an overwhelming theme for two seabed mining projects aiming to use the Government’s controversial fast-track regime The post Seabed miners: What we know and what we don’t appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NC La Première television reports on the clearing of barricades after a week of protests and rioting in the capital Nouméa. Video: NC 1ère TVBy Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk With New Caledonia about to enter its second week of deadly riots, French authorities have mounted ...
Asia Pacific Report Pacific civil society and solidarity groups today stepped up their pressure on the French government, accusing it of a “heavy-handed” crackdown on indigenous Kanak protest in New Caledonia, comparing it to Indonesian security forces crushing West Papuan dissent. A state of emergency was declared last week, at ...
On May 18, the Taiwanese community in Christchurch came together for the "Health for All, Taiwan Can Help" march, urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to grant Taiwan participation. ...
The instability comes as the party tries to refresh its brand after six years of being part of a right-wing, pro-imperialist government with both the Labour Party and, from 2017-2020, the far-right NZ First Party. ...
Based on the latest Treasury forecasts, New Zealand Government debt will tick above $90,000 per household for the first time ever at 10pm today, Sunday 19 May 2024. The Taxpayers’ Union is calling it “$90k Debt Day”. Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ ...
Arawata Shane Arawata Shane had wandered long In the wild tangled hills of the West Coast. He came to a stop on the mighty range And looked down at the wide river flats. He breathed in the clean air, And he took in the shadows playing across The face of ...
SPECIAL REPORT:Islands Business in Suva Today is the 24th anniversary of renegade and failed businessman George Speight’s coup in 2000 Fiji. The elected coalition government headed by Mahendra Chaudhry, the first and only Indo-Fijian prime minister of Fiji, was held hostage at gunpoint for 56 days in the country’s ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist and Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital journalist Police have used tear gas and stun grenades on rioters at an airport near Nouméa as the chaos in New Caledonia stretched into its sixth day. Five people, including two police officers, have died and hundreds of ...
Asia Pacific ReportThe global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on France to not “misuse” a crackdown in the ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French Pacific territory of Kanaky New Caledonia in the wake of a controversial vote by the French Parliament to adopt a bill changing the territory’s ...
A major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food. ...
The star of Dark City: The Cleaner takes us through his life in TV, including the VHS revolution and the John Campbell impression that started it all. Best known for his comedic roles, Cohen Holloway says he struggled at times to maintain the stone cold facade of serial killer on ...
David Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. My friend Doug never travelled; he had little interest in the world beyond his own tiny rural town. I’ve rarely known anyone who radiated such contentment. Doug (I’ll call him that) died in March. You won’t know him. ...
Some of the earliest photos of life in Aotearoa are on display at Auckland Museum right now – but the identities of some of the people in them are a mystery.What was it like to be one of the first people in New Zealand to have their photo taken? ...
Since its founding almost a decade ago, Featherston Booktown has grown into one of the country’s most interesting and idiosyncratic literary events. Erin Banks reports from the audience. “Come in, have you had lunch? I’m about to make a cheese toastie.” Mary Biggs, operations manager of Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival, ...
After 33 years abroad, Loveni Enari recently returned to Aotearoa and Samoa in what a friend joked was an “existential crisis”. He learnt and re-learnt so much about his family, friends and both countries. Almost as an afterthought, he got a Samoan tatau. This is his story. (Accompanying it are ...
Nearly 30 years ago, two people told me they’d killed a woman they knew. I thought the truth would come out, that others would tell it. In the end, I had to. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Fact: in 1995, Angela Blackmoore ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at the week and shines a light on some increasingly rare longform journalism. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend where there will sadly be no aurora to see. After a busy week last week of short, sharp pieces, this week we swung the other way, ...
ANALYSIS:By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a revered Kanak visionary, was inspirational to indigenous Pacific political activists across Oceania, just like Tongan anthropologist and writer Epeli Hao’ofa was to cultural advocates. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1989 by an opponent within the independence movement during ...
Forget thin is in, apparently now bigger is better … or is it? After over a decade of body positivity, girls, teens and women are even more confused about what body positivity actually is. The movement began with women confronting unrealistic expectations of how their bodies should look. But sub-strands ...
Grace always sat at the bar at the back of The Cambridge, where she could watch who came in. A huge mirror ran the length of the pub, so you could sometimes watch people without them knowing. The mirror made the place seem a lot bigger than it really was. ...
MONDAY Sheriff Mark Mitchell rose at dawn. He had a long day’s ride ahead of him. He was headed for Waikeria. Waikeria! Even the name itself stirred his blood, and set root in his imagination. There was nothing and no one in Waikeria. But he would bend it to his ...
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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)