Daily review 06/03/2019
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5:30 pm, March 6th, 2019 - 56 comments
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The National Party’s defeat has been so comprehensive that few in the party seem optimistic they will recover anytime soon. Falling from 47% in 2017 to just 27% (which might drop as low as 25% once special votes are counted), is one of the most severe collapses in New Zealand’s ...3 hours ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #42, 2020
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New Zealand's health system is chronicly underfunded, and so almost all DHBs run deficits. Last month, just before he bailed out Canterbury DHB, Health Minister Chris Hipkins was repeating the mantra that DHBs must live within their means and "have a credible plan to return to financial sustainability". But yesterday, ...10 hours ago - Solarise all the things!If we are to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, we need to decarbonise the economy and shift our energy supply completely to renewables. The good news is that the International Energy Agency thinks that that is going to happen. The reason? Interest rates have dropped. And this means that ...11 hours ago
- New Zealand weighs up a nation-sized battery
Ian Mason and Robert McLachlan Climate change was a small but perceptible part of the recent election. On climate change, Labour pointed proudly to their record of legislating for net zero emissions by 2050 (nicknamed the ‘Zero Carbon Act’), establishing a Climate Change Commission to set carbon budgets and advise ...13 hours ago - NZ Politics Daily – 21 October 2020Today’s content Election Jack Vowles (The Conversation): The 2020 NZ election saw record vote volatility — what does that mean for the next Labour government? Jason Walls and Chris Knox (Herald): 20 fascinating facts about the 2020 election you might have missed Stuff: Labour Day: A vote-by-vote analysis of New Zealand’s historic shift ...16 hours ago
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It was easy for election night commentators to use the ‘landslide’ trope to describe Labour’s winning of the 2020 election. But the historical record suggests that such landslides may not last long. In 1935, the First (Savage-Fraser) Labour Government won 53 seats in a parliament of 80; National ...1 day ago - The Debunking Handbook 2020: Prevent misinformation from sticking if you canThis blog post is part 2 of a series of excerpts from The Debunking Handbook 2020 which can be downloaded here. The list of references is available here. Prevent misinformation from sticking if you can Because misinformation is sticky, it’s best preempted. This can be achieved by explaining misleading or ...1 day ago
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- Yes, a mandate for sure… but issues for NZ will be far, far more difficult now
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Kia ora tātou kātoa. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou Te Roopu Kakariki, ngā kaitautoko, e aroha ana I te kaupapa mo te taiao me te mokopuna. No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. I am so proud to be standing here tonight, at the end of an ...4 days ago - Election Night Speech – James ShawOn Election Night three years ago I stood up in front of you to say, “We are still here!” Well, tonight, not only are we still here, we are the first support party in MMP history to have started and finished a term in government above the 5% threshold. We ...4 days ago
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- First COVID-19 vaccine purchase agreement signedThe Government has signed an agreement to purchase 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccines – enough for 750,000 people – from Pfizer and BioNTech, subject to the vaccine successfully completing all clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals in New Zealand, say Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods and Health Minister Chris Hipkins. ...1 week ago
- International statement – End-to-end encryption and public safetyWe, the undersigned, support strong encryption, which plays a crucial role in protecting personal data, privacy, intellectual property, trade secrets and cyber security. It also serves a vital purpose in repressive states to protect journalists, human rights defenders and other vulnerable people, as stated in the 2017 resolution of the ...1 week ago
- Ministry of Defence Biodefence Assessment releasedThe Ministry of Defence has today released a Defence Assessment examining Defence’s role across the spectrum of biological hazards and threats facing New Zealand. Biodefence: Preparing for a New Era of Biological Hazards and Threats looks at how the NZDF supports other agencies’ biodefence activities, and considers the context of ...1 week ago
- New Approaches to Economic Challenges: Confronting Planetary Emergencies: OECD 9 October 2020New Approaches to Economic Challenges: Confronting Planetary Emergencies: OECD 9 October 2020 Hon David Parker’s response following Thomas Piketty and Esther Duflo. Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, wherever in the world you might be. I first acknowledge the excellent thought provoking speeches of Thomas Piketty and Esther ...2 weeks ago
- Kaipara Moana restoration takes next stepA Memorandum of Understanding has been signed today at Waihāua Marae between the Crown, local iwi and councils to protect, restore and enhance the mauri of Kaipara Moana in Northland. Environment Minister David Parker signed the document on behalf of the Crown along with representatives from Ngā Maunga Whakahī, Ngāti ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand and Uruguay unite on reducing livestock production emissionsAgriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Uruguayan Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Carlos María Uriarte have welcomed the launch of a three-year project that will underpin sustainable livestock production in Uruguay, Argentina, and Costa Rica. The project called ‘Innovation for pasture management’ is led by Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural ...2 weeks ago
- 3100 jobs created through marae upgradesHundreds of marae throughout the country will be upgraded through investments from the Provincial Growth Fund’s refocused post COVID-19 funding to create jobs and put money into the pockets of local tradespeople and businesses, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced. “A total ...2 weeks ago
- Health volunteers recognised in annual awardsHealth Minister Chris Hipkins has announced 9 teams and 14 individuals are the recipients of this year’s Minister of Health Volunteer Awards. “The health volunteer awards celebrate and recognise the thousands of dedicated health sector volunteers who give many hours of their time to help other New Zealanders,” Mr Hipkins ...2 weeks ago
- Community COVID-19 Fund supports Pacific recoveryThe Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio says a total of 264 groups and individuals have successfully applied for the Pacific Aotearoa Community COVID-19 Recovery Fund, that will support Pacific communities drive their own COVID-19 recovery strategies, initiatives, and actions. “I am keen to see this Fund support Pacific ...2 weeks ago
- Community benefits from Māori apprenticeshipsUp to 50 Māori apprentices in Wellington will receive paid training to build houses for their local communities, thanks to a $2.75 million investment from the Māori Trades and Training Fund, announced Employment Minister Willie Jackson today. “This funding will enable Ngāti Toa Rangatira Incorporated to provide its Ngā Kaimahi ...2 weeks ago
- Training fund supports Māori jobseekersRapidly growing sectors will benefit from a $990,000 Māori Trades and Training Fund investment which will see Wellington jobseekers supported into work, announced Employment Minister Willie Jackson today. “This funding will enable Sapphire Consultants Ltd. to help up to 45 Māori jobseekers into paid training initiatives over two years through ...2 weeks ago
- Ruakura Inland Port development vital infrastructure for WaikatoThe Government is investing $40 million to develop an inland port at Ruakura which will become a freight super-hub and a future business, research and residential development for the Waikato, Urban Development and Transport Minister Phil Twyford, and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The funding has been has ...2 weeks ago
- Appointments made to Defence Expert Review GroupDefence Minister Ron Mark announced today the establishment of an Expert Review Group to review a number of aspects of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) structure, information management and record-keeping processes. The Expert Review Group’s work arises out of the first recommendation from the Report of the Government’s Inquiry ...2 weeks ago
- No active community cases of COVID-19There are no active community cases of COVID-19 remaining in the country after the last people from the recent outbreak have recovered from the virus, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “This is a big milestone. New Zealanders have once again through their collective actions squashed the virus. The systems ...2 weeks ago
- Clean energy upgrade for more public buildingsMore public buildings will be supported by the Government to upgrade to run on clean energy, the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw announced today. Minister Shaw announced that Lincoln and Auckland universities will receive support through the Clean-Powered Public Service Fund to replace fossil fuel boilers. Southern, Taranaki, and ...2 weeks ago
- Schools back donations scheme for the second yearMore schools have opted in to the donations scheme for 2021, compared to 2020 when the scheme was introduced. “The families of more than 447,000 students will be better off next year, with 94% of eligible schools and kura opting into the scheme,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. “This is ...2 weeks ago
- Ruapehu cycle trails gets PGF boostThe spectacular Mountains to Sea cycle trail in Ruapehu District will receive $4.6 million in funding from the Provincial Growth Fund for two additional trails, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This is an exciting development for the local community, and one that will provide significant economic opportunities ...2 weeks ago
- Update to air border order strengthens crew requirementsAdditional measures coming into effect on Monday will boost our defence against COVID-19 entering New Zealand through the air border, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “As part of our precautionary approach and strategy of constant review, we’re tightening the requirements around international aircrew,” Chris Hipkins said. The COVID-19 Public ...3 weeks ago
- A true picture of Māori business activityA better picture of the contribution Māori businesses make to the economy will be possible with changes to the way information is collected about companies and trading enterprises. Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Small Business Minister Stuart Nash have announced a new option for Māori enterprises who are part ...3 weeks ago
- PGF funding for Taranaki projectsThe South Taranaki museum, a New Plymouth distillery and a Pasifika building firm will benefit from a Government investment totalling more than $1 million, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The $1.05m in grants and loans from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will help the recipients expand and create ...3 weeks ago
- Fijian Language Week 2020 inspires courage and strength during COVID-19 pandemicThe Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio says the theme for the 2020 Fijian Language Week reflects the strong belief by Fijians that their language and culture inspires courage and strength that is strongly needed in times of emergencies, or through a significant challenge like the global COVID-19 pandemic ...3 weeks ago
- Trades training builds on iwi aspirationsAn investment of $2.025 million from the Māori Trades and Training Fund will support Māori to learn new skills while making a positive difference for their communities, announced Employment Minister Willie Jackson today. “K3 Development Limited Partnership will receive $2,025,000 for its Takitimu Tuanui apprenticeship programme, which will support the ...3 weeks ago
- Taskmaster NZ proves we can do panel comedy as well as the Brits
New Zealanders love Taskmaster UK. But will they warm to the homegrown version? Guy Williams is doing his best to amp up the crowd, while Angella Dravid sits quietly alongside with her usual look of both discomfort and amusement. Leigh Hart has that wry smirk on his face that viewers of ...5 hours ago - At the highwater mark with little wriggle room
This Government’s work, its future successes and its failures, will now all sit fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the Labour Party. ...5 hours ago - The US is taking on Google in a huge antitrust case. It could change the face of online search
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katharine Kemp, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, UNSW, and Academic Lead, UNSW Grand Challenge on Trust, UNSW The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google for unlawful monopolisation. The department says Google’s conduct harms competition and consumers, ...6 hours ago - Wāhine grab chance to have voice at the council table
Local government in Wairarapa is no longer the "pale, stale male" environment it once was, according to a recent survey. ...6 hours ago - NSW wants to change rules on suspending and expelling students. How does it compare to other states?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Sullivan, Associate Professor of Education, University of South Australia The disability royal commission heard from experts last week on the disproportionate number of students with a disability who have been suspended or expelled from school for “problem behaviour”. The commission’s public ...6 hours ago
- Greater needs, but poorer access to services: why COVID mental health measures must target disadvant...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graham Meadows, Professor of Adult Psychiatry, Monash University COVID-19 outbreaks and the resulting lockdowns, particularly in Victoria, have adversely affected many people’s mental health. Social isolation, financial stress, and anxiety about contracting COVID-19 can all contribute to psychological distress. For some people, ...6 hours ago
- NSW needs to prohibit religious discrimination, but not like thisSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Elphick, Adjunct Research Fellow, Law School, University of Western Australia It has long been a glaring problem that the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act (ADA) does not prohibit religious discrimination. One Nation’s Mark Latham recently proposed a new Religious Discrimination Bill. ...8 hours ago
- The redemption of Hine-nui-te-pōAn extract from Witi Ihimaera’s new book Navigating the Stars: Māori creation myths.This is an abridged passage of a deeply empathetic section analysing the life story of Hine-nui-te-pō, who crushed Māui to death with her vulva. At the end of the book, Ihimaera argues that Hine-nui-te-pō should be instated to ...8 hours ago
- Green Party: 'Fruitful discussions … further discussions to have'The Green Party says there is a negotiation going on with the Labour Party, but there are more discussions to be had. ...8 hours ago
- The online support club that helps the newly redundant through a scary timeCovid-19 has shoved New Zealand’s economy into recession, prompting a whole lot of businesses to downsize and slash their workforce. That’s why a support club has been formed to help the newly unemployed to get back on their feet.Redundancy can hit like a ton of bricks. The shock, uncertainty, the ...8 hours ago
- Police Continue To Ignore Their Own Pursuits Policy
A police crash during a pursuit in Masterton in the early hours of Wednesday morning suggests the police are simply ignoring their own pursuits policy, says the car review website dogandlemon.com . Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety ...8 hours ago - Green Party provide update after election resultsThe Green Party is speaking to media amid speculation over possible negotiations about a coalition deal. ...8 hours ago
- Houses (and their prohibitive prices) will be high in Ardern’s considerations as she appoints her ...
One of the strange outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the surge in house prices, not just in Auckland but through the rest of the country. It’s a phenomenon that runs contrary to past experience when the economy has slipped into recession. Many authorities say booming house prices are ...9 hours ago - Calls for Labour to fast-track child poverty mandateAnti-poverty campaigners are urging Labour to move fast and use its massive electoral support to forcefully tackle inequality. ...9 hours ago
- Indigenous leadership presents a new way of looking at the changed worldDon Rowe meets the post-graduate students putting tikanga and kaupapa Māori at the centre of learning how to lead. The planet is in trouble. Since the time of the industrial revolution, the Western world has become increasingly enthralled and enchanted by the pursuit of economic and individualistic success. Power, prestige, and ...10 hours ago
- The tale of ‘habitual criminal’ William King: a Black life in Victoria’s white justice systemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alana Piper, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney The Black Lives Matters movement in the United States and Australia has drawn welcome attention to Black deaths in the criminal justice system. Such fatalities are extreme manifestations of a long history of ...10 hours ago
- Review: The Vow takes a deep dive into the cesspit of the NXIVM cultJust a few years ago, few people had heard of the self-help group/cult of personality known as NXIVM. Now the dark story has gone global, thanks to an eight-part docuseries that debuts on Neon today. This review contains mild spoilers for The Vow.What is it that white people love so ...10 hours ago
- Video: Death of a toddler – Mel Reid investigates
How did 3-year-old Lachie Jones really meet his death? Mysterious circumstances, improbable theories and a once-over-lightly police investigation spark calls for a new inquiry into how little Lachie Jones died in Gore last year. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report. *Watch the full story in the video player below* ...10 hours ago - Whakatōhea Settlement Another Step CloserThe Waitangi Tribunal decision to decline an urgent hearing into the Crown's decision to continue treaty negotiations with the Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust is another step forward for the Whakatōhea Settlement. "We are pleased with ...10 hours ago
- Calls for an ABC-run social network to replace Facebook and Google are misguided. With what money?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fiona R Martin, Associate Professor in Convergent and Online Media, University of Sydney If Facebook prevented Australian news from being shared on its platform, could the ABC start its own social media service to compensate? While this proposal from the Australia Institute ...10 hours ago
- A loss of ‘Fijian’ identity – or no identity at all – in AotearoaBy Sri Krishnamurthi “No matter how we come to be in Fiji, or how long we have been here …we all part of the land. It is the land of our birth or land of our adoption, the land to which we belong” – The late archbishop Petero Mataca. When ...11 hours ago
- Decisive Victory of MAS in Bolivia: A Blow to Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Socialist Coups in the Americ...Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By William CamacaroFrom Caracas The decisive electoral victory of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) in Bolivia may be a point of inflection on the continent that advances the construction of a new South American socialist bloc. After having been removed from ...12 hours ago
- Podcast documents first-hand witness of the Senkata Massacre in BoliviaSource: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage Francesca Emanuele is a Peruvian journalist and a Ph.D. student of Anthropology at American University in Washington, DC. She interviewed a first-hand witness of the Senkata Massacre, that took place on November 19th, 2020, days after the overthrow of Evo Morales, ...12 hours ago
- With a mandate to govern NZ alone, Labour must now decide what it really stands forANALYSIS: By David Hall, Auckland University of Technology A pandemic can change the foundations of a society. But if this happens in New Zealand over the next three years, it will be for reasons beyond the control of the sixth Labour government. When it comes to the fundamental structure of ...13 hours ago
- Jornal Independente wins annual ‘best media’ award in Timor-LesteBy Jose Sarito Amaral in Balibo The Jornal Independente newspaper has been awarded Timor-Leste’s mediaoutlet of the year prize in the National Press Council’s 2019 awards. Rigoberto Monteiro, executive director of Timor-Leste’s Press Council, said the Independente took out the award because of the quality of its stories and “strict ...13 hours ago
- Sediment, jobs and mauri – Minister responds to questions about measuring progress on Kaipara clea...
We found nothing new, in our daily check of the Beehive website. But we can report the reply to questions that were raised in an announcement from Environment Minister David Parker (which we noted at the time) earlier this month. The announcement was headed Kaipara Moana restoration takes next step. ...13 hours ago - New Zealand’s gluten-free bread, reviewed and rankedA definitive answer to a burning question: what is the best gluten-free bread of them all?Outside of coeliac circles, not many people know that gluten-free bread is actually better than regular bread. It’s true.* After years of fastidious experimentation and perfecting, gluten-free bakers have now produced a product vastly superior ...13 hours ago
- Voting patterns are more volatile than ever and will bring a stark test for LabourWhat is vote volatility and how will it affect the Labour Party over the next three years? Jack Vowles, professor of political science, explains.As the dust begins to settle after the 2020 election, a new electoral landscape becomes visible. It is remarkably different from the one before. One way to ...13 hours ago
- Agreement Better Than DivisionA prominent Northland principal is raising concerns with the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF), suggesting its proposal to establish a breakaway principals’ union is misleading, divisive and would likely worsen outcomes for principals. Pat ...13 hours ago
- Meet the duo behind some of The Beths’ coolest music videosAfter a lockdown spent creating stop motion in their laundry, Sports Team is now nominated for an Aotearoa Music Artisan award. The duo talk to The Spinoff about making music videos.The first music video Annabel Kean and Callum Devlin made was accidental. It happened on a date, wandering around Auckland ...14 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – October 21 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Election Jack Vowles (The Conversation): The 2020 NZ election saw record vote volatility — what does that mean for the next Labour government? Jason Walls and Chris ...15 hours ago
- Bicultural, bilingual, bijural: A plan for a new model of legal education in AotearoaOPINION: It is time to integrate tikanga Māori into law schools to create a truly bicultural legal system, writes University of Otago law professor Jacinta Ruru. I see, hear, feel racism. Every day. Each morning, I begin my trek from carpark to office, walking across the campus lawns, alongside the Ōwheo ...15 hours ago
- Greens better off independent – Former Green MP Catherine DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty says the party does not have the leverage to form a government with Labour and is better off pushing for change from opposition. ...15 hours ago
- Winning election a 'big ask' – National leader Judith CollinsJudith Collins is looking to the future where she envisions herself as leader, and the party as the best opposition ever. ...15 hours ago
- Trump has changed America by making everything about politics, and politics all about himselfSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Smith, Senior Lecturer in American Politics and Foreign Policy, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney On October 14, Donald Trump held a rally attended by several thousand in Iowa, despite White House guidelines that gatherings in the state should be limited ...16 hours ago
- Despite more than 30 major inquiries, governments still haven’t fixed aged care. Why are they gett...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eileen Webb, Professor of Law and Ageing, UniSA: Justice and Society, University of South Australia This article is part of our series on aged care. You can read the other articles in the series here. Australia’s aged care sector has been ...16 hours ago
- Why more housing stimulus will be needed to sustain recoverySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Rowley, Professor; School of Economics, Finance and Property, and Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Curtin Research Centre, Curtin University In response to the COVID-19 recession, federal, state and territory governments quickly provided support to the housing industry for two ...16 hours ago
- Mathias Cormann wants to lead the OECD. The choice it makes will be pivotalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Blundell-Wignall, Adjunct Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney My old OECD boss Secretary General (SG) Angel Gurria’s third term is coming to an end and the race is on to replace him. Australia’s departing finance minister Mathias Cormann will face ...16 hours ago
- We vibrated earthworms to learn about safely connecting human brains to computersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Maksymov, Australian Research Council Future Fellow (Senior Lecturer), Swinburne University of Technology This year, my colleague Andrey Pototsky and I were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Physics for our experimental work involving vibrating living earthworms. The Ig Nobel Prizes are ...16 hours ago
- When too much news is bad news: is the way we consume news detrimental to our health?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evita March, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Federation University Australia Humans are curious and social creatures by nature. The news helps us make sense of the world around us and connects us with our local, national and international community. So it’s no wonder ...16 hours ago
- Food, tools and medicine: 5 native plants that illuminate deep Aboriginal knowledgeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zena Cumpston, Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Over countless millennia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have harnessed the tremendous potential of plants, ingeniously using them for medicines, nutrition, to express our culture and to develop innovative technologies. But as I learn ...16 hours ago
- Guide to the classics: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier — gender, gothic haunting and gaslightingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Gildersleeve, Associate Professor of English Literature, University of Southern Queensland A small group of novels are famous for their first lines: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813), Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (1851) and Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina (1877). Rebecca by Daphne ...16 hours ago
- Live updates, October 21: Labour-Green coalition off the table – reportWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for October 21. All the latest New Zealand news, updated throughout the day. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz7.45am: Labour-Green coalition off the table – reportA Newshub report last night suggests that the chances of a formal coalition deal between Labour and the Greens are slipping ...16 hours ago
- Forget Ardern v Collins, it's Trump v Biden that matters
Why the US election is more critical for our financial markets than our own one. ...16 hours ago - The Bulletin: Climate change already happening, says new reportGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: New report shows climate change already affecting New Zealand, new crop of managed isolation Covid cases, and National leader and ousted electorate MPs all staying on.As promised, today’s Bulletin will cover the government’s new climate change report, called Our Atmosphere ...17 hours ago
- Govt seeks to buy up motels for Christmas
With the election over, there's a renewed drive to lease or purchase hotels for transitional housing – but industry leaders warn it is simply subsidising the tourism industry without fixing the crisis in homelessness. ...18 hours ago - Business & Investing: RBNZ's shot across the property market
The Reserve Bank warns that it could act if house prices are driven by high leverage loans or investors rather than households, plus business sentiment improves ...18 hours ago - Why standing apart is good for the Greens
Labour not seeking a formal coalition with the Greens might actually be good for the minor party. David Williams reports The Green Party has overcome several fears in recent months, chief among them a potential blowback from the Green School debacle, and not making the five percent MMP threshold. Its ...18 hours ago - How did 3 year-old Lachie really meet his death?
WATCH: the Melanie Reid investigation here: Mysterious circumstances, improbable theories and a once-over-lightly police investigation spark calls for a new inquiry into how little Lachie Jones died in Gore last year. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report. Death by drowning. Case closed, according to the police. But the discovery of a ...18 hours ago - How did 3-year-old Lachie really meet his death?WATCH: the Melanie Reid investigation here: Mysterious circumstances, improbable theories and a once-over-lightly police investigation spark calls for a new inquiry into how little Lachie Jones died in Gore last year. Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner report. Death by drowning. Case closed, according to the police. But the discovery of a ...18 hours ago
- Labour's red wave hits Parliament as National soul searching begins
The first caucus meetings since Labour's thumping election win brought boundless joy for Jacinda Ardern and her team, but the beginnings of soul searching for National and Judith Collins Analysis: The newly enlarged Labour caucus streamed into their meeting room on Tuesday morning - or perhaps flooded was the more ...18 hours ago - A 'girl and her wolf' attack the Coastal Classic
She brought back a once-mighty trimaran from the dead, and now 'still green' sailor Liz Alonzi is about to race Timberwolf in one of the world's iconic coastal yacht races. Liz Alonzi lovingly calls her “Wolfy… with a Y” – the unmistakable bright green trimaran with a snarling wolf on her bow, sitting ...18 hours ago - Not in the cloud yet? Here are 5 reasons why you should be
The potential for disaster - fire, earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic – are all reasons for organisations to think about moving operations into the cloud. Many companies had to do it because of the Christchurch earthquakes and the recent lockdowns. But there are other advantages too. Vodafone NZ’s Glenn Johnstone ...18 hours ago - Emma Espiner on Māori women owning the written word
Newsroom columnist Emma Espiner delivered the following speech at Waitohu: Women Reclaiming The Ink, a celebration of mana wāhine hosted by the National Library He kārakia tēnei nā Stacey Morrison Karanga karanga te rangi e tū nei Karanga karanga te papa e takoto nei Rārangahia mai te ira ...18 hours ago - Solved: The mystery of Nick Smith’s ‘jam and scones’ election billboardIt was the campaign we could have all got behind: strong tea, more jam, better scones. How the heck did that sign end up on Nick Smith’s wall? When One News interviewed National Party candidate Nick Smith at his Nelson party headquarters during Saturday night’s election coverage, it seemed like just ...19 hours ago
- The only two words at parliament this week: no commentThe election is over and three of parliament’s parties have retreated behind closed doors, reports Justin Giovannetti.Parliament has entered, on the surface at least, a post-election hibernation. The government is in caretaker mode, barred from making major decisions, while party leaders eager for attention just days ago now have nothing ...19 hours ago
- Wringing the truth from those who sheltered abusers
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state care has been hearing some harrowing evidence - but an investigation by journalist Aaron Smale published in Newsroom recently has revealed just how difficult it's been to lever the truth out of the institutions that sheltered abusers. There are some harrowing and ...19 hours ago - Building up, squashing in
A growing population, cities straining at the edges, and everyone wants a back yard for the kids. Or do they? We may have reached the stage where a change of mindset is helping to house people. RNZ's Māori Strategy manager Shannon Haunui-Thompson recently bought her first ever home - and ...19 hours ago - Wildlife rules for private land queried by owners and businesses
A policy aimed to protect indigenous wildlife is on its final dash to the finish line. Public support is strong, but landowners and industry still have concerns. ...19 hours ago - Covid-19 outbreak among Russian fishers at NZ isolation facilitySealord responds to international fishers covid-19 outbreak at Christchurch MIQ. Video: RNZBy RNZ News Some 11 cases of covid-19 have been confirmed at a New Zealand managed isolation facility (MIQ) in Christchurch, with another 14 possible cases being investigated. The Ministry of Health said last night it was investigating after ...23 hours ago
- The 2020 NZ election saw record vote volatility — what does that mean for the next Labour governme...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Vowles, Professor of Political Science, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington As the dust begins to settle after the 2020 election, a new electoral landscape becomes visible. It is remarkably different from the one before. One way to put ...1 day ago
- Melburnians will soon be able to have 2 visitors per day. It’s far riskier than an exclusive bubbl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary-Louise McLaws, Professor of Epidemiology Healthcare Infection and Infectious Diseases Control, UNSW Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday a further easing of coronavirus restrictions, as Victoria’s 14-day average of new daily cases continues to trend downwards. Among the changes, Melburnians were ...1 day ago
- Tears, goodbyes and silver trays for departing National MPsIt was haere rā to a massive chunk of National's caucus on Monday, after the blue bloodbath at the weekend. ...1 day ago
- What happens if electorate candidates are tied after the electionIt's never happened before, but if an electorate ends up with the candidates tied, the Electoral Commission "must determine by lot which of those candidates is to be elected". ...1 day ago
- Another building-site death adds to demands for industrial manslaughter lawsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bobbie Oliver, Honorary Research Fellow, Humanities, University of Western Australia The death of 23-year-old apprentice Jonnie Hartshorn on a Perth university building site is the 23rd workplace fatality among construction workers in Australia in 2020. Hartshorn was killed on October 13 after ...1 day ago
- Voting for first time at 37 years old: 'I felt really good after it'Inspired by the work Labour has done in Bay of Plenty, 37-year-old Chris Graham cast a vote for the first time on Saturday. ...1 day ago
- New Zealand's new LGBTQ MPs make Parliament most rainbow in worldEleven LGBTQ people won seats in the weekend's election - that's 9.16 percent of the 120 MPs. ...1 day ago
- View from The Hill: Morrison says he wants to run full term, and there are good reasons to believe h...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra We don’t have to credit Scott Morrison’s claim at Tuesday’s Coalition joint party room meeting that an election is the furthest thing from his mind, but we can take at face value his indication he ...1 day ago
- Parliament still packed with lawyers – but is that a bad thing?Analysis - The new Parliament might be the most diverse in history, but some things remain the same, including the high number of lawyers who have just been elected, Craig Stephen writes. ...1 day ago
- Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi arrives at Parliament in styleThe Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi - donning a white cowboy hat - touched down at Parliament today for the first time since winning the Waiariki electorate. ...1 day ago
- My best worst film: dubbed a crass Adam Sandler comedy, Click is a deep meditation on relationshipsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jo Li Tay, Lecturer, School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University In a new series, our writers explore their best worst film. They’ll tell you what the critics got wrong – and why it’s time to give these movies another ...1 day ago
- Defending state abuse: Follow the money
The cost to the Crown of fighting claims by victims of abuse in state care is finally revealed before a Royal Commission. Aaron Smale calculates where most of the money went As Deep Throat would say, follow the money. There were likely to be a few people gagging as they ...1 day ago - As the Queensland campaign passes the halfway mark, the election is still Labor’s to loseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Williams, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities, Griffith University We’re at the mid-point of the Queensland election campaign. Pre-polling opened on Monday, with about two million Queenslanders expected to vote before election day on October 31. But with just 12 days to ...1 day ago
- Tofiga isn’t sorry about itTofiga Fepulea’i is back on stage with some comedic relief in a truly dismal year. Tofiga Fepulea’i cracks up as we discuss some of the trends he’s clicked onto.First, there’s the fitness buzz. Anyone who follows the Laughing Sāmoans comedian online will have seen the videos he posts of he ...1 day ago
- Two High Court of Australia judges will be named soon – unlike Amy Coney Barrett, we know nothing ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joe McIntyre, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of South Australia Many Americans were riveted last week by the at times absurd confirmation hearing for US Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The death in mid-September of Ruth Bader Ginsburg thrust the ...1 day ago
Partner kills ex partner with child still in her arms. I am reading Boys will be Boys by Clementine Ford and I recognise the cold, hard anger and hatred towards women being perpetrated in real life as well as online. The outrage poured out upon Ford for simply stating her own views is eye-opening and a huge database of what constitutes male misogyny and the invitation to rape and murder girls and women and males that refuse to conform to misogyny.
When is another male going to say to an important male in their life that women have a right to live without their permission?
Remember the cretinous garbage that constitutes Jordan Williams who was uncovered emailing the message that if women didn’t have (I’ll spare the delicate feelings) a. c .u. n. t. he would throw rocks at them.
I ask again; just what are men so fucking afraid of? Women being treated like human beings, having a say, being able to live autonomously, having an opinion that doesn’t involve asking a male.
What is this doing to our young boys and young men?
What is causing the huge number of suicides among our guys?
Join the fucking dots!
Our boys and men are being destroyed by trolling woman-haters. They’re being taught to loathe the women that raised them and they’re being engineered to slaughter their own emotions, finer feelings and humane objective self-worth.
That will never have a good outcome, and the authorities meant to support boys and men, girls and women to have a safe, productive life – they don’t seem to exist.
I love lead. 🤣
Thanks, Stuart Munro
Here’s an interesting one from National Party head of marketing at the Herald, Audrey Young.
Bridges, like his advisor Mike Hosking the other morning, pulled out the racist dog-whistle by focussing on Maori as a whole rather than the land that may or may not have exemptions from a CGT depending on the nature of the transfer.
This is classic demonising of a people and the Prime Minister was right to call out Simple Simon on it. What a grubby tactic from Hosking and the Nats. Quite disgraceful and no wonder she was so annoyed having to watch that smug prick deliver such crap from the opposition bench.
The complexities of distributing Treaty settlements require special consideration particularly when transferring land between hapū.
Even Young doesn’t try to spin what Bridges did in a positive light, preferring to go into dispassionate report mode at that point, rightly describing what the TWG report actually said rather than what the anti-Maori National Party made of it.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12210180
The other diversion today was a piece by the Hosk in the “fish wrap” that National party marketing front and conveyor of low brow commentary and political bias on a daily basis.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12209999
“The soft bigotry of low expectation.” apparently this is Paula Bennett at great heights of prose and “absolutely sterling…” in condemnation of the govt and unemployment……what a load of tripe.
More like “The low spark of National poodles” to me. No wonder the Hosk was impressed.
Yeah, I saw that. Hosking accuses the government of “temporarily (getting) rid of tenancy reviews”. But I would say that is better than Paula’s government’s effort where they permanently got rid of tenancies.
Also unsaid, like much of Hosking scribbles, is what happened to those 11,000 not previously eligible for the job-seeker benefit under the Nat controlled WINZ unit. Of course they were on the street and in cars and this reality went a long way toward the demise of Paula’s government.
Fair minded Kiwis have far more compassion than these two give them credit.
Have been hearing very positive feedback re how WINZ are now treating their clients, word on the street is they are being treated like human beings.
As a result it’s forming better relationships.
Funny that, how not being bullied improves relationships. Maybe that is something paula and ‘what’s his name’ is yet to learn.
Sean Plunket unhappy that another white guy is being boycotted after allegations of sexual abuse.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2019/03/sean-plunket-slams-new-zealand-radio-stations-after-michael-jackson-gets-dropped.html
Big Rape Gang Culture here in NZ and the Authorities do jack shit about it IMHO
Maaaaate! Whoar!!!!!!!!!! Hotpants or pink with that chiffon walk brutha……..Move over!
Whooooar!!!! Let me at her!
[Open bracket] sarc [Close bracket]
The less we have to see or hear or her the better.
But then maybe not – that bot(tom) will probably self-destruct 30 seconds after the bloody medication runs out, If not then there’s surely some other synthetic influence driving it or Mother Nature has a lot to explain.
Fook Her and all who travel with Her
(Awwww you bully OwT! )
Oh, btw – I’d be more charitable about a witch/warlock if (s)he/it’d succumb to a little honesty and human decency.
Paula is one specimen that is incapable of doing so – primarily because she’s overwhelmed by the search for the Main Chance.
Soimon and Her (majesterial in her own mind) are the perfect couple.
If I were Soimon’s street fighting woif, I moit be a luttle wurried (goan forwid).
There is only so much shit a public will swallow (whether they have the nouse to get up and vote or not, or whether numbed and neutered by a devoid 4th Estate).
Time for some answers Simon Bridges, after all you were the Minster of Transport that oversaw this debacle. The Waikato Expressway is falling to bits too.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111065215/kpiti-expressway-needs-25-million-worth-of-repairs-just-two-years-after-opening
Some OIAs should get to the bottom of what pressure Bridges put on NZTA to reduce costs.
Edit: Here’s the culprit. Electioneering! It was in your link.
Now future projects suffer.
As are pretty much all their RONS……shonkily made in the image of the leader, how fitting they leave this maintenance headache at taxpayers feet.
The national party in a nutshell.
Madness.
Imagine looking up and seeing that.
That, and the person behind following the same moves while keeping the main one in frame lol
‘Backwards and in heels’
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12210170
Anti vaxxers should be charged with manslaughter and attempted manslaughter
Or lock the dopey fuckers out of the interwebs.
Similar screaming headline on Natrad…but….BUT….before you find a suitable tree….
“Auckland University Immunisation Advisory Centre head Nikki Turner said said there was no need for a separate public health campaign against anti-vaxxers.
“I don’t think we should ignore the anti-vaccination lobby but I think we should put it into context.
“It is a very small percentage of the New Zealand population.
“We need to understand it and respond to it, and definitely put more resources and thinking into it, but it is a very small part of why we are not getting high immunisation coverage rates.”
(Bears repeating…IT’S A VERY SMALL PART OF WHY WE ARE NOT GETTING HIGH IMMUNISATION RATES)
Dr Turner said there were other problems with delivering immunisations, beyond what she called vaccine hesitancy, and New Zealand would be better off dealing with those.
“We need to systematically know which children are missing out and offer them services.””
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384112/hospital-bosses-want-anti-anti-vax-campaign
Do you actually believe that?
If yes…don’t comment on issues you’re clearly not up to discussing…and take a good long introspective look at yourself…
Comments such as yours are dark ages…hate speech of the most ignorant variety…
Argue it…go right ahead…
I nearly didn’t get my child vaccinated due to the autism scare put up by fuck wit anti vaxxers. Enough said
How does you not taking responsibility for educating yourself…translate into your open hatred against other parents…inciting harm against other parent and their children…
Tell the full story waghorn…not that it will excuse your ignorance…
Which is what your comments are…the height of misinformed…uninformed…uneducated…ignorance…
You want to make such statements of unmoderated violence…back it up…
Go ahead…show you’re not pig ignorant from the farm…
Were have I threatened violence.?
Yes I realise I’m an uneducated hick . But not so uneducated that scare mongering fools won out.
Do you believe the science on climate change??
If so why do you not believe the science on vaccines?
Anti vaxxers should be charged with manslaughter and attempted manslaughter
Your request is for state violence against parents…and therefore against children…
Surely you understand what your comment is demanding?
..but not so uneducated the scare mongering fools won out…
You believe this subject is about winning…that’s what you believe?
How is exercising your parental right of vaccinating…evidence that those other parents (along with a global community of scientists and medical professionals) are as uninformed as the aggressive and hateful comments indicate you are?
Climate Change – Don’t deflect or conflate subjects…we’re not discussing climate change…
What I believe, is your comment requests state violence against parents and their children…for exercising their parental right…not to vaccinate…
Your parental choice was to vaccinate…from your comments…you’ve failed to educate yourself at a fundamental level, such you could have practiced informed consent, on behalf of your children…
So it follows that through your ignorance…you’ve failed them…and so you project your fear onto other parents and their children, in a most cowardly way…
That’s what I believe…because that is what you have explicitly stated…through your comments…
The fact that you think courts and prison are state sponsored violence puts you in the fringe nutter club . I try to avoid arguing with stupid as one can never win.
What you do, is avoid getting into discussions with anyone above your level…which is that of name calling…
You owe it to your children to extend yourself…you also owe it to yourself…
Don’t ask others to do the heavy lifting for you…such as you have asked of Rosemary futher down…do your own work…if you’re truly interested…
Which I highly doubt that you are…because you’ve stated you believe in medically induced ‘herd immunity’…
Which is logical fallacy 101…
See if you can be bothered identifying, why it is a falsehood…
Go on…do some work for yourself…or is name calling …hate speech…state violence…what you’re ok with representing…
If you made a throw away comment and would like to retract it…I’m offering you that option…
Good grief 1-2 is back ..
Have you missed the last few weeks? There’s been some … errm … interesting threads. Apparently electrosmog from 5G is going to bring about the end of the world. Or something.
I don’t partake of the standard very often these days so have missed those fascinating discussions…thankfully.
The NZH article you linked to…terribly written article which I pulled apart…i know you read my response before I deleted it…
Without posting another substandard link…just post the abstract of the study…specifically highlighting start and end years of the study…
Can you do that, mullet…
Some linkys for you. Go on, you know you want to.
starting at comment 3
starting at comment 9
While I’m here, spending time engaging with disingenuous types, Andre…
Have you moved on from Gorski, yet?
Or are you and bazza still attempting to convince others that by reading and promoting Gorski…they too can be subjected to medical hate speech…
Perhaps you convinced waghorn that Gorski isn’t a disgraced one man gutter…
That’s your level…in case you’re still imagining yourself as something higher…
Gorski..the hate speech medic!
I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to deduct 10 points for the ongoing gratuitous abuse of the ellipsis.
bwaghorn.
According to the expert quoted above… “fuck wit” ‘anti vaxxers’ are only a VERY SMALL PART of why we are not getting high immunisation rates.
Heavy sigh. How many times must it be said?
Wakefield’s research had not been released when I declined the new MMR for my oldest. It was very new…and he’d already had rubella and vaccinating for mumps was an entirely new concept. Instinct…and noting else… made me decline the MMR then, and later for his sibs. They had the polio and triple antigen etc…but the MMR jab was somehow different. You could not get a jab for just the measles…even though I was willing to pay. For various reasons all my kids have had to have their immunity to various immunisable diseases tested, and I was very interested to see they had somehow acquired almost across the board cover.
Wakefield’s autism research was always suspect…but…his theory on gut health and neuro health was interesting and really quite advanced….considering being treated with someone else’s shit is now a ‘thing’. Who would have thought of that 30 years ago??? Crackpot stuff.
I have never, ever met someone who believes their child’s autism was caused through vaccination.
I have met at least four mothers who know their child’s serious and irreparable brain damage was caused by an adverse reaction (usually very high fever, encephalitis, coma) to a routine vaccination.
They are not ‘fuck wit’ ant-vaxxers….although they all have very good reason to be suspicious and wary of further jabs.
What all of them were was pissed off.
At not being told there was a risk. For not being warned about symptoms that indicated severe illness rather than post – shot unsettledness. For being told they were over anxious neurotic mothers when they did know something was wrong and presented to ED, only to be turned away. Pissed off when supervising IC doctor actually put the cause of the child’s extreme illness down to the recent vaccination. And imagine how much more pissed off when their child’s extreme post- vaccination illness almost never makes it to a Notification of Adverse Events list.
Because if it hasn’t been counted it didn’t happen did it?
A couple of them received surprisingly high support packages from the Ministry of Health…and a couple of them, despite needing the support, got bugger all.
It is cruel and highly disrespectful to bang on about how safe all vaccines are and how criminally irresponsible it is to not vaccinate (or to vaccinate but discriminately) when there are families out here that have been seriously negatively impacted.
There is a large difference between a parent choosing not to vaccinate their child and people putting others off taking their doctor s advice those are the dangerous ones.
I was well aware of the slim adverse effect s that come with vaccinations but it’s still better to get them done ,both for the child’s sake and the greater good of heard immunity.
“I was well aware of the slim adverse effect s..”
Tracheotomies, PEG feeding, severe and uncontrollable seizures, bladder and bowel dysfunction, choking hazard, wheelchairs (if they’re lucky) hemi, para or tetraplegia …..early death.
Hardly insignificant.
What % of vaccinated children suffer those problems . Please only put up verified accounts not parents suspicions.
There you go again! These mothers were told by ED and ICU doctors that the vaccination was the most likely cause of their child’s severe illness leading to lifelong impairment. BUT, in some cases, further down the line…this was denied/disputed.
bwaghorn, this happens. I know from personal experience that despite there being witnesses and evidence and lack of evidence (which in itself was damning) those with the authority, nay the duty to investigate complaints of adverse events quite often simply don’t.
You’d have to ask yourself why.
Hi Rosemary
Your insightful and honest comments regarding people with disabilities, including your own direct family experiences, are genuinely appreciated…thank you..
Regarding this subject, and of course you can speak perfectly for yourself…as you have above…in response to one of the group I refer…
However, on the subject of vaccines, those you are engaging with here and who, in recent times have sought to stir discussion using…links to articles completely lacking in credibility, written by unqualified incompetents…referring to old studys as…’new studys’…seemingly without batting an eyelid…
Those handles are not only engaging in bad faith…but they do not care for your experiences or understanding…or even for the plethora of research archives which dispell the ‘miracle’ so many have hitched their ego to…they are disingenuous time wasters…
They makes claims of ‘science’, while failing to understand basic flaws in the prerequisite assumptions…required to be accepted…without question… to support the ‘vaccine miracle’…
These types are infact…anti-science…projecting that term shamelessly…
Which is why I’ve called out waghorn…because his original comment is an abomination…
Keep posting and giving energy to those who are sincere…and who care about the issues you raise…
Be well…
LOL old studies as new studies…you really haven’t got the foggiest idea what you’re on about.
Back to the vegan dogs.
Be well also, One Two.
“abomination” is a tad harsh…. 😉
I often feel a weird mixture of awe and contempt for those who display such absolute certitude. I have some pity for those who appear to have blindly accepted without question the official narrative….such minds!!! Like steel traps!!! So tightly closed.
It’s like many have lost the ability to read, to reason, to do their own research and to form their own opinions.
And we seem to be losing our truthsense…to steal a word from Herbert.
Thanks, Rosemary…
The truth is, it is such a devious tactic against parental emotions…playing those off against eachother…whose only real interest (mostly) is to try to make decisions they believe are best for their children…
I’m well and truly over the vaccine ‘debate’ as the desperation of the establishment is transparently obvious these days…and I’ve openly stated on this blog that in a handful of years…the miracle…will have been effectively exposed…
Nothing more for me add…it in motion…and will play itself out…
When I see outageously ignorant comments about manslaughter charges and child abuse levelled towards well intended parents…I will call it out…
Please keep sharing insights into your world…should you like to do so…
Have a good evening…
The odds of randomly encountering four women with children who have serious brain damage are low, but to meet four with a common cause of that damage is even lower – especially when one considers the apparent harm rates of the alleged source of those injuries. Where did you meet them?
McFlock. Feel free to utilise the awesome search engine on this site and go back and see how many times I comment about disability issues…especially when this involves the singularly dysfunctional government agency that is the Misery/Mystery/Miserly of Health.
Now over the past twenty years or so, and especially over the past fifteen, my partner (a pre ACC tetraplegic) and I (have housebus, can travel cheap) have made it our mission to attend as many disability type events as possible. Originally it was the biannual Consumer Forums put on by the Misery so the bureaucrats could front up the the client base and pretend they gave a shit. (The Misery quit those…way too much anger, way too many tears…and called the Consumer Consortium (all representatives of government funded ‘charities’ and NGOs) ‘consultation with the disabled’.)
Anyhoo…then there were the 5 Paying Family Carers workshops/consultations we went to in 2012(I still remember the late night run from Wellington to Hamilton to make the next day’s meeting) …then there was the KPMG thingy about disability support services funding and then there were the New Zealand Disability Strategy rewrite meetings and the odd Carer’s meeting.
Throw in a couple of Health and Disability Commission Disability conferences (we protested at one of those,with some effect I might add 🙂 and you might be getting the picture.
Now I just might come across as angry/ranty/over heavy on the sarcasm here on TS, and I really don’t give a shit….but in person, in the real world, I’m actually quite approachable. I’m going to stop short of describing myself as personable…but I try to project empathy and above all a willingness to listen. Peter sitting in his wheelchair helps. People tell us stuff. We feel honoured to hear their stories. We are not naive, and we can filter out the seriously sad and justifiably bitter. We have a pretty good understanding how MOH operates (ok, ‘operates’ is a stretch) and when it is clearly obvious that there has been a significantly higher level of funded support going into a particular client’s care than is usual this gives more than a little credence to their assertion that the damage was caused by a routine MOH funded vaccinations.
Guilt money…? Maybe. Hush money?..nah. Not that these Mothers just spit out ‘vaccine damage!!!’, they don’t. It usually a quiet thing. We ask the nature of the impairment and if it was there at birth ( acceptable questions from one disabled person to another but an AB might be pushing it to ask;-) ) The tale emerges as we listen without judgement. We listen with respect.
The fact we have spoken to hundreds of people living with disability and I can only think of four who ascribe their child being literally struck down due to vaccination is actually telling.
I recall liking some of your comments, but I don’t keep files on people 🙂
And I also have a bit of difficulty attaching specific details to people/handles here.
I just suspected a certain amount of sample bias. As you say, that you can only think of four is actually quite telling.
I recall as a kid having to take forms home from school before we were all lined up for shots in third form (yeah it was a while ago). I assume they were pretty similar to the forms I sign every year before getting the flu shot. They advise of the actual known risks, but really the stone cold truth is that the known risks are so low compared to the known risks of another measles outbreak getting out of hand that unless you tick one of the contraindication boxes, failure to vaccinate in my mind counts as negligence. Even if all four injuries of people you know met directly caused by the vaccine.
I actually wouldn’t care about anti-vax folk if they only endangered themselves – a bit pissed at the selfishness, but no big loss, like a drunk driver. But I also know a couple of cancer survivors and someone who seems to be allergic to everything under the sun, and they’re possibly put at risk, too.
But although we’re on different sides on this one, keep putting it up ’em 😉
THANK YOU Rosemary !
!!
While we’re talking about risking further anxiety, depression and low self-esteem from in our Young People Mattel comes up with a new Barbie to celebrate International Women’s Day.
I kid ye not.
To make matters worse they have produced…wait for it….drum roll please….THE FIRST EVER NEW ZEALAND BARBIE!!!!!!
Depicting our very own home grown role model for Kiwi girls…..former Black Fern and TV Sports Host Melodie Robinson.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12210214
She’s oh so appropriately chuffed and gushes….
“….seriously cool to be selected to inspire young girls with the first ever NZ Barbie – she’s Maori … and a commentator!”
I’m pretty sure (actually fervently hoping) that Melodie is unaware of the inspiration for Barbie…..a doll named Lilli…” a “sexy novelty gift for men, based on a popular comic strip” ”
Hmmm….https://sites.psu.edu/jyh5445/2013/12/08/brainwashed-by-barbie-what-a-doll/
Quirky funfact…If real women had Barbie’s traditional bodily proportions we’d be unable to hold our heads up, have room in our bellies for only half a liver and a few inches of intestine and we’d have to get around on all fours (to the delight, no doubt, of the target of the Lilli doll).
Oh dear Melodie….if only perhaps your ego could have been put aside for the greater good.
Rosemary Mc
Some things take off with a life of their own on a different trajectory than intended.
So old Barbie has mutated into something else. It will still have the skinny this and shapely that no doubt, as that is the way we are being moulded by commercial and cultural propaganda. That is slanted to feelings of always being less than excellent, not reaching your potential, resulting often into a constant stress. And I read recenty that stress itself tends to make you put oin weight through complicated interactions in the body.
So people are growing into great fat dumplings buying the idea they should really should change themselve, and the idea so discomforting that they reach for comfort food and I feel they mentally use their weight and size to give them presence in a world that finds many of us unsatisfactory no matter what we do.
But feminists found how to turn things round, adopted the word ‘bitch’ and said okay we’ll have that for our own. We’ll embrace it and take away its sting.
So they can take Barbie and choose her as their mascot if they wish.
Eleanor Roosevelt, President’s wife, was a great thinker, a moral person who spoke out about things that concerned her. She said, and it’s easy to think oh what a great line but it’s not that simple; but it is:
Wonder what Mrs Roosevelt would have made of Chomsky’s ‘Manufacturing Consent’?
The new Austin Brexit.
https://screenshotscdn.firefoxusercontent.com/images/ee68128e-a6fa-47e8-910b-d0a84e1effdd.png
Lol muchly
Science, huh.
“The Moon flies through Earth’s atmosphere,” says Igor Baliukin of Russia’s Space Research Institute, lead author of the paper presenting the results.
“We were not aware of it until we dusted off observations made over two decades ago by the SOHO spacecraft.”
Where our atmosphere merges into outer space, there is a cloud of hydrogen atoms called the geocorona. One of the spacecraft instruments, SWAN, used its sensitive sensors to trace the hydrogen signature and precisely detect how far the very outskirts of the geocorona are.
These observations could be done only at certain times of the year, when the Earth and its geocorona came into view for SWAN.
For planets with hydrogen in their exospheres, water vapour is often seen closer to their surface. That is the case for Earth, Mars and Venus.
“This is especially interesting when looking for planets with potential reservoirs of water beyond our Solar System,” explains Jean-Loup Bertaux, co-author and former principal investigator of SWAN.
The first telescope on the Moon, placed by Apollo 16 astronauts in 1972, captured an evocative image of the geocorona surrounding Earth and glowing brightly in ultraviolet light.
“At that time, the astronauts on the lunar surface did not know that they were actually embedded in the outskirts of the geocorona,” says Jean-Loup.
http://www.asdnews.com/news/aerospace/2019/02/20/earths-atmosphere-stretches-out-moon-beyond
Oh good. I’ll let the Tasman District Council know and they can stop the Waimea Dam in Lee Valley so that it can remain a beautiful swimmable place of clean river water and stressless rehabilitation instead of being drowned underneath tonnes of water.
Reports prepared say that there was just 10 days or weeks in the year when extra water was needed and alternatives to the dam for this purpose were drawn up but a dam is so big and a statement of man’s curious wish to erect monuments that purport to be good for all, but some are more equal than others.
So good news from space. That is very helpful though the advice cost more than the cost of the dam which was I think $20 million and now advanced to $80 million and projects always exceed their budgets don’t they. But what is money, merely blood, sweat and tears presented in a civilised manner when called on by the managers of the project. Perhaps one’s first-born too, who will probably be paying for this for ever as they say that the economics don’t add up to it on a cost/benefit basis.
Hmm- Herald goes into attack mode on popular PM, after she shockingly suggests their opinionaters don’t reflect a wide array of views.
We remember co-ordinated attacks on Labour leaders. Apologies years later mean little, if it continues. Democracy under attack etc.
They don’t need the 45% behind their paywall perhaps? Or wrote them off long ago?