Daily review 07/11/2023

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, November 7th, 2023 - 46 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

46 comments on “Daily review 07/11/2023 ”

  1. SPC 1
    7 November 2023 at 6:12 pm

    From the river to the sea.

    It's used by Likud (in regard to the West Bank being under Israeli control) and Hamas for their goal of a unitary state.

    Many use it otherwise, justice within Israel for Arab citizens, right of return for refugees and the end of post 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

    Here Chloe Swarbrick uses a subtle variation – probably because the IDF is currently back in Gaza, which is by the sea.

    "The pathway forward for ongoing peace means justice," she said. "That means an immediate ceasefire, return of all hostages on both sides and recognition of the humanity and human rights of Palestinians, wherever they are, but especially in their occupied homeland – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea," Swarbrick told Stuff.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/green-mp-chl-e-swarbrick-s-rally-chant-being-misconstrued-justice-for-palestine-says.html

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/133244121/from-the-river-to-the-sea-why-a-green-mp-caused-controversy-with-six-words

    Reply
  2. pat 2
    7 November 2023 at 6:15 pm

    Willie being a dick

    (link when becomes available)

    Reply
    • pat 2.1
      7 November 2023 at 6:53 pm

      "Jackson said he would spend the next six months deciding whether he wanted to stay on as an MP. However, he would definitely stay on if such a referendum went ahead.

      "If there's one, if that happens, then it's going to require me to stay around," he said.

      "I don't want civil unrest in our country. I'm just giving a warning. I work amongst our people. I'm amongst people who will go to war for this against Seymour and his mates. Now Mr Luxon can get all disappointed with me. I'm just giving you a warning from the people who are saying to me, 'they'd better not go through [with it].'"

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/301003601/people-will-go-to-war-against-seymour-and-his-mates-labour-mp-says

      WTF….lets have a civil war ahead of a discussion?…..6 months is too long, resign now for the good of the country.

      Reply
      • Belladonna 2.1.1
        7 November 2023 at 7:05 pm

        It's not exactly a ringing endorsement of the current Labour Maori caucus.

        And, really, what can he do inside Parliament (apart from voting against – which will achieve nothing if the Government have the numbers) – that he can't do outside Parliament?

        If he's forecasting civil unrest – then he can be involved just as well (if not better) outside Parliament. I don't recall Dame Whina Cooper as being an MP – but she certainly had a much greater impact on the history of our country than Willie Jackson has.

        It sounds more like a parachute – I might need 6 months of my Parliamentary salary to find a new job.

        Reply
        • pat 2.1.1.1
          7 November 2023 at 7:24 pm

          Its an ongoing theme from Willie…but after the election result I thought he may have pulled his head in a bit (as did JT post election) …instead he appears to be doubling down.

          Who are the ones being divisive?

          Reply
      • Muttonbird 2.1.2
        7 November 2023 at 8:13 pm

        It's not really a discussion though, it's a referendum which ACT and some National funders will throw their entire racist marketing might against the The Treaty and Maori.

        This would be the referendum which they, calling on their colonial settler past, have their best change to bury Te Ao Maori forever. They'll try to slip it in under the guise of a benign looking "discussion".

        Jackson knows the importance of what Seymour proposes and is front footing the response, the only response under represented peoples can produce against the wealth white and powerful…direct action.

        I’m surprised people buy into the idea it’s just a discussion. This is where our supposed democracy is weakest. The racist David Seymour knows it and he will attack with every resource he’s able to.

        Reply
        • pat 2.1.2.1
          7 November 2023 at 8:35 pm

          Before any referendum there would have to be a discussion as to what the referendum is voting on….as Willie et al well know.

          The threat of violence is being used to silence that discussion.

          Do we support an open democracy or not?….it would seem that increasing many do not.

          Reply
          • Muttonbird 2.1.2.1.1
            7 November 2023 at 8:40 pm

            There will not be any discussion on what the referendum is voting on. The referendum question will just appear as a sidecar at the next election. No public consultancy will be considered on this question and particularly no Maori consultancy will be considered on this question. The last because the reason for the referendum is specifically to reject any future consultation with Maori at all.

            I wonder which country you live in because violent demonstration is extremely rare in NZ.

            I also wonder wether you grasp that democracy can have weak points. We see the weak points a lot in local democracy where only the wealthy engaged vote. When this happens, the supposed legitimate democratic result is anything but legitimate.

            Reply
            • pat 2.1.2.1.1.1
              7 November 2023 at 8:52 pm

              Im glad you think you know how any referendum on the significance of the Treaty to our governance will be conducted, it must be highly beneficial to have such a crystal ball.

              Given the significance of the ToW I expect that any referendum would be afforded the same scrutiny that was applied to the MMP referendum…which involved considerable discussion, debate and examination.

              As to democracy, we as a species spent centuries fighting for a system that didnt rely on either birthright or violence and to discard it because it isnt perfect is the height of foolishness.

              Reply
              • Peter …
                7 November 2023 at 9:19 pm

                Given the significance of the ToW? To whom?

                And as for fighting for a system that didn't rely on either birthright or violence and to discard it? How will a referendum to get rid of the Treaty go? Those who want Māori subjugated or killed off, metaphorically in some cases, will be champing at the bit for Seymour to get into full flow.

                Reply
                • pat …
                  7 November 2023 at 9:27 pm

                  "Given the significance of the ToW? To whom?"

                  To anyone living in NZ …whether you understand, recognise, promote or disagree with it, it has an increasing impact on the lives of NZers.

                  "How will a referendum to get rid of the Treaty go?"

                  I dont believe I have seen/heard of a call for a referendum to dispose of the ToW….the proposal from ACT is for a clarification of the principles of the ToW and how it applies to our governance.

                  Reply
                  • Muttonbird …
                    7 November 2023 at 9:57 pm

                    In legislation speak, this is a referendum which will render the intention and concepts of Te Tiriti diluted and homogenised at best, and meaningless at worst.

                    It'll make the seabed and foreshore hikoi look like a small local gathering.

                    All good if you want this fight, just be ready.

                    Reply
                  • weka …
                    7 November 2023 at 10:02 pm

                    the purpose of rewriting the principles is to remove undermine the Treaty and decades of case law and process that has been developed to redress the wrongs of colonisation and create a partnership between Iwi and the Crown.

                    The intention is assimilationist. ACT aren't stupid enough to try and dispose of the Treaty, this is the next best thing.

                    Reply
                    • pat …
                      7 November 2023 at 10:16 pm

                      ACTs intentions may be as as you state but that dosnt mean a referendum will provide them….some who advocated for electoral change sought STV…they got change but not the change they wanted.

                      And there were strong opinions (and no shortage of nutters) with the electoral reform referendum(s) and we coped quite well with that.

                      As stated previously, this is an issue that is going to have to addressed at some point and the longer a serious discussion is avoided the greater the room for extreme views to take hold.

                    • weka []
                      7 November 2023 at 10:26 pm

                      I agree that the discussion needs to be had seriously and soon. A referendum is the worst possible way to do that. Trying to monkey wrench the Treaty will cause a constitutional crisis and I agree with others that there will be levels of protest we haven’t seen in a long time, perhaps not ever. Leaving aside whatever rhetoric Jackson is using, this will face major opposition from Māori and non-Māori, precisely because it’s an utterly dick move.

                      The comparison with the MMP referendum doesn’t hold on two counts.

                      1. the MMP referendum had major activism behind it to ensure that the issues got widely debated. But different times, we have social media manipulation now that puts the Business Roundtable shenanigans to shame.
                      2. MMP was an attempt to increase democratic representation, and this intention was clear and up front. ACT’s intention is to remove power from a section of society who by international law have a right to that power, and to do so in an unclear way, and likely to use trumpian politics which will further entrench the culture wars.
                    • Muttonbird …
                      7 November 2023 at 10:27 pm

                      It's kind of obscene to equate rewriting the Treaty of Waitangi to the move to from FPP to MMP, but I acknowledge that from some people's view point they are similar issues.

                    • pat …
                      7 November 2023 at 10:40 pm

                      "Few of Labour's leaders welcomed the commission's recommendations, however, and the government tried to sideline the issue. Although National's leadership also disliked the idea of MMP, they saw an opportunity to embarrass the government over its failure to respond to the commission's proposals. The issue was also kept alive through the efforts of an effective lobby group, the Electoral Reform Coalition, led by Colin Clarke, Rod Donald and Phil Saxby and others. As each party tried to outmanoeuvre the other, both Labour and National entered the 1990 election campaign promising to hold referenda on electoral reforms that they did not particularly want.

                      The Labour government was heavily defeated in the 1990 election, but its National successor was soon under fire for breaking election promises. Confidence and trust in politicians and Parliament plunged to new depths. Polls showed that politicians ranked alongside used-car salespeople as the least-respected occupational group in the country. Public support for electoral reform continued to grow."

                      https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/fpp-to-mmp/royal-commission

                      Snap!

                    • weka []
                      7 November 2023 at 10:54 pm

                      what’s your point here Pat? yes, parts of the political classes didn’t want MMP. And?

                    • pat …
                      7 November 2023 at 11:23 pm

                      The major parties didnt want electoral reform and they ignored the electorate…their reputation plummeted and the public push for a say in that reform forced the reluctant politicians to listen to the population.

                      The politicians (especially of the major parties) are again refusing to listen to the growing public disquiet and their reputation is again at the lowest of points.

                      The circumstances are akin

                      Whether ACT succeeds in having its referendum this time is largely moot…the issue will only grow in significance for the electorate until the politicians are forced to address it.

              • bwaghorn …
                7 November 2023 at 9:30 pm

                the same scrutiny that was applied to the MMP referendum

                Ya reckon , in zids become a angry place inhabited by a sizable % of morons since mmp days , look at what happened during covid!

                Rational debate won't happen while big money right wing loons like act andctheir supporters are involved, they'll stoke the fires of racism, anger and fear.

                Reply
                • pat …
                  7 November 2023 at 9:38 pm

                  Given the 'morons' and polarisation the only way a referendum could be successfully held is if it was treated with the same care and gravitas as was afforded the MMP referendum….as it should be.

                  The fact of the matter is the discussion (and referendum) will have to occur at some point …if we seek to have a written constitution or decide to replace the UK based monarch as our head of state.

                  Reply
                  • adam …
                    8 November 2023 at 2:20 am

                    If this really is your point, why the cheap Maori bashing along the way?

                    Why even discuss the treaty principles, if want you really want it to change the constitution?

                    The reality is, it's the usual bullshit racism, which you do a nice job of trying to hide pat. But bugger me, if it's not the same old shit being peddled by the same cocksuckers. Who delight is divide and rule coupled with bashing brown.

                    Here's the rub for the racist cocksuckers – Maori have had enough of this divide and rule coupled with bashing brown crap.

                    Reply
                    • pat …
                      8 November 2023 at 9:23 am

                      Is your only argument about our governing arrangements to throw baseless accusations of racism?

                      You may be happy to allow a small cadre of elites to determine in secret how our democracy is to function but I prefer the opportunity to have those arrangements publicly debated and put to the test of public opinion…..thats what a democracy does.

                      I have yet to see anyone here (or in the MSM) be able to explain what the practical implications of basing our governance upon the ToW involves.

                      Unconditional support of something undefined is little more than mindless faith…..if that is what is required then we have become a theocracy.

                      Bugger that for a bad joke.

                    • adam …
                      8 November 2023 at 11:56 am

                      How fragile are you.

                      Can't even answer simple questions with out making shit up.

                      We have a constitutional monarchy, did you miss the memo. In our case the monarch signed a deal with the indigenous populations called The Treaty of Waitangi. To protect their and the settler populations rights.

                      You have a choice, learn what the The Treaty of Waitangi say and means for all parties. Study the court cases which have driven how governments reacts The Treaty of Waitangi. (you know the government stole a whole lot more land, in reaction to a ruling on the seabed and foreshore) And actually act like a citizen who understands how democracy works.

                      Why do I have to explain to you if you are to lazy to actually do any leg work ? It's all there on public record. Instead we have lazy dog whistle racist shit from act and there corporate dogs, pretending this is about democracy. Democracy means you actually have to participate, not punch down when you don't like something.

              • Muttonbird …
                7 November 2023 at 9:46 pm

                I'd say democracy fails anytime not 100% of people are canvassed. It is a flawed system and the proof is in my previous sentence.

                Practically, it means the very referendum question has to be democratically agreed to. Practically, it means spend caps on marketing opinion. Practically it means people are free to express their opinion in person.

                Reply
              • weka …
                7 November 2023 at 10:05 pm

                As to democracy, we as a species spent centuries fighting for a system that didnt rely on either birthright or violence and to discard it because it isnt perfect is the height of foolishness.

                The point isn't to discard democracy but to improve it. The current form of democracy we use disadvantages Māori because it is majority rules and Māori aren't the majority.

                There are other forms of democracy we can be using instead.

                https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy

                Reply
                • pat …
                  7 November 2023 at 10:22 pm

                  Maori are not homogenous or of hivemind….as the recent election demonstrated.

                  If you advocate a change to our democratic system then you have the opportunity to describe it and convince the citizens to vote for it….thats the benefit of democracy.

                  Reply
                  • Muttonbird …
                    7 November 2023 at 10:30 pm

                    Maori are not homogenous or of hivemind.

                    This is another tool of the colonist and the powerful. Divide and weaken dissent by appealing to individuality and undermining the collective.

                    Reply
    • SPC 2.2
      7 November 2023 at 9:48 pm

      Don't worry Seymour won't have to explain why he wants to threaten Maori with the loss of their Treaty rights by settler majority mandate – looking like Oz while giving the fingers to UNDRIP and the Paris Accord is too much even for National (the world market for our exports is watching).

      Reply
  3. Incognito 3
    7 November 2023 at 6:59 pm

    Given that a Green MP is being hounded over six words rather than genuinely debating the issue, I think this is appropriate:

    “What we're really trying to do is not refute the actual arguments someone's making, but show how that person is, in some sense, bad or not worthy of listening to or fit to ignore.”

    Intellectually this is a tactic, he says.

    “As we say in the book, winning arguments without actually winning arguments.

    “That is defeating someone, so to speak, in a rhetorical battle, without even having to address their ideas.”

    Cancel culture is not the preserve exclusively of the left, he says.

    “We have we have several chapters where we talk about cancel culture on the right.”

    But he says a “perfect rhetorical fortress” has developed on the left, because it “grew up in academia”.

    “It is just layer after layer after layer of ways to not have to address the substance of someone’s argument.”

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018913373/new-book-puts-cancel-culture-in-spotlight

    Good article, worth the read (unless you have an RNZ allergy).

    Reply
    • SPC 3.1
      7 November 2023 at 7:14 pm

      “There's a great Aldous Huxley quote that says if you want to create a movement, give people the opportunity to be cruel to another person, but feel self-righteous in doing that.”

      Where cancel culture meets a day out to watch a public execution – hung drawn and quartered, or the guillotine.

      And by being in the majority on a media platform (or the management or owners or moderators) …

      Reply
      • Incognito 3.1.1
        7 November 2023 at 7:55 pm

        Robust debate is a rare commodity, nowadays, and politics and media (platforms) are simultaneously cause & consequence of this.

        Reply
        • SPC 3.1.1.1
          7 November 2023 at 8:05 pm

          Sure I've been on all sorts of sites – Kiwiblog in the minority – before then the old MSN boards. Being told one was a rag head squatting on the West Bank to a Zionist *********** for expressing the same opine (two state peace process) on two different ME blogs was a good primer for 21st C social media.

          Reply
          • Incognito 3.1.1.1.1
            7 November 2023 at 8:28 pm

            My concern is that a ‘good primer’ can be a euphemism for desensitised and cynical even, which is not a good basis for respectful debate or human connection, for that matter …

            Reply
            • SPC 3.1.1.1.1.1
              7 November 2023 at 8:43 pm

              No more a case of experiencing the nature of tribalism. One is either deterred by it, or remain on that righteous path of sophia – not pandering to barbarians of either side.

              'Barbarian' is derived from the ancient Greek word 'bárbaros', meaning babbler, and was used to describe people from non-Greek speaking countries such as Persia and Egypt, who, to Greek ears, sounded like they were make unintelligible sounds (ba-ba-ba).

              https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=barbarian+origin+of+word

              There are two types of debate – contested positions and where people are looking for common ground.

              Reply
              • Incognito …
                7 November 2023 at 9:01 pm

                We all choose our path, whether we know it or not …

                Tribalism feeds [on] the innate desire and need for belonging and a safe haven if not [a] home.

                Reply
            • SPC 3.1.1.1.1.2
              7 November 2023 at 8:56 pm

              Sometimes there is contested debate until there is, or with, agreement on common ground.

              But the point of the book was that this is occurring less and less.

              Reply
  4. joe90 4
    7 November 2023 at 7:29 pm

    Finally, something good about the use of smart phones and AI.

    .

    Acoustic Analysis and Prediction of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using Smartphone-Recorded Voice Segments

    Abstract

    Objective

    To investigate the potential of voice analysis as a prescreening or monitoring tool for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by examining the differences in voice recordings between nondiabetic and T2DM individuals.

    […]

    .

    Conclusion

    Overall, vocal changes occur in individuals with T2DM compared with those without T2DM. Voice analysis shows potential as a prescreening or monitoring tool for T2DM, particularly when combined with other risk factors associated with the condition.

    https://www.mcpdigitalhealth.org/article/S2949-7612(23)00073-1/fulltext

    Reply
  5. SPC 5
    7 November 2023 at 8:20 pm

    A TVNZ commentator is playing semantics with the Hipkins call to have no wealth tax after the election.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/07/felix-desmarais-hipkins-weasel-words-on-tax-serve-no-one/

    He should note previous PM's making calls not to do stuff while they are PM. That is a commitment beyond an electoral cycle.

    Hipkins said not after the election – because generally a party has a manifesto that lasts 3 years. People get what they vote for and after 2026 they may be able to vote for a Labour/Green/TPM coalition in accord on some form of wealth tax.

    Reply
    • observer 5.1
      7 November 2023 at 9:02 pm

      If Felix is confused by "we lost, so we review what we promised", then he's going to be apoplectic when he hears "we won, and we're not doing what we promised".

      Coming soon.

      Reply
    • observer 6.1
      7 November 2023 at 9:07 pm

      Better sort that out fast. Otherwise Leighton Baker wins the Port Waikato by-election … Luxon says he "will not rule out" a coalition deal …

      Reply

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    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    2 days ago

  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    3 days ago

  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The stupidest of stupid reasons
    One of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • A website bereft of buzz
    Buzz from the Beehive The new government was being  sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found ….  Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Cans of Worms.
    “And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back
    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago

  • The New Government: 2023 Edition
    So New Zealand has a brand-spanking new right-wing government. Not just any new government either. A formal majority coalition, of the sort last seen in 1996-1998 (our governmental arrangements for the past quarter of a century have been varying flavours of minority coalition or single-party minority, with great emphasis ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    7 days ago

  • The unboxing
    And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the tree with its gold ribbon but can turn out to be nothing more than a big box holding a voucher for socks, so it ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • A cruel, vicious, nasty government
    So, after weeks of negotiations, we finally have a government, with a three-party cabinet and a time-sharing deputy PM arrangement. Newsroom's Marc Daalder has put the various coalition documents online, and I've been reading through them. A few things stand out: Luxon doesn't want to do any work, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Hurrah – we have a new government (National, ACT and New Zealand First commit “to deliver for al...
    Buzz from the Beehive Sorry, there has been  no fresh news on the government’s official website since the caretaker trade minister’s press statement about the European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement. But the capital is abuzz with news – and media comment is quickly flowing – after ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Christopher Luxon – NZ PM #42.
    Nothing says strong and stable like having your government announcement delayed by a day because one of your deputies wants to remind everyone, but mostly you, who wears the trousers. It was all a bit embarrassing yesterday with the parties descending on Wellington before pulling out of proceedings. There are ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Coalition Government details policies & ministers
    Winston Peters will be Deputy PM for the first half of the Coalition Government’s three-year term, with David Seymour being Deputy PM for the second half. Photo montage by Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: PM-Elect Christopher Luxon has announced the formation of a joint National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government with a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • “Old Coat” by Peter, Paul & Mary.
     THERE ARE SOME SONGS that seem to come from a place that is at once in and out of the world. Written by men and women who, for a brief moment, are granted access to that strange, collective compendium of human experience that comes from, and belongs to, all the ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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