Daily Review 07/03/2017
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5:30 pm, March 7th, 2017 - 50 comments
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- Support in place for people connected to Auckland COVID-19 casesWith a suite of Government income support packages available, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni is encouraging people, and businesses, connected to the recent Auckland COVID-19 cases to check the Work and Income website if they’ve been impacted by the need to self-isolate. “If you are required to ...4 days ago
- Statement on passing of former PNG PM Sir Michael SomarePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed her condolences at the passing of long-serving former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. “Our thoughts are with Lady Veronica Somare and family, Prime Minister James Marape and the people of Papua New Guinea during this time of great ...5 days ago
- Speech to the National Māori Housing Conference 2021E te tī, e te tā Tēnei te mihi maioha ki a koutou Ki te whenua e takoto nei Ki te rangi e tū iho nei Ki a tātou e tau nei Tēnā tātou. It’s great to be with you today, along with some of the ministerial housing team; Hon Peeni Henare, the ...5 days ago
- Drone project to aid protection of Māui dolphinThe Government is backing a new project to use drone technology to transform our understanding and protection of the Māui dolphin, Aotearoa’s most endangered dolphin. “The project is just one part of the Government’s plan to save the Māui dolphin. We are committed to protecting this treasure,” Oceans and Fisheries ...5 days ago
- New water regulator board announced as major Government reform moves forwardMajor water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says. Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai. “Dame ...5 days ago
- North Auckland gets public transport upgradeThe newly completed Hibiscus Coast Bus Station will help people make better transport choices to help ease congestion and benefit the environment, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said today. Michael Wood and Phil Goff officially opened the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station which sits just off the ...5 days ago
- Supporting work to protect Northland reserveNew funding announced by Conservation Minister Kiri Allan today will provide work and help protect the unique values of Northland’s Te Ārai Nature Reserve for future generations. Te Ārai is culturally important to Te Aupōuri as the last resting place of the spirits before they depart to Te Rerenga Wairua. ...5 days ago
- Critical step to new housing deal for Pacific communitiesToday the Government has taken a key step to support Pacific people to becoming Community Housing providers, says the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. “This will be great news for Pacific communities with the decision to provide Pacific Financial Capability Grant funding and a tender process to ...5 days ago
- Consultation opens on proposed Bay of Islands marine mammal sanctuaryConservation Minister Kiri Allan is encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on a proposed marine mammal sanctuary to address the rapid decline of bottlenose dolphins in Te Pēwhairangi, the Bay of Islands. The proposal, developed jointly with Ngā Hapū o te Pēwhairangi, would protect all marine mammals of the ...6 days ago
- Three District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges. Two of the appointees will take up their roles on 1 April, replacing sitting Judges who have reached retirement age. Kirsten Lummis, lawyer of Auckland has been appointed as a District Court Judge with jury jurisdiction to ...6 days ago
- Government announces list of life-shortening conditions guaranteeing early KiwiSaver accessGovernment announces list of life-shortening conditions guaranteeing early KiwiSaver access The Government changed the KiwiSaver rules in 2019 so people with life-shortening congenital conditions can withdraw their savings early The four conditions guaranteed early access are – down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder An alternative ...6 days ago
- Reserve Bank to take account of housing in decision makingThe Reserve Bank is now required to consider the impact on housing when making monetary and financial policy decisions, Grant Robertson announced today. Changes have been made to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s remit requiring it to take into account government policy relating to more sustainable house prices, while working ...6 days ago
- Investment to reduce cochlear implant waitlistThe Labour Government will invest $6 million for 70 additional adult cochlear implants this year to significantly reduce the historical waitlist, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Cochlear implants are life changing for kiwis who suffer from severe hearing loss. As well as improving an individual’s hearing, they open doors to ...6 days ago
- Māori wards Bill passes third readingThe Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill passed its third reading today and will become law, Minister of Local Government Hon Nanaia Mahuta says. “This is a significant step forward for Māori representation in local government. We know how important it is to have diversity around ...7 days ago
- Government delivers 1,000 more transitional housing placesThe Government has added 1,000 more transitional housing places as promised under the Aotearoa New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan (HAP), launched one year ago. Minister of Housing Megan Woods says the milestone supports the Government’s priority to ensure every New Zealander has warm, dry, secure housing. “Transitional housing provides people ...7 days ago
- Second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech doses arrives safely – as the first vaccinations take place in the...A second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived safely yesterday at Auckland International Airport, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “This shipment contained about 76,000 doses, and follows our first shipment of 60,000 doses that arrived last week. We expect further shipments of vaccine over the coming weeks,” Chris Hipkins said. ...7 days ago
- $18 million for creative spaces to make arts more accessibleThe Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni has today announced $18 million to support creative spaces. Creative spaces are places in the community where people with mental health needs, disabled people, and those looking for social connection, are welcomed and supported to practice and participate in the arts ...1 week ago
- Moriori Claims Settlement Bill passes first readingTreaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little today welcomed Moriori to Parliament to witness the first reading of the Moriori Claims Settlement Bill. “This bill is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work from all the parties involved. “I am delighted to reach this significant milestone today,” Andrew ...1 week ago
- Government action reduces child poverty22,400 fewer children experiencing material hardship 45,400 fewer children in low income households on after-housing costs measure After-housing costs target achieved a year ahead of schedule Government action has seen child poverty reduce against all nine official measures compared to the baseline year, Prime Minister and Minister for Child Poverty ...1 week ago
- Entries open for the 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence AwardsIt’s time to recognise the outstanding work early learning services, kōhanga reo, schools and kura do to support children and young people to succeed, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins says. The 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards are now open through until April 16. “The past year has reminded us ...1 week ago
- Jobs for Nature benefits three projectsThree new Jobs for Nature projects will help nature thrive in the Bay of Plenty and keep local people in work says Conservation Minister Kiri Allan. “Up to 30 people will be employed in the projects, which are aimed at boosting local conservation efforts, enhancing some of the region’s most ...1 week ago
- Improvements to the Holidays Act on the wayThe Government has accepted all of the Holidays Act Taskforce’s recommended changes, which will provide certainty to employers and help employees receive their leave entitlements, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood said the Government established the Holidays Act Taskforce to help address challenges with the ...1 week ago
- NZ’s credit rating lifted as economy recoversThe Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and faster than expected economic recovery has been acknowledged in today’s credit rating upgrade. Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) today raised New Zealand’s local currency credit rating to AAA with a stable outlook. This follows Fitch reaffirming its AA+ rating last ...1 week ago
- Speech to National Remembrance Service on the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakeTena koutou e nga Maata Waka Ngai Tuahuriri, Ngai Tahu whanui, Tena koutou. Nau mai whakatau mai ki tenei ra maumahara i te Ru Whenua Apiti hono tatai hono, Te hunga mate ki te hunga mate Apiti hono tatai hono, Te hunga ora ki te hunga ora Tena koutou, Tena ...1 week ago
- Government reaffirms urgent commitment to ban harmful conversion practicesThe Minister of Justice has reaffirmed the Government’s urgent commitment, as stated in its 2020 Election Manifesto, to ban conversion practices in New Zealand by this time next year. “The Government has work underway to develop policy which will bring legislation to Parliament by the middle of this year and ...1 week ago
- New creative service aims to benefit 1,000 peoples’ careersMinister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Social Development Hon Carmel Sepuloni today launched a new Creative Careers Service, which is expected to support up to 1,000 creatives, across three regions over the next two years. The new service builds on the most successful aspects of the former Pathways to ...1 week ago
- Honey exporters busy meeting surging demandOverseas consumers eager for natural products in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic have helped boost honey export revenue by 20 percent to $425 million in the year to June 30, 2020, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says. “The results from the latest Ministry for Primary Industries’ 2020 Apiculture Monitoring ...2 weeks ago
- Government delivers more wellbeing support for young peopleThanks to more than $10-million in new services from the Government, more rangatahi will be able to access mental health and addiction support in their community. Minister of Health Andrew Little made the announcement today while visiting Odyssey House Christchurch and acknowledged that significant events like the devastating earthquakes ten ...2 weeks ago
- Government eases visa restrictions for visitors in New ZealandTwo month automatic visitor visa extension for most visitor visa holders Temporary waiver of time spent in New Zealand rule for visitor stays Visitor visa holders will be able to stay in New Zealand a little longer as the Government eases restrictions for those still here, the Minister of Immigration ...2 weeks ago
- Push for sustainable tourism gathers paceThe Tourism and Conservation Ministers say today’s report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) adds to calls to overhaul the tourism model that existed prior to COVID19. “The PCE tourism report joins a chorus of analysis which has established that previous settings, which prioritised volume over value, are ...2 weeks ago
- Government extends dietary supplements regulationsThe Government is providing certainty for the dietary supplements industry as we work to overhaul the rules governing the products, Minister for Food Safety Dr Ayesha Verrall said. Dietary supplements are health and wellness products taken orally to supplement a traditional diet. Some examples include vitamin and mineral supplements, echinacea, ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand to join the Council of Europe Convention on CybercrimeThe Government is joining the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (the Budapest Convention), Justice Minister Kris Faafoi and Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications Dr David Clark announced today. The decision progresses a recommendation by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terror attack to accede to ...2 weeks ago
- Siouxsie Wiles & Toby Morris: The symptoms of the UK Covid variant, in seven languages
How to recognise possible symptoms of the new B.1.1.7 variant of Covid-19, in illustrated form, in seven different languages.Our Covid-19 coverage is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support the ongoing work, please donate here. In April 2020, Toby and Siouxsie created a symptoms chart so people could ...13 mins ago - Te Waihanga Looks At State Of Play Of Infrastructure In The Resource Recovery And Waste Sector
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga’s latest discussion document looks at the state of play of infrastructure in the resource recovery and waste sector. One of a series of reports into key infrastructure sectors, it highlights some of ...54 mins ago - Support Grows For Workers To Be Paid 100% Through COVID CrisisE tū, the biggest private sector union in Aotearoa New Zealand, says that workers should not lose out on pay when they are required to self-isolate, or otherwise miss work, because of COVID-19. E tū has been calling for workers’ wages to lead the ...1 hour ago
- Please excuse Chris Tse as he freaks out over these poetry finalistsThe shortlist for the prestigious Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, which carries prize money worth $10,000, was made public this morning. Our poetry editor Chris Tse is ecstatic. Here’s a sobering statistic: since 2001, only two non-Pākehā poets have won the poetry category at the book awards – David ...1 hour ago
- Tiny ‘flying Penguins’ Need Greater Attention On Land And At Sea...1 hour ago
- Jacinda Ardern And This Labour Government Ok With Leaving People BehindOver the weekend Jacinda Ardern appeared on Newshub The Nation and made some problematic comments about lifting people out of poverty, saying the Labour government has prioritised targeting families with children. “This is the problem - Jacinda Ardern and this ...2 hours ago
- New Zealand Cohort Life Tables: March 2021 UpdateCohort life tables track the mortality experience of people born in each year from 1876. Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV: New Zealand cohort life tables: March 2021 update CSV files for download ...2 hours ago
- A wish list for all that capital gains tax revenue, which doesn’t existUnlike most developed countries, New Zealand doesn’t have a capital gains tax. But if we did, it would bring in billions worth of revenue over the next five years. Here are some of the things you could spend that money on.There’s little point dwelling on things that didn’t happen. Lamenting ...3 hours ago
- Hutt City Council Matter Is Dirty Politics At Its FinestThe public attacks and investigations against a Hutt City Councillor asking questions about allegations relating to the Mayor, look more like a vindictive witch hunt than a Council striving for good ethical standards, says the Taxpayers’ Union . “For ...3 hours ago
- ‘This one was personal’: Mihi Forbes on the new Tainui wars documentaryThe latest documentary in the New Zealand Wars series hit different for presenter Mihingarangi Forbes. She explains why to Leonie Hayden.Content warning: contains descriptions of the murder of women and children, and sexual assault.The military campaign by the British Crown to suppress Māori sovereignty and acquire Māori land for the ...4 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 03 2021
Editor’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 Covid: Govt messaging, blame, compliance Branko Marcetic (Democracy Project): We’ve cut the Govt slack for its own Covid missteps, so let’s do the same for workers Josie Pagani (Stuff): Let’s ...4 hours ago - The Liberals face electoral wipeout in WA, but have 3 good reasons to keep campaigningSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Drum, Lecturer Politics and International Relations, University of Notre Dame Australia Time is running out for the Western Australian Liberal Party. Polling points to a massive Labor landslide at the upcoming state election on March 13. Following last month’s Newspoll, which ...5 hours ago
- Chinese-Australians have a sense of dual ‘belonging’: Lowy pollSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A substantial minority of Chinese-Australians have experienced a backlash from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 deterioration in bilateral relations, according to a survey from the Lowy Institute. In the poll, 37% said they had ...5 hours ago
- I’m a sexual assault counsellor. Here’s why it’s so hard for survivors to come forward, and wh...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neeraja Sanmuhanathan, Senior Sexual Assault Counsellor, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Lecturer in Counselling, University of Notre Dame Australia As a senior sexual assault counsellor working with Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, I often sit across from people on the worst day of ...5 hours ago
- Think all your plastic is being recycled? New research shows it can end up in the oceanSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monique Retamal, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney We all know it’s wrong to toss your rubbish into the ocean or another natural place. But it might surprise you to learn some plastic waste ends up in the ...5 hours ago
- We can see the gender bias of all-boys’ schools by the books they study in EnglishSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cody Reynolds, Researcher & Educator, University of Newcastle “She’s more crazy than she is female.” So declared a senior student in a furious critique of Sylvia Plath’s poetry. The classroom was entirely male, myself included. As the teacher, I mediated discussion but ...5 hours ago
- Prepare, connect, care: essential steps for new students to manage and enjoy uni lifeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Stokes, Senior Lecturer in Digital and Information Literacy (Education Futures), University of South Australia Starting university is usually a time of hope focused on bright futures. This year feels different. As cities move in and out of lockdown, new students are ...5 hours ago
- NZ’s Climate Change Commission needs to account for the huge potential health benefits of reducing...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Wilson, Professor of Public Health, University of Otago The Climate Change Commission’s recent draft report and recommendations has helped to kick-start an extremely important process. But, as others have argued, there remain serious questions about its narrow view and lack of ...5 hours ago
- Live updates, March 3: ‘An encouraging sign’ – no new Covid-19 cases overnightLive coverage of the snap lockdown and the search for a source of the latest infection. Auckland is now at alert level three, NZ at level two. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.45am: ‘An encouraging sign’ – no new Covid-19 cases overnightThere are no new community cases of Covid-19 this morning, ...5 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Pharmac review unlikely to give patient advocates what they wantGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Pharmac review unlikely to give patient advocates what they want, feedback shows confusion on managed isolation communication, and National wants more generous Covid leave scheme.An independent review into Pharmac has been announced, and will focus on how and how quickly ...6 hours ago
- National wants government to pay wages of those self-isolating
The National Party wants the government to pay 100 percent of a person's wages for two weeks if they have been told to self-isolate. ...6 hours ago - Less 'kind talk', more rigour needed in post-Covid economy
Ahead of the Finance Minister's speech to the National Economic Forum, Otago University's Dr Dennis Wesselbaum says the Government's focus on wellbeing has undermined the ability of economic research to inform policy-making, just when we need rigorous research the most Since the end of the Second World War, the New ...6 hours ago - Govt investigates phone app that detects Covid-19 before onset of symptomsThe government has been quietly investigating if returnees and border workers should use a phone app that can detect Covid-19 two or three days before symptoms set in. ...6 hours ago
- Rocket Lab set to become the country’s newest moon-shot
Business & Investing: What is Peter Beck's high school careers advisor thinking now? Plus international freight charges rise steeply ...7 hours ago - Please Explain, PM“The Prime Minister has some serious explaining to do after her Government's Official COVID-19 Facebook Page contradicted her claim that Case J (Kmart worker) and Case L (KFC worker) were told to isolate. The Page replied to a member of the public saying ...7 hours ago
- Crunchtime for homeowners who deferred mortgage payments in downturn
The Finance Minister is worried about the risk interest-only home loans pose to the country's financial stability. ...7 hours ago - Willie Jackson unleashes on Māori MPs
Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson has taken a swing at National’s Simon Bridges and ACT’s David Seymour, saying they’re a “total waste of bloody time’’ when it comes to advocating for their own Māori people, writes political editor Jo Moir Willie Jackson is offended, hacked off, but not surprised there ...8 hours ago - DoC dobs itself in for errant spraying
How did two weed control operations on public conservation land go so wrong? David Williams reports The effects of the herbicide spraying becomes obvious just past the old, corrugated-iron musterers’ hut, with its tack shed and veranda. Scattered among grasses at the southern edge of Lake Emma in Canterbury’s Hakatere ...8 hours ago - The woman keeping close tabs on Team NZ's race boat
A sailing rookie hailing from the mountains of Colorado, Kelly Hartzell plays a crucial part in Team New Zealand's defence of the America's Cup. She explains her role as a mechatronics engineer to Suzanne McFadden. Kelly Hartzell may have one of the coolest offices in New Zealand right now. Most ...8 hours ago - Big spend-up on Auckland recycling
With China shutting its doors to New Zealand’s waste, Auckland Council is pinning its hopes on community-run recycling centres. Auckland Council has approved a plan to more than double the number of recycling facilities across the region by 2031. The updated Resource Recovery Network Strategy calls for a dramatic expansion ...8 hours ago - Passport revenues plummet in Covid-19 world
As Kiwis sit on expired passports, tens of millions in lost fees mount up. ...8 hours ago - Liftoff for Rocket Lab – but will investors get burnt?
Rocket Lab is promising the sky with its NZ$5.7 billion Nasdaq listing, but potential investors should go in with their feet firmly on the ground. There’s something crazy exciting and deeply scary about Rocket Lab’s announcement it will soon be listing on the US’s Nasdaq stock market, with a valuation of US$4.1 ...8 hours ago - A ward by any other name just as democratic
Councils use wards to recognise communities of interest, so why are Māori wards singled out for this criticism when other wards are not? The Government recently removed the provision in the Local Electoral Act that allowed a public poll to overturn a council’s decision to establish a Māori ward. This has reignited ...8 hours ago - Let's see your working please, Climate Commission
The Climate Commission has an urgent task, but not so urgent that the work should forgo basic scrutiny, says Eric Crampton Academic debates are rarely high stakes. Compared with the kind of work the Climate Change Commission is doing, debates among academics are of almost no consequence at all. But ...8 hours ago - If we’re serious about public health, the government must keep a critical promiseAt the heart of our Covid-19 response has been the recognition that health and economic goals are intertwined. We can cement those values in an independent Public Health Agency, writes Robert Beaglehole, a public health expert who is professor emeritus of the University of Auckland and formerly based at the World ...8 hours ago
- Ockham NZ Book Awards shortlist, 2021: the brutal cull, revealed – plus, our pick for the winMōrena! A minute ago the embargo lifted on the shortlist for the 2021 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Quick stats: 179 entered; 40 made the longlist; 24 of those just bit the award dust. Here are the 16 that remain, followed by analysis from our books editor Catherine Woulfe. JANN MEDLICOTT ...8 hours ago
- Book awards go fully woke
ReadingRoom Steve Braunias comments on the Ockham New Zealand book awards shortlist New Zealand literature has long tried to be woke, made various woke noises, and had very woke intentions but really it's operated as a safe enclave for good old whitey to enjoy the awards, the grants, the cash ...8 hours ago - All the stars in the sky, and a lot of other stuff too
Elon Musk's Starlink satellites are a wondrous sight - and also a slightly disturbing one. How many foreign objects can we fit into the night sky before they start crashing into each other? A dark, clear night, and a milky way of glorious stars. Amateur stargazer Jeremy Rees was ...8 hours ago - Minister at centre of historical rape allegation ready to name himselfSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The minister accused of historical rape is set to identify himself on Wednesday, after NSW police on Tuesday declared their examination of the claim “closed”. The push by the friends of the alleged victim – ...13 hours ago
- Myanmar’s Bloody Sunday – security forces ‘live tracking’ media, protestersThe Myanmar army, police and militia’s use of violence against peaceful protestors reached another level on Sunday, February 28. By 5pm, local media reported at least 19 confirmed killings and another 10 unconfirmed. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) spoke to journalists covering the nationwide protests. Toe Zaw Latt, a video ...16 hours ago
- Kanaky New Caledonia ministers again deadlocked over president electionBy RNZ Pacific New Caledonia’s 11 newly elected ministers have again failed to elect a new president. Like two weeks ago, none of the three candidates managed to secure the support of at least six ministers. At today’s meeting called by the French High Commissioner Laurent Prévost, the anti-independence Future ...17 hours ago
- Tongan missionaries ‘in hiding’ in PNG as angry looters target Asian shopsBy Kalino Latu, editor of Kaniva Tonga A group of Tongan missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Papua New Guinea has gone into hiding in a church in Lae as unrest and violence erupted in the country yesterday. The chaos came after days ...17 hours ago
- Michael Gudinski: how a titan of the industry shaped Australian music for five decadesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication, University of Technology Sydney In the book 25 years of Mushroom Records, published in 1998, Michael Gudinski described himself as “Chairman, Mushroom Group of Companies and music fan”. There could be no better description of Gudinski, ...19 hours ago
- Bad vibes for spirituality festival as ticket holders refused refunds due to CovidCovid-19 restrictions have forced a postponement for the NZ Spirit Festival, an alternative lifestyle event due to begin this week. Now some ticket-holders are angry that organisers are refusing to refund if they can’t make the new date – even for those who’d bought Covid ‘refundable’ tickets. Jihee Junn reports.Set ...19 hours ago
- People are confused. So what are the rules on testing and self-isolation?Amid reports of confusing information being given to people after Covid tests, we asked our readers what they’d been told – and sought to clarify what the rules really are.When one of the people who has now been confirmed as having Covid-19 went to work at KFC, it represented an ...19 hours ago
- Josh Frydenberg has the opportunity to transform Australia, permanently lowering unemploymentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Josh Frydenberg has the opportunity to become a transformational Australian treasurer. He has been bequeathed a set of circumstances that comes along rarely. He has already shown himself able to ...21 hours ago
- Government's Planned Pharmac Review A SideshowThe Government’s announcement of a review into Pharmac declares that its budget, and the total amount allocated to pharmaceuticals, will be out of scope. This ignores the most serious weakness with current arrangements: that no one really knows whether ...21 hours ago
- Australian media is failing to cover domestic violence in the right way: new researchSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Effie Karageorgos, Lecturer, University of Newcastle Last year, 56 women were allegedly killed by their partner or ex-partner in Australia. Domestic violence against women is a national issue, and the media plays a key role in setting the public agenda on the ...21 hours ago
- Tauranga Super City? Be Careful What You Wish ForThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling for calmer heads to prevail after former Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell’s calls for an amalgamation of the district’s councils into a mini ‘super city’. “Intellectually, bigger might sound better or more efficient, ...22 hours ago
- Birds on beaches are under attack from dogs, photographers and four-wheel drives. Here’s how you c...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Greenwell, PhD Candidate, Murdoch University Environmental scientists see flora, fauna and phenomena the rest of us rarely do. In this new series, we’ve invited them to share their unique photos from the field. Each year, oystercatchers, plovers and terns flock ...22 hours ago
- Pharmac looks likely to get a pick-me-up after review team reports on its state of health
Our Beehive Bulletin … The Beehive has drawn attention today to the help being dispensed by the kindly Ardern government and other agencies for Covid-affected communities after alert levels (and levels of social inconvenience) were raised. But Pharmac, the state’s controversial drug-purchasing agency, is to undergo a rigorous examination before ...22 hours ago - Call For Ministers To Deliver Pollution ReviewGovernment Ministers need to review their decision to leave out nitrogen pollution limits from last year's freshwater law reform. Yesterday, Radio New Zealand revealed the Government ignored advice from the Freshwater Leaders' Group, Kaahui Wai Māori, ...22 hours ago
- Holy Moses! Who are the women looking for love on The Bachelor NZ?Hot on the heels of the Bachelorette finale, a new season of The Bachelor NZ begins tonight. Tara Ward introduces the women competing for Moses Mackay’s heart.Last night’s dramatic finale of The Bachelorette NZ may still be ringing in our ears and beating in our hearts, but it’s time to ...23 hours ago
- Do I need to register for a COVID vaccine? How will I know when it’s my turn? Vaccine rollout ques...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasha Yates, Assistant Professor, General Practice, Bond University Australia is now more than a week into rolling out the Pfizer vaccine, while AstraZeneca shots are due to start from next week. But many of us may still have questions about when and ...23 hours ago
- Framing Britney Spears shows star power is shifting to the audienceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By P. David Marshall, Professor and Research Chair in New Media, Communication and Cultural Studies, Deakin University An intriguing documentary about Britney Spears, produced by the New York Times and airing in Australia tonight, marks a change in how we view and engage ...23 hours ago
- EMA Echoes Calls For More Input Into Future Management Of COVID-19Calls by senior business leaders for more openness and cooperation around the Government’s plan for the ongoing management of COVID-19 are strongly supported by the EMA. Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says business owners are being crippled by increasing pressure ...24 hours ago
- NZ Initiative Supports The Call For Greater Clarity At The BorderWellington (Tuesday, 2 March 2021) – The New Zealand Initiative welcomes today’s call from business leaders for greater clarity about the border. The Initiative also urges the government to further strengthen the testing regime at the border. Making ...24 hours ago
- The PM was angry – but her halo is slipping and Aucklanders are riled, too, by roadblocks and clos...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has admitted to the NZ Herald’s Claire Trevett that ”Covid is constantly in my mind”. In an interview at the weekend, extending over two pages of the newspaper, Trevett observed: “Ardern is now very confident in her Prime Ministerial skin. There is nothing tentative about her ...24 hours ago - Petitioner Calls On Two Govt Doctors To Review Vape Flavour BanThe Ministry of Health has submitted a written submission to the Health Select Committee, dismissing a Parliamentary petition signed by 17,357 Kiwis supporting ongoing access to vape flavours. Petition organiser, Nancy Loucas, who is co-director of Aotearoa ...24 hours ago
- Police Association Says IPCA Bullying Report A Fair AssessmentThe New Zealand Police Association considers the IPCA report on bullying, culture and related issues within Police, to be a fair assessment of the current situation in that it identifies the key problem areas, the progress Police has recently been ...1 day ago
- Te Rito Maioha Supports Renewed Calls For ECE Pay ParityTe Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand (ECNZ) supports renewed calls for pay parity for all early learning teachers. Chief Executive, Kathy Wolfe says, “teachers want better pay and working conditions, and the message is coming through strongly ...1 day ago
- Scratched: Why Precious McKenzie wanted to lift for New ZealandFrom being barred from competing in apartheid-era South Africa to being embraced by his adopted home country, Precious McKenzie’s is a story of perseverance and the importance of knowing your value.Watch more episodes of Scratched: Aotearoa’s Lost Sporting Legends here.Every Olympic or Commonwealth Games has its cult heroes, athletes who ...1 day ago
- Review Of Bullying And Culture Highlights Way Forward For Police...1 day ago
- ‘You don’t know their lives’: A call for empathy from The Aunties’ Jackie ClarkToday Jackie Clark is at home in South Auckland, tired after a long morning of delivering care packages to the women she walks alongside as the founder of The Aunties, a support community for those living with the effects of family violence. She’s also exhausted by all the opinions being ...1 day ago
- Maori Council Welcomes PHARMAC Review: Every New Zealander Should Have A Fighting Chance At LifeThe New Zealand Maori Council welcomes the review announced by the Prime Minister into PHARMAC. Executive Director, Matthew Tukaki, has called for such a review over the course of the last two years with a particular emphasis on the ways and means ...1 day ago
- Water markets are not perfect, but vital to the future of the Murray-Darling BasinSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neal Hughes, Senior Economist, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Water markets have come in for some bad press lately, fuelled in part by the severe drought of 2019 and resulting high water prices. They have also been ...1 day ago
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I liked this from Jacinda Ardern. The new no nonsense Jacinda who challenges the media:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-you-worried-jacindas-popularity-overtake-yours-terse-andrew-little-ardern-desperately-try-shut-down-reporters-curly-questions
As for the terminology used to head the item… garbage in… garbage out. Little and Ardern called the smart-arse reporter out and they didn’t like it?
Did any smart arsed reporter ask English what he would do if Bennett out-polled him for the PM stakes? NO.
Isn’t that the Gower boy, being the smart arse reporter continually asking the same question? He certainly does get the knives out for some Labour MPs!
I don’t think it’s Gower, he’s a bit dazzled by Jacinda. That was good work though from her.
Must have been Corin Dann, then. TV1 news does seem to be cheerleading for Bling this week.
Not his voice. Possibly Lloyd Burr from mediaworks?
Well Lloyd Burr’s interviews with Ardern today, as on the Newshub site, are very positive about/with Ardern. So, don’t see him as a smart arse trying to pressure her.
It was a post caucus press stand-up so could have been a reporter from one of the newspapers or radio stations. It wasn’t Corin Dann or Paddy Gower. Their voices are well known and recognisable.
Ta. So that’s both Lloyd and Paddy in the positive column so far.
Love her to bits. Easily shut that smart arse down.
Yep – the silly journos will start getting used to that answer, and it will become a non-question after a while – it’ll get boring.
media bias agree Anne in the last 2 elections the tories have had an unfair advantage the media did there lobbying and were an important part of there election team and this needs to stop
Bill English is not on 7 pc that’s the big difference
Bill English is not on 7 pc that’s the big difference Also simply denying what is quite probable ( the ostrich strategy) will not happen is not really and answer
“Labour supports a call from the Māori Party to have the superannuation age lowered for Māori because their live expectancy is lower the non-Māori.”
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/politics/should-maori-receive-superannuation-lower-age
Good call and lots of evidence to back this up.
Working together??? Start off with some shared values and see how we go eh…
+1
Personally I believe Labour has a lot more in common with MP than NZF …
Voting record in parliament supports that.
I worry that presenting it this way will be vulnerable to “one law for all” style attacks. I think Henare’s comment about investing in Maori health to lift Maori life expectancy is on target, and couple that with early superannuation for those unable to continue in their occupation through disability. Which would hopefully provide the same outcome for Maori that have spent their lives in demanding manual occupations, as well as including non-Maori in the same situation.
Despite Ministers laying red herrings before journos this week, research shows that Maori have shorter life expectancy even after accounting for factors like their health and the type of work they undertake. Rangi the factory worker is a figment of Joyce’s overactive imagination.
Those attacks come what may – cannot and must not adjust for those racists.
The facts are well known.
And why those facts exist are also well known – just one of the unhappy coincidences for most indigenous peoples colonised – lower life expectancy, higher mental health issues including suicide and self harming, higher prison population, lower incomes throughout their working life, less home ownership, over populated on all deprivation statistics and so on and on and on…
That won’t get addressed by this but it is worthwhile pointing it all out imo.
anyway I wrote this a few years ago
http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/lower-maori-retirement-age.html
also Marty mars bad and unfair treatment from the state a sector that is suppose to help. For example we were more likely to be offered state flats in the bronxs the same areas the gnats have knocked down and built 500k houses for who not our people racist pigs
Women can look forward to longer careers due to their higher life expectancy. Will smokers and drinkers get to retire early as well?
Pity you are so scornful gabby – you could have made a contribution to the discussion instead of your usual sour comment.
Pity you’re so grumpy, marty. You could have thought the thing through a bit less narrowmindedly couldn’t you.
why chuck smokers and drinkers in gabby – were you trying to be provocative or just couldn’t think of much to say and wanted to say it anyway?
Smokers and drinkers don’t live as long marty. It might get a bit tricky working out just how smoky or drinky they are though.
yep sure is funny that one ha ha
“…Māori because their live expectancy is lower the non-Māori”
that isn’t funny though, is it gabby?
‘men because their live expectancy is lower the non-men’
that’s just hilarious is it marty.
Lol no but you are – just say what you want to say, don’t fluff around with the bullshit gabby or are you not that brave
Get a grip marty. Stay off the piss and ciggies and you’ll be fine.
Lol gabby – better luck next time eh
Smokers and drinkers get to die early. Think of all those savings ..
Race-based super is an absolutely terrible idea
I suspect however, that wiser heads within Labour will prevail and this idea will be quickly shut down…
A.
I’m sure it will be shut down with ill-informed and ignorant commentary like yours out there.
I agree.
A.
PS Anyway NZ 1st would never agree to it
With all the big data stuff, surely we can fit retirement age to the background of the retiree?
I think that is exactly what is eventually going to happen dv. After the age of 60 when a person wishes to retire from full time work, they will have to apply to a special agency set up for the task of investigating applicants’ circumstances. If they qualify under a set of reasonable criteria – such as in injuries caused by years of heavy manual labour – then they will be able to begin receiving super at an earlier age.
When (and its only a matter of time before it happens) they reach the age of 67 they will automatically receive the super. That does not mean others cannot start receiving it at 65 but they will have to fulfill the criteria laid down by legislation which could include anything from physical or mental impairment making it impossible for them to be able to continue earning a living.
No one automatically gets super now. Everyone applies for it if they think they are eligible.
The great thing about NZ’s system is that it’s universal. You just need to prove age, ID and years lived in NZ.
There is no need to include some means test. Actually, 60 years for all to apply would be better. Then properly pre-fund the super fund, and use the tax system to take back a high tax from those 60yrs + on a high income.
Means testing involves too much surveillance of individuals, and always results in some people trying to cheat the system, by using false info.
Or better still. Basic income for everyone, cradle to grave.
“use the tax system to take back a high tax from those 60yrs + on a high income.”
High wealth would be better – many of our richest manage their affairs to show hardly any income. Tax their capital and transactions.
wealth tax? Capital gains tax?
Seen several proposals discussed but not really my area. Financial transaction taxes seem hard to avoid. Taxing capital accumulation seems more useful than income to achieve distributional equity.
My accumulated capital already gets taxed: that’s my savings’ interest. But I do not own property, and property owners do not get taxed on their gains from rising house prices.
But I would think you are talking about capital accumulation in all kinds of investments, not just my little savings accounts.
Nothing to do with today, but Danyl MacLauchlan’s dimpost seems to have basically shut up shop. Does everyone else have trouble accessing: https://dimpost.wordpress.com/
Or did my IP/wordpress account just get banned? T^T
Would make sense if he was planning on publishing some of his posts in book format and wanted to pull it from online, but sad all the same if it’s gone.
I think he is “taking a break” from blogging. He intimated it was temporary due to other commitments – or whatever.
Interesting phenomenon. Blogging is a marathon. Danyl was really good at it. But it is not easy to keep it up for ever …
Isn’t he involved somehow with official Green party policy work now? Missed the announcement, just noticed missing site.
“If they qualify under a set of reasonable criteria – such as in injuries caused by years of heavy manual labour – then they will be able to begin receiving super at an earlier age.”
But surely Anne, these injured workers will be on ACC 80% of there present earnings till they are 65 which will be far better than the miserable amount National Supper will pay. What ever the age of retirement ACC will turn off the insurance payments then anyway.
I know this to be true, as I went through this recently with a friend.
No. Those are called “gradual process injuries”, or “age related degeneration” and you are put on the laughably called, “job seekers benefit.
I have several acquaintances who have obvious long term impairment related to jobs such as fishing, machine shop, or building, who are incapable of sustained work.
They all have to go with the WINZ torture monthly, for, what was, the “sickness benefit”, Including applications for jobs they will never get, due to their physical condition and age.
Which is why I am implacably opposed to raising the retirement age, means testing and any form of trying to adjust for individual disability or condition.
It doesn’t work. Universal is effective, fair and well understood.
It also stops the wealthy from getting rid of it. As they get it to.
We already have ample proof that “Austerity” and “tax cuts” are a failure.
The fact is, super, and other forms of welfare are becoming unaffordable because successive Governments have cut tax levels below that required for a functioning country.
US states are instructive, because you can see the effect of less or more socialist policies side by side with similar populations. The recent success of Minnesota where a State Government has raised minimum wages and business and State taxes has resulted in the opposite to the predicted decline. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/opinion/campaign-stops/the-path-to-prosperity-is-blue.html?_r=0 Note, Blue States in the USA are Democrat.
+1. Timeforacuppa has no idea at all about the outcomes of the ACC claims processor manual workers. Needs to be outed as a right wing troll.
The year zero reference has me WTF….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Zero_(political_notion)
edit:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vault7?src=hash
Lesson number 1 for Bill English.
When contemplating significant changes to Government Policy in relation to superannuation (which affects everyone) best not to come out the blue with a prescriptive change to be set in concrete.
Guaranteed to get everyone’s backs up, highlight previous little known social divisions, and likely to give easy fodder to your political opponents.
What he should have done:
1 Acknowledged that he wasn’t bound by the same pledge as Key.
2 Make a new pledge that he would not make any wholesale changes to the NZ Super scheme without cross party support.
3 State that he supports setting up a cross party inquiry (after the election) into the future of NZ super in which input from all parties and the public would be taken into account.
4 State that any final outcome would not be proposed in Parliament without at least 66% support. This would allow Nat/Labour to figure out a reasonable plan for the future without giving Peters too much power.
Outcome: Frees English from Key’s foolish pledge AND removes it from being a lightening rod for discontent at the 2017 election.
Think before you stink is a wonderful saying.