If you have a spare 25 minutes this evening, watch this interview with John PIlger and you’ll learn what is really happening behind the corporate lame stream media headlines on Syria, Salisbury, Yemen and the Korean peninsula.
Watched it yesterday. Compelling and ominous. If what Pilger says is true then everything coming from the “Great ” Powers is suspect. What sort of world are we living in? Who would we trust? Glum!
Excellent observations from Pilger…i wonder if our journalists blush when they watch these interviews? Or do they just consider anything on RT to be “Russian Propaganda”
Tomorrow President Trump will announce whether he is going to continue with the nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Iran. If he cuts it loose, and Iran is then completely unconstrained in the region, quite a few cards fall Iran’s way.
Through the control that Iran-backed Hizbollah now have in Lebanon following the elections on the weekend, Iran’s influence consolidates right on Israel’s border.
Iran has already consolidated power next door with its sustained support for the Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus.
The last part of that is the Iraqi parliamentary elections coming up this weekend on May 12th. If they get sufficient influence in the Iraqi Parliament, they will be able to form a continuous land bridge from Iran to Iraq to Syria to Lebanon, right to the border of Israel.
The United States releasing them from major international constraint through the cutting of the non-proliferation treaty truly smoothes that pathway.
The Iranians will continue to play for time until they are no longer convinced that any strike on Israel will lead to a war they will lose.
When the Iranians have finally consolidated power in Syria, Lebanon and in Iraq, when they have a strong presence on the border with Israel, and when they have precision-guided missiles in place — then they will be ready to defeat Israel.
If you want to dispute Iranian influence for a fair old while into Lebanon’s Hizbollah, into Assad’s Syria, and into Iraq, go right ahead.
The speculation bit is for the next 10 hours, when Trump announces which way he is going. Then all you have to do is wait five days for the Iraqi election.
The writing is on the wall for fossil fuels, and the think about nukes is that if you use them, you lose. So having them is actually more dangerous than people thinking that you might have them.
Meanwhile, Iran gets to sell its oil as long as some of the world wants it, and is domestically energy-diversified for when that market dries up in the next few decades. Giving them a massive advantage over Saudi Arabia. And they don’t even need to spend billions developing nukes.
I think you would find that Trump may have a get out of jail card to use as the news was saying tonight by banning any US companies from dealing with Iran and therefore he can still keep the treaty intact. But with Trump anything can happen atm and my guess he will ditch it.
I agree with your assumptions and that of old mop top Boris which could lead to an all out Arms Race within the MER which see a few nations attempt to get some nukes. If the worst case happens then the MER could get very untidy very fast and especially after the Israeli parliament approved that the PM and his or her MoD can go to war with cabinets approval.
There is already a enough hot air and hot heads in the MER without these two dills adding their two shekels worth.
It’s about bloody time we start focus on our backyard aka Sth Pacific and our front yard aka Antarctic followed by SEA and finally the Commonwealth Nations outside of the 3 rings mention.
I didn’t know our embassy in Sweden had closed! And who were the muppets that closed it? Apart from the Uk, Ireland, France, Germany and Dutch embassies. I consider Sweden an important embassy to have in Europe.
Yes, we do import a lot of from Sweden and both from Norway and Finland. All of it is good quality stuff to boot.
I think memory that Sweden even had put an offer in for it Gippen Multi- Role Combat Jet when the F-16 deal went south and it was almost better than what Yanks has offered.
I don’t think we are late, but have just arrived in time unlike the Aussies who have frozen their aid again until 2022 bloody dickheads. I notice that the inshore Patrol Boats (note these Boats were meant to be sold off by the No Mates Party under the last DWP) will spending more time up in the Islands now and hopefully one of the OPV’s as well if the third one gets the go head by the current Government. The MoD, MFAT and NZAid should look at basing them on a permanent basis at the Pacific Boat Dockyard near Nadi Airport? As there is a Pacific Fishies and SAR centre at Nadi as well.
Probably should look at basing some Aid stores and develop some sort of training school at Nadi as well. Covering Engineering, Policing, HADR, Health, Education and training up the Civil/ Public Service etc.
I think you are on the money there, but I would like to see a slightly bigger NZDF/ NZAid and MFAT presence in the South Pacific in the longer term. Typical that No Mates National Party is playing a short term game where this is going to have longer term effects to regional by this new governments decision.
I notice that the inshore Patrol Boats (note these Boats were meant to be sold off by the No Mates Party under the last DWP) will spending more time up in the Islands now and hopefully one of the OPV’s as well if the third one gets the go head by the current Government.
Following long-running Navy retention problems in the wake of NZDF “civilianisation”, two of the four vessels have been tied up, inactive, in a ‘Reduced Activity Period’ for long periods since 2013. It was announced on 14 April 2016 that some of the vessels might be sold.
National: Doing everything they can to fuck things up.
Yeah, I don’t think civilians should be in the operation/administration of our defence forces and that those who are in them should be bloody well paid. It is the latter that had National upset as it meant that they had difficulty getting a surplus while cutting taxes for the rich.
To carry out Green Party policy in regards to the Pacific we actually need, IMO, quite a few more Navy ships with longer cruising ranges. In other words, probably more OPVs but I’d prefer to see more frigates or even destroyers.
The Green Defence Policy to me is a wee bit airy fairy for my liking and doesn’t reflect what can happen on ground real time. In other words a bit too much one dimensional which leaves the NZDF without much “Utility of Force” when and if it goes pear shaped which lead to dead Kiwi Service personal with either destroyed equipment that wasn’t fit for purpose.
The NZDF must have “Utility of Force” across all 3 Services and its why I believe that the RNZN should be structured around the Royal Danish Navy in particular the Absalon Class Ships and it’s up Gun bigger brother which is built using the same hull as the Absalon Class. For this to work perfectly all the StanFlex modules will have to brought as well to get any true value out of the ships.
The Green Defence Policy to me is a wee bit airy fairy for my liking and doesn’t reflect what can happen on ground real time.
True and I’m a Greep Party member. Seems to be more based upon ignorance and ideology than practical realities.
Still, this push out into the pacific may actually be because of that push from the Greens. Hopefully, the Greens will learn something from it either way.
…the Absalon Class Ships and it’s up Gun bigger brother which is built using the same hull as the Absalon Class. For this to work perfectly all the StanFlex modules will have to brought as well to get any true value out of the ships.
I tend to the opinion that we should be building our own ships (we do have the capability) but we could certainly learn lessons from the Danish design.
Thank god, I’m not the only one thinks the Greens Defence is base on ignorance ideology rather practical realities.
I always thought the that NZDF’s deployment to East Timor in 99 would’ve woken the Greens up, but somehow it didn’t as that was a Chapter 6 1/2 Mission and probably seen the true cost at maintaining Defence Force for Peacekeeping/ PeaceEnforcement missions
The Danish Navy does provide a useful case study to look at as they roughly operate at the same latitude (plus 50deg Nth to the Med and the Indian Ocean) as the RNZN but in reverse plus 50deg Sth half to Chile, Nth Asia out to the Indian Ocean.
Even the Irish Navy is starting to sail to the Med and across to the States in their new Corvettes and are looking at purchasing a landing type Ship to support its Army on Peacekeeping operations and HADR under the EU Flag.
Both nations are a seen by left as what NZDF should be structure like.
I know what your views are about building RNZN ships in NZ and I do agree with your views , but my big concern is always after building them what happens to 50 to 60% of the work force as dockyard won’t that many to maintain the ships and is there value for money at building them in NZ as in Australia building the ships in Oz adds something from about 25 to 50% of the total cost compared if they were built overseas. Those figures are base on what we payed for the 2 ANZAC’s and we had to Germany we would’ve got 3 possibly 4 ANZAC’s for the two we got from Oz?
but my big concern is always after building them what happens to 50 to 60% of the work force
We have a viable ship building industry in NZ already. The government should be able to plan with that industry so as to prevent any undue hardship. And then there’s the fact that many would be able to change industries. Somebody who can weld hulls can also weld pretty much anything else.
My own idea would be to have a government shipyard that builds ship at rate of replacement. As a new one is produced an old one is retired. This would also have a large R&D section. Anything more than that would be contracted out to the private sector as needed.
Wouldn’t be able to eliminate all disruptions to the workforce but could minimise it. That said, actual number of employees should be dropping as automation takes over such as automated welding.
and is there value for money at building them in NZ as in Australia building the ships in Oz adds something from about 25 to 50% of the total cost compared if they were built overseas.
To me there is as building them here develops skills, pushes R&D and increases national security as building them here from our own resources means that we’re not completely dependent upon imports for our defence. All of those would be worth any added monetary cost. Physically, having them built elsewhere costs the same amount and then has added costs of transporting them here.
Interesting to read Peter Dutton really playing up the story of illegal migrants attempting to head to Australia & NZ, stopped by Malaysian authorities and emphasising it was a bigger boat & more complex operation than previously. The implication was that if the Malaysians had not stopped it, the illegal migrants would have reached NZ and then Australia through the back door.
He squarely laid the blame on the shoulders of Jacinda. Our media have played along, with the usual suspects making a big deal out of it.
I heard this one questioning viewpoint on RNZ news, broadcast once only. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356765/tanker-smuggling-migrants-never-would-have-made-it-to-nz
So this is the second time the Aussies have seen fit to overplay the likelihood of boats heading to NZ. Clearly Jacindas offer to resettle those on Manus still rattles some in the Turnbull cabinet, although they still want the offer to remain on the table as a backup.
It’s looks like the real deal to me and from of heard from the grapevine. As the boat was disguised to look like one of the many small tramp tankers that you see moving around SEA every day and most of the SIEV’s that head to Nth Australia are the usual wooden fishing boats not a full on steel built tramp tanker like this one.
They are going to have crack at reaching NZ and there is a number of ways at doing it, but crossing the ditch is not for faint hearted in a small tramp ship such is this one in any season regardless of the sea state.
The Endeavour sailed around the world. I suspect modern (ha) tramp tankers could do so as well.
So, yeah, there’s going to be more attempts at reaching NZ and I don’t think that what the PM said has changed that in any way. Once Australia became closed other places would be looked at and NZ is a desirable place in its own right.
Many people won’t like this but NZ will have to close its borders as Australia have done sooner or later.
Especially as some of that rust looks load-bearing, lol
Sooner or later someone will manage to get here and the tories and aussies will lose their collective shit in “I told you so”s, but the fact is that to get here they need to not just sail here, but sail here undetected through Australia’s surveillance net and the waters of some extremely tense nations.
If they make it to our SAR zone, good on them, I say, and fast track their immigration requests. We could do with those go-getters here.
I think they will have a crack coming around the top PNG (as it’s easily to pay off the locals) as coming through the Top End of Oz they stick out like a third nut on a Greyhound especially around the Thursday Island Group as every man and his dog uses a 4-5m tinny to travel to PNG etc and it’s heavily watch Borderforce/ Coastwatch Aircraft and by ADF assets in the area.
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David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
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The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...
By Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...
Tara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...
The under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
New Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
New Zealand’s largest book publisher has undergone drastic changes this week, leaving its future role in local publishing uncertain. Two of the most recognisable local publishers in New Zealand are among those restructured out of Penguin Random House, it was announced this week. Head of publishing Claire Murdoch will leave ...
In 2021 the Public Interest Journalism Fund launched the Te Rito Journalism project, a $2.4 million initiative to boost diversity in New Zealand’s newsrooms. The initiative was in response to the decades-long shortage of Māori and Pacific journalists in the media industry. It was billed as New Zealand’s ...
The Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...
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Successive governments have tried, and failed, to count Māori. But with the return of social investment, it’s more important than ever to get good data. The post Government looks for a better way to count Māori appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist A former Tuvalu prime minister says while the New Zealand government’s oil and gas plans show it is concerned about its economy, he is more concerned about the livelihoods and survival of the Tuvalu people. Enele Sopoaga — who still serves as an MP ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Many people who follow federal budgets know about the magnificent “budget tree” in a parliamentary courtyard, which turns a glorious red in time for the May event. This week Treasurer Jim Chalmers posed by ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate professor, Music Industry, RMIT University This week American rapper Macklemore released a new track, Hind’s Hall, which has gained a lot of attention because of its explicitly political nature. The track is unapologetically pro-Palestine. It declares the artist’s ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danica Jenkins, Lecturer in European Studies, University of Sydney On a freezing spring night in March, Georgia’s national soccer team beat Greece in a nail-biter penalty shootout to qualify for the Euro 2024 championships. The atmosphere on the streets of the capital ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Somwrita Sarkar, Senior Lecturer in Design and Computation, University of Sydney The “latte line” is the infamous, invisible boundary that divides Sydney between the more affluent north-east and the south-west. Historically, people north of the line enjoy better access to jobs and ...
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RNZ Pacific Former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison, Fiji media are reporting. Bainimarama, alongside suspended Fiji Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the High Court in Suva today for their sentencing hearing for a case involving their roles in blocking a police ...
Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo says, “Addressing violence and abuse remains New Zealand’s most significant human rights issue affecting women. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Symons, Macquarie School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University Michael Schiffer / Unsplash Life has transformed our world over billions of years, turning a dead rock into the lush, fertile planet we know today. But human activity is currently transforming Earth ...
One woman’s quest to watch Challengers without ruining her body clock. Every Saturday morning, I wake up with a screaming demon inside my head urging me to “Do. Something. This. Weekend.” I run through the possibilities in my head in a defensive mental crouch, reminiscent of that one time I ...
The PSA is alarmed that ACC is proposing to shed 309 jobs including 29 dedicated injury prevention jobs at a time when the number and cost of injuries is rising. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Baker, Associate Professor in Human Geography, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images As local and regional councils struggle with inadequate infrastructure and unsustainable costs, New Zealand will be hearing a lot more about the potential solution offered by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Sacks, Professor of Public Health Policy, Deakin University Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock In recent years, there’s been increasinghype about the potential health risks associated with so-called “ultra-processed” foods. But new evidence published this week found not all “ultra-processed” foods are linked ...
Fears that New Zealand is relying too heavily on low-cost forests to absorb its carbon dioxide emissions have been reignited by a report from the OECD. ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed the total dollar savings target from public sector cuts has been met, but the reductions have not been felt evenly across public agencies. Government departments were told to make savings set at 6.5 percent or 7.5 percent where headcount had grown by more than ...
She doesn’t have a single kind word for me and it’s getting under my skin.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,I have two amazing friends that I absolutely adore. Grace (all names have been changed) and I lived together across 2023 and Olivia moved in with us this ...
Can Western science and Māori science work together to support our well-being? The Te Ohu Mō Papatūānuku (TOMP) Trials Project was a landmark case for healing the land and people with the guidance of Māori science and leadership. This is what happened when Papatūānuku (Earth) was contaminated by toxic discharge, ...
Is Ryan Bridges the next Mike Hosking?
Bigoted
Entitled
Ignorant
Bullying
Ticks the boxes.
Is he related to Slick?
If you have a spare 25 minutes this evening, watch this interview with John PIlger and you’ll learn what is really happening behind the corporate lame stream media headlines on Syria, Salisbury, Yemen and the Korean peninsula.
John Pilger is a great journalist.
Watched it yesterday. Compelling and ominous. If what Pilger says is true then everything coming from the “Great ” Powers is suspect. What sort of world are we living in? Who would we trust? Glum!
Excellent observations from Pilger…i wonder if our journalists blush when they watch these interviews? Or do they just consider anything on RT to be “Russian Propaganda”
Tomorrow President Trump will announce whether he is going to continue with the nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Iran. If he cuts it loose, and Iran is then completely unconstrained in the region, quite a few cards fall Iran’s way.
Through the control that Iran-backed Hizbollah now have in Lebanon following the elections on the weekend, Iran’s influence consolidates right on Israel’s border.
Iran has already consolidated power next door with its sustained support for the Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus.
The last part of that is the Iraqi parliamentary elections coming up this weekend on May 12th. If they get sufficient influence in the Iraqi Parliament, they will be able to form a continuous land bridge from Iran to Iraq to Syria to Lebanon, right to the border of Israel.
The United States releasing them from major international constraint through the cutting of the non-proliferation treaty truly smoothes that pathway.
The Iranians will continue to play for time until they are no longer convinced that any strike on Israel will lead to a war they will lose.
When the Iranians have finally consolidated power in Syria, Lebanon and in Iraq, when they have a strong presence on the border with Israel, and when they have precision-guided missiles in place — then they will be ready to defeat Israel.
Sounds like a whole lot of speculation on your part.
If you want to dispute Iranian influence for a fair old while into Lebanon’s Hizbollah, into Assad’s Syria, and into Iraq, go right ahead.
The speculation bit is for the next 10 hours, when Trump announces which way he is going. Then all you have to do is wait five days for the Iraqi election.
Won’t take us long.
The only reason Trump wants to abandon the non proliferation agreement is because Obama set it up. Whatever Obama did, Trump tears down.
Beyond pitiful.
“The Iranians will continue to play for time until they are no longer convinced that any strike on Israel will lead to a war they will lose.”
The iranians are not daft enough to launch an assault on israel, they know what the consequences would be .
When the Iranians get their nuclear weapon, they will not give a damn.
When they get their missile systems from Russia – just as Turkey has done in the last week – they will be setting them up right in israel’s border.
Let’s see how this falls tomorrow morning.
Ad, you understand that there is a nuclear armed state in ME already?…
Two is double the fun. Or is that quadruple?
They don’t actually need a nuke.
And they’re not pulling out of the NPT.
The writing is on the wall for fossil fuels, and the think about nukes is that if you use them, you lose. So having them is actually more dangerous than people thinking that you might have them.
Meanwhile, Iran gets to sell its oil as long as some of the world wants it, and is domestically energy-diversified for when that market dries up in the next few decades. Giving them a massive advantage over Saudi Arabia. And they don’t even need to spend billions developing nukes.
saudi needs >$85 oil to balance the books and buy expensive munitions from the US.
Reinstated sanctions will send the oil price to around that.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-arabia-imf/saudi-arabia-needs-oil-at-85-87-a-barrel-to-balance-budget-imf-official-idUSKBN1I30H7
6am our time, at a guess, Al Jazeera will do a live stream, they usually do.
thats a lawful lot of whens…and of course Israel will simply sit back and await when.
I think you would find that Trump may have a get out of jail card to use as the news was saying tonight by banning any US companies from dealing with Iran and therefore he can still keep the treaty intact. But with Trump anything can happen atm and my guess he will ditch it.
I agree with your assumptions and that of old mop top Boris which could lead to an all out Arms Race within the MER which see a few nations attempt to get some nukes. If the worst case happens then the MER could get very untidy very fast and especially after the Israeli parliament approved that the PM and his or her MoD can go to war with cabinets approval.
There is already a enough hot air and hot heads in the MER without these two dills adding their two shekels worth.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-08/donald-trump-iran-deal-or-no-deal-what-will-happen/9737394
The US will not be cutting a non-proliferation treaty.
$700 million buys back the Pacific…(hopefully,says Winston)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103738729/budget-2018-1b-for-foreign-affairs-massive-boost-to-pacific-aid-and-a-new-embassy
Real estate in Stockholm must be doing well with $40 million for capital expenditure for reopening our embassy in Sweden.
It’s about bloody time we start focus on our backyard aka Sth Pacific and our front yard aka Antarctic followed by SEA and finally the Commonwealth Nations outside of the 3 rings mention.
I didn’t know our embassy in Sweden had closed! And who were the muppets that closed it? Apart from the Uk, Ireland, France, Germany and Dutch embassies. I consider Sweden an important embassy to have in Europe.
“Who were the muppets that closed it?” Who do you think???
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand%E2%80%93Sweden_relations
I had no idea we imported so much from Sweden…a pity we failed to import some of their more progressive social policies.
You are right about the Pacific…small wonder so many Pacific nations sought support elsewhere.
I fear it may be a little late to turn the tide though.
Yeah I might’ve guessed it was them, lol
Yes, we do import a lot of from Sweden and both from Norway and Finland. All of it is good quality stuff to boot.
I think memory that Sweden even had put an offer in for it Gippen Multi- Role Combat Jet when the F-16 deal went south and it was almost better than what Yanks has offered.
I don’t think we are late, but have just arrived in time unlike the Aussies who have frozen their aid again until 2022 bloody dickheads. I notice that the inshore Patrol Boats (note these Boats were meant to be sold off by the No Mates Party under the last DWP) will spending more time up in the Islands now and hopefully one of the OPV’s as well if the third one gets the go head by the current Government. The MoD, MFAT and NZAid should look at basing them on a permanent basis at the Pacific Boat Dockyard near Nadi Airport? As there is a Pacific Fishies and SAR centre at Nadi as well.
Probably should look at basing some Aid stores and develop some sort of training school at Nadi as well. Covering Engineering, Policing, HADR, Health, Education and training up the Civil/ Public Service etc.
I think thats how the Navy will get the funding for sending patrol boats for tours around pacific islands- from the Aid/ foreign affairs budget
I think you are on the money there, but I would like to see a slightly bigger NZDF/ NZAid and MFAT presence in the South Pacific in the longer term. Typical that No Mates National Party is playing a short term game where this is going to have longer term effects to regional by this new governments decision.
Inshore Patrol Vessel
National: Doing everything they can to fuck things up.
Yeah, I don’t think civilians should be in the operation/administration of our defence forces and that those who are in them should be bloody well paid. It is the latter that had National upset as it meant that they had difficulty getting a surplus while cutting taxes for the rich.
To carry out Green Party policy in regards to the Pacific we actually need, IMO, quite a few more Navy ships with longer cruising ranges. In other words, probably more OPVs but I’d prefer to see more frigates or even destroyers.
The Green Defence Policy to me is a wee bit airy fairy for my liking and doesn’t reflect what can happen on ground real time. In other words a bit too much one dimensional which leaves the NZDF without much “Utility of Force” when and if it goes pear shaped which lead to dead Kiwi Service personal with either destroyed equipment that wasn’t fit for purpose.
The NZDF must have “Utility of Force” across all 3 Services and its why I believe that the RNZN should be structured around the Royal Danish Navy in particular the Absalon Class Ships and it’s up Gun bigger brother which is built using the same hull as the Absalon Class. For this to work perfectly all the StanFlex modules will have to brought as well to get any true value out of the ships.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absalon-class_support_ship
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iver_Huitfeldt-class_frigate
True and I’m a Greep Party member. Seems to be more based upon ignorance and ideology than practical realities.
Still, this push out into the pacific may actually be because of that push from the Greens. Hopefully, the Greens will learn something from it either way.
I tend to the opinion that we should be building our own ships (we do have the capability) but we could certainly learn lessons from the Danish design.
Thank god, I’m not the only one thinks the Greens Defence is base on ignorance ideology rather practical realities.
I always thought the that NZDF’s deployment to East Timor in 99 would’ve woken the Greens up, but somehow it didn’t as that was a Chapter 6 1/2 Mission and probably seen the true cost at maintaining Defence Force for Peacekeeping/ PeaceEnforcement missions
The Danish Navy does provide a useful case study to look at as they roughly operate at the same latitude (plus 50deg Nth to the Med and the Indian Ocean) as the RNZN but in reverse plus 50deg Sth half to Chile, Nth Asia out to the Indian Ocean.
Even the Irish Navy is starting to sail to the Med and across to the States in their new Corvettes and are looking at purchasing a landing type Ship to support its Army on Peacekeeping operations and HADR under the EU Flag.
Both nations are a seen by left as what NZDF should be structure like.
I know what your views are about building RNZN ships in NZ and I do agree with your views , but my big concern is always after building them what happens to 50 to 60% of the work force as dockyard won’t that many to maintain the ships and is there value for money at building them in NZ as in Australia building the ships in Oz adds something from about 25 to 50% of the total cost compared if they were built overseas. Those figures are base on what we payed for the 2 ANZAC’s and we had to Germany we would’ve got 3 possibly 4 ANZAC’s for the two we got from Oz?
We have a viable ship building industry in NZ already. The government should be able to plan with that industry so as to prevent any undue hardship. And then there’s the fact that many would be able to change industries. Somebody who can weld hulls can also weld pretty much anything else.
My own idea would be to have a government shipyard that builds ship at rate of replacement. As a new one is produced an old one is retired. This would also have a large R&D section. Anything more than that would be contracted out to the private sector as needed.
Wouldn’t be able to eliminate all disruptions to the workforce but could minimise it. That said, actual number of employees should be dropping as automation takes over such as automated welding.
To me there is as building them here develops skills, pushes R&D and increases national security as building them here from our own resources means that we’re not completely dependent upon imports for our defence. All of those would be worth any added monetary cost. Physically, having them built elsewhere costs the same amount and then has added costs of transporting them here.
Interesting to read Peter Dutton really playing up the story of illegal migrants attempting to head to Australia & NZ, stopped by Malaysian authorities and emphasising it was a bigger boat & more complex operation than previously. The implication was that if the Malaysians had not stopped it, the illegal migrants would have reached NZ and then Australia through the back door.
He squarely laid the blame on the shoulders of Jacinda. Our media have played along, with the usual suspects making a big deal out of it.
Jacinda has obviously been advised to change her tune when talking about asylum seekers, and yesterday was pushed to state that if they turned up she would destroy the boats.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12046767
I heard this one questioning viewpoint on RNZ news, broadcast once only.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356765/tanker-smuggling-migrants-never-would-have-made-it-to-nz
So this is the second time the Aussies have seen fit to overplay the likelihood of boats heading to NZ. Clearly Jacindas offer to resettle those on Manus still rattles some in the Turnbull cabinet, although they still want the offer to remain on the table as a backup.
How much of this is for internal Australian consumption, fear of ‘the other’ being a potent force in politics especially for the unscrupulous Right.
It’s looks like the real deal to me and from of heard from the grapevine. As the boat was disguised to look like one of the many small tramp tankers that you see moving around SEA every day and most of the SIEV’s that head to Nth Australia are the usual wooden fishing boats not a full on steel built tramp tanker like this one.
They are going to have crack at reaching NZ and there is a number of ways at doing it, but crossing the ditch is not for faint hearted in a small tramp ship such is this one in any season regardless of the sea state.
The Endeavour sailed around the world. I suspect modern (ha) tramp tankers could do so as well.
So, yeah, there’s going to be more attempts at reaching NZ and I don’t think that what the PM said has changed that in any way. Once Australia became closed other places would be looked at and NZ is a desirable place in its own right.
Many people won’t like this but NZ will have to close its borders as Australia have done sooner or later.
Especially as some of that rust looks load-bearing, lol
Sooner or later someone will manage to get here and the tories and aussies will lose their collective shit in “I told you so”s, but the fact is that to get here they need to not just sail here, but sail here undetected through Australia’s surveillance net and the waters of some extremely tense nations.
If they make it to our SAR zone, good on them, I say, and fast track their immigration requests. We could do with those go-getters here.
I think they will have a crack coming around the top PNG (as it’s easily to pay off the locals) as coming through the Top End of Oz they stick out like a third nut on a Greyhound especially around the Thursday Island Group as every man and his dog uses a 4-5m tinny to travel to PNG etc and it’s heavily watch Borderforce/ Coastwatch Aircraft and by ADF assets in the area.
yeah, and a decent spread of islands to put into if their leaks become unmanagable.
Still risky AF in a thing like that, though.