Daily review 08/10/2021
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5:30 pm, October 8th, 2021 - 61 comments
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- The 1 Good Thing Left In Journalism
Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...2 hours ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Monday, December 23
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30am include:Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to maternity jobs in the health system;Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute ...3 hours ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #51
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Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...22 hours ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...23 hours ago - Fact brief – Are we heading into an ‘ice age’?
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The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...2 days ago - Bernard’s last Saturday Soliloquy for 2024
The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...2 days ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...6 days ago
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Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...7 days ago
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
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The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...4 days ago
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The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...6 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...6 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
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Likelihood that Level 3 gets extended to Northland and down to Taupo: higher by the minute.
Draw a line from Awakino to Taupo to Tauranga and you've got half the New Zealand population in L3.
This is going to be a tough weekend.
Yep, going to be plenty of opprobrium directed at Auckland… prob govt as well for dropping Auckland to Level 3 and not keeping the border tight…
Its busy today stuck in crawling traffic twice for the first time in a long time.
Dammit❗️😠
Hipkins press conference on One News at 6
Northland to be at Level 3 from tonite. Some scrote testing positive for Covid obtained an exemption letter for social services by false pretences. Subsequently revoked. But they have spent four days in Northland, possibly travelling with others, and are refusing to cooperate with contact tracers & authorities, according to Hipkins.
Four days in Northland. Only two petrol stations listed as places of interest which suggests they did not use the tracker.
Refusing to cooperate? Refusing to cooperate? Put their names out. There's bound to be someone who will know them and be able to give a line on other places they've been or track via credit card/eftpos use.
Probably 'cash sales' dont think that naming them is a good idea at this point… better to continue enquiries in the background so others dont go to ground. Getting a hold of their cell would be a good start surely could get a warrant.
It's just a person turning armchair reckons into reality. Taking us from "imagine it, predict it, model it – and prevent it" to "experience it".
This is "Living with Covid", except it won't be one person, but 5 million. And they won't need to forge documents.
"And it's believed she was travelling with another woman who authorities have yet to locate.
A reporter at a hastily arranged press conference said they had been told the woman is a sex worker but Hipkins said he could not confirm that – he had not been briefed that that was the case."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-delta-outbreak-alert-level-3-northland/I6BEZVBJGSMDCSMWHOP4FSVCO4/
A sex worker comes to Northland and fucks the whole region?
Couldn't suppress a grin at that one, but it's far from being amusing, & you are so right. If the story's true, they've just gone & screwed everybody up there.
I want to know more about this exemption letter they apparently conned out of somebody in authority. I just heard Hipkins say when they checked the information they were given they realised it was fake & revoked the letter.
But when? And why did they issue it seemingly without checking in the first place?
Yes Gezza I did a wee snort. But I agree!! Why did they not check first? A bit slack.
“And why did they issue it seemingly without checking in the first place?”
Because they would have to do this for everyone and slow down the process of granting approvals – producing howls from the usual business quarters. Basically there is no substitute for a wealth-behaved citizenry.
Would explain the urgency, close contacts indeed…
Bogus documents, multiple addresses visited the across region in a short period of time and she’s staying schtum. She and her mate were doing deliveries and if they say a word, they're up to their necks in trouble with some very, very bad people.
But on the bright side, genome sequencing will identify all the cogs in the machine – organised crime, distribution, couriers, suppliers, retail dealers and their clientele across Auckland, Waikato, and now, Northland. Fucking geniuses.
Shhhhh. Don't give the game away.
Thanks to Gerard Otto – our leader in action.
Leadership is not a position or a title, it is an action and an example
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10165604126180182&set=gm.2000234046799942
My heart goes out to anyone who has a wedding organised for tomorrow or a funeral in Northland. Who gets cut out to get your list down to 9 plus the official.? Such grief.
Yes, these two fraudsters should be named if they are uncooperative. People will know where they have been, and can phone a given number if embarrassed.
The Wanaka names came out. Did that region have to go into lockdown? No. Any comments about that couple not using the tracking, not co-operating? No.
They're expected to be in the Papakura District Court on October 14.
I expect these two will apply for name suppression when they are charged. Assuming they are charged. With the bare bones of information out so far can anyone suggest why they wouldn't be, shouldn't be?
"The Wanaka names came out. Did that region have to go into lockdown? No."
………………………….
Did either of them test positive for Covid? No, is my undertanding. So why even bring this red herring up?
Testing positive a red herring? I'm not sure if the rules say anything about test results. You break the rules or you don't. Test status undoubtedly would feature as an argument in mitigation one way or the other.
The point is that two people in each situation apparently did something they shouldn't have done.
Not sure what your point is exactly. If the woman today has broken the law, police will be looking at pressing charges.
Because she tested positive, the most important thing here is to contact trace and limit the spread of the virus. She can be charged later.
Well, I’m expecting that both these Northland visitors will be charged.
If the one they’ve caught won’t identify their companion, one hopes they also get charged with obstructing the police.
(Unless they can present a very plausible reason for not divulging that info.)
If its true that they were sex workers naming will push clients completely underground.
Best option is to obtain their mobiles (via warrant if needed) recover any info and contact any number that can be seen/ recoveerd with a get tested/ self isolate messags and go from there…
Good thinking Crickle.
Thanks Pete, yes. The hypocrisy sometimes, sheesh.
😳
What hypocrisy are you talking about?
"The Wanaka names came out"
The authorities didn't release their names. It was widely spread on social media – hence their attempts to get name suppression, which they later abandoned.
The principle of keeping names private is a good one, imo.
Had great plans for a Christmas present for a DOC worker, unfortunately, great concept BUT I have failed. There is far too much surplus money out there. I follow auction prices as a basis for how the economy for some is performing, and in seeking something different for a gift. And thought I had a real winner. Henry Richard was a great pioneer and 1 of many unknown amazing individuals of NZ. But a book going well over my budget 😭
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Henry_(conservationist)
https://live.artandobject.co.nz/lots/view/4-3UA5TL/henry-richard-plus-the-habits-of-the-flightless-birds-of-new-zealand
Ok so I've made some enquiries with my local mp and the MOH as to whether or not there are plans to make an alternate vaccine available to those for various reasons are unable to have Pfizer.
The answer I got in shortened form was… you're on your own.
Thats really fucking shit.
My son has genes that cannot handle glycol – in fact 10% of the population has this genetic incompatibility with glycol but the Pfizer vaccine uses this as a lipid.
I share your anger and frustration . What I do not know is if there is an alternative non glycol vaccine ? If so they should have sourced it by now .
Justine is a very lucky young woman.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUt1xQ-IR_a/
Been to Teahupo'o. Awesome but scary place and I wasn't even surfing!
Since Northland is in Level 3 with Auckland, are the people allowed to travel freely between the levels?
Appears not; travel is restricted to your local area:
https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-3/
between the levels or between the areas?
Level three. Necessary travel in your local area only. Unless an essential worker etc.
Hopefully no.
I'm with Hone on this one.
Ditto, Hone has been right for months on this, Tai Tokerau people need to organise and act to defend themselves, the authorities, let alone the cops are not to be trusted to do so.
No, Auckland is ring fenced.
I see Michael Baker raising the possibility of the North Island has a suppression strategy and the South Island has an elimination one. Is anyone else talking about the geographical advantage in the separation of the islands and what the practical aspects would be?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/453197/northland-to-move-to-alert-level-3-tonight-as-positive-case-proves-uncooperative
Not really, but it should be seriously considered.
That said if you read my post above, and without saying to much and my very personal reason for asking they can go and get fucked.
Im done with this govt, im so angry that im seriously considering civil disobedience. I dont feel I have any options left.
Your anger at there being no plans to make alternative vaccine(s) available for those who for a medical reason can’t have the pfizer jab is understandable – but what would your possible civil disobedience entail?
You wouldn’t want to risk doing something that might expose you to Covid, I imagine?
What civil disobedience action do you think you could take that might persuade the powers that be decide to purchase alternative vaccines? (Not criticising, just curious.)
No idea tbh will prob stop scanning as a start… just gutted really might print the bg proxy response I got from my MP…
Did you see SPC’s comment below?
.https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-08-10-2021/#comment-1822490
Never mind going thru your MP, why not compose an email to Ardern & Hipkins, setting out your concerns, & fire it off to them directly?
It’ll probably go thru flunkies’ hands first but they all do have their own email addresses at parliament.
I’ve emailed Ministers directly in the past a couple of times.
Can’t do any harm. Might do some good. And maybe fire it off to Stuff, the Herald, tvnz, & newshub too?
Because your wingnut friends with doctorates are so fucking special, right?
/
Nah not them… family member.
I realise she's in a very small group, irrelevant statistically but fuck feels like shit, what the hell do you tell her kids if the worst happens?
If you add her small group to my sons which involves 10% of the population it is not small. The MHD should be supplying an alternative vaccine .
Astra Zeneca has developed an antibody drug as an alternative to vaccination – the antibodies last up to 12 months. The trial results were good and it is now seeking authorisation to produce and supply to the market.
Unlike existing anti-body treatments provided after an infection as a treatment, this is given before any infection.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/astrazeneca-asks-fda-authorize-covid-antibody-treatment-n1280847
This when combined with Merck's anti-viral treatment offers an alternative to vaccination, for those unable to be vaccinated (immune system won't produce antibodies etc).
Sorry to hear it was like that. Public health can be brutal to individuals 🙁
Deranged.
New Hampshire Republican state Representative Ken Weyler shocked constituents and angered colleagues in both parties after pushing bizarre and bigoted conspiracy theories about the pandemic, one of which stated the vaccine contains tiny, living, moving tentacled creatures.
The theories came from a document which also contained extreme anti-Catholic views and claimed the Vatican is run by Satanists pushing the vaccine.
Weyler's claims are so bizarre one of his colleagues took to Twitter to urgently beg constituents not to listen to anything he says.
https://www.comicsands.com/gop-weyler-vaccine-tentacled-creatures-2655238579.html
.
The US Congress has so many representatives it’s not surprising it has its share of loons.
I think it is fair to say America punches well above its weight for its share of loonies!
Talking about deranged. Just called my 83 year old mum in England for a catch up and she started giving me some facebook driven bollocks about our covid response, and how our c*nt prime minister has let us all down, and how all you kiwis are backwards for believing leftish rubbish.
Put the phone down on her.
If you give me her number, I’ll ring her & put the phone down on her too. 😠
She'd eat you for second breakfast lol
No chance. I win all my fights by hundreds of metres. 💪🏼 😀
Yeah sure, take advantage of your big, hairy, Hobbit feet
But I’m fuming. Researching the death rates in London for the past weeks and listening to “why the fuck should I wear a mask” made me not only pissed, but left me anticipating a sombre 3am call in the not too distant future.
If it’s a stupid gene, I want the test now.
Already feeling like a chump. Worst $4.80 I ever spent.
Losing your mum to Covid 19 isn’t something I thought about till now, Al1en.
Now I understand your concern & why so peed off. Sounds like your mum still thinks she’s the boss of you? Or, at least, not one to take advice from her children.
With a bit of luck maybe she’ll be among the ones who not even this virus can subdue. Has she always been a bolshie, tough sort of bird?
Probably just an idiot.
Pretty funny watching an irrelevant Winston Peters getting air time on the Nation, pretending to slag off the party he personally decided would be govt.
Edit: And probably will again given his beef with the Nats if by some miracle he gets the chance again.
People take the opportunistic idiot seriously though. Which I continue to find odd.