Sarah Dowie obviously thinks everyone has forgotten the sordid events that have lead to her own untimely demise as an MP at the forthcoming election. I should be astonished at the hypocrisy but it is the National Party I guess.
"National Party supporters forgive their MPs everything………." and they seem to like their corruption cloak and dagger covert style. I guess it makes them feel suphusticated and intelligent.
At the moment – I'm busy pivoting – teetering on the fulcrum in that space going forward.
I'm still not sure whether I'd rather rather just openly flick a couple of hundred rupees or yuan to a lowly paid rock hopper and get things done immediately, or mortgage the house to covertly get some gNat to lean on someone, to get someone appointed so that I could buy some long term favours – plus of course pay for their face-lifts, teeth whitening and plasticine.
“There is a large bloc in National of Christians with some pretty extreme views. They’re not traditional Christian National Party folk, but more fire and brimstone. Muller is a traditional National Party Christian, he voted No on the abortion bill’s second and third reading, he voted No on all three readings of the euthanasia bill. But he is considered not right wing enough by the large Christian bloc.”
How does forgiveness in this political context work? Are people supposed not to make any unkind judgments on a party that says it is in Jesu's pocket and keep voting for them no matter what. There would be no untidy abuse cases in Court from victims of lack of respect for other humans persons and rights, as forgiveness would apply. Is that why Hopeful Christian could go to jail and back to the farm to be forgiven and Carry On Culting. This is a case of National getting above itself – they have got neolib the money cult as their economics, busy cult-like making judgments of people based on the propensities of the leaders, and now they have gone from 'Power tends to corrupt to Absolute Power tends to Corrupt Absolutely'.
They have taken people's earnings from them, lowered them, have opened stores selling booze all hours so people can drink themselves to delerium, they don't have the ability to put down roots in a house they can afford to live in, if beneficiaries take in boarders or rent part of their house to people in need of accommodation they are condemned as twisted criminals rorting the benefit system. and now the Gnats and the moneyed want what's left of their souls, promising them security and heaven if they do what they are told.
Ain't that the truth Joe90! & in other news, the KPop Agents are celebrating BTS Army Day! Big Time Socialists! (My kids are fans & I've got the walls singing with South Korean Pop Music).
A couple of people have taken their name off the letter, they didn't know who else signed.
"Cancel Culture" is just a new buzz word, a new vague enemy, it reminds me of "being PC", a catchall phrase that can mean anything and everything to anyone. It suits the privileged that's for certain. "Don't rock the boat!".
A couple of people have taken their name off the letter, they didn't know who else signed.
So. They signed the letter because they agreed with the statement, but unsigned because they did not wish to be seen as being in association with individuals they usually disagree with who had also signed.
Hmm… did they actually read the letter before they signed?
I'd be interested to see a decent analysis of the signatories, rather than more superficial, reactionary backlash. Salman Rushdie knows a few things about cancel culture for instance. I'm not sure if people are kneejerk reacting to the letter or there is some substance to the criticism.
I'm also curious where the limit is, or if people believe there isn't one, in terms of cancel culture. To me it looks like there is also a dynamic of neoliberalism starting to appropriate, and we already know that neoliberalism will stretch to allow some justice issues to gain traction, but will never willingly let the system be changed.
The funny (haha) thing is that both Atwood and Rowling signed the letter, and they take directly oppositional positions on the trans/GCF debate. Atwood spent a few days this week criticising Rowling on twitter for her position. Both those women know the value of words and how to use them with meaning and power. I can't see how Rowling's words can be suppressed without also eventually suppressing Atwood's. It's not like liberals get to control the world, and it's especially scary at this time of rising fascism.
The shutting down of debate worries me, but also the now gaping chasm that exists among progressives over this to the extent we often can't even talk about it rationally. Everyday I'm watching people at war on twitter, arguing against a position that they either patently don't understand or they are deliberately misconstruing. It's gotten worse this year to the point that I don't often see good faith discussion.
I think one problem with debating complex, sensitive, and/or controversial issues is not that people are not able to do so, intellectually, if you like, but that many don’t have the undivided time and energy to put the considerable mental effort into it that it demands. They say democracy requires eternal vigilance and look at what’s happening with civil and political engagement and discourse across the world. People’s attention span is shortening and demands on their cognitive power are increasing. Something has to give.
Fair comment, and a lot of this new change is shallow, here in Dunedin they're changing the name of the Cook purely for commercial reasons.
What I would personally prefer, re the statues, is more statues, less dead soldiers, more interesting people. Riff Raff in Hamilton, Robert Burns here, so there's more representation, that's what I think most of this is about, more varied. Drs, social workers, artists, community workers, working stiffs ffs!
I hadn't picked the letter as being about statues (will reread it with that in mind). I took it as about the numbers of academics and writers, people that we need in society to explore a wide range of views, being ostracised, no platformed or fired.
What are the commercial reasons for changing the name of the Cook?
Commercial, as in being afraid of not having customers because of the name, as opposed to actually being opposed to Cook themselves. I went to a bar on Sat night, a bunch of pop iconic type images on the wall, the blue boy, Monroe, and Cook, we were quite amused to see it in this present time. Funny, a friend of mine says he will refuse to go to the Cook if it does change it’s name.
I mentioned statues just as an example of "Cancel Culture". Off topic in regards to the letter. I find it funny a bunch of people want to cancel "Cancel Culture", & also the notion that celebrities opinions hold more weight than say, mine, or yours, or anyones. I love the Potter books, but I really couldn't care less about what she says, most people are quite disappointing, the old "never meet your idols" phrase springs to mind.
Cancel culture isn't a real thing. Despite the token lefties, this fucking letter is just fake outrage designed to work the sympathy nerve to get them off the hook of their own making. DARVO, by another name.
And I know there’s a strain of intolerance on the far left, but it’s nothing compared to the daily deluge of bigoted, intolerant bullshit from the right.
A life-long repug on the toxicity of today's right.
that comes across as more talking points Joe. I know how you feel about the letter, but that doesn't address the points I raised other than you just reject them.
Maybe I'm missing something here, is there some context about who wrote the letter and why that I'm not getting. It's quite a reach to say that someone like Atwood is engaged in DARVO. Are you saying there is no limit when it comes to writer, academics and people who hold positions of power but who also hold important aspects of the culture? That they don't get to have a say in how society treats them?
If you've seen a breakdown of the list that demonstrates that many or most of the signatories are engaged in political DARVO, then please post it. I just took the letter for what it said.
Does that apply in Trump's America then? If there are enough people offended by feminists pushing for better abortion rights, those feminists can be fired and deplatformed?
I'm also curious where the limit is, or if people believe there isn't one, in terms of cancel culture.
The limit is crowdsourced. This doesn't mean that there is no limit – I believe it's largely been met already on most issues.
I also believe that it's also not so much "cancel culture" as "chose your market" culture. Louis CK can still do gigs, he just gets a different audience.
The main concern I have with the vague banalities in the letter is that all ideas should be open to good faith debate. I'm sure there are some fine humanitarians and noble souls in the signatory list, but I suspect there will also be one or two "~-adjacents", as in "Nazi-adjacent" or "white supremacy -adjacent". Debating some issues simply lends legitimacy to absurd extremists who'd have been fringe self-publishers thirty years ago. But the letter doesn't acknowledge that position, it lets ~-adjacents hide in the coattails of noble souls unfairly targeted by an impulsive mob.
People tried good faith debate with the o. g. Nazis. That ended badly.And yeah, I genuinely think that historical lesson is relevant in today's world.
"The limit is crowdsourced. This doesn't mean that there is no limit – I believe it's largely been met already on most issues."
Can you please explain that? I don't know what it means.
I also believe that it's also not so much "cancel culture" as "chose your market" culture. Louis CK can still do gigs, he just gets a different audience.
Feminists subjected to rape threats and doxxing, can still write online, they just have to find a different space to do it in other than social media or their work places.
I'd be really interested if someone has analysed the list for a nazi adjacent and progressive spectrum. I'm surprised that hasn't happened, although I haven't gone looking either (no, not up for watching youtubes).
So now we have the discussion about what people mean by "cancel culture", because I sure as shit wasn't including rape and death threats.
Which bit did you want clarification on? The crowdsourcing thing or why I think the limit has largely been met? (as in people pretty much know what they'll get a backlash on – the instances of "make a casual comment then get on a plane, only to discover 12 hours later you've lost your job and your sponsors" are much more rare these days, imo).
I see the Five eyes squinting at China, re HK.NZs independence usurped again by the yankee masterspy network,does this mean its ok to trash and firebomb Government property in 5 eye countries.
There was a piece today the Herald maybe where they'd contacted the Countdown Covid runner.
According to their reporting he 'refused' to say why he absconded, and they also spent a lot of time referencing the 20 min phone call.
I think what's happened is he's an ordinary, entitled NZ Indian resident or citizen who had no idea at all about what was expected of him, probably didn't listen on arrival and doesn't follow the news at all so wouldn't have clue about the situation in NZ.
He went to get some toiletries and then called his family.
I felt though that the Herald was pointing to a deliberate motive. Is this just them manufacturing intrigue? Or is it seeding their article with known damaging info to be revealed later?
In today's NZ media environment, you'd never know until it was too late.
In short, is the National Party incentivising returnees to break out of quarantine? Wouldn't put it past them.
I had put this over in open mike but either something is going on or he is just making excuses – so throw everything at him.
He says "Nobody told him anything?"
So what did he think was going on? That the NZ government picks up everybody from the airport complete with minders and trucks them all off to a downtown hotel and pays their accommodation bill while they trot round sightseeing? I mean really? They even have to sign in get an info pack and leave details.
If he's good enough to have a debit card and work a checkout then you think he'd be smart enough to work out that something was going on and he'd better pay attention or find out.
The police union guy is clearly exaggerating where he says 240 police will be needed…..and as Megan Woods says the police are being brought in because they have the power to detain and arrest.
This article has the flavour of a National Party beat-up yet again. Shame on Stuff for printing this biased crap.
Not much of an exagerration – you'd be running 5 shifts per facility (three 8 hour shifts A:C, with D and E at different leave stages of the roster, e.g. D on a two day break between early and late shift, and E on a break of several days after the graveyard shift, and fill up the change with some training time or overlapped evening shifts).
240/5 = 48 officers operating at any one time. 48 cops/28 facilities = 1.7 police per facility on average.
Not sure what that Stuff link has to do with National.
The police union spokesman (Cahill) has a valid point, but there is little chance of that being considered in the current climate. A burglary in an Auckland suburb will get zero news coverage, whereas anything at all happening in/near an isolation hotel will be a guaranteed headline, even if it is far less serious than e.g. a dairy robbery. Understandably the government responds to that media coverage (all politicians always do, naive to think otherwise).
Throughout the Covid response there has been a need for balance (what is effective, but also legal, but also affordable, but also practical, but also acceptable … etc).
Overall the government has got it right, but not perfect. I'd rather the police weren't needed, but nobody is making a more constructive and practical suggestion. "Stick them somewhere else" is the default response, followed by "But not here".
The police are there to keep the public safe, why isn't the article couched in these terms? Instead it's been made into a non-issue debate over police resourcing.
A covid breakout in the community would be far more expensive than a very decent bank robbery and eventually result in a greater loss of life than all but a mass murder. Breaking quarantine is not a victimless crime by any means unless we get lucky- so yes good use of police time just on an economic basis before even delving into the social outcomes.
However, if quarantine is to be ongoing maybe we need to shift it away from our major cities. At least there would then be a decent walk – miles- to the store. But it would not be either easy or cheap . The current system isn't cheap either.
Please correct the typo in your e-mail address before you submit your comments, thanks. I’ve done it three times because your comments are held up in Auto-Moderation because of the typo.
Bertrand Russell on democracy in China. "democracy is the best form of government where it’ll work —- one could see that it wouldn't work there, they hadn't the political experience" 12:37 on.
Agreed. I'm very sorry for Victorians and there is a possibility that the virus has escaped beyond Victoria's borders into NSW already – only time will tell. Victoria was the only state / territory that still had a small amount of community transmission going on.
There is far less rabid, immature blame gaming going on in Oz, compared to the silliness in NZ, rather surprisingly. Even Scott Morrison, not someone I would normally have anything positive to say about, has given full moral and practical support to the Victorian lockdown / border closures, despite being on the opposite side of politics to Victoria's state government. No carping from other states either – they are giving help even if there is a lot of worry about the situation escalating.
Maybe there would be more of a scrum if a federal election was due this year?
Chris Cahill what a sour unhelpful body. President of the Police Association. Is he voted into his position? If that is the view of the bulk of police Wow!!! "Political reasons for Police deployment to make the Government look good" Really??? Guarding returnees.
I thought the Police were meant to "Serve to keep the Community safe"
I think he's still an improvement on Greg O'Connor, though that's a pretty low bar. He used to insert himself into every news story about the police and only ever said two things: "the police cannot possibly have got it wrong", or when they clearly had, "let's not rush to judgement". I suppose he'd say he was a union rep doing his job for his members.
But anyway, if the police are required now (because of two breaches, essentially) then it's reasonable to ask why they weren't required before. It's clear the job has to be done by somebody, even if 99.9% are happy to be "part of the team". If there are 6000 in isolation, then 0.1% being idiots is still 6 days of news headlines and risk.
I heard a police spokesperson on RNZ yesty evening.
Until I heard him speak I shared your opinion.
He implied that we would be less safe if police were taken from their current roles and put on guard duty. eg dealing with family harm, folk having mental health crises and road safety.
These absconders are an anomaly, although TBH I heard Minister Woods say that quarantinees are getting less happy to comply compared to earlier in the emergency.
He also suggested a solution in using members of other enforcement agencies eg Customs.
This issue comes up time and time again: security guards being blamed for stuff.
An institution chooses to sub-contract out security issues in places where certain skill sets are required eg Emergency Departments. An ability to be pro-active, de-escalate and restraint if necessary. Unfortunately this investment in staff does not happen.
True Story, the evening after the Chch mosque murders, while our local hospital was in lock-down, a person was sitting in the waiting room with a cross-bow. When the security guard was challenged on this, he replied with “he looks OK”.
Their problem is that only Police have arrest powers. Do we really want to solve that by giving those to Customs, Health, prison staff or contractors deployed at these hotels?
Give us a fucking break – now we have a self-entitled puffed up travel consultant, Irene King, dumping on the government because it has paused the flow of new arrivals so the country can accommodate Covid-19 refugees. According to her, this pause would deal a huge financial blow for Air New Zealand and the wider aviation sector and could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs. Seemingly, the taxpayers should be financing endless quarantine facilities, which now includes Police, to rein in recalcitrants, to keep airlines in profit making territory. Of course, it is Stuff at it again!
Lets see, if we go by a majority vote of those NZlanders who have had to stay home, in line for basics for weeks and only slowly coming out of that imposed isolation with caution, I think its a no brainer.
Unless some selfish people think they can escape a virus outbreak on an island no less and we have to go to another shut down. Hands up who wants the border closed until the issue of renegade arrivals, placements and accommodation is being properly managed. This does not mean that people are not allowed back home, it means they come home in a managed way that is safe for EVERYBODY.
And no, we will not live in tents in order that Air NZ can make a profit.
Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
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Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
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Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
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Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
A ballot for 4 Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Insurance Contracts Bill (Duncan Webb) Income Tax (Clean Transport FBT Exclusion) Amendment Bill (Julie Anne Genter) Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill (Greg Fleming) Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) ...
One of the strongest narratives about "our" spy agencies is that they are basically institutional traitors, working for foreign powers (or just themselves), without any control or oversight by the elected government. And today, we have yet another report from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security which explicitly confirms this. ...
“It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April to meet the Prime Minister’s ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education, Deakin University Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When you think about a red object, you might picture a red carpet, or the massive ruby in the Queen’s crown. Indeed, Western monarchies and marketing from brands such ...
COMMENTARY:Jewish Voice for Peace The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday — and for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli military’s genocide of Palestinians, the United States abstained rather than vetoing it. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, ...
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand investigative journalist and author says the US spy system hosted by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) appears to be a controversial intelligence system used in global capture-kill operations. Writing a commentary for RNZ News today, Nicky Hager, author of Secret Power, a 1996 ...
While Nicola Willis wouldn’t give any details on its size, she said a package of tax cuts is definitely still coming in this year’s budget, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
Finance minister Nicola Willis delivers her first budget statement, and unwittingly helps Joel MacManus save his relationship. Nicola Willis strode into the Beehive Theatrette. Around me, on the green foldout seats, were the country’s top business and political journalists. They were all here to see her announce the Budget Policy ...
Twenty years ago today, Māori Television launched after much controversy. Jamie Tahana looks back on its survival and impact across two decades. Chad Chambers stepped onto the stage, the brim of his cap casting a shadow across his face. His smile beamed as bright as his white freezing works gumboots, ...
Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellsford, Onehunga, Westhaven marina – Gavin Strawhan walks the meanish streets of New Zealand in his entertaining debut novel The Call, almost sure to roar into the number 1 position on the Nielsen bestseller chart, its front cover bearing a rave from somebody: “A really good and genuinely ...
On a Thursday in February, at Wellington’s Conservation House, the Conservation Authority, a statutory body advising the eponymous department and minister, Tama Potaka, opened its 195th meeting. Under consideration that afternoon was an agenda item written by Tim Bamford, chief advisor in the Department of Conservation’s biodiversity, heritage and visitors ...
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Sarah Dowie obviously thinks everyone has forgotten the sordid events that have lead to her own untimely demise as an MP at the forthcoming election. I should be astonished at the hypocrisy but it is the National Party I guess.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122069465/hamish-walker-makes-right-decision-to-leave-politics-southland-leaders
National Party supporters forgive their MPs everything and their MPs forgive themselves the same.
"National Party supporters forgive their MPs everything………." and they seem to like their corruption cloak and dagger covert style. I guess it makes them feel suphusticated and intelligent.
At the moment – I'm busy pivoting – teetering on the fulcrum in that space going forward.
I'm still not sure whether I'd rather rather just openly flick a couple of hundred rupees or yuan to a lowly paid rock hopper and get things done immediately, or mortgage the house to covertly get some gNat to lean on someone, to get someone appointed so that I could buy some long term favours – plus of course pay for their face-lifts, teeth whitening and plasticine.
Tough decision! What would you recomment
Could be all those Christians, like Todd.
“There is a large bloc in National of Christians with some pretty extreme views. They’re not traditional Christian National Party folk, but more fire and brimstone. Muller is a traditional National Party Christian, he voted No on the abortion bill’s second and third reading, he voted No on all three readings of the euthanasia bill. But he is considered not right wing enough by the large Christian bloc.”
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/07/02/why-todd-muller-and-national-are-toast/
"forgiveness" is a a big part of it.
https://www.compassionuk.org/blogs/bible-verses-on-forgiveness/
How does forgiveness in this political context work? Are people supposed not to make any unkind judgments on a party that says it is in Jesu's pocket and keep voting for them no matter what. There would be no untidy abuse cases in Court from victims of lack of respect for other humans persons and rights, as forgiveness would apply. Is that why Hopeful Christian could go to jail and back to the farm to be forgiven and Carry On Culting. This is a case of National getting above itself – they have got neolib the money cult as their economics, busy cult-like making judgments of people based on the propensities of the leaders, and now they have gone from 'Power tends to corrupt to Absolute Power tends to Corrupt Absolutely'.
They have taken people's earnings from them, lowered them, have opened stores selling booze all hours so people can drink themselves to delerium, they don't have the ability to put down roots in a house they can afford to live in, if beneficiaries take in boarders or rent part of their house to people in need of accommodation they are condemned as twisted criminals rorting the benefit system. and now the Gnats and the moneyed want what's left of their souls, promising them security and heaven if they do what they are told.
This is good.
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/zealand-media-endangered-public-health-200707103532946.html
Mosa posted this yesterday afternoon and it was a subject for conversation in Open Mike today.
I agree. Excellent article.
You''ll never read that quality of thinking in New Zealand's neoliberal media.
https://twitter.com/timmaughan/status/1280985739233198082
Ain't that the truth Joe90! & in other news, the KPop Agents are celebrating BTS Army Day! Big Time Socialists! (My kids are fans & I've got the walls singing with South Korean Pop Music).
The letter is an exercise in futility. How can you tell a movement of people to not do something you don't like.
It's as if JK Rowling thinks she can write peoples lives the way she wrote Harry Potter.
A couple of people have taken their name off the letter, they didn't know who else signed.
"Cancel Culture" is just a new buzz word, a new vague enemy, it reminds me of "being PC", a catchall phrase that can mean anything and everything to anyone. It suits the privileged that's for certain. "Don't rock the boat!".
Cancel Culture is free market through and through. If your message isn't good enough, get ready to feel the heat.
A couple of people have taken their name off the letter, they didn't know who else signed.
So. They signed the letter because they agreed with the statement, but unsigned because they did not wish to be seen as being in association with individuals they usually disagree with who had also signed.
Hmm… did they actually read the letter before they signed?
I'd be interested to see a decent analysis of the signatories, rather than more superficial, reactionary backlash. Salman Rushdie knows a few things about cancel culture for instance. I'm not sure if people are kneejerk reacting to the letter or there is some substance to the criticism.
I'm also curious where the limit is, or if people believe there isn't one, in terms of cancel culture. To me it looks like there is also a dynamic of neoliberalism starting to appropriate, and we already know that neoliberalism will stretch to allow some justice issues to gain traction, but will never willingly let the system be changed.
….rather than more superficial, reactionary backlash.
But, but, that would require the backlashers to actually read (at least superficially) some of the writings of those who signed the letter.
And, perhaps, risk being the target of derision and criticism and dare to discuss some of the more sensitive topics.
But not here. Certainly not a safe space.
The funny (haha) thing is that both Atwood and Rowling signed the letter, and they take directly oppositional positions on the trans/GCF debate. Atwood spent a few days this week criticising Rowling on twitter for her position. Both those women know the value of words and how to use them with meaning and power. I can't see how Rowling's words can be suppressed without also eventually suppressing Atwood's. It's not like liberals get to control the world, and it's especially scary at this time of rising fascism.
The shutting down of debate worries me, but also the now gaping chasm that exists among progressives over this to the extent we often can't even talk about it rationally. Everyday I'm watching people at war on twitter, arguing against a position that they either patently don't understand or they are deliberately misconstruing. It's gotten worse this year to the point that I don't often see good faith discussion.
I think one problem with debating complex, sensitive, and/or controversial issues is not that people are not able to do so, intellectually, if you like, but that many don’t have the undivided time and energy to put the considerable mental effort into it that it demands. They say democracy requires eternal vigilance and look at what’s happening with civil and political engagement and discourse across the world. People’s attention span is shortening and demands on their cognitive power are increasing. Something has to give.
Fair comment, and a lot of this new change is shallow, here in Dunedin they're changing the name of the Cook purely for commercial reasons.
What I would personally prefer, re the statues, is more statues, less dead soldiers, more interesting people. Riff Raff in Hamilton, Robert Burns here, so there's more representation, that's what I think most of this is about, more varied. Drs, social workers, artists, community workers, working stiffs ffs!
I hadn't picked the letter as being about statues (will reread it with that in mind). I took it as about the numbers of academics and writers, people that we need in society to explore a wide range of views, being ostracised, no platformed or fired.
What are the commercial reasons for changing the name of the Cook?
Commercial, as in being afraid of not having customers because of the name, as opposed to actually being opposed to Cook themselves. I went to a bar on Sat night, a bunch of pop iconic type images on the wall, the blue boy, Monroe, and Cook, we were quite amused to see it in this present time. Funny, a friend of mine says he will refuse to go to the Cook if it does change it’s name.
I mentioned statues just as an example of "Cancel Culture". Off topic in regards to the letter. I find it funny a bunch of people want to cancel "Cancel Culture", & also the notion that celebrities opinions hold more weight than say, mine, or yours, or anyones. I love the Potter books, but I really couldn't care less about what she says, most people are quite disappointing, the old "never meet your idols" phrase springs to mind.
Mostly that it's two or three very different tenants with their own branding rather than just being one venue, if I recall the ODT correctly.
Cancel culture isn't a real thing. Despite the token lefties, this fucking letter is just fake outrage designed to work the sympathy nerve to get them off the hook of their own making. DARVO, by another name.
And I know there’s a strain of intolerance on the far left, but it’s nothing compared to the daily deluge of bigoted, intolerant bullshit from the right.
A life-long repug on the toxicity of today's right.
https://twitter.com/radiofreetom/status/1279536145903345665
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1279536145903345665.html
that comes across as more talking points Joe. I know how you feel about the letter, but that doesn't address the points I raised other than you just reject them.
Maybe I'm missing something here, is there some context about who wrote the letter and why that I'm not getting. It's quite a reach to say that someone like Atwood is engaged in DARVO. Are you saying there is no limit when it comes to writer, academics and people who hold positions of power but who also hold important aspects of the culture? That they don't get to have a say in how society treats them?
If you've seen a breakdown of the list that demonstrates that many or most of the signatories are engaged in political DARVO, then please post it. I just took the letter for what it said.
IMO you can't have room for experimentation, risk taking, and even mistakes without consequences. If that's what you want, find yourself a foam pit.
But if your experimentation, risk taking, and even mistakes are offensive to enough people and you're given the arse, tough.
Does that apply in Trump's America then? If there are enough people offended by feminists pushing for better abortion rights, those feminists can be fired and deplatformed?
And TS would give McCoskrie's ilk a platform in the same way that cathnewsnz would, too?
/
The limit is crowdsourced. This doesn't mean that there is no limit – I believe it's largely been met already on most issues.
I also believe that it's also not so much "cancel culture" as "chose your market" culture. Louis CK can still do gigs, he just gets a different audience.
The main concern I have with the vague banalities in the letter is that all ideas should be open to good faith debate. I'm sure there are some fine humanitarians and noble souls in the signatory list, but I suspect there will also be one or two "~-adjacents", as in "Nazi-adjacent" or "white supremacy -adjacent". Debating some issues simply lends legitimacy to absurd extremists who'd have been fringe self-publishers thirty years ago. But the letter doesn't acknowledge that position, it lets ~-adjacents hide in the coattails of noble souls unfairly targeted by an impulsive mob.
People tried good faith debate with the o. g. Nazis. That ended badly.And yeah, I genuinely think that historical lesson is relevant in today's world.
"The limit is crowdsourced. This doesn't mean that there is no limit – I believe it's largely been met already on most issues."
Can you please explain that? I don't know what it means.
Feminists subjected to rape threats and doxxing, can still write online, they just have to find a different space to do it in other than social media or their work places.
I'd be really interested if someone has analysed the list for a nazi adjacent and progressive spectrum. I'm surprised that hasn't happened, although I haven't gone looking either (no, not up for watching youtubes).
also feminists subjected to rape threats and doxxing, just need to man up apparently.
So now we have the discussion about what people mean by "cancel culture", because I sure as shit wasn't including rape and death threats.
Which bit did you want clarification on? The crowdsourcing thing or why I think the limit has largely been met? (as in people pretty much know what they'll get a backlash on – the instances of "make a casual comment then get on a plane, only to discover 12 hours later you've lost your job and your sponsors" are much more rare these days, imo).
I see the Five eyes squinting at China, re HK.NZs independence usurped again by the yankee masterspy network,does this mean its ok to trash and firebomb Government property in 5 eye countries.
There was a piece today the Herald maybe where they'd contacted the Countdown Covid runner.
According to their reporting he 'refused' to say why he absconded, and they also spent a lot of time referencing the 20 min phone call.
I think what's happened is he's an ordinary, entitled NZ Indian resident or citizen who had no idea at all about what was expected of him, probably didn't listen on arrival and doesn't follow the news at all so wouldn't have clue about the situation in NZ.
He went to get some toiletries and then called his family.
I felt though that the Herald was pointing to a deliberate motive. Is this just them manufacturing intrigue? Or is it seeding their article with known damaging info to be revealed later?
In today's NZ media environment, you'd never know until it was too late.
In short, is the National Party incentivising returnees to break out of quarantine? Wouldn't put it past them.
I had put this over in open mike but either something is going on or he is just making excuses – so throw everything at him.
He says "Nobody told him anything?"
So what did he think was going on? That the NZ government picks up everybody from the airport complete with minders and trucks them all off to a downtown hotel and pays their accommodation bill while they trot round sightseeing? I mean really? They even have to sign in get an info pack and leave details.
If he's good enough to have a debit card and work a checkout then you think he'd be smart enough to work out that something was going on and he'd better pay attention or find out.
"In short, is the National Party incentivising returnees to break out of quarantine? "
That is the question I also would like an answer to
While National gets lost looking for where ethics and decency live, the media will pick up and run with their most odious lines.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122083465/police-union-slams-government-for-posting-247-cop-babysitters-at-covid-quarantine-facilities
This could be the hardest working Govt we've ever had! No lying down and cuppas for them, even though they deserve one.
Well said.
The police union guy is clearly exaggerating where he says 240 police will be needed…..and as Megan Woods says the police are being brought in because they have the power to detain and arrest.
This article has the flavour of a National Party beat-up yet again. Shame on Stuff for printing this biased crap.
Not much of an exagerration – you'd be running 5 shifts per facility (three 8 hour shifts A:C, with D and E at different leave stages of the roster, e.g. D on a two day break between early and late shift, and E on a break of several days after the graveyard shift, and fill up the change with some training time or overlapped evening shifts).
240/5 = 48 officers operating at any one time. 48 cops/28 facilities = 1.7 police per facility on average.
Not sure what that Stuff link has to do with National.
The police union spokesman (Cahill) has a valid point, but there is little chance of that being considered in the current climate. A burglary in an Auckland suburb will get zero news coverage, whereas anything at all happening in/near an isolation hotel will be a guaranteed headline, even if it is far less serious than e.g. a dairy robbery. Understandably the government responds to that media coverage (all politicians always do, naive to think otherwise).
Throughout the Covid response there has been a need for balance (what is effective, but also legal, but also affordable, but also practical, but also acceptable … etc).
Overall the government has got it right, but not perfect. I'd rather the police weren't needed, but nobody is making a more constructive and practical suggestion. "Stick them somewhere else" is the default response, followed by "But not here".
The police are there to keep the public safe, why isn't the article couched in these terms? Instead it's been made into a non-issue debate over police resourcing.
A covid breakout in the community would be far more expensive than a very decent bank robbery and eventually result in a greater loss of life than all but a mass murder. Breaking quarantine is not a victimless crime by any means unless we get lucky- so yes good use of police time just on an economic basis before even delving into the social outcomes.
However, if quarantine is to be ongoing maybe we need to shift it away from our major cities. At least there would then be a decent walk – miles- to the store. But it would not be either easy or cheap . The current system isn't cheap either.
[Fixed error in e-mail address]
Please correct the typo in your e-mail address before you submit your comments, thanks. I’ve done it three times because your comments are held up in Auto-Moderation because of the typo.
Bertrand Russell on democracy in China. "democracy is the best form of government where it’ll work —- one could see that it wouldn't work there, they hadn't the political experience" 12:37 on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb3k6tB-Or8
I'd like to give a shout out to Victoria, they need all the moral support they can get.
Ok, they didn't do our steriod-based lock down which was managed to steer through but are now doing their level 3 for the second time and for 6 weeks.
The Tower Blocks are literally locked down, very tough. Aussies are going to have to dig deep to get themselves out of this and I wish them the best.
They will need their version of a 5 million person team effort and I hope the most vulnerable get through without too much damage.
Agreed. I'm very sorry for Victorians and there is a possibility that the virus has escaped beyond Victoria's borders into NSW already – only time will tell. Victoria was the only state / territory that still had a small amount of community transmission going on.
There is far less rabid, immature blame gaming going on in Oz, compared to the silliness in NZ, rather surprisingly. Even Scott Morrison, not someone I would normally have anything positive to say about, has given full moral and practical support to the Victorian lockdown / border closures, despite being on the opposite side of politics to Victoria's state government. No carping from other states either – they are giving help even if there is a lot of worry about the situation escalating.
Maybe there would be more of a scrum if a federal election was due this year?
Chris Cahill what a sour unhelpful body. President of the Police Association. Is he voted into his position? If that is the view of the bulk of police Wow!!! "Political reasons for Police deployment to make the Government look good" Really??? Guarding returnees.
I thought the Police were meant to "Serve to keep the Community safe"
I think he's still an improvement on Greg O'Connor, though that's a pretty low bar. He used to insert himself into every news story about the police and only ever said two things: "the police cannot possibly have got it wrong", or when they clearly had, "let's not rush to judgement". I suppose he'd say he was a union rep doing his job for his members.
But anyway, if the police are required now (because of two breaches, essentially) then it's reasonable to ask why they weren't required before. It's clear the job has to be done by somebody, even if 99.9% are happy to be "part of the team". If there are 6000 in isolation, then 0.1% being idiots is still 6 days of news headlines and risk.
I heard a police spokesperson on RNZ yesty evening.
Until I heard him speak I shared your opinion.
He implied that we would be less safe if police were taken from their current roles and put on guard duty. eg dealing with family harm, folk having mental health crises and road safety.
These absconders are an anomaly, although TBH I heard Minister Woods say that quarantinees are getting less happy to comply compared to earlier in the emergency.
He also suggested a solution in using members of other enforcement agencies eg Customs.
This issue comes up time and time again: security guards being blamed for stuff.
An institution chooses to sub-contract out security issues in places where certain skill sets are required eg Emergency Departments. An ability to be pro-active, de-escalate and restraint if necessary. Unfortunately this investment in staff does not happen.
True Story, the evening after the Chch mosque murders, while our local hospital was in lock-down, a person was sitting in the waiting room with a cross-bow. When the security guard was challenged on this, he replied with “he looks OK”.
Their problem is that only Police have arrest powers. Do we really want to solve that by giving those to Customs, Health, prison staff or contractors deployed at these hotels?
I suppose it is easy and glib for me to say yes to giving those other agencies arrest powers, albeit temporary.
I was more looking at their communication ability, dealing with public, enforcement and authority.
I understand it is ok to commit a crime to prevent a worse crime occuring. eg denying someone their liberty to stop potential spead of disease.
I do not personally have a problem with it either, but we know enough pundits will to make a fuss.
Adding police will not take away other agencies being responsible for the functions you mention. Communication sure needs to improve.
Give us a fucking break – now we have a self-entitled puffed up travel consultant, Irene King, dumping on the government because it has paused the flow of new arrivals so the country can accommodate Covid-19 refugees. According to her, this pause would deal a huge financial blow for Air New Zealand and the wider aviation sector and could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs. Seemingly, the taxpayers should be financing endless quarantine facilities, which now includes Police, to rein in recalcitrants, to keep airlines in profit making territory. Of course, it is Stuff at it again!
For those with a tough constitution for the absurd, the link is: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/122074644/airfare-freeze-airlines-set-pricing-to-entice-anxious-customers-and-recoup-financial-damage.
Lets see, if we go by a majority vote of those NZlanders who have had to stay home, in line for basics for weeks and only slowly coming out of that imposed isolation with caution, I think its a no brainer.
Unless some selfish people think they can escape a virus outbreak on an island no less and we have to go to another shut down. Hands up who wants the border closed until the issue of renegade arrivals, placements and accommodation is being properly managed. This does not mean that people are not allowed back home, it means they come home in a managed way that is safe for EVERYBODY.
And no, we will not live in tents in order that Air NZ can make a profit.
Well, this will send the crazies over the edge, with their "Cindy takes orders from Helen" obsession.
Clark has been appointed to lead the WHO review of the pandemic and the world (more or less). Read all about it tomorrow, should make a few headlines.