Daily Review 09/08/2018
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5:30 pm, August 9th, 2018 - 29 comments
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- Jacinda’s Manic Ministry.
“Do you want the moon to play with?” What was it that persuaded Jacinda Ardern to exactly reverse Helen Clark’s strategy of under-promising and over-delivering? Even with the winds of history at your back, over-promising the electorate is a silly thing to do. No government should ever attempt to defy Murphy’s ...1 hour ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #49 2022
Open access notables: Our increasing grip on understanding Earth systems reveals growing needs for operational instrumentation. By now it's safe to say that we understand: "a geochemically stable, suitable and uncontaminated atmosphere is not only nice but mandatory," and that we need data in order evaluate how -our- atmosphere is doing, ...11 hours ago - Check It Out
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Back in 2017, Jacinda Ardern promised "There will be no new mines on conservation land". NZ First stopped her from doing it in her first term, but since winning an absolute majority in the 2020 election Labour has refused to move on it - and has explicitly voted down a ...19 hours ago - Putting the environment in the BORASince the 1970's there has been a growing recognition that environmental rights are part of - and necessary for - human rights. The 1972 Stockholm Declaration began its principles with a statement that "Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of ...21 hours ago
- Gordon Campbell on the TVNZ/RNZ merger battles
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- Community voices amplified in fight against alcohol harmAlcohol licensing hearings will become more accessible and less adversarial as the Government removes barriers preventing community voices from being heard, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said today. A Bill making targeted changes to the licensing process in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 has been introduced to the ...2 days ago
- GOVT to provide further funding to Ruapehu Alpine LiftsThe Government has decided to advance a further $6 million bridging funding to allow time for MBIE through Kanoa-RDU to support the development of an alternative commercial solution. “Following discussions with affected stakeholders, including other creditors and iwi, it has become clear that more time is needed to further explore ...2 days ago
- Government delivers safer roads for WaimakaririAssociate Minister of Transport Kieran McAnulty was in Waimakariri this morning to mark the beginning of work on a $41 million programme to improve road safety in the Waimakariri district. “The projects started today is critical for the people of Waimakariri as it will address the stretch of SH1 between ...2 days ago
- International tourists bring over $1b into economySpend from all international visitors totalled $1.03 billion in the September 2022 quarter Holidaymakers spent $479 million Visitors for friends or relatives spent $292 million Tourism Electronic Card Transactions spend in 8 regions (out of 16) was higher than October 2019 levels pre-COVID The release of the International Visitor Survey ...2 days ago
- Launch of Te Ara Paerangi Future PathwaysE ngā mātāwaka, E ngā iwi o te motu, Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Ayesha Verrall ahau, Te Minita mō te Rangahau, Pūtaiao me te Auahatanga. Tēnā koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te wā, Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa. Acknowledgements It is a privilege ...3 days ago
- Reform of science system to build better future for New ZealandThe Government has set the direction for a future-focused science system says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall. Our research, science and innovation system will be geared towards tackling New Zealand’s big challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation and the complex health and problems that undermine wellbeing. ...3 days ago
- Te Rohe o Rongokako Joint Redress Bill Third Reading I Te Pānuitanga Tuatoru o te Pire mō te Puret...Te Pānuitanga Tuatoru o te Pire mō te Puretumu Ngātahi mō Te Rohe o Rongokako I te rā nei, i Pāremata, ka oti te tuatoru me te whakamutunga o ngā pānuitanga o te Pire mō te Puretumu Ngātahi mō te Rohe o Rongokako. Ko tā te pire, he whakatinana i ...3 days ago
- Hi-tech New Zealand strawberries on the horizonNew Zealanders will be able to enjoy spray-free strawberries grown through a hi-tech new system almost all year round through a Government-backed pilot project based in Foxton, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced. “We’re focussed on innovations that lift the sustainability and productivity of our food and fibre sector and this ...3 days ago
- Cadetships programme continues to empower whānau MāoriSince July 2022, more than 610 cadets across 35 programmes have been approved, up from the 499 cadets approved by this time in the last financial year. The programme is growing. “The Cadetship programme’s ongoing success comes down to treating our young people with mana so that they can achieve ...3 days ago
- New rules for offshore detention complete Govt response to Operation Burnham inquiryThe government has announced a new set of rules to ensure proper and humane treatment of people detained by Police, Defence forces, or other New Zealand agencies during offshore deployments. The Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the new framework for offshore detention delivers on the fourth and final recommendation accepted ...3 days ago
- 19 new townhouses for whānau in need in Lower HuttAssociate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare today visited Kahungunu Whānau Services and their newly purchased 19 townhouses in Taita, Lower Hutt. “Through the Government’s Te Kahui Māori Housing programme, Tātai Mokopuna Holdings Limited (the asset holding company of Kahungunu Whānau Services) was granted a $7.1 million Māori housing ...3 days ago
- Government backs greater competition in building supplies to reduce costs for KiwisThe Government will take action to increase competition in the residential building supplies sector, says Building and Construction Minister Dr Megan Woods and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Dr David Clark, following the release of the Commerce Commission’s market study final report. “We asked the Commerce Commission to review our ...3 days ago
- Royal Commission to draw lessons from pandemic responseA Royal Commission to prepare New Zealand for future pandemics through lessons learned from COVID-19 has been announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today. “Every country in the world has grappled with COVID-19 and there was no playbook for managing it,” Jacinda Ardern said. “It had been over 100 years ...4 days ago
- Minister Sio to discuss Pacific development prioritiesAssociate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio travels to Indonesia this week to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Indonesia Pacific Forum for Development and the 15th Bali Democracy Forum. “Attending these international meetings enables Aotearoa New Zealand to connect with our partners kanohi ki te kanohi, or face to ...4 days ago
- Changes to partner work visas deferred to April 2023Changes to partner work visas that were set to come into effect in December 2022 have been deferred to April 2023, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced today. “I have made the decision to defer these changes to April 2023,” Michael Wood said. “Our Government wants to provide greater certainty ...4 days ago
- Building Act changes put the environment at the heart of how we buildThe Government is taking action to reduce waste and lower emissions from the building and construction sector in significant Building Act amendments announced today. “This Government is proud to put the environment at the heart of how New Zealand builds. By enabling mandatory energy performance rating requirements for buildings, and ...4 days ago
- Govt’s medicines boost paying off for New ZealandersPharmac’s plan to fund the cystic fibrosis medicine Trikafta is another example of the Government’s boost to the medicines budget helping New Zealanders, says Health Minister Andrew Little. “Pharmac, not politicians, makes the decisions on what treatments to fund, but politicians decide what funding to provide to Pharmac, and health ...5 days ago
- Better transport choices for New ZealandersForty-six councils across Aotearoa New Zealand, from large metro centres to small provincial towns, will receive funding to implement more transport options for communities, as part of the Transport Choices package 2022-24, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport infrastructure system to make it ...5 days ago
- Te Rangiwaituhi – Maniapoto apologyMihi Ko taku rourou iti a haere, maringi kai whenua Ko taku rourou iti a haere, maringi kai moana kia mau ki te kawau māro, whanake ake! kō Maniapoto e! Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Greetings and Thanks As we gather here this morning I want to ...5 days ago
- Maniapoto receives Crown Apology – Ka whakawhiwhia ki a Ngāti Maniapoto te Whakapāhatanga a ...Kua tukuna e te Pirimia, e Jacinda Ardern, i te taha o te Minita mō ngā Take Tiriti o Waitangi, a Andrew Little, te Whakapāhatanga a te Karauna ki a Ngāti Maniapoto mō āna mahi o mua i takahi i te Tiriti o Waitangi. I tū te hui i Te ...5 days ago
- Big online platforms to pay fair price for local news contentThe Government will legislate to require big online digital companies such as Google and Meta to pay a fair price to New Zealand media companies for the local news content they host and share on their platforms, Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson announced today. The legislation will be modelled on ...5 days ago
- Government to remove entrenchment from Three Waters legislationThe Government will fix the Water Services Entities Bill this week by removing the entrenchment clause that was voted on during committee stages, Leader of the House Chris Hipkins announced today. “It was a mistake to put the entrenchment clause in and the Government will fix the issue as soon ...5 days ago
- 10 new whare for Ngāi Tāmanuhiri kaumātua and whānau in Te MuriwaiAssociate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare joined Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and the wider Toitū Tairāwhiti collective, at the opening of 10 new homes built for kaumātua and whānau in Muriwai today. “Every whare that is built and whānau that is transferred from inadequate housing to a warm dry ...6 days ago
- Joint statement: Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister ConsultationsAustralian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong welcomed Aotearoa New Zealand's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta to Canberra today for biannual Australia – Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations. The Ministers acknowledged the unique strength of the relationship between Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, reaffirmed the shared ...7 days ago
- Funding boost for kaupapa Māori response to homelessnessAssociate Minister of Housing (Homelessness) Marama Davidson has announced a significant funding boost today for kaupapa Māori approaches that support whānau into housing. $24.7 million will be allocated to support the delivery of He Ara Hiki Mauri – a tangata whenua-led response to homelessness. “Homelessness is not inevitable. By working ...7 days ago
- Appointment of Judge of the High CourtAuckland barrister David Gary Johnstone has been appointed a judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Johnstone graduated from the University of Auckland in 1991 with a BCom/LLB(Hons), and joined Bell Gully as a solicitor, practising in general commercial litigation. During 1993 and 1994 he studied at the ...7 days ago
- MAIHI Whare Wananga celebrates innovative approach to Maori HousingNew Maori Housing dashboard for better data sharing and better outcomes New development training programme to grow sector capability Associate Minister of Housing (Maori Housing) Peeni Henare today attended the annual MAIHI Whare Wananga hosted by Toitu Tairawhiti Housing Limited in Kaiti. “Our MAIHI Whare Wananga is an opportunity ...7 days ago
- New mental health facility a step closer for GisborneHealth Minister Andrew Little was at Gisborne Hospital today to mark the next step of Te Tairāwhiti’s new Te Whare Awhiora mental health facility build. The Health Minister turned a sod to mark the start of groundworks at the site, in preparation for the placement of a mauri stone. “The ...7 days ago
- More rural broadband for regional communitiesNew contracts will improve around 30,000 broadband connections in rural homes and communities Govt on track to see 99.8% of all New Zealanders receive access to improved broadband as a result of various connectivity programmes by the end of 2023, including those targeting rural regions Applications open for one-off ...7 days ago
- Tauranga region to benefit from new funding and financing toolTauranga will be the first region to use a new Government tool to raise funding for much-needed infrastructure. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be used to raise finance from private markets, which is then repaid via the levy on those who benefit from the infrastructure. The finance raised by ...7 days ago
- Parents threaten criminal action in ‘unvaccinated’ blood donor case
There’s been a development in the case of the parents who wanted to use “unvaccinated blood” for their child who needs life-saving surgery. As you’ll know by now, the court earlier this week took over guardianship of the baby. That meant the surgery could go ahead. However, as RNZ reported ...8 mins ago - The PM’s summer of pared back thinkingIn a round of end of year interviews, the prime minister confirmed the government will pare things back in 2023 to focus on economic issues and that some retirements will be announced next week, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each ...8 mins ago
- Keith Rankin Essay – To Be a Good Cancer
Essay by Keith Rankin. “Antlers grow through a mechanism that is very similar to cancer. But, because deer can keep that growth in check, they are extremely resilient to cancers. … “Sardinia’s own dwarf deer, a relative of Ireland’s giant elk, was eradicated within a hundred years of human colonization, ...33 mins ago - DNA from elusive human relatives the Denisovans has left a curious mark on modern people in New Guin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Irene Gallego Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Genetics, The University of Melbourne Derek R. Audette/Shutterstock An encounter with a mysterious and extinct human relative – the Denisovans – has left a mark on the immune traits of modern Papuans, in ...58 mins ago
- ‘Extreme stripping action’ led to the messy birth of the Southern Ring Nebula, Webb image reveal...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Orsola De Marco, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University NASA When the first five images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were unveiled, one of them stared at me with two eyes. It was an image of the Southern Ring ...58 mins ago
- Lots of ‘breakthroughs’, still no cure. Do the new dementia drugs bring us any closer?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Monash University robina weermeijer/unsplash, CC BY-SA We often hear about “dementia breakthroughs” in the news – new genes being discovered, new blood tests being developed, new drugs being tested. However, there remains no effective ...58 mins ago
- Surging energy prices are really going to hurt. What can the government actually do?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Shutterstock Picture this. You’re in government for the first time in more than a decade. And within six months, you’re facing a diabolical problem: skyrocketing energy prices. To your constituents, it doesn’t matter ...58 mins ago
- ‘I would like to go to university’: flexi school students share their goals in Australia-first s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marnee Shay, Senior Research Fellow, School of Education, The University of Queensland Nathan Cowley/Pexels Flexi schools cater to young people who have been pushed out of mainstream schools. Some students may have been expelled or struggled to fit in. Some ...58 mins ago
- What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, about to be negotiated in Brisbane?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patricia Ranald, Honorary research associate, University of Sydney Shutterstock Australia is about to play host to negotiators from 14 countries involved in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) over six days in Brisbane from Saturday. They include the United States, ...58 mins ago
- Tantrums to tinsel: why I love the curious and festive tradition of the Santa photoSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cherine Fahd, Associate Professor of Visual Communication in the School of Design, University of Technology Sydney The author and her family with Santa in 1980. Author provided In April 1995, my uncle secured a lucrative job in Saudi Arabia. He and ...58 mins ago
- Candidates go all-out in bid for votes in Hamilton West by-election
It is crunch time for the two front-runners in the Hamilton West by-election with voting set to end at 7pm tomorrow. ...2 hours ago - The 10 best NZ TV moments of 2022Tara Ward looks back on the weird, wonderful television year that was. As 2022 comes to a close, it’s time to eat a lot of Scorched Almonds and reflect on the best television moments of the year. In the past 12 months, New Zealand television has given us joyful singalongs, ...3 hours ago
- How Queenstown makes property developers share the wealthWhen rural land gets rezoned for home building, developers make a killing – all while local workers find it harder and harder to find affordable housing. Enter ‘inclusionary zoning’, a wealth redistribution policy that could be coming to a council near you soon. This article was first published in Bernard ...3 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Australians are starting to feel the economic pain, but they are not taking it ou...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Mick Tsikas/AAP Anthony Albanese heads towards Christmas with inflation, interest rates and power prices all high. But, comfortingly for Labor, his own popularity is up there too. The objective circumstances in which ...11 hours ago
- Entrenchment law: What you need to knowExplainer - RNZ helps unpack what entrenchment law is and its significance, after the topic became a key issue in the Three Waters legislation's passage into law. ...12 hours ago
- Our laws fail nature. The government’s plan to overhaul them looks good, but crucial detail is yet...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock The Albanese government has just released its long-awaited response to a scathing independent review of Australia’s environment protection law. The 2020 review ultimately ...13 hours ago
- Entrenchment provisions: What you need to knowExplainer - RNZ helps unpack what entrenchment law is and its significance, after the topic became a key issue in the Three Waters legislation's passage into law. ...13 hours ago
- PODCAST: Is an Independent Foreign Policy an Unachievable Myth? – Buchanan and ManningPODCAST – In this, the 24th episode of A View from Afar for 2022 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and host Selwyn Manning examine whether there is, in reality, such a thing as foreign policy independence in today’s world. Specifically, Paul and Selwyn examine the following questions: What ...14 hours ago
- PM Jacinda Ardern weighs spending priorities and Cabinet line-up ahead of election yearIn a sit-down interview, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looks ahead to a newly prioritised spending plan and fresh ministerial line-up as part of a reset before 2023 - election year. ...15 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Labour needs Mahutu to go, but she’s too powerfulAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Labour needs Mahutu to go, but she’s too powerful The pressure on Jacinda Ardern to sack Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is building. But Mahuta is too powerful within the Labour Party to get rid of easily. The Three Waters reforms have become one ...16 hours ago
- Extreme heat in the midst of the Big Wet for northern Australia – what’s going on with the weath...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock After a wet and unusually cool spring for much of Australia, the start of meteorological summer is bringing a heatwave to the north of the continent. Even in ...16 hours ago
- Have Your Say On An Inquiry Into The 2022 Local Elections
The Justice Committee has initiated an inquiry into the 2022 local elections in New Zealand. Local elections provide New Zealanders with an important opportunity to choose who will represent them on local issues. The Committee is interested in ...17 hours ago - Ngāi Tahu Welcomes Passage Of Water Services Entity Bill With the Water Services Entity Bill now passed, Ngāi Tahu is looking forward to working with local councils to ensure safe, equitable and affordable water services for the community while protecting the environment, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere ...17 hours ago
- Mahuta’s Three Waters bill flows through the third reading stage – but only Labour MPs voted in ...
Buzz from the Beehive The most triumphal statement posted on the Beehive website today came from Nanaia Mahuta, to bray about the Water Services Entities Bill passing its third reading in Parliament. The Bill was supported only by Labour MPs, but they have enough numbers in Parliament to ...17 hours ago - David Clark set to quit politics – reportDavid Clark is set to announce he’s retiring from parliament, according to Newsroom. The current commerce minister was first elected in 2011 and has held the Dunedin electorate since then. It’s a role that’s allowed Clark to take aim at the supermarket duopoly, especially during the cost of living crisis. ...17 hours ago
- The Unity Books children’s bestseller chart for NovemberIn the life-cycle of a reader we bet it’s the childhood reading memories that matter most. Here are Unity’s bestselling books for November, just in time to help with the Christmas shopping. AUCKLAND 1 Big Ideas For Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by Alain de Botton and Anna Doherty ...17 hours ago
- NZ’s richest man helped bankroll Wayne Brown campaignNew Zealand’s richest man helped bankroll the Wayne Brown mayor campaign, Stuff has reported. Grame Hart’s Rank Group donated $58,265 to the Brown campaign – the largest single donation registered. Hart has previously given financial support to political parties National, Act and New Zealand First. Overall, Brown spent about $470,000 ...17 hours ago
- ‘Like seeing the first images from the moon’: How Wētā gave Avatar 2 its visual wow factorMaking a three-hour film full of digital water effects required computing superpowers on a scale the Wellington studio had never used before. Wētā FX had a problem. By the beginning of 2020, the Wellington-based digital effects company had already started work on Avatar: The Way of the Water, the sequel ...17 hours ago
- Resolve poll gives Labor huge lead; US Democrats win Georgia Senate runoffSource: 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 Lukas Coch/AAP A federal Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted November 30 to December 4 from a sample of 1,611, ...17 hours ago
- Watershed Moment In Parliament WelcomedWaikato-Tainui fully supports the passing of the Water Services Entity Bill in Parliament this morning. Te Arataura Chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan said the passage of the Bill is a watershed moment for Aotearoa NZ particularly for our tribal members. “When ...18 hours ago
- Water Safety New Zealand – Calling On Government To Make Urgent Changes To Lifejacket Legislat...• Water Safety New Zealand is calling on the government to make urgent changes to regulations requiring everyone on small boats to wear a life jacket. • Water Safety New Zealand have directly requested these life-saving changes to the ...19 hours ago
- Repairing gullies: the quickest way to improve Great Barrier Reef water qualitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Brooks, Principal Research Fellow – Fluvial Geomorphologist – specialising in catchment erosion research, Griffith University James Daley , Author provided Back-to-back bleaching events have highlighted the critical threat that climate change poses to the Great Barrier Reef. But few ...19 hours ago
- State Of The Public Service Report ReleasedPublic Service Commissioner Peter Hughes has today released the first ‘State of the Public Service’ report. The Public Service Act 2020 put in place new requirements to provide for strong stewardship of the Public Service now and into the future. ...19 hours ago
- Third of NZ navy ships idle as defence force staff leaveThree of New Zealand's nine navy ships are sitting idle in port as defence personnel leave the force for better salaries. ...19 hours ago
- Ping, your pizza is on its way. Ping, please rate the driver. Yes, constant notifications really do ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Horwood, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Deakin University Shutterstock A ping from the pizza company. A couple of pings from your socials. Ping, ping, ping from your family WhatsApp group trying to organise a weekend barbecue. With all those ...19 hours ago
- The ultimate no bones day: the death of TikTok pug Noodle shows how we can grieve online for animals...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edith Jennifer Hill, PhD Candidate, Flinders University Instagram/ Showmenoodz On the 4th of December, TikTok user @jongraz announced his beloved pet, a pug named Noodle, had died aged 14. The announcement video received over 19 million views and 4 million ...19 hours ago
- Stats NZ Signs Agreement With Te Iwi O Ngātiwai To Support 2023 CensusA memorandum of understanding aimed at raising participation levels among Northland’s Ngātiwai iwi in the 2023 Census has been signed in Whangārei, Stats NZ said today. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Te Iwi o Ngātiwai and Government Statistician ...19 hours ago
- Sport NZ’s transgender guidelines are a good start – but can they filter up from grassroots to e...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Holly Thorpe, Professor in Sociology of Sport and Gender, University of Waikato Getty Images The release this week of Sport NZ’s new Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport caused a minor and predictable controversy. One ...20 hours ago
- Police Opens Consultation On Changes To Firearms FeesA consultation process regarding firearms licencing fees, which haven’t changed in more than 20 years despite rising costs, opens today. Other than GST adjustments, firearms licencing fees have remained static since 1999. The cost of delivering arms ...20 hours ago
- Huge news for Auckland pets: Get ready to ride the busSomehow this news slipped me by until an excited text arrived from The Spinoff’s Alice Neville earlier today. “Huge news,” she said, with a link to Auckland Council’s announcement it would be allowing (small) pets on buses. In March this year, Neville wrote a passionate plea to allow her and ...20 hours ago
- Who needs art galleries when you could have a city of piss-soaked parking buildingsAuckland’s mayor might not see the point of the city’s art gallery, but he’d find plenty to admire about the parking building across the road. Yesterday I parked in a car parking building right across the road from Auckland Art Gallery. I got out of my car, went downstairs to ...20 hours ago
- The BSA has felt the impact of Covid misinformationThe broadcasting watchdog said it’s had to deal with growing “vehemence” over the past year, particularly around issues like Covid-19. A new report from the Broadcasting Standards Authority examined the growing number of “passionate responses” that viewers had to the pandemic. It found that the overwhelming majority of cases broadcasters had ...20 hours ago
- Three waters passesIt’s Thursday, December 8 and welcome along to The Spinoff’s live updates – made possible by our members.I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund, reach me on [email protected] The agenda The government’s three waters legislation has passed its final reading – but only Labour supported it. Hamilton West byelection turnout tracking at ...20 hours ago
- Fiji elections: Tabuya claims child ‘harassed’ by anti-corruption agencyBy Rakesh Kumar in Suva People’s Alliance candidate Lynda Tabuya claims her 16-year-old daughter was “harassed” by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) officers last week. Tabuya made this allegation in a video posted on social media. “This is my daughter coming back from school and they asked her ...20 hours ago
- Fate of NZ research centre highlights university ‘blindness’, media freedomSPECIAL REPORT: By Lee Duffield in Brisbane The launch of a New Zealand project to produce more Pacific news and provide a “voice for the voiceless” on the islands has highlighted the neglect of that field by Australia and New Zealand — and also problems in universities. The new development ...20 hours ago
- Three waters passes into law – with just Labour’s supportThe government’s controversial three waters legislation will become law after it passed third reading this morning. But, it passed with support just from Labour – with all other parties in parliament voting it down. Local government minister Nanaia Mahuta said the legislation’s passing would protect New Zealanders from rising rates, ...21 hours ago
- Hamilton West byelection turnout tracking at less than 40% of general electionIt will take a surge in the last couple of days of advance voting and election day itself for turnout in the Hamilton West byelection to hit even 30% turnout of enrolled voters. As of yesterday, 7,900 people had cast their votes. At the same point in the Tauranga byelection, ...21 hours ago
- Kaipara mayor backtracks on karakia banKaipara’s mayor has backed down on his decision to ban karakia at council meetings. According to 1News, Craig Jepson said he made the decision after “an open and frank discussion” with councillors. The story hit headlines last week after it was revealed Jepson had repeatedly interrupted his councillor Pera Paniora ...21 hours ago
- How Sarah Hirini’s passion keeps her pushing forwardThe World Cup-winning Black Fern and Kiwibank spokesperson is sharing the ups and downs of her own financial journey in the hope of helping others along theirs. It was Sarah Hirini’s mum who taught her what a true competitor looked like. When Ronnie wasn’t working during the week on ...21 hours ago
- Outrage over Auckland mayor’s plan to cut council-owned early childhood centresTen council-owned early childhood centres are part of a raft of proposed cuts within Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s draft budget released earlier this week. But parents and teachers say the cost of losing the centres would be immense. Parents, whānau and teachers are voicing concern after Auckland Council-owned Kauri Kids ...21 hours ago
- Nationwide Rainbow Survey Sounds Alarm On Mental HealthCoordinated action across key areas of rainbow young people’s lives is needed to ensure they are not only safe but can thrive, according to the first national survey of rainbow youth in Aotearoa. Led by Dr John Fenaughty, a senior lecturer ...21 hours ago
- Build-to-rent is seen as affordable, but it’s unlikely to help those most in needSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Johari Amar, Lecturer in Property, Bond University Australians desperately need more affordable homes, particularly homes for rent. The prospect of home ownership is rapidly receding for many people, especially younger generations (as the chart below shows). More people than ever are being ...21 hours ago
- No appeal against ruling in NZ baby blood case, surgery to go aheadRNZ News The parents of a New Zealand baby at the centre of a legal dispute that has made global headlines will not be appealing against a judge’s decision to hand guardianship of the child to the High Court. The four-month-old — known only as Baby W — requires urgent ...21 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Launches New Campaign: Scrap Three WatersThe Taxpayers’ Union is today launching a new campaign to protect New Zealanders from higher water costs, unnecessary bureaucracy, and the loss of local control and democratic accountability, with the passing of the framework bill implementing Three ...21 hours ago
- Greens pull Three Waters support, citing lack of protection against privatisationThe bill passed anyway, with Labour the only party voting for it. ...21 hours ago
- Invisible skin mites called Demodex almost certainly live on your face – but what about your masca...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Sandeman, Honorary Professor, Federation University Australia César Couto/Unsplash Demodex are a family of eight-legged mites that live in the hair follicles and associated sebaceous or oil glands of many mammals. Two species are known in humans – Demodex folliculorum, ...21 hours ago
- Mining Blindsided By 11th Hour Regulation SwitchPolitically motivated changes to regulations, made at the eleventh hour without consulting the public, iwi, and other affected parties, is a blindside, says Straterra CEO Josie Vidal. Environment Minister David Parker today released the National Policy ...22 hours ago
- Cow bells will be ringing as dairy giant Fonterra gets on a financial roll
Dairy giant Fonterra is on a financial roll and it wants to send a new wave of confidence through the country’s cowsheds. It upgraded its earnings guidance to 50 – 70c per share from 45 – 60c per share. Contrast that with the 20c it paid for the 2021-22 season. ...22 hours ago - BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup: Labour needs Mahuta to go, but she’s too powerful
BRYCE EDWARDS writes – The pressure on Jacinda Ardern to sack Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is building. But Mahuta is too powerful within the Labour Party to get rid of easily. The Three Waters reforms have become one of the Labour Government’s greatest liabilities. While there ...22 hours ago - Indonesia’s new criminal code isn’t just about sex outside marriage. It endangers press and reli...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Lindsey, Malcolm Smith Professor of Asian Law and Director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society, The University of Melbourne Indonesia’s controversial new criminal code was passed into law on Tuesday, replacing a clunky old code dating back to ...22 hours ago
- Fire And Emergency Committed To Building A Positive Culture Following Independent ReviewFire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan MNZM says the organisation is committed to making Fire and Emergency a place where all its people thrive. This comes following the release of a Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission review ...22 hours ago
- THOMAS CRANMER: A government humiliated
National’s deputy leader, Nicola Willis, applied one of the many lashings that the government received in the House this week: ‘Today we have the grovelling back-down, but the stain on our democracy, ... 22 hours ago - Fire And Emergency New Zealand Review ReleasedA Public Service Commission review has found Fire and Emergency New Zealand has fallen short in its attempts to improve workplace culture. The independent review, led by Belinda Clark QSO, focused on assessing Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s ...22 hours ago
- Three Waters: Rapids ahead as entrenchment leaves a bruiseAnalysis - Three Waters has left a lasting impression on Labour and the responsible minister, and seems destined to keep causing problems for whoever wins next year's election. ...22 hours ago
- Preparing Your Pets For The Festive SeasonThe Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) is reminding pet owners that a little bit of preparation now will help keep their animals fit and healthy over the summer holidays. VCNZ Professional Advisor Seton Butler says whether people are going away ...23 hours ago
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- Member’s Day
This is bad.
“The chemical PFOS has been getting into two streams for years, after oil company Shell did not follow a ban imposed on that type of foam in 2006.”
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/363756/firefighting-foam-eel-contamination-80-times-greater-than-food-safety-level
“Shell Taranaki general manager Rob Jager said in a statement the company first became aware that it “may have an issue with firefighting foams” in March this year. He would not give an interview.”
(Thanks for the heads-up, Marty)
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/363696/firefighting-foam-shell-contaminates-groundwater-in-new-plymouth
Prosecution coming up ?
Of course not. It’s a business and business’ and business people are all purer than the driven snow.
National’s Saudi friends crucify headless bodies, but criticise Canada for arresting a holocaust denier.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed a man by crucifixion in the holy city of Mecca on Wednesday amid waging a public-relations battle with Canada over human rights.
The man, Elias Abulkalaam Jamaleddeen, was accused of murder, theft, and attempted rape, according to Bloomberg.
Saudi Arabia, ruled by its interpretation of Islamic law, rarely carries out crucifixions, but capital punishment remains common.
[…]
Canada on Friday called for Saudi Arabia to release women’s rights campaigners detained in the country, prompting a harsh response from the kingdom.
Saudi-owned media has blasted Canada for arresting a Holocaust denier and other citizens. TV pundits have brought up Canada’s suicide rate in what appeared as a broadside against the country’s way of living.
And Saudi media took a decidedly dark turn on Monday when it appeared to threaten Canada with a 9/11-style attack by tweeting a graphic with an image of an airliner flying toward Toronto’s skyline.
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/saudi-arabia-crucified-man-in-mecca-while-calling-out-canada-human-rights-2018-8?r=US&IR=T
We should all be ashamed the race card works
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11904423
‘Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says she was uncomfortable about her party’s past focus on house sales to people with Chinese-sounding names, and said Labour would apologise to anyone offended by the controversy.’
Why doesn’t she just issue an official public apology
Why should she? – she would only be licking the boots of the Blue Dragon’s anyways, – how about Bridges apologize for having a Chinese spy as one of their caucus? Never heard the like in NZ before FFS !!!
PC gone mad…
Harden the [email protected] up !!!
Chopper – Harden Up Australia – YouTube
Video for harden up australia▶ 1:48
Shouldn’t be apologising. Now we have some actual statistics, and know the effect of Chinese Government capital controls on our housing market, it is obvious that Chinese buyers were a large part of housings steep rise. Along with South Africans, North Americans and others of course. Not racism. Simple fact!
A small number of nutters reclaiming the word ‘cunt’ at the Auckland Uni debate this evening.
Lololz, funtimes.
Just found a live stream of the debate….
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12104261
Good grief….watch if you dare….he’s talking up Jewish culture at the moment…. edit… that went down like a cup of cold sick with the audience.
Edit again… live stream ended… crikey that was short lived for me 🙂
Don okay?
Not sure 🙂 Only watched maybe 1min of it
Surprised me that he pulled out figures about Jewish people, of how successful they are. Wonder if he gave other examples of other groups of people prior to that. As for the rest of it, I’ve no idea. Crowd gave him a good applause at the end.
Surely they will post a link of the full debate, if they do will post it.
Hopefully he can enlighten us on 101 ways to prepare a delicious and nourishing quick meal with corned beef and peas in his talks…
Lord knows the people of this country could do with some input after 34 years of theft and plunder by his lot.
Coolies, thanks newshub for posting brash’s full speech, much appreciated.
Fingers crossed someone can find a link for the full debate at some stage.
Link to dons speech…. around 18mins long, including some brave protesting 🙂
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/08/livestream-don-brash-in-free-speech-debate-at-auckland-university.html
I was quoted by a well respected Asian gentleman here in NZ that there were 28 million people of Jewish extraction in the world and they controlled 75% of the World’s Wealth?
Interested to know what sort of figures Brash comes up with ?
Bit of a false picture. How many ‘white’ people are there in the world and how much of the world’s wealth do they hold?
The thing is that if you define what percentage holds the most wealth, then add 2nd and 3rd decile, put together then what ethnicities are there. That would give a clearer picture.
I think to make it even clearer from the Jewish point of view that it is possible that they couldn’t buy land in many countries and because they were more well-schooled and more money literate than the rest of the population they went into business. Being a close knit community they probably would get the seed money from their relatives.
Oh look, a variation on the old antisemitic Juice control 80% of the world’s wealth canard.
/
https://screenshots.firefox.com/pRDYYxqxJiZY8hff/www.pewforum.org
Honki Ika,
Posted a link above for his speech 4.2.1.1.1 haven’t watched the full clip yet and need to, to weigh up the context. But the bit re the figures, comes in at around 14mins. Hope that helps.
Tory scum priorities, shut down a basic income trial before the data comes in, and cheap beer,
Those involved in Hamilton’s basic income project say they feel angry and lied to now that the provincial PC government has prematurely scrapped the program.
Recipients and anti-poverty activists say they’re shocked by Tuesday’s announcement from Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. MacLeod says she’s cancelling the three-year pilot a year into it.
[…]
Under the program, recipients received up to $16,989 per year for a single person, less 50 per cent of any earned income, and $24,027 for a couple. People with disabilities received an additional $6,000.
The pilot measured factors such as mental health, housing stability and job training. A team of researchers, led by St. Michael’s Hospital and McMaster University, is studying the results.
Cooper said the program has been working.
“The stories we’ve been getting back are people who are eating healthier. They’re able to participate in the community again. People are going back to school. They’re buying winter clothes they couldn’t afford and staying warm. These are very human stories, and they’ve have been shut down by an uncaring and ill conceived political decision.”
Deirdre Pike was part of the team that advised the government on basic income. The government will have less than a year of data, which isn’t enough.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/basic-income-1.4768844
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/basic-income-pilot-project-ford-cancel-1.4771343
Most likely the trial was working too well?
Probably.
Jordan Peterson coming to NZ in Feb 2019, and already getting headlines about it in mainstream NZ news.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/08/who-is-jordan-peterson-a-guide-to-the-next-controversial-canadian-to-grace-our-shores.html
Oh gawd,… another nutter.
Where do they all come from?
If the silly fool wanted to use animals as an example he would be better off to use wolves… alpha males and females. He obviously has contempt for first nations people as well by sounds…
Another USA educated Canuck about to get his butt bum rushed from speaking here.
Is the neo liberal far right getting increasingly desperate or do they think we are a soft touch?
Lets offer em a hall in Eketahuna, – then apologize profusely for doing such a thing… better yet, … stop them at the border as unsavory characters that do not meet our Sovereign Nation freedom of expression of criteria for entry…
Darius Rucker Wagon Wheel Lyrics – YouTube
Video for hey momma rock me you tube▶ 4:57
All the right wing nut jobs (RWNJ’s) are on their way here to NZ trying to spark something up to destabilize the country ?
The RWNJ’s are still pissed they have had the humpty dumpty, and it will be like that for the next 2-3 Elections I am picking ?
They are just trying to foster & develop radicalization plans here in NZ to try and destabilize the country, instilling fear into the NZ population, much like the British did in the 1840’s-1860’s when there was the threat of Waikato & Ngati Maniapoto attacking the people of Auckland.
Governor Grey told Waikato & Ngati Maniapoto if they crossed the Mangatawhiri Stream towards Auckland there would be consequences. The British were spoiling for a fight as the Settlors wanted the land in the Waikato.
The rest is history and the British achieved there objectives.
We are all getting suckered into Mr McGoo’s hate speeches, like the Orewa Speech back around 2000 which wound the country up.
Mr McGoo needs to go back to his Exclusive Bretheran Roots ?
He is paranoid about Islamists and Te Tangata Whenua ?
The radical alternative left should not buy into it as it is giving McGoo Oxygen ?
New Zealanders need to harden the f%$k up like our forbears did in the Musket Wars, the Boer Wars, WW1 & WW2, the racial wind up merchant Donald McGoo needs to f&%k off back to where he came from and take his white trash with him, Trump would welcome them with Open Arms in the USA, I am picking, NZ has had enough of this pure white hate speech ? KIWI or IWI ? Black/white/pink/yellow/brown take your pick we are all pink on the inside ?
Just saying am I right or am I wrong or am I barking up the wrong tree ?
I wonder if I will get a bite or a nibble from any of these right wing red necks who troll this site, many of us here in NZ have had a guts full of this nonsense, playing the race card, the British had military ascendancy over te tangata whenua here in NZ, and te maaori rolled over quite easily otherwise they were going to get there arses blown off ?
LRWNJ’s ?
Nothing has changed here in NZ in the past 180 years, if anything things have actually got worse for te maaori ?
“Evil Pure White Hate ?”
“Evil Pure White Hate ?
Exactly what your doing Hongi!