Daily review 10/08/2020
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5:30 pm, August 10th, 2020 - 45 comments
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- Govt announces review into PHARMACThe Government is following through on an election promise to conduct an independent review into PHARMAC, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Andrew Little announced today. The Review will focus on two areas: How well PHARMAC performs against its current objectives and whether and how its performance against these ...5 days ago
- Impressive response to DOC scholarship programmeSome of the country’s most forward-thinking early-career conservationists are among recipients of a new scholarship aimed at supporting a new generation of biodiversity champions, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has awarded one-year postgraduate research scholarships of $15,000 to ten Masters students in the natural ...5 days ago
- Speech to ANZLF Virtual Indigenous Business Trade and Connections EventI acknowledge our whānau overseas, joining us from Te Whenua Moemoeā, and I wish to pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you all today. I am very pleased to be part of the conversation on Indigenous business, and part ...6 days ago
- Main benefits to increase in line with wagesSocial Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today that main benefits will increase by 3.1 percent on 1 April, in line with the rise in the average wage. The Government announced changes to the annual adjustment of main benefits in Budget 2019, indexing main benefit increases to the average ...7 days ago
- Deed of Settlement signed with Ngāti Maru (Taranaki)A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Ngāti Maru and the Crown settling the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little announced today. The Ngāti Maru rohe is centred on the inland Waitara River valley, east to the Whanganui River and its ...1 week ago
- Support in place for people connected to Auckland COVID-19 casesWith a suite of Government income support packages available, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni is encouraging people, and businesses, connected to the recent Auckland COVID-19 cases to check the Work and Income website if they’ve been impacted by the need to self-isolate. “If you are required to ...1 week ago
- Statement on passing of former PNG PM Sir Michael SomarePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed her condolences at the passing of long-serving former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. “Our thoughts are with Lady Veronica Somare and family, Prime Minister James Marape and the people of Papua New Guinea during this time of great ...1 week ago
- Speech to the National Māori Housing Conference 2021E te tī, e te tā Tēnei te mihi maioha ki a koutou Ki te whenua e takoto nei Ki te rangi e tū iho nei Ki a tātou e tau nei Tēnā tātou. It’s great to be with you today, along with some of the ministerial housing team; Hon Peeni Henare, the ...1 week ago
- Drone project to aid protection of Māui dolphinThe Government is backing a new project to use drone technology to transform our understanding and protection of the Māui dolphin, Aotearoa’s most endangered dolphin. “The project is just one part of the Government’s plan to save the Māui dolphin. We are committed to protecting this treasure,” Oceans and Fisheries ...1 week ago
- New water regulator board announced as major Government reform moves forwardMajor water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says. Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai. “Dame ...1 week ago
- North Auckland gets public transport upgradeThe newly completed Hibiscus Coast Bus Station will help people make better transport choices to help ease congestion and benefit the environment, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said today. Michael Wood and Phil Goff officially opened the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station which sits just off the ...1 week ago
- Supporting work to protect Northland reserveNew funding announced by Conservation Minister Kiri Allan today will provide work and help protect the unique values of Northland’s Te Ārai Nature Reserve for future generations. Te Ārai is culturally important to Te Aupōuri as the last resting place of the spirits before they depart to Te Rerenga Wairua. ...1 week ago
- Critical step to new housing deal for Pacific communitiesToday the Government has taken a key step to support Pacific people to becoming Community Housing providers, says the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. “This will be great news for Pacific communities with the decision to provide Pacific Financial Capability Grant funding and a tender process to ...1 week ago
- Consultation opens on proposed Bay of Islands marine mammal sanctuaryConservation Minister Kiri Allan is encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on a proposed marine mammal sanctuary to address the rapid decline of bottlenose dolphins in Te Pēwhairangi, the Bay of Islands. The proposal, developed jointly with Ngā Hapū o te Pēwhairangi, would protect all marine mammals of the ...1 week ago
- Three District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges. Two of the appointees will take up their roles on 1 April, replacing sitting Judges who have reached retirement age. Kirsten Lummis, lawyer of Auckland has been appointed as a District Court Judge with jury jurisdiction to ...1 week ago
- Government announces list of life-shortening conditions guaranteeing early KiwiSaver accessGovernment announces list of life-shortening conditions guaranteeing early KiwiSaver access The Government changed the KiwiSaver rules in 2019 so people with life-shortening congenital conditions can withdraw their savings early The four conditions guaranteed early access are – down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Huntington’s disease and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder An alternative ...1 week ago
- Reserve Bank to take account of housing in decision makingThe Reserve Bank is now required to consider the impact on housing when making monetary and financial policy decisions, Grant Robertson announced today. Changes have been made to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s remit requiring it to take into account government policy relating to more sustainable house prices, while working ...1 week ago
- Investment to reduce cochlear implant waitlistThe Labour Government will invest $6 million for 70 additional adult cochlear implants this year to significantly reduce the historical waitlist, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Cochlear implants are life changing for kiwis who suffer from severe hearing loss. As well as improving an individual’s hearing, they open doors to ...1 week ago
- Māori wards Bill passes third readingThe Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill passed its third reading today and will become law, Minister of Local Government Hon Nanaia Mahuta says. “This is a significant step forward for Māori representation in local government. We know how important it is to have diversity around ...1 week ago
- Government delivers 1,000 more transitional housing placesThe Government has added 1,000 more transitional housing places as promised under the Aotearoa New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan (HAP), launched one year ago. Minister of Housing Megan Woods says the milestone supports the Government’s priority to ensure every New Zealander has warm, dry, secure housing. “Transitional housing provides people ...2 weeks ago
- Second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech doses arrives safely – as the first vaccinations take place in the...A second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived safely yesterday at Auckland International Airport, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “This shipment contained about 76,000 doses, and follows our first shipment of 60,000 doses that arrived last week. We expect further shipments of vaccine over the coming weeks,” Chris Hipkins said. ...2 weeks ago
- $18 million for creative spaces to make arts more accessibleThe Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni has today announced $18 million to support creative spaces. Creative spaces are places in the community where people with mental health needs, disabled people, and those looking for social connection, are welcomed and supported to practice and participate in the arts ...2 weeks ago
- Moriori Claims Settlement Bill passes first readingTreaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little today welcomed Moriori to Parliament to witness the first reading of the Moriori Claims Settlement Bill. “This bill is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work from all the parties involved. “I am delighted to reach this significant milestone today,” Andrew ...2 weeks ago
- Government action reduces child poverty22,400 fewer children experiencing material hardship 45,400 fewer children in low income households on after-housing costs measure After-housing costs target achieved a year ahead of schedule Government action has seen child poverty reduce against all nine official measures compared to the baseline year, Prime Minister and Minister for Child Poverty ...2 weeks ago
- Entries open for the 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence AwardsIt’s time to recognise the outstanding work early learning services, kōhanga reo, schools and kura do to support children and young people to succeed, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins says. The 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards are now open through until April 16. “The past year has reminded us ...2 weeks ago
- Jobs for Nature benefits three projectsThree new Jobs for Nature projects will help nature thrive in the Bay of Plenty and keep local people in work says Conservation Minister Kiri Allan. “Up to 30 people will be employed in the projects, which are aimed at boosting local conservation efforts, enhancing some of the region’s most ...2 weeks ago
- Improvements to the Holidays Act on the wayThe Government has accepted all of the Holidays Act Taskforce’s recommended changes, which will provide certainty to employers and help employees receive their leave entitlements, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood said the Government established the Holidays Act Taskforce to help address challenges with the ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s credit rating lifted as economy recoversThe Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and faster than expected economic recovery has been acknowledged in today’s credit rating upgrade. Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) today raised New Zealand’s local currency credit rating to AAA with a stable outlook. This follows Fitch reaffirming its AA+ rating last ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to National Remembrance Service on the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakeTena koutou e nga Maata Waka Ngai Tuahuriri, Ngai Tahu whanui, Tena koutou. Nau mai whakatau mai ki tenei ra maumahara i te Ru Whenua Apiti hono tatai hono, Te hunga mate ki te hunga mate Apiti hono tatai hono, Te hunga ora ki te hunga ora Tena koutou, Tena ...2 weeks ago
- Government reaffirms urgent commitment to ban harmful conversion practicesThe Minister of Justice has reaffirmed the Government’s urgent commitment, as stated in its 2020 Election Manifesto, to ban conversion practices in New Zealand by this time next year. “The Government has work underway to develop policy which will bring legislation to Parliament by the middle of this year and ...2 weeks ago
- New creative service aims to benefit 1,000 peoples’ careersMinister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Social Development Hon Carmel Sepuloni today launched a new Creative Careers Service, which is expected to support up to 1,000 creatives, across three regions over the next two years. The new service builds on the most successful aspects of the former Pathways to ...2 weeks ago
- Kia ora kuīni: Meet the contestants on Drag Race Down Under
Vroom vroom, beep beep, get in losers! Drag Race Down Under is coming to TVNZ later this year, and today the 10 Australian and New Zealand competitors have been revealed.The wiggiest show this side of Real Housewives is finally making its way to the southern hemisphere. That’s right, RuPaul’s Drag ...35 mins ago - Jordan Peterson is back with 12 more rules – and a thing for Harry PotterThree years ago clinical psychologist and culture warrior Jordan Peterson rode a bestseller to equal parts adulation and excoriation. Danyl Mclauchlan reviews a sequel that sprang from chaos. Since publishing his mega-bestselling self-help guide 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos in 2018, Jordan Peterson has led an existence ...2 hours ago
- PNG courts close for a week after judge tests covid positive
Asia Pacific Report Papua New Guinea’s Supreme and National Courts in Port Moresby will be partially closed for a week beginning yesterday after a judge has been tested positive for the covid-19, reports The National. Registrar Ian Augerea said in a statement the closure was to prevent any further infections ...12 hours ago - NZ the ‘unlucky shaky isles’, says Ardern after tsunami alertBy RNZ News Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it is hard not to feel like New Zealand is having a run of bad luck, with residents waking up today to a tsunami alert amid the covid-19 restrictions. The tsunami alert was triggered after three quakes overnight – the first of ...12 hours ago
- Papua support group praises Meg Taylor for UN rights statementAsia Pacific Report The Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) has called on the Australian government to stop trying to keep Papua off the agenda at the Pacific Islands Forum and “strenuously support” Pacific leaders in urging Jakarta to allow a PIF fact-finding mission to the territory. Congratulating the PIF Secretary-General ...12 hours ago
- More Aucklanders went to work and shops under current lockdown than in August, Google data showsDid you sense the roads were busier in this Auckland lockdown than previous ones? Google mobility data indicates that you’re right.More people were going to work, and more heading out shopping, during the current lockdown in Auckland than during the August equivalent, which also took place under alert level three ...13 hours ago
- Jami-Lee Ross behind company hawking anti-5G supplement
Politician Jami-Lee Ross is behind a company reportedly planning to sell a supplement that protects users from 5G radiation. ...14 hours ago - Report makes case for more money for our mental wellbeing (but it is presented in a maddening mix of...
The only statement to emerge from the Beehive in the past two days was cheery in tone but foreshadowed further increases in the funding devoted to mental health. The statement was issued by Health Minister Andrew Little, who welcomed the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s assessment that transformation ...16 hours ago - Wellington’s 13.5% Rate Hike Should See Library Sale Back On The Table
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is condemning Wellington City Council’s refusal to consult on the privatisation of the central library as undemocratic. “Wellingtonians threatened with a 13.5 percent rate hike deserve a full menu of cost-saving options ...16 hours ago - Māori Party New National ExecutiveThis morning the Māori Party confirmed their new National Executive including Che Wilson, Fallyn Flavell, John Tamihere and Kaiarahi Takirua: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Wilson returns for a second term as President and the two new members ...17 hours ago
- Border And MIQ Workforce Prioritised For Vaccine Rollout, Two Weeks InNew Zealand is now two weeks into the largest immunisation programme ever undertaken here, with border and managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers first in line. “We are so proud of our people for doing the right thing by stepping up and being ...19 hours ago
- Fruit bats are the only bats that can’t (and never could) use echolocation. Now we’re closer to ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Camilo López-Aguirre, PhD Candidate, UNSW Scientists have found another piece in the puzzle of how echolocation evolved in bats, moving closer to solving a decades-long evolutionary mystery. All bats — apart from the fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae (also called flying ...19 hours ago
- Why do women get paid less than men? Hours and commuting provide cluesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordy Meekes, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, The University of Melbourne That Australian women earn less than Australian men is well-known. The latest calculation put the gap – the extent to which the average female full-time wage is ...21 hours ago
- Live updates, March 6: Last full day of lockdown for Auckland; remainder of NZ readies for level oneAll the major news events, which will hopefully not be too many. Get in touch at info@thespinoff.co.nz Help keep The Spinoff alive and kicking. Click here to learn how you can support The Spinoff from as little as $1.8.00am: The day aheadThere are a couple of things we’ll be looking out ...23 hours ago
- A dark anti-Jacinda
In this week's Critic's Choice review, Guy Somerset watches I Care a Lot on Amazon Prime and wonders if kindness has its limits Do you think Jacinda Ardern has been watching I Care a Lot? It would explain a lot, As Newsroom political editor Jo Moir wrote earlier this week, ...23 hours ago - Ready To Work With Netanyahu: Mansour Abbas Splinters Arab Vote In IsraelBy Ramzy Baroud At a glance, it may appear that the split of Arab political parties in Israel is consistent with a typical pattern of political and ideological divisions which have afflicted the Arab body politic for many years. This time, however, the ...24 hours ago
- Ice with red wine: is it ever OK?Discovering that her favourite summer drink is apparently an offence against wine, Charlotte Muru-Lanning sets out to uncover whether it’s actually so awful to serve red wine on the rocks.After many summers spent pouring red wine over ice without much thought, it recently struck me that maybe this combination was, ...1 day ago
- Can Silver Ferns finally seize Con Cup?
LISTEN: Extra Time examines two big issues in women's sport this week - postponing the Rugby World Cup and the Silver Ferns' battle for the crown that eludes them. Poised at one game a piece, can the Silver Ferns overcome a spirited young Australian Diamonds side and end a nine-year drought without netball's ...1 day ago - Short story: The Feud, by Shani Naylor
"If Maggie said she was going to bake a cake, Lois always turned up with one that was bigger, more chocolatey and with fancier icing": a shaggy cake story by Shani Naylor. It was 2am. Maggie opened her eyes and lay still in bed. She could hear her husband Ken's ...1 day ago - The future is here, and it’s $450,000 gifs of Nyan CatThe art world is being bombarded with something called ‘non-fungible tokens’. We asked artist and crypto expert Simon Denny to help us explain what they are.At first glimpse, a gif of Nyan Cat is nothing special. It’s a bit cute, a bit nostalgic. So why did one sell for US$450,000? ...1 day ago
- An interview with the most feared man in New Zealand mediaJournalists avoid his calls, editors loathe it when he highlights mistakes. But he reckons he’s not scary at all. Chris Schulz meets RNZ’s Mr Mediawatch, Colin Peacock. Over his summer holidays, Colin Peacock tried to switch off. For much of the previous 12 months, the 52-year-old host of Radio ...1 day ago
- All the things Michael Bassett got wrong in his hideous, noxious articleWhile it has since been deleted and apologised for, an op-ed by former Labour MP Michael Bassett published by the Northland Age and the NZ Herald this week caused an uproar for its racist cherry-picking and false reporting of historical facts. Historian Scott Hamilton sets the record straight.Michael Bassett is ...1 day ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Covid-19: Europe still a matter of concern, one year onAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Deaths, West Europe still not “out of the woods”. Chart by Keith Rankin. Deaths, East Europe remains a major concern. Chart by Keith Rankin. At first glance through our rear-vision mirror, western Europe had a substantial spring outbreak of Covid19, and further outbreaks in spring and ...1 day ago
- The most cursed objects in New Zealand sportA starter’s list for the national Aotearoa museum of the sporting damned. Richard Irvine confronts the demons.The sunGenerally it’s hard to make an argument against the giver of all life, as it provides photosynthesis, vitamin D and enables a wide range of recreational activities. But when it runs rampant around ...1 day ago
- Government looks to plug holes in Covid response
Auckland can breathe a sigh relief knowing at 6am on Sunday the region will move down to Alert Level 2 after another seven long days in lockdown. Government and health officials are now turning their minds to lessons learnt, following a week of mixed messaging, rule-breaking and blame and shame, writes political ...2 days ago - Three big quakes impacted NZ this morning. What are the risks in the hours and days ahead?Three future scenarios after today’s large offshore earthquakes.A trio of serious earthquakes saw parts of Aotearoa shaken, tsunami threats triggered, and tens of thousands of people heading inland after evacuation instructions.Of the magnitude-7-plus events, the first, shortly before 2.30am, was centered off East Cape. Measuring 7.1, it was felt across ...2 days ago
- Week in politics: Confusion and frustration over Covid-19 messagingAnalysis - The prime minister came down hard on lockdown rule-breakers but were they clearly told what they had to do? Peter Wilson looks into the reports as another crisis lurks in the background. ...2 days ago
- Yes, export bans on vaccines are a problem, but why is the supply of vaccines so limited in the firs...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Gleeson, Associate professor, La Trobe University News of the blockage of a shipment of 250,000 COVID-19 vaccines from Europe to Australia has caused concern and outrage. The immediate problem will probably be quickly solved through diplomatic channels. Even if it is ...2 days ago
- Following 3 major quakes off New Zealand, questions remain about how they might be linkedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Stern, Professor of Geophysics, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington The Tonga Kermadec subduction zone stretches between New Zealand and south of Samoa. USGS, CC BY-SA A sequence of three major offshore earthquakes, including a magnitude 8.1 quake near ...2 days ago
- VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on the royal commission into aged care, Christian Porter and Linda ReynoldsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and Director of the Institute for Governance & Policy Analysis Dr Laine Dare discuss the week in politics. This week the pair discuss some of the 148 recommendations ...2 days ago
- Threat to Christchurch mosques: Andrew Little defends security agenciesThe minister responsible for the country's spy agencies says they can't constantly monitor the internet to identify terror threats and instead rely on the public to raise the alarm. ...2 days ago
- Thinking about trying collagen supplements for your skin? A healthy diet is better value for moneySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle Celebrity testimonials abound for pills, potions and creams that purport to make you look younger. This time collagen supplements are in the spotlight, after Jennifer Aniston became the face of one ...2 days ago
- Getting the message through: How are South Aucklanders staying informed about Covid? Have the government’s Covid-related messages been getting through to Pacific and non-Pacific ethnic communities in South Auckland? Justin Latif tried to find out.John Pulu is one of the best-known television and radio personalities in New Zealand’s Pacific community. He not only fronts TVNZ’s Tagata Pasifika Saturday morning show, but also hosts ...2 days ago
- Hosking & Tamaki couldn't give a monkey's
James Elliott tries to work out what made Mike Hosking and Brian Tamaki tick everyone off this week. The week started with Aucklanders back under Alert level 3 and Mike Hosking on Alert Level 6. “Mike’s Minute” on NewstalkZB on Monday, which as usual lasted significantly longer than a minute, ...2 days ago - Fonterra milk price forecasts give a fillip to farmers and the regions – the co-op has become an N...
Fonterra has confirmed what most analysts had been predicting and lifted its 2020/21 forecast farmgate milk price range to $7.30 – $7.90 kg/MS, up from $6.90 – $7.50. This should send a further surge of confidence across NZ’s rural regions, hopefully in a wave strong enough to encourage farmers to ...2 days ago - Financial Times chips in with some advice to our Finance Minister on the folly of adding housing to ...A Financial Times leader delivers advice that Finance Minister Grant Robertson should (but probably won’t) consider. Essentially, the advice is to resist the temptation to involve the central bank in the challenge of slowing the rise in house prices. Changing regulation and reforming planning law is a smarter way to ...2 days ago
- NZ Super Fund drops Israeli banks for funding settlements in PalestineThe NZ Superannuation Fund has divested from five Israeli banks due to their suspected involvement in illegal settlement construction. Michael Andrew reports.The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, an autonomous crown entity and manager of the multi-billion NZ Super Fund, has divested from five Israeli banks due to their funding of ...2 days ago
- Bachelor NZ contestant ‘regrets’ calling mask wearing ‘slavery’, questioning Covid-19 scienc...A contestant on the new season of The Bachelor has apologised for ‘controversial’ social media posts comparing mask wearing to ‘slavery’ and for questioning the scientific consensus around Covid-19. Stewart Sowman-Lund reports.Shivani Pragji is – according to her LinkedIn profile – a solicitor working for the Ministry of Business, Innovation ...2 days ago
- NFTs explained: what they are, why rock stars are using them, and why they’re selling for millions...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, PhD, Media and Politics, Deakin University A couple of days ago, the musician Grimes sold some animations she made with her brother Mac on a website called Nifty Gateway. Some were one-offs, while others were limited editions of a few ...2 days ago
- Communities step up to tsunami threat, as authorities dither
Analysis: We are able to send a blaring alert to the phone of every New Zealanders to warn of Covid lockdowns, yet we still struggle to warn them of the danger of a tsunami This coming week, it will be 10 years since Japan was hit by the Tohoku earthquake, one ...2 days ago - The old marketing ‘made me sick’, says Moa’s new ownerMoa brewery sold in February for $1.9m, leaving behind an unsavoury legacy. Michael Andrew speaks to the new owner about how the brewery plans to move forward, while at the same time returning to its Marlborough roots.Moa Brewing Company’s new owner Stephen Smith has criticised the company’s old marketing strategy, ...2 days ago
- Major 8.0 quake at Kermadecs, NZ warning for people to move higherBy RNZ News An 8.0 earthquake has struck near the Kermadec Islands, hours after a 7.4 quake near the Kermadecs and a 7.1 off the North Island coast, A 7.4 quake struck near the Kermadec Islands earlier this morning. The islands are 800km to 1000km from New Zealand. National Emergency ...2 days ago
- Fallow Deer Being Bombarded With 1080 PoisonNational Parks are being closed off to allow fallow deer to be bombarded with 1080 poison. The proposal has drawn strong criticism from the Australian hunting public and also New Zealand’s Sporting Hunters Outdoor Trust. Laurie Collins, spokesman ...2 days ago
- Implausible deniability in Whale Oil case
In the fallout from the Dirty Politics defamation hearing, how can the Food and Grocery Council and its chief continue to deny involvement in attacks on public health academics? Tim Murphy explains its stance. The middleman has 'fessed up. So where does that leave the two prominent players on either side ...2 days ago - On two wheels through the Shaky Isles
Rod Oram sends dispatches from a bike trail through the regions. ...2 days ago - I watched three months of Mike’s Minute in a single day and this is what happenedMike Hosking is a king of breakfast radio, a lover of blazers, and deliverer of opinions via his long-running online video series, Mike’s Minute. José Barbosa absorbed three months’ worth of those opinions in one go, and lived to tell the tale. Just. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 5The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Bloomsbury, $25)This 2011 bestseller set during the Trojan War has ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: I have heard, by Grace YeeA new poem from Melbourne-based poet Grace Yee.I have heardthat the price of a pound of gold has gone grey over the last couple of monthsthat the first sovereign lord beheaded his grandsonthat chinese market gardeners in suburbia shipped out after decades of fastingand purificationthat evil-intentioned hooligans penetrated the palace ...2 days ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 05 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Covid Chris Trotter: Atavistic urges Matthew Hooton (Herald): Lockdown 4 sparks Jacinda Ardern’s wrath (paywalled) Peter Dunne: The government urgently needs to upgrade its Covid19 strategy Michael Morrah (Newshub): Information contradicting Prime Minister ...2 days ago
- How would digital COVID vaccine passports work? And what’s stopping people from faking them?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Parry, Professor of Computer Science, Auckland University of Technology Although international travel restrictions for Australia have been extended to at least June, there may still be potential for a trans-Tasman bubble with New Zealand (and maybe some other countries), according to ...2 days ago
- Why we’ll get COVID booster vaccines quickly and how we know they’re safeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamie Triccas, Professor of Medical Microbiology, University of Sydney The United States’ drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said last week COVID vaccines updated for variants won’t need to go through full randomised controlled clinical trials. The booster shots will ...2 days ago
- 50% of Australians are prepared to pay more tax to improve aged care workers’ pay, survey showsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Milte, Matthew Flinders Senior Research Fellow, Flinders University The final report from the aged care royal commission this week was damning. Speaking of a system in crisis, it calls for an urgent overhaul. The Morrison government has been facing difficult questions ...2 days ago
- Dig this: a tiny echidna moves 8 trailer-loads of soil a year, helping tackle climate changeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David John Eldridge, Professor of Dryland Ecology, UNSW After 200 years of European farming practices, Australian soils are in bad shape – depleted of nutrients and organic matter, including carbon. This is bad news for both soil health and efforts to address ...2 days ago
- Half of our unis don’t have bullying policies for students. This is what they need to protect themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoe Vaill, PhD Candidate Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology Students are heading off to universities around Australia, whether for the first time or as returning students, with expectations of a year of learning, making friends and enjoyable socialising. For some ...2 days ago
- Honouring Te Tiriti means ‘getting into the stream together’ — so this vice-chancellor has bec...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Thomas, Vice-Chancellor, Massey University As first-year students flooded onto campuses around the country this week, gripped with uncertainty and curiosity about their new lives, I too returned to university to learn. For the first time since what feels like forever, but ...2 days ago
- Vital Signs: In the battle over interest rates, it’d be unwise to bet against the RBASource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW After years of repeatedly missing its inflation target through too timid monetary policy, in the past week the Reserve Bank has decided to get tough. Not only did it hold its closely watched cash rate target ...2 days ago
- Friday essay: hidden in plain sight — Australian queer men and women before gay liberationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter McNeil, Distinguished Professor of Design History, UTS, University of Technology Sydney It’s Sydney Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras festival time. LGBTQI people are enjoying what some call “gay or lesbian Christmas”. It’s not quite the same in the era of COVID, ...2 days ago
- Multiple challenges in mandating Covid-19 tracer app – tech expertA tech expert is warning the government could face multiple stumbling blocks if it makes QR code scanning mandatory - in particular when dealing with tech giants like Apple and Google. ...2 days ago
- Live: Tsunami alert issued after 7.4 quake near the Kermadec Islands
*This story first appeared on RNZ and is republished with permission. A tsunami alert has been issued after a 7.4 earthquake near the Kermadec Islands. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it expects strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore. It says the threat is from ...2 days ago - Live updates, March 4: Two major earthquakes prompt tsunami warning for east coastLive coverage of the snap lockdown and the search for a source of the latest infection. Auckland is now at alert level three, NZ at level two. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.50am: Two major earthquakes strike; tsunami warning in placeTwo major earthquakes have struck off the coast of New Zealand ...2 days ago
- The Bulletin: Will lockdown lift this weekend?Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Cabinet to decide on lifting lockdown today, questions raised about the stability of the housing market, and people instinctively respond to tsunami threat after earthquake.A decision will be made today on whether or not Auckland will come out of level ...2 days ago
- Synlait shares drop as forward guidance withdrawn
Business & Investing: Synlait Milk won't make even half last year's profit, Plus Will My Food Bag bounce after its sharemarket listing today? ...2 days ago - Synlait shares drop as forward guidance withdrawnBusiness & Investing: Synlait Milk won't make even half last year's profit, Plus Will My Food Bag bounce after its sharemarket listing today? ...2 days ago
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The military is showing little sign of backing down, but the coup could have the unintended consequence of unifying Myanmar society in opposition, across significant ethnic divisions. A month ago, citing dubious claims of electoral fraud in the November 2020 election, Myanmar’s military deposed the country’s democratically elected National League for Democracy ...2 days ago - This week's best-selling books
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Judith Collins on TV1 news tonight was as usual her snide sarcastic self, curling her lips with venom, again as usual. She is a most unappealing woman.
She reminds me of Ricky Gervais' David Brent from the Office.
Merv the Nat … one of the best election campaign stories you'll ever see:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/senior-national-party-figure-accused-of-using-secret-alter-ego-merv-to-derail-auckland-central-candidate.html
Quite something. Judith is trying to get as far away from this as fast as she can.
She's trying to get so far away from it she even denies she's the leader of the National Party, that's quite barmy.
Collins has aged rapidly the rogue polls are causing sleepless nights.crushed by rogue polls
I didn't wanna say it but she actually doesn't look good, she's grey and drawn, looks very tired.
Lol. When is the Leader of the National Party not the leader of the National Party?
That was in answer to questions last week too, when the whole mess in Auckland Central started to come out. The questions about “Merv” and his talkback shenanigans will be for tomorrow’s news cycle.
National leaders have history. Wasn't John Key known to get in touch with a Herald 'reporter' when he was PM but he wasn't really PM at that moment because he didn't have his PM pants on at the time? Rachel Glucina.
They actually think that type of behaviour is normal.
They have form for it – remember John "Hone" Carter?
She even denied being leader of the National Party …
https://twitter.com/GregPresland/status/1292714855837777920
That does leave me dumbfounded, that she'd say such a thing, she's so bad, is no leader, she couldn't run this country that's for sure.
Catch whether her eyebrows were up?
Her right one is up about 13mm in her photo captioned Leader of the National Party on Greg's tweet.
When confronted by a situation that they're responsible for the first thing that any National Leader will do is deny any responsibility. John Key did it by switching hats and now JCollins has done it by denying that she has any hats.
Shades of Hone Carter.
Can't really see what Merv was worried about. Even if the false rumours about her being a stripper were true, it's still a more noble profession than a currency speculator.
Yea TV1 trying hard to discredit the MOH and the Coalition over the flu jab and backed up by Nat voting Doctors having a moan. But the flu jab was rolled out earlier this year for us oldies because there was a higher than normal demand for the jab, no doubt fueled by the Covid shock that could well have put pressure on supply.
Yes. I had the impression it was a silly attempt to discredit both Bloomfield and Ardern. Anything for a new sensation.
Sure, there were teething troubles to begin with due to the consequences of Covid 19 around the world, but I thought the MoH and the Govt. overcame the problems remarkably quickly. They were right not to create unnecessary panic among the populace at that time. Everyone who needed or wanted a jab got it in the end.
The advantage for the opposition targeting immunisations is that a Green MP is in charge of them. Got to push that vote down!
Yes Anne, as people over 70 with other issues we were offered our 'flu jab really early. It was announced more people were requesting injections so more had been obtained. I understood the numbers were really high this year. Twice as many as usual.
Proof of the pudding and all that. I am on flu tracker and this years flu rates down significantly……….if the roll out of the flu jab was so bad surely we would be seeing significant increases in flu this year…………..
But anyway, maybe someone should ask National more about it? Gerry? Merv?
Merv homeless by chance???
Brainless!!
lol I feel love and Patricia………….maybe homeless and brainless!
Taranaki moving away from oil? Needs to fast, but are they man enough?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/423182/taranaki-s-tui-oil-field-survey-request-shows-split-pipe
For anyone who hasn't heard them before, the original comic genius of the fake talkback caller was the late, great Peter Cook. He would ring in to LBC (London radio) pretending to be Sven, a lonely Norwegian fisherman. Very funny, and fooled many.
Here he is going on (and on) about fish …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPJK2zKtAxQ
I always thought that being sardonic was his strong point, but apparently it was sardines!
hahaha, how long did he manage to do that for?
Imagine now, he'd have been cut off after the first minute.
Erebus-type error?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/423199/talley-s-skipper-fined-for-marine-reserve-fishing-company-denies-responsibility
Liability for a breach of the Marine Reserves Act extends beyond the skipper already charged, a lawyer for the Ministry for Primary Industries says.…
Saunders [Skipper]said earlier he did not know the reserve was there as it was not marked on the on-board paper chart.
Hazlett told the court today that when the mariner went into the reserve, it was not on the electronic chart plotter, but Talley's had since updated plotters in the company's fleet to show the reserve.
"Talley's have subsequently upgraded their systems to include geofencing, whereby alerts are generated when a vessel approaches or enters a restricted or closed area."
All 5 parties in Parliament will be represented by female candidates in Auckland Central this election. National's selection has gone to a final ballot, both women.
Not sure if this is a first in NZ election.
And they've picked Emma Mellow. Not the Manurewa candidate, stabbed in the back by "Merv".
I doubt this story is over.
No surprise. A senior communications manager at ANZ no less. Her chairman JK
The Herald is saying that Merv’s call to Marcus Lush came from Roger Bridge’s phone.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12355382
Maybe he left his phone lying around at a party and someone used it. I'm picking a homeless man who wandered in off Woodhouse Ave or someone falloon on hard times.
Hehe that is really good.
From the link;
So. she thinks she's already the MP for Auckland Central.
Edit: Off to bed with a smile. Thanks Peter.
Peter, liked your humour. Thinking about all the bizarre claims by National in the last few weeks, makes me think they are all pretty nutty. Apologies to nuts.
lol Peter!
Harete's supporters seem nice.
Sorry but find that act truly offensive and should not be promoted regardless of being any party’s billboards
Freedom, the knitted free-speech elf, says such political expression is a fundamental right!
People remove corrupt government.
https://en.as.com/en/2020/08/10/latest_news/1597036705_380246.html
The explosion in Beirut has exposed more than a hole in the ground. It has laid bare the whole corrupt facade of the political system. Big up's to the folks who threw the explosion rubble into the government precinct the last couple of days. But will we get more of the same, but with nicer smiles? Who knows – but good to see a government fall, may there be many more.