Daily review 10/08/2020
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5:30 pm, August 10th, 2020 - 45 comments
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- ‘There is no debate’ is simply a denial of reality
Hat tip to Mike Treen from Unite Union for this article by Lindsey Graham published in Counterfire. It raises important debates that are happening in many parts of the world, including New ZealandGood morning. I want to raise some issues here about the whole debate on trans rights in Britain. ...12 hours ago - Leaked cabinet papers won’t help ACT
It was somewhat amusing to see the Act Party completely misread the room this week when they leaked a Labour Party document concerning our oceans and fisheries. It outlined the Government's intention to discuss several marine policies at cabinet, the most controversial being the installation of 300 cameras on commercial ...18 hours ago - Writing the Rights: No Right Turn is Wrong
New Zealand’s extreme form of parliamentary sovereignty is something of an international oddity these days. Under the New Zealand system, an Act passed by Parliament (and hence signed by the Governor-General) is automatically law. And in the absence of a written constitution, Parliament can Do Anything. Literally. Our checks ...2 days ago - Unemployment Insurance
Providing for the redundantly unemployed is admirable but difficult and expensive to implement.The 2021 Budget announced that the government was, at the urging of Business NZ and the Council of Trade Unions, committed to the development of a Social Unemployment Insurance scheme. It is likely to have two main components. ...2 days ago - Losing The “Struggle-Session” Over Climate Change.
Blaming And Shaming: A "property owner" is humiliated before the masses during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution. Critical Race Theory may substitute "White Privilege" for "Class Privilege", but the inescapability of the offending group's responsibility for "oppression" is exactly the same. The self-abasement of School Strike For Climate Auckland for its ...2 days ago - Cleaning up the fishing industry
The government is finally cleaning up the fishing industry, with cameras on boats and an end to high-grading, with an easier penalties regime to enforce it. Good. Because as we've seen over the years, the fishing industry is pervasively criminal, routinely violating the law on discarding fish and reporting bycatch. ...2 days ago - PM’s critics should stick to the factsThere’s been a lot of grumbling lately amongst the right wing and certain mainstream media pundits who are looking to either score cheap political points or attract readers by attacking the Prime Minister.Of course some of the criticism is justified. After all no Government is perfect and there are always ...2 days ago
- Climate Change: Auckland fails IILast year, the Auckland Council passed a climate change plan, setting goals of halving emissions by 2030, and net-zero by 2050. So you'd expect their new transport plan to be consistent with that goal, right? Wrong: The 10-year transport plan for Auckland has emerged from consultation with small changes, ...2 days ago
- Anti-fluoridation group tells porkies about NZ fluoridation review
FFNZ spreads misinformation about the NZ fluoridation review – yet again New Zealand opponents of community water fluoridation (CWF) are at it again. Their only response to the recently upgraded fluoridation review is to call it “propaganda” and to completely misrepresent it. But it’s interesting to look at their misrepresentation ...2 days ago - Landmark decision in the sex and gender debateOn June 10, after two years of legal battles, Maya Forstater won a landmark legal ruling that looks set to change the direction of the sex and gender debates in the Britain, and provide legal protection for gender-critical people against discrimination and harassment. This ruling will be important in New Zealand. ...2 days ago
- CSLDF and the Government Accountability Project Launch New Scientific Integrity Reporting Project
This is a guest post by the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. Today, the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund and Government Accountability Project launched the Scientific Integrity Reporting Project: a confidential, anonymous way for scientists and others in science-adjacent roles to detail their experiences involving past and ongoing threats to scientific norms and scientific integrity. We ...3 days ago - Australia needs a Bill of Rights ActAustralia is one of the few western democracies not to have legal protection for fundamental human rights. The closest they come is recognising an implied right to freedom of political communication (but not other forms of freedom of expression) from the "representative government" clauses of their constitution. But some of ...3 days ago
- FalloutLast week I revealed how the Police had lied to the public over their "emissions-free fleet" strategy. Stuff's Henry Cooke has done the obvious followup of asking the Minister what she thinks about it, and it seems she is not happy: Police Minister Poto Williams says she is disappointed ...3 days ago
- Can we be born into the wrong body?by Don Franks Are some of us born into the wrong body? The possibility is sometimes offered as a clinching argument that some people need to, and are able to, change their sex. With one proviso, the answer has to be, yes, such a thing is possible. The only requirement ...3 days ago
- Moa’s Ark or flypaper of the Pacific – New Zealand’s place in the biology of the Pacific
It was the year 2002 and I was sitting in the shiny new office of our Biogeography Professor for my oral Diploma exam. It was going well, when I was asked to name an example of a Gondwanan distribution pattern, or in other words a species or group of species ...3 days ago - Auckland is the world’s ‘most liveable city’? Many Māori might disagreeElla Henry, Auckland University of Technology While I am always happy to celebrate any accolades my country and city might garner on the international stage, seeing Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau awarded the top ranking in a recent “most liveable cities” survey left me somewhat flummoxed. In particular, I would argue that ...3 days ago
- Patrick Gower – Hero of the week3 days ago
- Juliet Moses – Arsehole of the Week4 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #24, 2021A hot budget problem This week's standout article for highlighting is Satellite and Ocean Data Reveal Marked Increase in Earth's Heating Rate (open access). From the two very different perspectives of above the atmosphere and below it, a team of authors led by Norman Loeb (head of NASA's CERES program) and including Gregory Johnson (head ...4 days ago
- Let it dieThe fishing industry is complaining in the Herald about their "labour shortage" and lamenting the fact that Young People These Days for some reason don't want to work for six weeks at a time doing hard, dangerous work on a boat in the middle of nowhere, and never seeing their ...4 days ago
- More bigotry in HungaryLast year Hungary ended legal recognition of trans people and banned gay people from adopting children. Now, they've followed that up with a Russian-style "propaganda law", banning "promotion" of homosexuality in schools or on TV: Hungary’s parliament has passed a law banning gay people from featuring in school educational ...4 days ago
- Institutionally corruptOver thirty years ago private investigator Daniel Morgan was murdered in London. The UK police repeatedly fucked up the investigation so obviously and blatantly that the government was forced to call a public inquiry. Now, after years of obstruction, it has finally reported back, finding the police to be "institutionally ...4 days ago
- With seas rising, stalled research budgets must also riseThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gary Yohe and Eric Rignot From 1900 to 2000, the ocean along the U.S. East Coast rose at twice the annual rate of the pace in the previous 19 centuries, according to a recent study from Rutgers University. From Miami to New York to ...4 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Worst could be yet to come for New Zealanders’ perceptions of China
New Zealanders’ hostility towards China is growing rapidly – but the worst may be still ahead. International analyst Geoffrey Miller examines the latest survey results on how this country feels about China. The latest “Perceptions of Asia” survey from the Asia New Zealand Foundation, released today, shows a sharp rise ...4 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Cash for access to politicians continuesShould anyone have trust in politicians, given the manner in which they solicit money from the wealthy? Probably not, since virtually every party in Parliament in recent times has been found to be involved in flaunting the law or accepting dodgy donations from the rich. News reports of questionable donations ...5 days ago
- Proceed to your nearest (virtual) exit: gaming technology is teaching us how people respond to emer...Ruggiero Lovreglio, Massey University Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) aren’t just for gaming anymore, they’re also proving to be useful tools for disaster safety research. In fact, they could save lives. Around the world, natural and human-made disasters such as earthquakes, bushfires and terrorist attacks threaten substantial ...5 days ago
- Inaction speaks louder than wordsOne of the good things the government has done is implement a proactive release policy, requiring most cabinet papers to be published within 30 working days of a decision being made. Its not a perfect policy (note "most", but also they get to redact them however they want, without oversight), ...5 days ago
- Graham Adams: The dangers of putting media on the government’s payrollAccusations by a journalist that the Prime Minister leads an unusually secretive government don’t tell the whole story about its desire to control information. Graham Adams takes a closer look at the guidelines for the new $55 million journalism fund. Despite widespread cynicism about the Government’s ability to fulfil its ...5 days ago
- David Seymour caught telling liesAct Party Leader David SeymourIt really bothers me when the NZ Herald reports the claims of certain right wing politicians as the truth without any fact checking. Not only do they encourage dishonest politicians to continue to lie, they also degrade the standard of reporting we get in New Zealand.Of ...5 days ago
- To Speak, Or Not To Speak? That Is The Question.Speaking Rights: The spectacle of the nation’s prime minister being denied the right to speak to her fellow citizens, personally, on New Zealand’s national day would generate massive antagonism among Pakeha of both sexes. A refusal to be guided by the customs of Ngāpuhi, on the other hand, would be ...5 days ago
- We discovered what’s killing the world’s rarest penguin – and it could help us make a vaccineVartul Sangal, Northumbria University, Newcastle Yellow-eyed penguins are the most endangered penguin species in the world, with just 4,000 left in the wild. Found only in New Zealand and its outlying islands, these birds can grow up to 79cm tall and weigh 8.5kg, which is similar to a one-year-old ...5 days ago
- The COVID-19 lab leak theory highlights a glaring lack of global biosecurity regulationAlexander Gillespie, University of Waikato The revived debate over whether COVID-19 could be the result of an accidental release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology may never be adequately resolved. Either way, we risk not seeing the wood for the trees. While the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in ...5 days ago
- Opponents of fluoridation all at sea with new legislationImage credit: Why Ideology and Science Don’t Mix Opponents of community water fluoridation (CWF) should be supporting the proposed fluoridation legislation instead of organising opposition to it. Think about it. If Fluoride Free NZ (FFNZ) was honest in its claim that they are ...5 days ago
- Silent calamity: The health impacts of wildfire smoke
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson Articles on U.S. wildfires don’t often show a photo of someone gasping in a hospital bed or felled by a heart attack. Yet an increasing body of evidence suggests that the biggest societal impacts of increasing wildland fire are happening ...5 days ago- Smokefree 2025
The Government’s proposed approach for achieving SmokeFree 2025 is a bit over-the-top. The proposals would restrict tobacco sales to a smaller number of to-be-licenced R18 outlets, which could then be subject to a sinking lid; impose an annual one-year increase in the purchase age for tobacco until full prohibition were ...5 days ago- Update on Long-COVID
Prof John D. Potter* This blog post updates an earlier post on Long-COVID and reports that estimates of prevalence are still wide at about 15 to 65% of those initially infected with the pandemic virus, SARS-CoV-2. As things stand now across the world, we do not yet have systems in ...5 days ago- A long-overdue apology
The New Zealand government is going to formally apologise for the "dawn raids" which targeted Pacific peoples in the 1970's. Good. Terrorising people on the basis of their race was wrong and something which should be a lasting shame to New Zealand. But there's another wrong they need to apologise ...6 days ago- Climate Change: The return of feebate
The government has resurrected its feebate policy to lower transport emissions, taxing dirty vehicles to subsidise clean ones. Good. We've known for a long time that passive measures such as fuel economy ratings and up-front labelling of lifetime costs weren't enough, and neither was the ETS (which adds just a ...6 days ago- National wants to convert farms into pine forests
It really hasn’t been a good time on the opposition benches lately. Not only have we had the various National Party scandals to ensure a decline in their public support, they’ve also entirely misread the room when it comes to the Climate Change Commission’s final report and the Government’s Clean ...6 days ago- Government for sale again
When the National Party ran a "Cabinet Club", selling personal access to Cabinet Ministers in exchange for large donations, I called it Government for Sale. Now the Labour party is doing the same thing: The Labour Party is selling tickets to a “business conference" featuring the prime minister and ...6 days ago- Nobody Owns The Christchurch Tragedy.
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You’ve really got to wonder what possessed MP Simon Bridges to blatantly lie about gang violence he claimed to have witnessed yesterday.Perhaps he was just a bit desperate for some attention being that the headlines haven’t be very flattering for the National Party lately.His belief that misleading the public and ...7 days ago- How Are We Progressing with the War on Poverty?
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Earlier today I blogged about the Ombudsman's final opinion on an OIA request for the police's "emissions-free fleet" strategy, in which the Ombudsman found that there never was such a strategy, and that the police repeatedly lied in an effort to hide that fact. But it turns out that I'm ...1 week ago- Spanish and Ukranian translations of The Debunking Handbook 2020
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Last month, I did a post about my efforts to excavate the Police's "emissions-free fleet" strategy, and how my OIA request had been extended "for consultations", whizzed past its extended deadline, then refused as it would "soon be publicly available". My complaint to the Ombudsman gained an attempted explanation from ...1 week ago- Friday essay: a rare bird — how Europeans got the black swan so wrong
David Haworth, Monash University The black swan is an Australian icon. The official emblem of Western Australia, depicted in the state flag and coat-of-arms, it decorates several public buildings. The bird is also the namesake for Perth’s Swan River, where the British established the Swan River Colony in 1829. ...1 week ago- As more climate migrants cross borders seeking refuge, laws will need to adapt
Katharine M. Donato, Georgetown University; Amanda Carrico, University of Colorado Boulder; and Jonathan M. Gilligan, Vanderbilt University Climate change is upending people’s lives around the world, but when droughts, floods or sea level rise force them to leave their countries, people often find closed borders and little assistance. Part ...1 week ago- Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s relationship with Saudi Arabia faces increasing scrutiny
While New Zealand’s problematic but lucrative relationship with China gets lots of attention, there’s another important and similar relationship with Saudi Arabia that gets less attention. International analyst Geoffrey Miller explains why Riyadh is too important for Wellington to ignore. New Zealand’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Barney Riley, ...1 week ago- Research now backs routinely offering pregnant women the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Michelle Wise, University of Auckland New Zealand and Australia will now routinely offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to women at any stage of pregnancy, following an update of vaccination advice. This comes as research suggests the risk of severe outcomes from infection is significantly higher for pregnant women compared to ...1 week ago- The Irish lough that offers a window into the deep sea
James Bell, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Rob McAllen, University College Cork, and Valerio Micaroni, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Deeper than most scuba divers can safely work and above where most underwater robots are designed to descend lie some of the most ...1 week ago- The economics of killing Huntly
RNZ reports that Genesis Energy's use of coal has spiked over the past few years, as they use to burn it rather than pay for gas: New Zealand has significantly increased its use of coal in recent years, despite its status as the worst, most polluting fossil fuel on ...1 week ago- Media Link: “A View from Afar” on NZ security strategy and the end of neoliberalism in South Ame...
I have not had much time to blog in recent weeks but continue the weekly series of podcasts with Selwyn Manning. This week we discussed efforts to develop a comprehensive national security strategy for New Zealand that goes beyond Defense White Papers and annual reports from various security agencies, then ...1 week ago- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Reforming the Official Information Act is a democratic test for...
In promising to be New Zealand’s most open and transparent government ever, Labour has one key challenge: reform the Official Information Act. This vital piece of machinery for democracy is in terrible disrepair, and the Government has promised to rewrite it for the modern age, but so far are stalling ...1 week ago- Hard Questions – Hard Answers.
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YouTube fantasy commentator Daniel Greene has weighed in with a discussion of poorly written genre sex scenes: Now, the examples Greene cites are indeed poorly written… but they are not the sort of thing I see in published fantasy literature. Greene’s examples actually smack of fan-fiction, whereas ...1 week ago- Another sign of MBIE’s captivity
When the government asks the public to conserve electricity, its usually because we're on the edge of a supply crisis, and its necessary to ensure our own lights will stay on. And when it does that, people generally buy into it, because they can see the reason. But last month, ...1 week ago- A republic is demographicly irresistable
Via New Zealand Republic: younger kiwis support a republic (where "younger" is basicly "people under 50"): There's a bit more on NewsHub here. This is basicly like the support graph for Scottish independence, which seems to have become demographicly irresistable. Sadly, Jacinda Ardern - who implicitly claims to be ...1 week ago- Good riddance to the Tasman Mill
Last night Norske Skog announced it will close the Tasman Mill at the end of the month, with the loss of 160 jobs. Good. This mill is a major source of emissions, and in 2019 we subsidised it to the tune of 238342 tons - meaning it was about 0.3% ...1 week ago- Speaker: Adventures In Gender Identity
It started during a recent visit to a gynaecologist. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I felt an intense discomfort as I picked up my prescription and I knew immediately that this was gender dysphoria. I’d experienced it many times before but my understanding of it in the past was so narrow and ...1 week ago- Why Indigenous knowledge should be an essential part of how we govern the world’s oceans
Meg Parsons, University of Auckland and Lara Taylor, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Our moana (ocean) is in a state of unprecedented ecological crisis. Multiple, cumulative impacts include pollution, sedimentation, overfishing, drilling and climate change. All affect the health of both marine life and coastal communities. To reverse the ...1 week ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #23, 2021
LIfe cycle analysis of "Dirk" Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product through its life cycle encompassing extraction and processing of the raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, recycling, and final disposal. From: Journal of Environmental Management, 2010. -- Science Direct Continuing with getting ...2 weeks ago- Climate Change: Scammed
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Oh dear. Today I will tentatively offer some thoughts on that issue that has been rumbling along for some time. J.K. Rowling’s truly… interesting… obsession with transgenderism. I realise that I am coming rather late to the subject, but honestly Rowling’s tendency for outbursts means that the issue will ...2 weeks ago- A mini-Official Secrets Act for the Reserve Bank
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Today is a Member's Day, the first since the Budget. Unfortunately it looks like most of the time will be taken up with boring committee stages. First up is Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki's District Court (Protection of Judgment Debtors with Disabilities) Amendment Bill, followed by Louise Upston's Rights for Victims of Insane ...2 weeks ago - Silent calamity: The health impacts of wildfire smoke
- Working in partnership with our primary sector
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- Green MPs back calls for work to stop immediately in Pūtiki Bay following unnecessary police presen...Green MPs Dr Elizabeth Kerekere and Chlöe Swarbrick strongly support the calls by Ngāti Paoa for Auckland Council to immediately step in to stop works happening in Pūtiki Bay/Kennedy Point today. ...3 days ago
- Acting boldly to address the housing crisis so we all thriveTēnā koe Minister Woods, ...4 days ago
- Addressing period poverty in schoolsToday, we’re taking the next step in our work to support children and young people in poverty, starting to roll out free period products in more than 1,600 schools and kura across New Zealand. ...5 days ago
- Dawn Raids apology welcomed, needs to be backed up with amnestyThe Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka Māori and Pasifika Caucus welcomes an announcement today by the Prime Minister to apologise for the Dawn Raids. ...6 days ago
- Making cleaner cars accessible to more KiwisToday, we’re taking action in line with the advice of the Climate Change Commission to reduce our carbon footprint, so future generations have a fair go. Our Clean Car package, announced this morning, delivers on our promise to cut transport emissions. It will make it easier to make the switch ...7 days ago
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- Our action on climate changeIn 2019, we established the Climate Change Commission to provide independent advice on climate change action and to hold this Government and future Governments to account. Today, the Commission's final advice was released. It sets out the total amount of global warming pollution Aotearoa must cut by 2035 to be ...2 weeks ago
- Our action on climate changeIn 2019, we established the Climate Change Commission to provide independent advice on climate change action and to hold this Government and future Governments to account. Today, the Commission's final advice was released. It sets out the total amount of global warming pollution Aotearoa must cut by 2035 to be ...2 weeks ago
- It’s time to get behind our nursesThe Green Party supports the 30,000 nurses striking today for better pay and safer working conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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- Caring for the land, caring for peopleHere in New Zealand, we have a remarkable natural environment, with unique ecosystems and native species. It’s taken millions of years for Aotearoa to develop this precious environment – and it’s up to us to protect it! In collaboration with communities across the country, we’re doing just that. ...2 weeks ago
- Caring for the land, caring for peopleHere in New Zealand, we have a remarkable natural environment, with unique ecosystems and native species. It’s taken millions of years for Aotearoa to develop this precious environment – and it’s up to us to protect it! In collaboration with communities across the country, we’re doing just that. ...2 weeks ago
- How much do you know about Aotearoa’s unique environment?Test your knowledge this World Environment Day! Think you’re a nature super-fan? Can’t tell a kauri from a kāmahi? To celebrate World Environment Day this week, we’ve put together a quiz to test how much you know about Te Taiao. Flex your nature muscles or learn something new about the ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman receives her COVID-19 vaccinationToday Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman, who is immunocompromised, received her first COVID-19 vaccination at the Auckland CBD vaccination centre. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens welcome Auckland walking and cycling bridge, call for more climate focusThe Green Party is welcoming the Government’s renewed commitment to safe walking and cycling across the Waitematā Harbour, but warning that new highway investment puts our response to the climate change emergency at risk. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for Facebook to be held accountable for role in spreading disinformationThe Green Party is calling on the Government to hold Facebook accountable for its role in enabling behaviour which threatens democracy, by strongly regulating data privacy and the spread of dangerous disinformation. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for more protection of native whitebait species at risk of extinctionThe Green Party is pleased to see new whitebaiting measures, announced today, to establish a more consistent management regime across the country, but we must go further, faster, to protect our native taonga. ...3 weeks ago
- Greens’ Māori Caucus Te Mātāwaka call for Matariki Ahunga Nui to be expanded in school curricul...The Green Party are calling for an expansion of the current school curriculum on Matariki, so that a deeper understanding of how it relates to managing and harvesting food is explored. This push comes at the start of the Matariki season, the final year before it is set to become ...3 weeks ago
- Green Party launches petition for publicly-owned public transportThe Green Party is launching a petition calling on the Government to remove legislative barriers to public ownership of our public transport depots, vehicles and services. ...3 weeks ago
- Face to face meeting delivers significant progress on NZ-UK FTA
New Zealand and the UK have committed to accelerating their free trade agreement negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement in principle this August, Trade Minister Damien O’Connor announced. “We’ve held constructive and productive discussions towards the conclusion of a high-quality and comprehensive FTA that will support sustainable and inclusive trade, and ...23 hours ago - Government taking action to protect albatrossNew population figures for the critically endangered Antipodean albatross showing a 5 percent decline per year highlights the importance of reducing all threats to these very special birds, Acting Minister of Conservation Dr Ayesha Verrall says. The latest population modelling, carried out by Dragonfly Data Science, shows the Antipodean albatross ...2 days ago
- Adoption laws under reviewNew Zealand’s 66-year-old adoption laws are being reviewed, with public engagement beginning today. Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said the Government is seeking views on options for change to our adoption laws and system. “The Adoption Act has remained largely the same since 1955. We need our adoption laws to reflect ...2 days ago
- Wider roll-out of cameras on boats to support sustainability and protect marine lifeUp to 300 inshore commercial fishing vessels will be fitted with on-board cameras by 2024 as part of the Government’s commitment to protect the natural marine environment for future generations. Minister for Oceans and Fisheries David Parker today announced the funding is now in place for the wider roll out ...3 days ago
- Plan for vaccine rollout for general population announcedNew Zealanders over 60 will be offered a vaccination from July 28 and those over 55 from August 11, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. The rollout of the vaccine to the general population will be done in age groups as is the approach commonly used overseas, with those over ...3 days ago
- New Zealand introduces Belarus travel bansNew Zealand has imposed travel bans on selected individuals associated with the Lukashenko regime, following ongoing concerns about election fraud and human rights abuses after the 2020 Belarus elections, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced. The ban covers more than fifty individuals, including the President and key members of ...3 days ago
- NZ economy grows driven by households, construction and business investmentThe Government’s efforts to secure the recovery have been reflected in the robust rebound of GDP figures released today which show the economy remains resilient despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant Robertson said. GDP increased 1.6 percent in the first three months of 2021. The Treasury had ...3 days ago
- Milestone 250th tower continues to improve rural connectivityThe Government has welcomed the completion of the 250th 4G mobile tower, as part of its push for better rural connectivity. Waikato’s Wiltsdown, which is roughly 80 kilometres south of Hamilton, is home to the new tower, deployed by the Rural Connectivity Group to enable improved service to 70 homes ...3 days ago
- Quarantine Free Travel pause with Victoria to lift on TuesdayFollowing a further public health assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak in greater Melbourne, New Zealand’s Quarantine Free Travel pause with Victoria has been extended to 11.59pm on Tuesday 22 June, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. It has been determined that the risk to public health in New Zealand continues ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister mourns passing of Dr Sir Ian HassallPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is mourning the passing of Dr Sir Ian Hassall, New Zealand’s first Children’s Commissioner and lifelong champion for children and children’s health. As a paediatrician Sir Ian contributed to a major world-first cot death study that has been directly credited with reducing cot deaths in New ...4 days ago
- APEC structural reform meeting a successAPEC ministers have agreed working together will be crucial to ensure economies recover from the impact of COVID-19. Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs David Clark, chaired the virtual APEC Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting today which revolved around the overarching theme of promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth ...4 days ago
- Digital hub to boost investment in forestryA new website has been launched at Fieldays to support the forestry sector find the information it needs to plant, grow and manage trees, and to encourage investment across the wider industry. Forestry Minister Stuart Nash says the new Canopy website is tailored for farmers, iwi and other forestry interests, ...4 days ago
- Government continues support for rangatahi to get into employment, education and trainingOver 230 rangatahi are set to benefit from further funding through four new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “We’re continuing to secure our economic recovery from COVID by investing in opportunities for rangatahi to get into meaningful employment, education or training ...4 days ago
- NCEA subjects up for consultationThe education sector, students, their parents, whānau and communities are invited to share their thoughts on a list of proposed NCEA subjects released today, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says. This is a significant part of the Government’s NCEA Change Programme that commenced in 2020 and will be largely implemented by ...4 days ago
- Major investment in plantain forage programme aims to improve freshwater qualityThe Government is backing a major programme investigating plantain’s potential to help farmers protect waterways and improve freshwater quality, Acting Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri announced at Fieldays today. The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) fund is contributing $8.98 million to the $22.23 million seven-year programme, which aims to deliver ...4 days ago
- America’s Cup decisionThe Minister responsible for the America’s Cup has confirmed the joint Crown-Auckland Council offer to host the next regatta has been declined by the Board of Team New Zealand. “The exclusive period of negotiation between the Crown, Auckland Council, and Team New Zealand ends tomorrow, 17 June,” said Stuart Nash. ...4 days ago
- Food and fibres sector making significant strides towards New Zealand’s economic recoveryThe Government is backing the food and fibres sector to lead New Zealand's economic recovery from COVID-19 with targeted investments as part of its Fit for a Better World roadmap, Forestry Minister Stuart Nash said. “To drive New Zealand’s recovery, we launched the Fit for a Better World – Accelerating ...4 days ago
- Speech to He Whenua Taurikura – New Zealand’s annual hui on countering terrorism and violent...Check against delivery Can I begin by acknowledging the 51 shuhada, their families and the Muslim community. It is because of the atrocious violent act that was done to them which has led ultimately to this, the start of a dialogue and a conversation about how we as a nation ...4 days ago
- Cost of Government Southern Response proactive package releasedThe Government has announced the proactive package for some Southern Response policyholders could cost $313 million if all those eligible apply. In December, the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, David Clark announced a proactive package for SRES claimants who settled their claims before October 2014. It trailed the judgment ...5 days ago
- New support to reduce emissions from public building and construction projectsGovernment agencies are getting new support to reduce carbon emissions generated by construction of new buildings, with the release of practical guidance to shape decisions on public projects. The Ministers for Building and Construction and for Economic Development say a new Procurement Guide will help government agencies, private sector suppliers, ...5 days ago
- He Whenua Taurikura: New Zealand’s first Hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent ExtremismThe Prime Minister has opened New Zealand’s first hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which is being held in Christchurch over the next two days. The hui delivers on one of the recommendations from the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain ...5 days ago
- Speech to inaugural Countering Terrorism HuiE aku nui, e aku rahi, Te whaka-kanohi mai o rātou mā, Ru-ruku-tia i runga i te ngākau whakapono, Ru-ruku-tia i runga i te ngākau aroha, Waitaha, Ngāti Mamoe, Ngai Tahu, nāu rā te reo pohiri. Tena tātou katoa. Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, ki te kapuia, e ...5 days ago
- Campaign shines a light on elder abuseA new campaign is shining a spotlight on elder abuse, and urging people to protect older New Zealanders. Launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Office for Seniors’ campaign encourages friends, whānau and neighbours to look for the signs of abuse, which is often hidden in plain sight. “Research suggests ...5 days ago
- Farewelling sports administrator and philanthropist Sir Eion EdgarSport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson today expressed his sorrow at the passing of Sir Eion Edgar – a leading sports administrator and celebrated philanthropist who has made a significant impact both within and beyond the sport sector. “Sir Eion’s energy, drive and generosity has been truly immense. He leaves ...6 days ago
- Government to apologise for Dawn RaidsThe Government will make a formal apology for the wrongs committed during the Dawn Raids of the 1970’s. Between 1974 and 1976, a series of rigorous immigration enforcement policies were carried out that resulted in targeted raids on the homes of Pacific families. The raids to find, convict and deport overstayers ...6 days ago
- Humanitarian support for Bangladesh and MyanmarForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced that New Zealand is providing NZ $8.25 million in humanitarian assistance to support refugees and their host populations in Bangladesh and to support humanitarian need of internally displaced and conflict affected people in Myanmar. “Nearly four years after 900,000 Rohingya crossed the border ...6 days ago
- Poroporoaki: Dame Georgina Kamiria KirbyE Te Kōkō Tangiwai, Te Tuhi Mareikura, Te Kākākura Pokai kua riro i a matou. He toka tū moana ākinga ā tai, ākinga ā hau, ākinga ā ngaru tūātea. Haere atu rā ki te mūrau a te tini, ki te wenerau a te mano. E tae koe ki ngā rire ...6 days ago
- Feedback sought on future of housing and urban developmentNew Zealanders are encouraged to have their say on a long-term vision for housing and urban development to guide future work, the Housing Minister Megan Woods has announced. Consultation starts today on a Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development (GPS-HUD), which will support the long-term direction of Aotearoa ...6 days ago
- Clean car package to drive down emissionsNew rebates for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles start July 1 with up to $8,625 for new vehicles and $3,450 for used. Electric vehicle chargers now available every 75km along most state highways to give Kiwis confidence. Low Emission Transport Fund will have nearly four times the funding by 2023 ...7 days ago
- Progress towards simpler process for changing sex on birth certificatesThe Government is taking the next step to support transgender, non-binary and intersex New Zealanders, by progressing the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill, Minister of Internal Affairs, Jan Tinetti announced today. “This Government understands that self-identification is a significant issue for transgender, non-binary and intersex New Zealanders, and ...7 days ago
- Crown speeds up engagement with takutai moana applicantsThe Crown is taking a new approach to takutai moana applications to give all applicants an opportunity to engage with the Crown and better support the Māori-Crown relationship, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says. Following discussions with applicant groups, the Crown has reviewed the existing takutai moana application ...1 week ago
- Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court opensThe Minister of Justice, Kris Faafoi, and the Minister for Courts, Aupito William Sio, have welcomed the opening of a new Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court in Hamilton. The AODT Court (Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua) addresses situations where substance abuse and offending are intertwined. “New Zealanders have told ...1 week ago
- EU and UK FTAs top of list for first ministerial trip since COVID-19Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor today announced details of his planned visit to the United Kingdom and European Union next week, where he will hold trade and agriculture discussions to further New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The visit will add political weight to ongoing negotiations with both the EU ...1 week ago
- Arihia Bennett to chair Royal Commission Ministerial Advisory GroupTe Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu chief executive Arihia Bennett MNZM has been appointed chair of the newly appointed Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. “Twenty-eight people from diverse backgrounds across Aotearoa have been selected for the ...1 week ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Medical Association General Practitioners' Conference, RotoruaKi ngā pou maha o te whare hauora o Aotearoa, kei te mihiTo the pillars of our health system I acknowledge/thank you Ki te ope hapai hauora o roto o tēnei rūma, kei te mihi To our health force here in the room today, I acknowledge/thank you He taura tangata, ...1 week ago
- Karangahape Road upgrades are streets aheadThe upgrades to Karangahape Road makes the iconic street more pedestrian and cycle-friendly, attractive and environmentally sustainable, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said at the formal celebration of the completion of the Karangahape Road Enhancements project. The project included widening footpaths supporting a better outdoor dining ...1 week ago
- Speech to APEC business eventE ngā tumu herenga waka, ākina ā ngaru, ākina ā tai ka whakatere ngā waka ki te whakapapa pounamu, otirā, ki Tamaki o ngā waka Tena koutou katoa… To the great leaders assembled, who guided your waka through turbulent times, challenging waters and you continue to navigate your respective waka ...1 week ago
- Pause on Quarantine Free Travel with Victoria extendedFollowing an assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak in greater Melbourne, New Zealand’s Quarantine Free Travel pause with Victoria will continue for a further seven days, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. There are now 93 cases associated with the outbreak in greater Melbourne, spread over four clusters. Contact tracing efforts ...1 week ago
- Supplier Diversity Aotearoa Summit: Navigate 2021*** Check with delivery *** A mihi to all who have contributed to making today a success – starting with you! As you have explored and navigated government procurement today you will hopefully have reflected on the journey of our people so far – and how you can make a ...1 week ago
- Pukemiro School to closePukemiro Primary School near Huntly will close following years of declining roll numbers, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. “I’ve consulted with the School Commissioner, and this decision acknowledges the fact that the few remaining students from last term are now settled at other nearby schools. “I want to thank ...1 week ago
- From Middle Earth to Sweet Tooth: Why NZ's a screen fantasyland
Dr Alfio Leotta asks if New Zealand's popularity as a location for international fantasy screen productions is a symptom of an identity crisis or just a testament to the country's magical nature Netflix’s new series Sweet Tooth is the latest in a long line of fantasy films and TV shows shot ...2 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Sunday 20 June
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...2 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Sunday 20 June
...2 hours ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Sunday 20 June
...2 hours ago - Confessions of a gossip super-spreader
Gossip Week: Hospitality is driven by gossip, but, says this anonymous Auckland bar owner, there are strict rules.All week, The Spinoff is taking a look at the role of gossip in Aotearoa’s past, present and future – read more Gossip Week content here.Gossip is the currency of hospitality, isn’t it? ...7 hours ago - The Sunday Essay: Behind the curtainThe Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state care has prompted many to reflect on they way things were. Former child psychologist Lynn Jenner writes on the time a former colleague was convicted of abusing a client.Original illustrations by Wwowly. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support ...7 hours ago
- Drag Race Down Under finale power rankings: We’ve got a winner, babyAfter eight episodes, we’ve finally got Drag Race Down Under’s first drag superstar, and she’s a doozy.We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re honestly quite tired. Even though this season has only been eight episodes, it has felt both so full of drama and like we’re being dragged across the finish ...9 hours ago
- Tagata Pasifika Special: Celebrating 50 years of the Polynesian Panthers
Tagata Pasifika They were the face of a generation growing up in a new land. They were the Polynesian Panthers, young activists fighting against social and racial injustice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Fifty years on, they’re back to share their struggles and triumphs as we look back on their legacy. ...13 hours ago - The man who propelled the Black Caps to the brink of their greatest ever gloryThe New Zealand cricket team’s incredible ascent to the World Test Championship final has been built on the shoulders of the squad led by Brendon McCullum. The Spinoff’s cricket podcast, The Offspin, was glum following a first-day washout, but sun came out in the studio at the chance to speak ...13 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Covid-19 in June 2021Analysis by Keith Rankin. Russia has more recorded deaths per capita than India. Chart by Keith Rankin. While India’s well-publicised Covid19 outbreak came quickly and is well on its way out, South America continues to show the greatest difficulty in throwing off this disease. Some of the most prominent South ...14 hours ago
- The Rort That Is The America’s Cup
Tax and rate payers of Aotearoa have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars over the last two decades on a Cup and a sport that only a small minority of New Zealanders participate in. As accepted by way of interviews and responses, Grant ...18 hours ago - The omens look good for exporters wanting a better deal from FTA with the UK – but not so good for...
Trade Minister Damien O’Connor kicked off our day with the cheering news that New Zealand and the UK have committed to accelerating their free trade agreement negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement in principle this August. This compensated for the news that the first day’s play on the scheduled ...19 hours ago - How Andrei Sakharov went from Soviet hero to dissident — and forced the world to pay attention to ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Horvath, Senior lecturer, La Trobe University US President Ronald Reagan meeting with Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov in the Oval Office in 1988. White House Photographic Collection/Wikimedia Commons This piece is part of a new series in collaboration with the ABC’s Saturday ...20 hours ago
- New Zealand and UK aim to conclude trade talks in August
New Zealand and the UK have committed to accelerating their free trade agreement negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement in principle this August, Trade Minister Damien O'Connor says. ...1 day ago - In pictures: Jacinda, Judith and our national show
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a gaggle of ministers and Labour MPs, National leader Judith Collins and the largest fleet of utility vehicles ever assembled descend on the national agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek. So does the fog. They came in their utes and 4WDs in such numbers that by lunchtime ...1 day ago - Short story: The camp, by Elspeth Sandys
"He couldn’t stop. No one hit a woman. No one": a campground story by Wellington writer Elspeth Sandys When Colin arrived at the holiday camp he had his story ready. Colin Lawson, widower, retired, seeking peace and quiet. Former manager of a small Invercargill Tyre Company. Wife died a year ...1 day ago - Amnesty Calls For More On World Refugee DayCaring organisations around Aotearoa New Zealand will be holding fundraisers and community hui this weekend to mark World Refugee Day 2021. As COVID-19 pushed pause on essential global refugee programmes, Amnesty International is calling for a re-prioritisation ...1 day ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Saturday 19 June
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...1 day ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Saturday 19 June
...1 day ago - Basketball helps Suzie Bates' White Ferns comeback
LISTEN: Outstanding White Fern cricketer Suzie Bates has returned to her old passion, basketball, during her rehab from surgery, and has found another way to make a difference. Suzie Bates is on track to return to the White Ferns after shoulder surgery, but she may not return to the bowling crease ...1 day ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Saturday 19 June
...1 day ago - High Court overturns Stuart Nash’s decision on tarakihi fishing limits
The ruling is being hailed as a win for sustainability that could set a precedent for how the government sets limits on commercial fishing The High Court has found that the former minister of fisheries, Stuart Nash, incorrectly set the catch limit on tarakihi by taking into account industry proposals over ...1 day ago - Anthonie Tonnon and the railway to MarsMusician, romantic, civic activist – Anthonie Tonnon talks to Michelle Langstone about growing up in small town New Zealand, his uncommon inspirations and new album Leave Love Out of This.Portraits by Edith AmituanaiI meet Anthonie Tonnon at Motat, which is admittedly not the most original of places to meet a train ...1 day ago
- A force so powerful we may have learned to talk to be able to do itGossip Week: Gossip fosters important social bonds, and some experts believe humans developed language so we could gossip about one another. Danyl Mclauchlan explores the role gossip plays in our lives.All week, The Spinoff is taking a look at the role of gossip in Aotearoa’s past, present and future – ...1 day ago
- The shape of Wellington’s future is about to be decidedA draft plan that increases by 50% the amount of inner Wellington shielded from new dense housing is set to face a tough week in council, writes Justin Giovannetti.There’s a contradiction at the heart of Wellington’s proposed plan to house tens of thousands of new arrivals over the coming decades, ...1 day ago
- ‘The glamour is gone’: NZ’s greatest gossip on celebrities then and nowGossip Week: Sam Brooks meets legendary New Zealand gossip writer David Hartnell MNZM to talk celebrity friends, men in makeup, and the importance of reinvention. All week, The Spinoff is taking a look at the role of gossip in Aotearoa’s past, present and future – read more Gossip Week content here.“The two ...1 day ago
- RSF condemns Hong Kong police storming of Apple Daily – 5 arrestedHundreds of police officers search the Apple Daily group’s headquarters after five senior staff were arrested under the National Security Law, accused of “collusion with foreign forces”. Video: Al Jazeera Pacific Media Watch newsdesk Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned yesterday’s police raid on Hong Kong media outlet Apple Daily’s ...1 day ago
- Vanuatu Supreme Court confirms 19 government MPs lose seatsRNZ Pacific Vanuatu Supreme Court judge Justice Oliver Saksak has upheld a decision by the former Speaker of Parliament to expel 19 government MPs from Parliament. The court ruling could trigger the collapse of Vanuatu’s government but a subsequent appeal is likely to grant a stay of execution for the ...1 day ago
- Fiji reports another 115 covid cases – new hospital death investigatedBy Vijay Narayan in Suva Fiji health authorities have announced 115 new covid-19 cases for the 24 hour period ending at 8am today. Health Secretary Dr James Fong said 12 cases were from new clusters – 8 of them from Max Value Supermarket, Lami, and 4 from Public Rental Board. ...1 day ago
- Auckland’s ‘most liveable’ city loses some gloss with Pacific criticismAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Days after being condemned by the largest Pacific Island capital — Port Moresby, the Economist’s Global Liveability Index has been criticised in Auckland by one of New Zealand’s most respected “green” columnists. The criticisms come from different ends of the spectrum — Port Moresby was third ...1 day ago
- Samoan court declares Sagaga 2 seat void – 26-24 balance for FASTBy Soli Wilson in Apia A Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) associate minister has had his seat of Sagaga 2 in the Samoa general election declared void by the Supreme Court following a legal challenge, triggering a byelection. This means previously elected Member of Parliament Seiuli Ueligitone Seiuli, a member ...1 day ago
- Warnings to anti-vaxxers slowing rollout in Solomons and PNGBy Johnny Blades, Anti-vax misinformation is throwing a spanner in the works for covid-19 vaccination programmes in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, with the prime ministers of both countries firing warnings at those spreading it. PNG Prime Minister James Marape issued a blunt statement this week, ...1 day ago
- Fishing vessel cameras aim to curb catch dumpingFishing boats will now have to bring their entire catch back to port - as part of moves to ensure skippers report other wildlife that is accidentally caught. ...2 days ago
- Concerned about the latest AstraZeneca news? These 3 graphics help you make sense of the riskSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Yesterday’s announcement the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine would now only be recommended for the over 60s has highlighted the many ways we think about risk. The decision reflects a greater understanding of the real, but extremely ...2 days ago
- The limits of advocacy: arts sector told to stop worrying and be happySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin O’Connor, Professor of Cultural Economy, University of South Australia Most people with an interest in art and culture in Australia believe it is in deep crisis, and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who didn’t think the crisis predated the ...2 days ago
- Three weeks without electricity? That’s the reality facing thousands of Victorians, and it will ha...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Richardson, Researcher and Teacher, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University James Ross/AAP Last week’s storm system wreaked havoc across Victoria. Some 220,000 households and businesses lost power, and residents in the hills on Melbourne’s fringe were warned yesterday it ...2 days ago
- ‘A slow and painful journey’: why did it take over 20 years to approve the new Alzheimer’s dru...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ralph N. Martins, Professor and Chair in Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock A new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease was last week given accelerated approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The drug is called ...2 days ago
- VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on Scott Morrison’s return to Australia and a change in vaccine adviceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Michelle Grattan discusses the week in politics with University of Canberra Associate Professor Caroline Fisher. This week the pair discuss the outcomes of Scott Morrison’s attendance at the G7 summit in Cornwall, including a face-to-face ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: Millennium taffeta, by Laura VincentA new poem from poet and food writer Laura Vincent.Millennium taffeta all today’s ills point directlyto the paucity of purple taffeta shot through with bluesewn into bandeau and a-lineit moved with a conspicuous rustlewhat wouldn’t we have done for that fabricwhich launched a thousand reputations did you live through the unsparing dominance ...2 days ago
- ANZASW Congratulates Hilary Weaver For Appointment As IFSW Indigenous Commissioner...2 days ago
- Stolen wages: Northern Territory class action will hold the Commonwealth to accountSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney Alan Lambert, CC BY-SA This article contains names and images of people who have passed. On August 23 1966, Vincent Lingiari and his fellow Aboriginal stock workers walked off the Wave ...2 days ago
- Health Ministry Push Flows Over To Improved Drinking-water, Boost In Compliance – ReportA push by the Ministry of Health to increase awareness among drinking-water suppliers of their responsibilities has led to tighter auditing and a boost in overall compliance, with standards up by 2.4% compared to last year. There was also a slight ...2 days ago
- The latest ‘spasm’ of violence in Gaza is unlikely to be the lastSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Walker, Vice-chancellor’s fellow, La Trobe University The Israel-Palestine conflict has experienced its first violent spasm in the term of a new Israeli government. However, hostilities have since been contained, for the time being. Provocative demonstrations this week in Arab East Jerusalem ...2 days ago
- Doc Edge: Seven documentaries to watch in this year’s festivalThis year’s Doc Edge film festival features 83 documentaries from New Zealand and around the world. And until July 11, most of them are available to watch online. Here are seven worth checking out.High Tide Don’t Hide Youth-led climate protests have brought hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders onto the streets ...2 days ago
- Union Hosts Free Matariki Hui OnlineEducation union NZEI Te Riu Roa is set to host five online wāhanga this weekend ahead of Matariki - a follow up from its successful 2020 Matariki series on Matariki and tamariki. Saturday's programme features a range of incredible speakers - Stacey ...2 days ago
- Belarus pays penalty for ignoring concerns about its electoral and human rights record – NZ bans ...New Zealand has imposed travel bans on 50 individuals associated with the Lukashenko regime in Belarus elections. Among those in the naughty books are the President and key members of his Administration, the Electoral Commission, the police and other security forces. This will show ‘em we mean business, if they ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending 18 JuneThe 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 Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction by Neil Gaiman (Headline Publishing, $60)The ultimate feast, with nearly 50 ...2 days ago
- Stealth speed bumps leave South Aucklanders fumingThe nationwide Innovating Streets programme promised to make streets safer, but as a group of Māngere East residents are discovering, if the work is only partially complete, their local roads can get even more dangerous.Recent weeks have seen mounds of asphalt rise on Māngere roads like swells in calm water. ...2 days ago
- ‘Fix-it’ Notice Needed On Critical Health System UnderstaffingThe Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora says an urgent ‘fix-it’ notice needs to be issued to address an understaffing crisis across the health system. According to Radio New Zealand, Worksafe has issued Wellington Free Ambulance with ...2 days ago
- ‘We have filed a case under your name’: beware of tax scams — they’ll be everywhere this EOF...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Haskell-Dowland, Associate Dean (Computing and Security), Edith Cowan University Shutterstock The end of the financial year is near. So all of us — especially those scrambling at the last minute to get their receipts in order — should keep ...2 days ago
- Celebrities reveal the best gossip they’ve heard about themselvesGossip Week: In this special episode of FIRST, we asked our celebrities to share their favourite pieces of completely unfounded gossip about themselves.All week, The Spinoff is taking a look at the role of gossip in Aotearoa’s past, present and future – read more Gossip Week content here.Newshub’s political editor ...2 days ago
- Keith Rankin Analysis – Policies for Reducing the Environmental Costs of Urban TransportAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Environmental costs are a big deal, which need to be properly factored into our economic decision-making. Last week the Government announced a rebate scheme for electric and hybrid vehicles. Keith Rankin. These days we emphasise the very important greenhouse costs arising from the burning of fossil ...2 days ago
- What Is The New Zealand Government Trying To Bury In Pike River Mine?Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 17 June 2021, original url: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/06/17/pike-j17.html The New Zealand Labour Party government’s plan to abandon the underground investigation into the 2010 Pike River coal mine disaster has sparked significant opposition. Nearly ...2 days ago
- Finally, Transparency At Sea – Cameras On BoatsForest & Bird is celebrating the Government’s announcement to put cameras on over 300 commercial fishing boats. “It’s been a long time coming, and has taken a ground swell of public pressure but we’ve finally achieved what will be ...2 days ago
- Exclusive: We found out what nature is gossiping aboutGossip Week: The Spinoff’s gossip coverage so far this week has been dominated by people. It’s time to stop being so self-centred and see what’s abuzz in our native forests. All week, The Spinoff is taking a look at the role of gossip in Aotearoa’s past, present and future – read ...2 days ago
- Look who’s singing the farm sector’s praises – none other than the Minister whose environmenta...
Labour ministers are beating the farming drum (as never before). On stage at the Fieldays at Mystery Creek, one of the first out of the block (given the absence of Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor negotiating free trade in London with the UK) was Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker. He ...2 days ago - Covid-19: PM Jacinda Ardern pleased with vaccination programme as she prepares to get immunisedDespite about only 7.7 percent of the population being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, Jacinda Ardern is pleased with progress of the immunisation programme. ...2 days ago
- This week's best-sellers
This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias FICTION 1 Bug Week by Airini Beautrais (Victoria University Press, $30) Number one for the fifth consecutive week - a miracle for a collection of short stories. 2 Auē ...2 days ago - 50 Years On, Polynesian Panthers Share Their Story In Their Own Words“Long before risking our freedom as Polynesian Panthers, we were simply Polynesian. It was time to be heard. It was time to mobilise. It was time to fight back.” <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2106/770cea8fd63818f34f24.jpeg" ...2 days ago
- Ministry Wrong To See Future In GE CigarettesThere is concern that The Ministry of Health has been hoodwinked into promoting Genetic Engineering of tobacco as a credible option towards a Smoke Free Aotearoa. Submissions on the Smoke Free 2025 consultation document have closed, and it is positive ...2 days ago
- Approaching zero: super-chilled mirrors edge towards the borders of gravity and quantum physicsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Ernest McClelland, Distinguised Professor and Director Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics, Australian National University Caltech / MIT / LIGO Lab, Author provided The LIGO gravitational wave observatory in the United States is so sensitive to vibrations it can detect the ...2 days ago
- The Labor Party has long struggled over a position on Israel and Palestine. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis Altman, Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University After the brutal conflict in Gaza flared yet again in the past month, and the end of Benyamin Netanyahu’s 12 years as prime minister of Israel, attention is again focused on the ...2 days ago
- New Zealand has one of the lowest numbers of refugees per capita in the world — there is room for ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jay Marlowe, Associate Professor, Co-Director Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, University of Auckland Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern marks World Refugee Day 2020 at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre in Auckland. GettyImages When COVID-19 forced New Zealand to shut its borders, it ...2 days ago
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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.