Daily review 10/09/2020
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5:30 pm, September 10th, 2020 - 24 comments
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- New primary school and classrooms for 1,200 students in South IslandEducation Minister Chris Hipkins unveiled major school building projects across the South Island during a visit to Waimea College in Nelson today. It’s part of the Government’s latest investment of $164 million to build new classrooms and upgrade schools around the country. “Investments like this gives the construction industry certainty ...4 days ago
- Minister of Māori Development pays tribute to Rudy TaylorToday the Minister of Māori Development, alongside other Government Ministers and MP’s said their final farewells to Nga Puhi Leader Rudy Taylor. “Rudy dedicated his life to the betterment of Māori, and his strong approach was always from the ground up, grassroots, sincere and unfaltering” “Over the past few ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister to attend APEC Leaders’ SummitPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and associated events virtually today and tomorrow. “In a world where we cannot travel due to COVID-19, continuing close collaboration with our regional partners is key to accelerating New Zealand’s economic recovery,” Jacinda Ardern said. “There is wide ...4 days ago
- Speech to Infrastructure NZ SymposiumTena Koutou, Tena Koutou and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. This is a critical time for New Zealand as we respond to the damage wreaked by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is vital that investment in our economic recovery is well thought through, and makes ...5 days ago
- Pike River 10 Year Anniversary Commemorative ServiceTēnei te mihi ki a tātau katoa e huihui nei i tēnei rā Ki a koutou ngā whānau o te hunga kua riro i kōnei – he mihi aroha ki a koutou Ki te hapori whānui – tēnā koutou Ki ngā tāngata whenua – tēnā koutou Ki ngā mate, e ...5 days ago
- Huge investment in new and upgraded classrooms to boost construction jobsAround 7,500 students are set to benefit from the Government’s latest investment of $164 million to build new classrooms and upgrade schools around the country. “The election delivered a clear mandate to accelerate our economic recovery and build back better. That’s why we are prioritising construction projects in schools so more ...5 days ago
- Keeping Pike River Mine promises 10 years onTen years after the Pike River Mine tragedy in which 29 men lost their lives while at work, a commemorative service at Parliament has honoured them and their legacy of ensuring all New Zealand workplaces are safe. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the event, along with representatives of the Pike ...5 days ago
- Additional testing to strengthen border and increase safety of workersNew testing measures are being put in place to increase the safety of border workers and further strengthen New Zealand’s barriers against COVID-19, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “These strengthened rules – to apply to all international airports and ports – build on the mandatory testing orders we’ve ...5 days ago
- More public housing delivered in AucklandThe Government’s investment in public housing is delivering more warm, dry homes with today’s official opening of 82 new apartments in New Lynn by the Housing Minister Megan Woods. The Thom Street development replaces 16 houses built in the 1940s, with brand new fit-for-purpose public housing that is in high ...5 days ago
- Agreement advanced to purchase up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccinesThe Government has confirmed an in-principle agreement to purchase up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccines – enough for 5 million people – from Janssen Pharmaceutica, subject to the vaccine successfully completing clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals in New Zealand, says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. “This agreement ...5 days ago
- Jobs for Nature funding will leave a conservation legacy for Waikanae awaNinety-two jobs will be created to help environmental restoration in the Waikanae River catchment through $8.5 million of Jobs for Nature funding, Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan announced today. “The new funding will give a four-year boost to the restoration of the Waikanae awa, and is specifically focussed on restoration through ...5 days ago
- New Dunedin Hospital project progresses to next stageAs the new Dunedin Hospital project progresses, the Government is changing the oversight group to provide more technical input, ensure continued local representation, and to make sure lessons learnt from Dunedin benefit other health infrastructure projects around the country. Concept design approval and the release of a tender for early ...5 days ago
- Jump in apprentice and trainee numbersThe number of New Zealanders taking up apprenticeships has increased nearly 50 percent, and the number of female apprentices has more than doubled. This comes as a Government campaign to raise the profile of vocational education and training (VET) begins. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced ...6 days ago
- ReBuilding Nations Symposium 2020 (Infrastructure NZ Conference opening session)Tena koutou katoa and thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. Can I acknowledge Ngarimu Blair, Ngati Whatua, and Mayor Phil Goff for the welcome. Before I start with my substantive comments, I do want to acknowledge the hard work it has taken by everyone to ensure ...6 days ago
- New Zealand's biosecurity champions honouredBiosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor has paid tribute to the winners of the 2020 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards. “These are the people and organisations who go above and beyond to protect Aotearoa from pests and disease to ensure our unique way of life is sustained for future generations,” Damien O’Connor says. ...7 days ago
- Tourism Industry Aotearoa Conferencespeech to Tourism Industry Aotearoa annual summit Te Papa, Wellington Introduction Nau mai, haere mai Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, Ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou. Thank you Tourism Industry Aotearoa for hosting today’s Summit. In particular, my acknowledgements to TIA Chair Gráinne Troute and Chief Executive Chris Roberts. You ...1 week ago
- Supermarkets announced as Government’s second market studyThe Government has today launched a market study to ensure New Zealanders are paying a fair price for groceries. “Supermarkets are an integral part of our communities and economy, so it’s important to ensure that Kiwis are getting a fair deal at the checkout,” Minister of Commerce and Consumer ...1 week ago
- Masks to be worn on Auckland public transport and all domestic flightsMasks will need to be worn on all public transport in Auckland and in and out of Auckland and on domestic flights throughout the country from this Thursday, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins said today. “I will be issuing an Order under the COVID-19 Response Act requiring the wearing ...1 week ago
- New Zealand signs Regional Comprehensive Economic PartnershipIncrease to New Zealand’s GDP by around $2 billion each year Increase opportunities for NZ exporters to access regional markets Cuts red tape and offers one set of trade rules across the Asia Pacific region New government procurement, competition policy and electronic commerce offers NZ exporters increased business opportunities Prime ...1 week ago
- Minister acknowledges students as exams beginEducation Minister Chris Hipkins has recognised the extraordinary challenges students have faced this year, ahead of NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams which begin on Monday. “I want to congratulate students for their hard work during a year of unprecedented disruption, and I wish students all the best as ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister meets with key ASEAN and East Asia Summit partnersPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern today attended the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit and discussed with Leaders a range of shared challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region, including: The ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic; The importance of working collectively to accelerate economic recovery; and Exploring further opportunities for partners to work more ...1 week ago
- Veterans Affairs Summit held in KoreaA Ministerial Summit on Veterans’ Affairs was held in the Republic of Korea this week. Ministers with veteran responsibilities were invited from all 22 countries that had been part of the United Nations Forces during the Korean War (1950 – 1953). The Summit marked the 70th anniversary of the outbreak ...2 weeks ago
- Clear direction set for the education system, skills prioritisedThe Government has released a set of priorities for early learning through to tertiary education and lifelong learning to build a stronger, fairer education system that delivers for all New Zealanders. “The election delivered a clear mandate from New Zealanders to accelerate our plan to reduce inequalities and make more ...2 weeks ago
- A Progressive AgendaSpeech to the Climate Change + Business Conference, November 12, 2020 Tena koutou katoa Thank you for inviting me to speak here today. It is great to see us all come together for a common cause: to redefine our future in the face of unprecedented times. Covid-19 and climate change are ...2 weeks ago
- Commemorative address at Act of Remembrance for Armistice DayTuatahi māku Ka mihi tu ki a koe Pita E pīkauria ana i te mana o Ngā tūpuna o te whenua nei. Thank you Bernadette for your warm introduction. I would also like to reflect on your acknowledgments and welcome Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui; Members of the National War Memorial ...2 weeks ago
- New fund launched to reduce carbon emissions from coal and gasThe Labour Government is quickly delivering a key election policy that will help business to switch from fossil fuels like coal and gas to clean energy for process heat while accelerating the economic recovery from Covid. The $70 million fund will allow business and industries to access financial support to ...2 weeks ago
- Support for flood affected Napier communityThe government will contribute $100,000 towards a Mayoral Relief Fund to support those most affected by the recent severe weather in Napier, the Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan announced today. “I have been in the region overnight meeting with locals and emergency service responders to discuss their needs, and ...2 weeks ago
- New vaping laws take effect todayNew laws intended to discourage young people from vaping while allowing smokers to continue using vaping to give up cigarettes take effect today, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Today’s changes mean the laws around vaping are now similar to those around tobacco smoking,” Andrew Little says. The Smokefree Environments and ...2 weeks ago
- $84m to support research in scienceThe Government is investing $84.7 million in innovative research projects including those focussed on health, climate change, astronomy and the impact of Big Data on social equality says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. This year’s Marsden Fund will support 134 new projects including explorations of the connection between ...2 weeks ago
- Former Cook Islands Prime Minister mournedForeign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta has noted with sadness the passing of Jim Marurai, who served as Cook Islands Prime Minister between 2004 and 2010. “Jim Marurai made a significant contribution to his country through a lifetime of service. “As a teacher and as a politician, he was greatly ...2 weeks ago
- Minister heads to flood-hit NapierMinister of Emergency Management Kiri Allan will travel to Napier this afternoon to meet with frontline staff and residents affected by the severe weather that hit the area overnight. “My thoughts are with the Napier community as they deal with the damage and disruption that this deluge has caused, and ...2 weeks ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – November 24 2020
Editor’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 National Party Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): “Goodfellas”: The Neoliberal National Party shows its ugly face Henry Cooke (Stuff): National Party to examine election campaign and candidate selection process in review of ...5 mins ago - Children’s commissioner calls to disestablish Oranga Tamariki
A second review by the Children’s Commission has made four key recommendations, including the transfer of power to iwi, hapū and whānau.A new report from children’s commissioner Andrew Becroft is calling for an immediate overhaul of Oranga Tamariki – largely through a transfer of power to Māori.The report, released yesterday, ...36 mins ago - Are first home buyers really in a worse position than three years ago?Thanks to falling interest rates and higher wages, mortgage affordability has remained surprisingly steady, writes Greg Ninness for interest.co.nz. But that doesn’t mean things aren’t a lot tougher for those trying to get onto the housing ladder. The latest house price figures make startling reading for potential first home buyers. ...2 hours ago
- Councillors Have Spoken, Time To Remove Racist Provision In Establishment Of Māori Wards
Rawiri WaititiMāori Party Co-leader Māori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi, congratulates Tairāwhiti & Taupō district councils for their stance in yesterday supporting the establishment of Māori wards in time for the 2022 local ...2 hours ago - Councillors Have Spoken, Time To Remove Racist Provision In Establishment Of Māori WardsRawiri WaititiMāori Party Co-leader Māori Party co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi, congratulates Tairāwhiti & Taupō district councils for their stance in yesterday supporting the establishment of Māori wards in time for the 2022 local ...2 hours ago
- Ancient sponges or just algae? New research overturns chemical evidence for the earliest animalsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennart van Maldegem, Postdoctoral Fellow, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University Sponges are the simplest of animals, and they may stand at the root of all complex animal life on Earth, including us humans. Scientists study the evolution of the ...3 hours ago
- Is Trump’s truculence an attempted coup or the last-ditch efforts of a man whose star is fading?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Cooper, Lecturer at Griffith University, Griffith University US President Donald Trump’s time in the White House is coming to an end. But, as has become obvious over the past few weeks, he is unlikely to deliver a gracious concession speech. Instead, ...3 hours ago
- COVID has presented unique challenges for people with eating disorders. They’ll need support beyon...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Hart, Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work and interact with one another. It has also changed the way we move, exercise, shop, prepare food, and eat. During the pandemic, we’ve seen marked increases ...3 hours ago
- Silky oaks are older than dinosaurs and literally drip nectar – but watch out for the cyanideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne As we come to the end of spring, look up from the footpath or at the park, and you may spot the fiery flowers of the silky oak, Grevillea robusta. You may already be ...3 hours ago
- Children may transmit coronavirus at the same rate as adults: what we now know about schools and COV...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoë Hyde, Epidemiologist, University of Western Australia The role children, and consequently schools, play in the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard to work out, but that puzzle is now finally starting to be solved. The latest research shows infections in children frequently ...3 hours ago
- It seemed like a good idea in lockdown, but is moving to the country right for you?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Wallis, Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland The idea of moving to the country has gained momentum through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many workplaces have introduced new policies on working from home that give employees the flexibility needed to make the switch. Lockdowns ...3 hours ago
- Axing stamp duty is a great idea, but NSW is going about it the wrong waySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Freebairn, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne In tax design as in many endeavours, it’s easy to work out how things should be; harder to work out how to get there. In NSW, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet wants to replace the ...3 hours ago
- 5 reasons why banishing backpackers and targeting wealthy tourists would be a mistake for NZSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Higham, Professor of Tourism, University of Otago Raise your hand if you’ve ever travelled for weeks or months as a backpacker on a limited daily budget. Keep your hand up if you were made welcome in the places you visited on ...3 hours ago
- 10 ‘lost’ Australian literary treasures you should read – and can soon borrow from any librarySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Giblin, ARC Future Fellow; Associate Professor; Director, Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia, University of Melbourne Many culturally important books by Australian authors are out of print, hard to find as secondhand copies, and confined to the physical shelves of a ...3 hours ago
- Māori, Crown must work in partnership for children – Kelvin Davis
The minister for children says he is "not into separatism" and that Oranga Tamariki needs to work in partnership with Māori. ...3 hours ago - Live updates, November 24: Stricter rules lead to nurse shortage at managed isolation hotelsWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 24. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz7.50am: Nurse shortage at Auckland managed isolation hotelsNurses helping to keep the community safe from Covid-19 are having to work overtime, or take on double shifts, to fill gaps in the system, according to RNZ.Healthcare workers have also ...3 hours ago
- Live updates, November 24: Victoria’s last active Covid-19 patient recoversWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 24. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz10.20am: Victoria’s last active Covid-19 patient recoversThe Australian state of Victoria has no active cases of Covid-19, after the last patient with the virus was discharged from hospital yesterday.It’s the first time since February that Victoria’s hospitals were ...3 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Shifts in foreign policy since the electionsGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Shifts in foreign policy since the elections, government increasingly looking to fast-track through RMA, and Andy Foster gets into bizarre tent tangle.All things being equal, which US president would you enjoy a twenty minute conversation with more – Joe Biden ...4 hours ago
- Retail sales set Sept quarter record
Business & Investing: Total retail sales down just 0.2 percent for the year to October, but Europe's economic activity falls again due to the resurgence of Covid-19 ...4 hours ago - The (potential) path ahead for NZ First
As W R Peters puts another $120k towards the party, can NZ First rise again in 2023? ...5 hours ago - Locals can't fill hole left by international tourists
Domestic tourism is booming as Kiwis get out and explore the country but without international tourists New Zealand will face a deficit of nearly $13 billion. Mark Jennings reports. It takes 12 overnight trips from someone living in New Zealand to equal the spend of one international visitor. New research ...5 hours ago - Mammy, Eve, and Jesus: A personal essay by Noelle McCarthy
Noelle McCarthy returns home in this prize-winning personal essay "Get in ‘til you see what we got you. This is my daughter.” Mammy is loud, showing off for the driver. The cab smells of drink and Estee Lauder. Wherever they’ve been, they’ve been there all morning. Angela is jammed in ...5 hours ago - Push for inclusive Covid recovery through sharp increase to minimum wage
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark's thinktank says no-one should be left behind in Covid recovery. ...5 hours ago - Holly Stewart passes tennis racquet to a new generation
Young tennis star Holly Stewart's first year at a US college was cut short by the global pandemic, but she's making the most of her time back home in NZ, giving back to young women with less opportunity. Holly Stewart knows how much a hand up can help change the ...5 hours ago - How Billy TK is using the far right
Billy TK is not a duped victim of far-right interests, but is instead employing their conspiracies for his own NZ-style conservative Evangelical purposes, writes Dr Deane Galbraith In dozens of online videos, Billy Te Kahika has told hundreds of thousands of viewers that the Covid-19 crisis obscures a massive conspiracy. He doesn’t use ...5 hours ago - Tracking Covid-19's creep across a flight to NZ
Analysis: A new study shows how Covid-19 spread on an 18-hour flight from Dubai to Auckland, eventually infecting four people on-board and another in MIQ, Marc Daalder reports On September 28, Emirates Airlines flight 448 departed Dubai for Auckland with 86 passengers on board and a full complement of aircrew. ...5 hours ago - The searing report linking popular NZ brands to sexual abuse and slaveryAn investigation has found that workers on many palm oil plantations suffer shocking levels of abuse and exposure to chemicals so toxic they can cause miscarriage. But, as Amal Samaha explains, a consumer boycott of the brands that use the oil may not be the answer.Some of New Zealand’s most ...6 hours ago
- Coming Home: Who’s returning to New Zealand, and what did they leave behind?In part two of Coming Home, hosts Duncan Greive and Jane Yee meet more recently returned New Zealanders and learn what factors drew them abroad and what life looked like in their new home countries.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you usually listen to podcasts.In last week’s episode, we heard about ...6 hours ago
- Building pressure
There's no quick fix to the housing problem but the Government knows that, with this sort of political pressure, something's got to give. ...6 hours ago - The Reserve Bank's housing storm
The Reserve Bank has been caught up in a political furore over the housing crisis. Is it really the Bank's fault that the levers it pulls have seen prices spiral out of control? The Reserve Bank is under attack for pouring fuel on the house price bonfire with its latest ...6 hours ago - Scott Morrison’s message to China: Don’t pigeonhole usSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s actions should not be seen just through the lens of the strategic competition between China and the United States, Scott Morrison has said in a speech rejecting “binary choices”. With China casting Australia as ...11 hours ago
- PM defends temporary suspension of Facebook until new law in placeBy Robert Iroga in Honiara Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare insists his government will push on with the temporary suspension of Facebook while lawmakers explore ways to regulate social media. In a statement in Parliament today, a fired-up Sogavare did not hide his government’s desire to suspend Facebook. He ...14 hours ago
- Daniel Andrews plans pilot for casual workers’ sick pay but Morrison government criticalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Victorian government plans a pilot scheme for up to five days sick and carer’s pay, at the national minimum wage, for casuals or insecure workers in priority industries. Even though the initiative is at ...15 hours ago
- National Party announces terms of reference for election campaign reviewThe review will be done by five panel members, including former party president Judy Kirk and former National minister Kate Wilkinson. ...16 hours ago
- Prosecuting within complex criminal networks is hard. Data analysis could save the courts precious t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roberto Musotto, Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre Postdoctoral Fellow, Edith Cowan University It’s no secret the trail of data we leave online can reveal intimate details about our lives. And there are myriad people whose job it is to collect and sift ...16 hours ago
- Physio, chiro, osteo and myo: what’s the difference and which one should I get?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charlotte Ganderton, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology Many of us might not be as fit as we were before the pandemic hit, and as community sport restarts and gyms reopen across the country amid eased coronavirus restrictions, some ...16 hours ago
- Fiji tries to salvage Nations Cup rugby tour from covid ruinsBy RNZ Pacific Fiji’s rugby team is set to have another round of covid-19 testing today as they seek to salvage what is left of their Autumn Nations Cup tour of Europe. Over the weekend it was announced the Flying Fijians would have their third consecutive test match cancelled due ...17 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Analysis – Fixing the 2020 New Zealand House Price BubbleAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. To the surprise of most pundits, substantial real estate price inflation has resumed, after a hiatus from 2017 to 2019. As to be expected, most of the usual tropes have been employed: a lack of supply, immigration (in this latest case returning New Zealanders), ...17 hours ago
- Human Rights Commission Welcomes Calls For Transformation Of Oranga Tamariki...18 hours ago
- No one escaped COVID’s impacts, but big fall in tertiary enrolments was 80% women. Why?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Churchill, Research Fellow in Sociology, University of Melbourne The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been so profound, particularly for women, that it threatens to upend the progress on gender equality in recent years. During the lockdown, women were doing ...19 hours ago
- Action 1 December And 3 December For XR Te Whanganui A TaraTwo actions soon, please join us. 1. Demand Action on Western Sahara When : Tuesday 1 December at 8:30 am Join us on Tuesday, December 1, 8.30am at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 195a Lambton Quay, Te Whanganui-a-Tara (corner of Panama St). ...19 hours ago
- Three new infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked – Ardern, ParkerPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Environment Minister David Parker have announced three new projects to be fast-tracked past the Resource Management Act. ...19 hours ago
- Tree Planting As Resistance; A Memorial For Pouya Bakhtiari, The Face Of Iran's Bloody NovemberBy Ali Mostolizadeh Translated by Abbas Alizadeh Pouya Bakhtiari, a 27-year old graduate of electrical engineering, was never able to celebrate his 28th birthday. His family celebrated Pouya’s birthday in Behesht-e Sakineh Cemetery in Karaj. ...19 hours ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's post-Cabinet conferencePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media after today's Cabinet meeting. ...19 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki Reforms Must Address Systemic Racism And Unsafe WorkloadsThe union for Oranga Tamariki employees says Te Kuku O Te Manawa - the Children’s Commissioner’s Report on Oranga Tamariki - highlights the need for deep and far-reaching change, both at OT and throughout New Zealand society. Oranga Tamariki staff are ...19 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki Reforms Must Address Systemic Racism And Unsafe WorkloadsThe union for Oranga Tamariki employees says Te Kuku O Te Manawa - the Children’s Commissioner’s Report on Oranga Tamariki - highlights the need for deep and far-reaching change, both at OT and throughout New Zealand society. Oranga Tamariki staff are ...19 hours ago
- Ardern speaks with US President-elect Joe BidenPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken on the phone with the US President-elect Joe Biden this afternoon. ...19 hours ago
- My favourite detective: Trixie Belden, the uncool girl sleuth with a sensitive moral compassSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Dalziell, Associate Professor, English and Literary Studies, University of Western Australia In a new series, writers pay tribute to fictional detectives on page and on screen. Trixie Belden, girl detective, does not rank in the world’s pantheon of cool sleuths. ...19 hours ago
- Give a kid a book and you give them the worldLast year the fledgling charity scheme Kiwi Christmas Books gave 1600 children’s books to Auckland Women’s Refuge and the Auckland City Mission. This year they’re going national, as founder Sonya Wilson explains.My earliest memories involve books. Kew Hospital, circa 1983: I remember stiff scratchy sheets, red jelly on a grey ...20 hours ago
- Green MP Applauded For Brave Stance On Accommodation Supplement...21 hours ago
- Dietary Requirements: What is seltzer and why is it suddenly everywhere?The Dietary Requirements team drag Lucy and Matt out of the office and into the studio to discuss some of The Spinoff’s most controversial food topics from the past week.Exciting news – Dietary Requirements is moving from monthly to fortnightly episodes! We’ll still have a special guest from the food ...22 hours ago
- How the Nats have opted to invest in the future with small change
A post on the left-wing The Standard blog expresses bemusement at National’s re-election of its party president. MickySavage writes: You would think that the conference held immediately after National suffered one of its worst drubbings in its history National would take the opportunity to refresh its leadership and change its ...22 hours ago - The Labour Government Gaslights People In PovertyThe government issued a response letter to the open letter which now has support from 70 organisations in New Zealand, calling them to lift benefits and low incomes to liveable levels before Christmas. In their response they outline what they’ve ...22 hours ago
- Wellington Mayor’s Tent-pitching Undermines Democracy, Ratepayers, And Property Rights...23 hours ago
- Take action to save lives in West Papua, activists tell ForumBy Laurens Ikinia in Auckland A Pacific Islands Forum-hosted webinar has called on the United Nations and Indonesia to be “more responsive” to the pleas of West Papuans and take action to resolve human rights issues in the Melanesian region. The Secretary-General of the Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, the secretary-general ...23 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles: Aches on a plane – new findings on in-flight Covid transmissionA new New Zealand study offers some important lessons on how the coronavirus can spread aboard an aircraft. One of the good things about New Zealand pursuing an elimination strategy for Covid-19 (aside from the obvious) is that we are able to help answer some of the questions there are about ...23 hours ago
- Green Party reveals portfolio reshuffle ahead of official Parliament openingThe Green Party has unveiled an unsurprising portfolio reshuffle, ahead of the official opening of Parliament this week. ...23 hours ago
- Why does New Zealand love Country Calendar so much?And the one change that would make it even better.It’s been on telly for 50-odd years, it frequently tops the weekly ratings and it just won best factual series at the 2020 NZ TV Awards. What is it about Country Calendar that we just can’t get enough of? José Barbosa ...1 day ago
- Indonesian security forces attack Papuan musician, say activistsPacific Media Watch Newsdesk A young West Papuan musician, Kris Douw, who has written many powerful protest songs against Indonesia’s illegal military occupation in his homeland, has been beaten up by security forces, allege activists. Douw was atacked about 8am on by Indonesian special forces at the Kodim Complex ...1 day ago
- Inquiry: Turn child protection over to Māori
The latest official inquiry into the removal of babies by Oranga Tamariki calls directly for power and resources to be given to Māori to provide care and protection for their children The Children's Commissioner wants a "total transformation" of the country's system of care and protection for children - transferring resources ...1 day ago - Kirihimete gift guide 2020: supporting Māori and Pasifika businesses and creatorsIt’s never been more important to support local. Janaye Henry has brought her exceptional taste to the fore to help you support Māori and Pasifika-owned business this Christmas (and just all year round if you want). Kirihimete is fast approaching and what better excuse to support our Māori and Pasifika creators? ...1 day ago
- John Key backs Peter Goodfellow, Judith Collins after National Party AGMNational members copped a handful home truths at its AGM over the weekend, and former leader Sir John Key says it's time for the party to take control of the media narrative. ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – November 23 2020Editor’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 National Party Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Mixed messages in wake of National’s defeat Richard Harman: Goodfellow beats off challenge and calls for unity Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Sir John Key’s speech a chilling ...1 day ago
- Jacinda Ardern not surprised by China's threat to 'pluck out eyes' of criticsPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is calling China's threats to "pluck out the eyes" of nations criticising it over it's approach to Hong Kong a "strong response". ...1 day ago
- Face masks cut disease spread in the lab, but have less impact in the community. We need to know whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Glasziou, Professor of Medicine, Bond University In controlled laboratory situations, face masks appear to do a good job of reducing the spread of coronavirus (at least in hamsters) and other respiratory viruses. However, evidence shows mask-wearing policies seem to have had ...1 day ago
- Albanese is running out of time to solve Labor’s climate crisis. He needs a plan that works for tw...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University During the recent American elections, the most eye-catching graphics were were the individual county tallies. These showed that even when states appeared to be overwhelmingly Republican red, some still “flipped” to the Democrats ...1 day ago
- Humans are changing fire patterns, and it’s threatening 4,403 species with extinctionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Centenary Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Last summer, many Australians were shocked to see fires sweep through the wet tropical rainforests of Queensland, where large and severe fires are almost unheard of. This is just ...1 day ago
- Who cares about university research? The answer depends on its impactsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Bliemel, Associate Dean of Research; Course Director, Diploma in Innovation, University of Technology Sydney This essay is based on the Impact at UTS podcast series. The audio series examines how a diverse range of researchers embed knowledge exchange and impact in ...1 day ago
- 3 out of 10 girls skip class because of painful periods. And most won’t talk to their teacher abou...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mike Armour, Senior research fellow, Western Sydney University More than one-third of young women in a nationwide survey said they missed at least one class, either at school or university, in the past three months due to menstrual symptoms, including pain and ...1 day ago
- Regional Australia’s time has come – planning for growth is now vitalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Urban and Environmental Planning, Griffith University Australian governments have always wanted thriving regional cities, but policy innovations with this goal in mind have a bad history. Planned well, regional cities have huge potential to generate national economic ...1 day ago
- What matters is the home: review finds most retirees well off, some very badly offSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Hodgson, Professor, Curtin Law School and Curtin Business School, Curtin University The government’s Retirement Incomes Review paints an encouraging picture of the finances of retired Australians. Most are at least as well off in retirement as they were while working, and ...1 day ago
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Cheer up! At least you're not an other-than-human creature!
"The populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have fallen by more than two thirds in the last five decades, a new report reveals.
The World Wide Fund For Nature’s Living Planet Report, released on Thursday, describes a catastrophic decline in biodiversity.
Global populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles decreased on average by 68 per cent between 1970 and 2016, the index reveals."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/122691267/nature-being-destroyed-at-a-rate-unprecedented-in-history-new-report-warns
heh
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2020/09/09/former-sheriff-joe-arpaio-makes-cameo-video-arizona-furry-convention/5761920002/?
It would be revealing to know exactly who is returning to NZ in these times.
New Zealand born citizens?
How long have they been away from New Zealand?
Less than one year ,1-5 yrs, 5 -10 years, 10 years or more?
How many of these are classified as tax paying New Zealand residents while off-shore?
How many not?
People not born in New Zealand but have a NZ passport that they are now currently using to get into New Zealand ?
How many years have they previously lived in NZ in total?
How many are New Zealand work visa holders and are their skills currently needed in NZ?
I would also like to see a list prioritising the rights to come/ return to NZ in these times.
For example I think it blatantly unfair, that domiciled New Zealanders are unable to be reunited with their non NZ wives/husbands or long standing partners because those wives /husbands and partners happened to be out of NZ at the time the Covid shutdown was implemented, yet , we have New Zealanders now returning who scarpered from NZ to avoid paying student loans, beginning in the early 1990s. These self-indulgent people are being prioritised over the happiness of long standing NZ residents and are and freely coming back in.
This is a massive issue. Absentee freeloaders given residency under the John Key government are now taking advantage of New Zealand's Covid effort.
Yep it's a massive issue – post election I'd like to see a start on permanent resident visa's cancelled for those who haven't been ordinarily resident for a period of time.
And there has just been some bloke on tv1's News telling us how we should all be grateful that these returnee's are pumping house prices and taking jobs as we are not mobile enough and therefore we won't pick up new ideas.
Regardless we can be sure that the super selfish form a large part of the queue.
I just want to see permanent resident visas cancelled. If people living on them wish they can damn well finish the process the process and become citizens. If they don't want to become citizens then WTF are they living here?
I'm pretty sure that NZers living here have plenty of ideas. The problem is that they're not supported to bring those ideas to fruition as the capitalists take all the wealth for themselves.
We've managed with home grown talent in the past and yes we need to focus on it and pay it well. The resident visa's and even citizenship gained too quickly are just a ponzi scheme resulting in rip offs of our systems.
But looking at some of the stuff we've created over the years from Marine Air systems, a thumbnail sized electric motor from F & P ( I've always wondered if that vanished into the US defence system for mini drones),Pulse data, Scott tech we also need to keep them from vanishing into foreign hands
I see the word 'tricky' has been revived..
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12363959
“We wants it, we needs it!. Must have the precious tax cut!" cried Judith
More fallout from the Mt Roskill Evangelical Church cluster. Already disadvantaged Maori and Pacific students are being kept away from classes.
This is a double failure of the community health approach. Firstly, it hasn't prevented some people disregarding health messages as not applying to them resulting in needless transfer of infection. And secondly, because of that increased uncertainty after the initial community response failure, the message to get kids to school is also ignored.
The most vulnerable are suffering further because of a small group of evangelists and because of the failure of community lead Covid response.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12363864
Learning packs need to be made available. The Ministry of Education could have been better prepared. A lot for Hipkins to deal with as a minister, 2 difficult portfolios and the upcoming election. Nerves of steel are required
It is my understanding that teachers are only doing class room lessons and not online. For some students who are not attending school can they get lessons in small groups away from school. Surely something can be arranged to be on TV. An education hub needed to be set up and access to it or community rooms for students who do not have online equipment for a level 2.5. Utilising trainee teachers may be doable.
Education is important, so is being comfortable at school.
Teachers can't do distance learning and onsite learning at the same time. It’s one or the other.
So, we need more teachers then?
Yes and a mobile teacher who can cover a few subjects, (the essential subjects). I do not think the relief teacher model covers a pandemic situation. Even children attending a half day and 2 sessions is better than missing a full day.
Where have the wasps gone?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/122732397/wasp-nest-originally-size-of-twoperson-tent-discovered-in-waitkere-ranges
Didn't have a wasp problem around my place this last summer. Very unusual. I had been planning to get certified for Vespex and start putting it out, but there just weren't any around. Maybe someone else beat me to it.
As usual politics in Australia makes us look like novices
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-10/nsw-government-crisis-as-john-barilaro-says-nationals-will-leave/12648966
This from the feed on the right. No Right Turn Idiot/Savant
What's wrong with Labour? The end of yesterday's RNZ health debate says it all: Do you have private health insurance? Reti: "I do." Hipkins: "Yes, I do." Hipkins is Minister of Health. But it turns out that he won't be waiting in the queue with the rest …
He reminds me of John Key on private schools: "The classes are smaller."
I guess you could start with, "The waiting lists are smaller."
But it does not finish there: if you have medical insurance you also get more expensive procedures resulting in quicker healing (eg, keyhole surgery), which you are less likely to get uninsured. And a much posher hospital room with your own TV plus nicer food.
Until you have any kind of real complication, upon which those profit-gouging private bastards will instantly shunt you off to a State Hospital, because that is where all the competent complication-handlers are.
A disgusting rort. Maybe Hipkins is so young and naive that he is not fully aware.
If he knows all this, he is an utter hypocrite who deserves no honest person's vote.
He also said that it was more about who is children would meet in private school.
Quite important that because it was telling us that the Old Boys Network was still in play.
In NZ the doctors working in the private sector hospitals and those working in the public hospitals are the same people.
As I say, private healthcare in NZ causes a massive misallocation of resources that leaves many people in avoidable pain and suffering. We could end a lot of that suffering if the doctors working in the private hospitals treating queue jumpers just worked steadily through those public queues.
I listened to that. I was supposed to dislike Reti. He came across real well.
Queues in private clinics too ; currently 2 month delay for cataract surgery in Auckland.
Yeah, we need some serious development of new doctors through our education system. Making it free would probably help along with support for ongoing development.
Two words: Rau Williams. Left to die like a dog back in 1997 because National would have rather cut taxes than ensure our health system was decently funded.
There will be more such deaths if National get back in.