Daily review 12/08/2019
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5:30 pm, August 12th, 2019 - 28 comments
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Daily review is also your post.
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2 weeks ago- The Weight Of History.
Receiving The Burden Of Sovereignty: The weight of royal ritual and tradition, and all the gilt machinery of monarchical government, is crushing. THE SHEER WEIGHT of it takes your breath away. On display in St James’s Palace on Saturday night (10/9/22) were rituals and traditions dating back centuries. To say the weight ...2 weeks ago- Political Roundup: 12 September 2022
MONARCHY Kevin Norquay (Stuff): Parting ways with the monarchy ‘an eventuality that will happen’ now Queen has gone Richard Harman: This could be the last time (paywalled) Liz Gordon (Insight Aotearoa): A proud and independent nation, Aotearoa Calida Stuart-Menteath and Hamish McNicol (NBR): Does King Charles represent New Zealand? (paywalled) ...2 weeks ago- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, September 4, 2022 through Sat, September 10, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): CNN Exclusive: Scientists make major breakthrough in race to save ...2 weeks ago- Local Election Candidates: “the same old crazies as before”… or something entirely new this ti...
It’s the old joke isn’t it when Local Elections come round, who is coming out of the woodwork next, will there be someone promising to convert the entire CBD into an adventure park? Other questions that often plague local elections are who’s hiding under the “Independent” banner… whilst ...2 weeks ago- King Charles
With the accession of King Charles III to the throne, my mind goes back to a brief period when the then Prince Charles and I might have been described as friends. I was at the time a British MP. I received out of the blue a call from Prince Charles’ ...2 weeks ago - The Weight Of History.
- Crown closes the door for Waimana Housing programme
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- Report shows urgent need to fix wealth inequalityA new report out today provides all evidence the Government needs to start addressing runaway inequality and rebalance Aotearoa to work for everyone. ...5 days ago
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- Moratorium on deep sea mining a step closerFollowing months of pressure from the Green Party and environmental NGO and the public, the Minister for Foreign Affairs today confirmed that she is taking advice on whether the Government should support a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters. ...6 days ago
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- New Zealand’s economy and the case for optimism
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- Time to support te reo Māori as a core subject and as a medium of instructionOn the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition, the Green Party is calling on the Government to make te reo Māori a core curriculum subject in mainstream schools and to support Kaupapa Māori education groups. ...2 weeks ago
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- Urgent need for more food supportThe Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently increase the support available for people who are struggling to afford to put food on the table. ...2 weeks ago
- Serious questions for Govt to answer following decision to allow deep-sea miningThe Government has questions to answer following a recent decision by international regulators to give the green-light to a potentially destructive deep-sea mining project in the Pacific. ...2 weeks ago
- Vital public health measures still missing from COVID responseStrong public health measures are more vital than ever, the Green Party says as the Government removes many longstanding COVID-19 restrictions. ...2 weeks ago
- James Shaw re-elected as Co-leader of the Green PartyMembers of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand have re-elected James Shaw as Co-leader, alongside Marama Davidson. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth IIOn behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” says co-leader of the Green Party, Marama Davidson. ...3 weeks ago
- If the Government is going to close one donations loophole, let’s close them allClosing the New Zealand First Foundation loophole is a good step towards a more transparent political donations regime, but it’s not the only loophole that needs closing, the Green Party says. ...3 weeks ago
- Helping young people into better and brighter futuresOur Government wants every New Zealander to have the chance to succeed – and that includes young people who need a little bit of extra support to get back on the right track. That’s why we’re stepping up pathways to better opportunities, by supporting more young people into jobs and ...3 weeks ago
- Language provides hope for Tuvalu
Climate change continues to present a major risk for the island nation of Tuvalu, which means sustaining te gana Tuvalu, both on home soil and in New Zealand Aotearoa, has never been more important, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio said. The Tuvalu Auckland Community Trust and wider Tuvalu ...2 days ago - Minister Sio to attend Asian Development Bank meeting in ManilaAssociate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio travels to the Philippines this weekend to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors in Manila. “The ADB Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to engage with other ADB member countries, including those ...3 days ago
- United Nations General Assembly National StatementE ngā Mana, e ngā Reo, Rau Rangatira mā kua huihui mai nei i tēnei Whare Nui o te Ao Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa, mai i tōku Whenua o Aotearoa Tuia ki runga, Tuia ki raro, ka Rongo to pō ka rongo te ao Nō reira, tēnā ...3 days ago
- New strategy unifies all-of-Government approach to help Pacific languages thriveA united approach across all-of-Government underpins the new Pacific Language Strategy, announced by the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio at Parliament today. “The cornerstone of our Pacific cultures, identities and place in Aotearoa, New Zealand are our Pacific languages. They are at the heart of our wellbeing,” Aupito ...4 days ago
- Upgrades for sporting facilities ahead of FIFA Women’s World CupCommunities across the country will benefit from newly upgraded sporting facilities as a result of New Zealand co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The Government is investing around $19 million to support upgrades at 30 of the 32 potential sporting facilities earmarked for the tournament, including pitch, lighting and ...4 days ago
- Partnership supports climate action in Latin America and CaribbeanAotearoa New Zealand is extending the reach of its support for climate action to a new agriculture initiative with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced a NZ$10 million contribution to build resilience, enhance food security and address the ...4 days ago
- Landmark agreement for Māori fisheries celebrates 30th yearThe 30th anniversary of the Fisheries Deed of Settlement is a time to celebrate a truly historic partnership that has helped transform communities, says Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Rino Tirikatene. “The agreement between the Crown and Māori righted past wrongs, delivered on the Crown’s treaty ...4 days ago
- Government backs initiatives to cut environmental impact of plastic wasteThe Government has today announced funding for projects that will cut plastic waste and reduce its impact on the environment. “Today I am announcing the first four investments to be made from the $50 million Plastics Innovation Fund, which was set last year and implemented a 2020 election promise,” Environment ...4 days ago
- Call for expressions of interest in appointment to the High Court BenchAttorney-General David Parker today called for nominations and expressions of interest in appointment to the High Court Bench. This is a process conducted at least every three years and ensures the Attorney-General has up to date information from which to make High Court appointments. “It is important that when appointments ...5 days ago
- Depositor compensation scheme protects Kiwis’ moneyNew Zealanders will have up to $100,000 of their deposits in any eligible institution guaranteed in the event that institution fails, under legislation introduced in Parliament today. The Deposit Takers Bill is the third piece of legislation in a comprehensive review of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act and ...5 days ago
- New fund to help more Pacific aiga into their own homesThe Government has launched a new housing fund that will help more Pacific aiga achieve the dream of home ownership. “The Pacific Building Affordable Homes Fund will help organisations, private developers, Māori/iwi, and NGOs build affordable housing for Pacific families and establish better pathways to home ownership within Pacific communities. ...5 days ago
- More than 100,000 new Kiwis as halfway point reachedOver 100,000 new Kiwis can now call New Zealand ‘home’ after the 2021 Resident Visa reached the halfway point of approvals, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood announced today. “This is another important milestone, highlighting the positive impact our responsive and streamlined immigration system is having by providing comfort to migrant ...5 days ago
- Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill passes third reading – He mea pāhi te Maniapoto Claims Settl...Nā te Minita mō ngā Take Tiriti o Waitangi, nā Andrew Little, te iwi o Maniapoto i rāhiri i tēnei rā ki te mātakitaki i te pānuitanga tuatoru o te Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill - te pikinga whakamutunga o tā rātou whakataunga Tiriti o Waitangi o mua. "Me mihi ka ...5 days ago
- 50,000 more kids to benefit from equity-based programmes next yearAnother 47,000 students will be able to access additional support through the school donations scheme, and a further 3,000 kids will be able to get free and healthy school lunches as a result of the Equity Index. That’s on top of nearly 90% of schools that will also see a ...5 days ago
- Healthy Active Learning now in 40 percent of schools across New ZealandA total of 800 schools and kura nationwide are now benefitting from a physical activity and nutrition initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of children and young people. Healthy Active Learning was funded for the first time in the inaugural Wellbeing Budget and was launched in 2020. It gets regional ...5 days ago
- Speech at 10th meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban TreatyKia Ora. It is a pleasure to join you here today at this 10th meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty. This gathering provides an important opportunity to reiterate our unwavering commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons, for which the entry into force of this ...5 days ago
- Speech for Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit 2022Kia ora koutou katoa Thank you for the invitation to join you. It’s a real pleasure to be here, and to be in such fine company. I want to begin today by acknowledging His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough in creating what is becoming akin ...5 days ago
- New accreditation builds capacity for Emergency Management VolunteersEmergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty has recognised the first team to complete a newly launched National Accreditation Process for New Zealand Response Team (NZ-RT) volunteers. “NZ-RT volunteers play a crucial role in our emergency response system, supporting response and recovery efforts on the ground. This new accreditation makes sure our ...6 days ago
- Govt strengthens trans-Tasman emergency management cooperationAotearoa New Zealand continues to strengthen global emergency management capability with a new agreement between New Zealand and Australia, says Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty. “The Government is committed to improving our global and national emergency management system, and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed is another positive step towards ...6 days ago
- Christchurch Call Initiative on Algorithmic OutcomesToday New Zealand, the USA, Twitter, and Microsoft, announced investment in a technology innovation initiative under the banner of the Christchurch Call. This initiative will support the creation of new technology to understand the impacts of algorithms on people’s online experiences. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms play a growing role in ...6 days ago
- JOINT PR: Trans-Tasman Cooperation on disaster managementHon Kieran McAnulty, New Zealand Minister for Emergency Management Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Federal Minister for Emergency Management Strengthening Trans-Tasman cooperation on disaster management issues was a key area of focus when Australia and New Zealand’s disaster management ministers met this week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on ...6 days ago
- More transparency, less red-tape for modernised charities sectorThe Charities Amendment Bill has been introduced today which will modernise the charities sector by increasing transparency, improving access to justice services and reducing the red-tape that smaller charities face, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. “These changes will make a meaningful difference to over 28,000 ...6 days ago
- Pacific visas reopened to help boost workforceWork continues on delivering on a responsive and streamlined immigration system to help relieve workforce shortages, with the reopening of longstanding visa categories, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced. From 3 October 2022, registrations for the Samoan Quota will reopen, and from 5 October registrations for the Pacific Access Category ...6 days ago
- Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day Bill passes into lawThe Bill establishing Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day has passed its third reading. “As Queen of Aotearoa New Zealand, Her Majesty was loved for her grace, calmness, dedication, and public service. Her affection for New Zealand and its people was clear, and it was a fondness that was shared,” Michael ...6 days ago
- New investor migrant visa opensThe new Active Investor Plus visa category created to attract high-value investors, has officially opened marking a key milestone in the Government’s Immigration Rebalance strategy, Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash and Immigration Minister Michael Wood have announced. “The new Active Investor Plus visa replaces the previous investor visa categories, which ...7 days ago
- New wharekura continues commitment to Māori educationA new Year 1-13 designated character wharekura will be established in Feilding, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis announced today. To be known as Te Kura o Kauwhata, the wharekura will cater for the expected growth in Feilding for years to come. “The Government has a goal of strengthening Māori ...7 days ago
- National minute of silence for Queen Elizabeth IIA national minute of silence will be observed at the start of New Zealand’s State Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II, at 2pm on Monday 26 September. The one-hour service will be held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, during a one-off public holiday to mark the Queen’s death. ...1 week ago
- Speech to the Climate Change and Business ConferenceTēnā koutou i tēnei ata. Good morning. Recently I had cause to say to my friends in the media that I consider that my job is only half done. So I’m going to take the opportunity of this year’s Climate and Business Conference to offer you a mid-point review. A ...1 week ago
- Government enhances protection for our most-productive land Enhanced protection for Aotearoa New Zealand’s most productive land Councils required to identify, map, and manage highly productive land Helping ensure Kiwis’ access to leafy greens and other healthy foods Subdivision for housing on highly-productive land could still be possible in limited circumstances The Government has today released a National ...1 week ago
- Kieran McAnulty to attend Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk ReductionMinister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty will travel to Brisbane this week to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2022 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. “This conference is one of the most important meetings in the Asia-Pacific region to progress disaster risk reduction efforts and increase cooperation between ...1 week ago
- Trade and Agriculture Minister to travel to India and IndonesiaMinister of Trade and Export Growth and Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor will travel tomorrow to India and Indonesia for trade and agricultural meetings to further accelerate the Government’s growing trade agenda. “Exploring ways we can connect globally and build on our trading relationships is a priority for the Government, ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Cletus Maanu Paul (ONZM)E te rangatira Maanu, takoto mai ra, i tō marae i Wairaka, te marae o te wahine nāna I inoi kia Whakatānea ia kia tae ae ia ki te hopu i te waka Mātaatua kia kore ai i riro i te moana. Ko koe anō tēnā he pukumahi koe mō ...2 weeks ago
- Pacific Wellbeing Strategy sets clear path to improve outcomes for Pacific AotearoaStrengthening partnerships with Pacific communities is at the heart of the Government’s new Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio announced today. “Working alongside communities to ensure more of our aiga and families have access to the staples of life like, housing, education, training and job opportunities ...2 weeks ago
- Jobs on the horizon for more than 1,000 rangatahiFollowing on from last week’s Better Pathways Package announcement and Apprenticeship Boost 50,000th apprentice milestone, the Government is continuing momentum, supporting over 1,000 more rangatahi into employment, through new funding for He Poutama Rangatahi. “Our Government remains laser focused on supporting young people to become work ready and tackle the ...2 weeks ago
- NZ/AU partnership to bring world-class satellite positioning servicesLand Information Minister Damien O’Connor today announced a joint Trans-Tasman partnership which will provide Australasia with world-leading satellite positioning services that are up to 50 times more accurate, boosting future economic productivity, sustainability and safety. New Zealand and Australia have partnered to deliver the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), with ...2 weeks ago
- Govt helps small businesses get paid on timeThe Government is adding to the support it has offered New Zealand’s small businesses by introducing new measures to help ensure they get paid on time. A Business Payment Practices disclosure regime is being established to improve information and transparency around business-to-business payment practices across the economy, Small Business Minister ...2 weeks ago
- Economy grows as tourism and exports reboundThe economy has rebounded strongly in the June quarter as the easing of restrictions and reopening of the border boosted economic activity, meaning New Zealand is well placed to meet the next set of challenges confronting the global economy. GDP rose 1.7 percent in the June quarter following a decline ...2 weeks ago
- New Ambassador to China announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Grahame Morton as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to China. “Aotearoa New Zealand and China share a long and important relationship,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “As we mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between our nations, we are connected by people-to-people links, ...2 weeks ago
- 1.4 million hectares of wilding pine control work in two years1.4 million hectares of native and productive land have been protected from wilding conifers in the past two years and hundreds of jobs created in the united efforts to stamp out the highly invasive weeds, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor said. Speaking today at the 2022 Wilding Pine Conference in Blenheim, Damien ...2 weeks ago
- HomeGround – “a place to come together, a place to come home to”After 10 years’ hard mahi, HomeGround - Auckland City Mission's new home – is now officially open. “It’s extremely satisfying to see our commitment to providing a safety net for people who need housing and additional support services come together in a place like HomeGround, to create a better future ...2 weeks ago
- Global financial uncertainty 'challenging' for NZ economy – Grant Robertson
New Zealand is "well positioned" to weather a turbulent time as the dollar falls and inflation stays up, the finance minister says. ...36 mins ago - Hindu Organisations, Temples And Associations Forum Hosts Meeting After 2 Years Of Interruptions
Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations (HOTA) Forum hosted a meeting of over 20 organisation executives and representatives on Sunday 25th September 2022 after being postponed due to Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021. An invitation only meeting, it ...50 mins ago - Study finds famous Australian caves are up to 500,000 years older than we thought – and it could h...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rieneke Weij, Postdoctoral researcher in Geochemistry/Palaeoclimatology, University of Cape Town Steve Bourne, Author provided, Author provided South Australia’s Naracoorte Caves is one of the world’s best fossil sites, containing a record spanning more than half a million years. Among the ...1 hour ago - Dora Maar and Françoise Gilot were much more than Picasso’s muses or lovers. They are important a...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa French, Professor & Dean, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Among Picasso’s partners were two formidable female artists: Dora Maar (1907–97) and Françoise Gilot (1921-). For a long time, these women were known primarily as his muse or lover, ...1 hour ago
- Avoiding a surveillance society: how better rules can rein in facial recognition techSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Davis, Industry Professor of Emerging Technology and Co-Director, Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney JR Korpa / Unsplash The human face is special. It is simultaneously public and personal. Our faces reveal sensitive information about us: who we are, ...2 hours ago
- We asked over 700 teens where they bought their vapes. Here’s what they saidSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Watts, Research fellow, tobacco control, University of Sydney Mushtaq Hussain/Pexels, CC BY-SA Teen vaping has been in the news, with reports of rapidly increasing use and illegal sales of e-cigarettes. As a Four Corners documentary on ABC TV earlier this ...2 hours ago
- After the Voice, climate change commitments should be the next urgent constitutional reformsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ron Levy, Associate professor, Australian National University After decades of foot-dragging on climate change, Australia has finally put significant commitments in national legislation. It joins other countries such as Canada and the United States that also recently took big new legal steps. ...2 hours ago
- Watch: Christchurch mayoral candidates debate housing rules, water reforms and the stadiumChristchurch mayoral hopefuls go head-to-head in a Morning Report debate hosted by Corin Dann. ...2 hours ago
- Employers will have positive duty to prevent sexual harassment in workplaces, under new legislationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Editor Employers will have duty “to take reasonable and proportionate measures” to eliminate sex discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation as far as possible in workplaces, under legislation to be introduced on Tuesday. The Albanese government is moving to implement ...9 hours ago
- Marshall Islands calls off talks after no US response on nuclear legacy planBy Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal and RNZ Pacific correspondent On the eve of the US Pacific Islands Summit in Washington, a key ally in the region called off a scheduled negotiating session for a treaty Washington views as an essential hedge against China in the region. ...12 hours ago
- Petition calls for monarchy to be replaced on New Zealand moneyA Wellington tauira (scholar) has launched a petition calling for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Reserve Bank to replace the monarch in the next redesign of coins and notes, with images that better represent the country. Rangatahi Māori, Te Matahiapo Safari Hynes (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu) said it was a chance for New ...12 hours ago
- What will its first far-right leader since WWII mean for Italy?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, PhD researcher, Griffith University “Una vittoria storica” – a historic victory. That’s how the website of one of Italy’s major newspapers, the Corriere della Sera, reacted to the exit polls released after voting closed in Italy’s general election on Sunday ...15 hours ago
- As winter approaches, will Putin’s ‘partial mobilisation’ help Russia win the war in Ukraine?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcement of a “partial mobilisation” of 300,000 Russian personnel to fight in Ukraine sounded decisive. It isn’t. The official position, fleshed out by Defence Minister Sergei ...16 hours ago
- What does the Optus data breach mean for you and how can you protect yourself? A step-by-step guideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer J. Williams, PhD Candidate, Macquarie University Optus, Australia’s second largest telecommunications company, announced on September 22 that identifying details of up to 9.8 million customers were stolen from their customer database. The details, dating back to 2017, include names, birth dates, ...16 hours ago
- ‘They treat you like a person, they ask you what you want’: what NDIS participants value in supp...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan Topping, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University Shutterstock When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was established almost a decade ago, it was envisaged people with disability would be empowered consumers. It was hoped their customer insights would shape new ...18 hours ago
- Australia violated the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to act on climate change, the UN...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristen Lyons, Professor, Environment and Development Sociology, The University of Queensland Shutterstock In a landmark decision, a United Nations committee on Friday found Australia’s former Coalition government violated the human rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to adequately respond ...18 hours ago
- “Voodoo economics” is among Seymour’s objections to public holiday – Waititi’s grouches ar...
Have all members of Parliament taken the day off, on this Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day? We ask because there were some objections to the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day Bill, when all stages were passed under urgency into law last Tuesday. The legislation created a one-off public holiday to ...20 hours ago - Manila-bound Sio issues one statement with a translation (of Tuvalu words) and another with no trans...Buzz from the Beehive Aupito William Sio is the only Minister to have made an official announcement, since our previous Buzz report – and he issued two press statements. Climate change was mentioned in both statements. As Associate Foreign Affairs Minister, Sio has headed to the Philippines to represent New ...22 hours ago
- Is selective school right for your child? Here are 7 questions to help you decideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel X. Harris, Professor and Associate Dean, Research & Innovation, RMIT University CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash, CC BY Parents and students are currently making big decisions about next year. Some will have just received or be about to receive offers of a ...23 hours ago
- In a world first, NASA’s DART mission is about to smash into an asteroid. What will we learn?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Tingay, John Curtin Distinguished Professor (Radio Astronomy), Curtin University Illustration of DART before impact. NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben On September 26 at 11.15pm UTC, NASA’s DART mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) will be the first to deliberately and measurably change the ...1 day ago
- We studied 309,544 patent applications – and found inventing is still a man’s worldSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vicki Huang, Senior Lecturer, Intellectual Property, Deakin University Shutterstock Are women as successful as men in securing a patent for their invention? We set out to investigate gender bias in patent outcomes at IP Australia – the government agency ...1 day ago
- Omicron-specific vaccines may give slightly better COVID protection – but getting boosted promptl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Bartlett, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle Vaccines (predominantly mRNA vaccines) have been our front-line defence against COVID and have saved millions of lives. Despite the emergence of genetically distinct COVID variants throughout the pandemic, we’ve ...1 day ago
- Backcountry visitors are leaving poo piles in the Australian Alps – and it’s a problemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pascal Scherrer, Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Tourism, Southern Cross University Spring has arrived in Australia’s Snowy Mountains. The snow is starting to melt. Wildflowers are emerging in a variety of colours: blues, yellows, whites … hang on. Those aren’t white ...1 day ago
- Is selective school right for your child? Here 7 questions to help you decideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel X. Harris, Professor and Associate Dean, Research & Innovation, RMIT University CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash, CC BY Parents and students are currently making big decisions about next year. Some will have just received or be about to receive offers of a ...1 day ago
- Why the Reserve Bank’s record loss of $37 billion was actually good for AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University Mick Tsikas/AAP The Reserve Bank has just reported a loss of A$37 billion, the biggest in its history, and it says it will be unable to pay the government dividends for some time. ...1 day ago
- ‘Like walking into a crystal’: our first preview of the Art Gallery of NSW’s new Sydney ModernSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary (Senior Fellow) School of Culture and Communication University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne Aerial photograph of the Sydney Modern Project construction site, taken on September 7 2022. ...1 day ago
- Crossbenchers seek assurances as anti-corruption bill is introduced this weekSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Crossbenchers have issued a list of demands on the anti-corruption commission and say they “won’t be rushed” to a vote, ahead of the much-anticipated legislation being introduced into parliament this week. The government aims to ...1 day ago
- Did the Morrison government change the relationship between religion and politics in Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elenie Poulos, Honorary Postdoctoral Associate, Macquarie University Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images The ABC recently reported on the “infiltration” of Liberal Party branches in regional Victoria by Pentecostals, on a mission to influence Liberal Party positions on so-called morality issues such as abortion ...1 day ago
- Mayoral Candidate Says Public Are Sitting DucksAuckland Mayoral candidate John Lehmann says he has been shocked and horrified, discovering the nonexistence of rules, and laws surrounding, misrepresentations, lies, and hidden agendas, not being disclosed to the lead up at election time. Lehmann ...2 days ago
- VIDEO: Albanese to attend Abe funeral; integrity legislation to go to parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics. While the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and a memorial service in Canberra dominated the news ...2 days ago
- Jacinda Ardern at the UN: 'We don't need to lose sight of hope and optimism'After a two-year Covid-induced hiatus, the United Nations' leaders' summit returned with gusto this week, but against a far darker backdrop than Jacinda Ardern's last time there. ...2 days ago
- Politician keeps promise – markets fall
They suspected that they might be electing a radical, but to their great surprise, Britain’s Conservative party members found out on Friday that they had also elected a party leader who meant what she said. British politics may take a little while to recover. New finance chief Kwasi Kwarteng ...3 days ago - Fate of Papua’s Governor Enembe – the ‘son of Koteka’ – lies in balance amid allegationsSPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya Alleged corruption involving Governor Lukas Enembe has dominated both Papuan and Indonesian media outlets and social media groups over the past two weeks. The Indonesian media is rife with allegations and accusations against the governor who is suspected of spending of billions in rupiahs. These ...3 days ago
- Ardern greets UN General Assembly in te reo before stating NZ’s stance on the big issues – inclu...Buzz from the Beehive The Beehive website treats us today to the speech – or “national statement – which our PM has delivered to the United Nations General Assembly. The speech has been posted along with news about the government … investing around $19 million to support upgrades at ...3 days ago
- Focus on Politics: Three waters on the boil as elections loomWater management is shaping up as a major political battleground ahead of local and general elections, Political Journalist Russell Palmer finds. ...3 days ago
- Tackle Housing Affordability, Efeso Collins SaysLet's tackle housing affordability so we don't lock a generation out of the market, Efeso Collins says. Auckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins says the Council he leads will be laser-focused on housing affordability. “Too many ...3 days ago
- Ukraine war to end – but what then?With every pause in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, talk of stalemate pops up. But pay more attention to the currents, than the surface froth. So nice to get some quality thinking in the Hoover Institution’s Strategika publication. First, Niall Ferguson with a typically thought-provoking insight into war as a continuation ...3 days ago
- Aucklander Inspires Demonstration Around British Parliament To Free Julian Assange, October 8thAucklander Matt Ó Branáin has inspired a historic demonstration in London on October 8th , to free jailed Australian journalist Julian Assange . Matt’s proposal to #HugBelmarsh prison with a Human Chain of 1,100 people went viral. Due to some difficulties, ...3 days ago
- New Zealand's 'strong and firm' stance on nuclear weapons more important than ever &#...Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand has an important role to play in continuing international efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation. Watch her latest media stand-up here. ...3 days ago
- NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemns Russia, calls for ban on nuclear weapons in UN speechJust days after the Kremlin threatened nuclear warfare, Jacinda Ardern has taken to the United Nations podium to condemn Russia and call for a complete ban on all nuclear weapons. ...3 days ago
- The merger of TVNZ and RNZ needs to build trust in public media – 3 things the law change must get...ANALYSIS: By Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato and Claire Breen, University of Waikato With only six days left for submissions to the select committee examining the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill, it is becoming clear this crucial piece of legislation has some significant shortcomings. These will need attention before ...3 days ago
- 5 suspects arrested as probe continues into killing of PNG Ports chiefBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea police have arrested five men in Goroka over their alleged involvement in the killing of PNG Ports managing director Fego Kiniafa. Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Michael Welly said the men were in police custody and were now being questioned over ...3 days ago
- Tunoa – house arrest – on Tokelau family ends after more than a yearRNZ Pacific The Taupulega, or council, on the Tokelau atoll of Nukunonu, has lifted a house arrest order on a family which had refused to get vaccinated against covid-19. The family was placed under tunoa in August 2021. A council meeting on Wednesday told family member Mahelino Patelesio that the ...3 days ago
- Michael Field: Freedom at midday – stories from Facebook prisonCOMMENTARY: By Michael Field Just the other day a robot guard came along a corridor in a special digital prison, consulted his flatscreen embedded on its wrist and then pressed his thumb on a door, which sprang open. For the fourth time, I was being released from Facebook prison having ...3 days ago
- $100m apartment complex coming to Manukau – but you’ll have to be 55 to get inBy Stephen Forbes of Local Government Reporting A new $100 million apartment complex is coming to Manukau — Auckland’s heart of Pacific communities. But you’ll have to be aged at least 55 to get in. Kāinga Ora is expected to start construction of the 123 apartments in Osterley Way in ...3 days ago
- How not to tell customers their data is at risk: the perils of the Optus approachSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edwina Luck, Senior Lecturer QUT Business School, Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, Queensland University of Technology Optus fears data on up to 9.8 million of its customers has been accessed in a sophisticated cyberattack – including, for some customers, passport and drivers ...4 days ago
- Threats, rates and mullets in spotlight at feisty mayoral debateOne New Plymouth mayoral candidate was banned from today's debate for allegedly making threats against the media, while another has dropped out of the contentious race. ...4 days ago
- VIDEO: Albanese to attend Abe funeral next week; integrity legislation to go to parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics. While the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and a memorial service in Canberra dominated the news ...4 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: The Political mood of the business eliteAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: The Political mood of the business elite Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. The New Zealand Herald has released the results of its annual “Mood of the Boardroom” survey today. Should we care what businesses think of politics, the economy and society? There’s a good ...4 days ago
- Indigenous Issues, Climate Change, And Artificial Intelligence On The Agenda For Canadian Political ...A cross-party delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs) is heading to Canada for a week-long political exchange. The purpose of the delegation is for members to gain a better understanding of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and ...4 days ago
- Government announces $5m fund to help reduce reliance on plasticsThe government says the country needs to be doing more to match recycling practices in other parts of the world. ...4 days ago
- Mahuta’s husband and the Public Service Commission inquiry: how Chris Hipkins ineptly played the r...We intended alerting our readers (if they had not already noticed) to how Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins played the race card in the matter of the Public Service Commission deciding to look into the propriety of government contracts awarded to Nanaia Mahuta’s husband. We have taken a short cut ...4 days ago
- Week in Politics: Sam Uffindell cleared but it's a bleak week for NationalAnalysis - Uffindell is back in National's fold but Luxon's refusal to release the report on his behaviour creates uncertainty over its findings, Foreign Minister Mahuta is embroiled in a conflict of interest investigation and there's a warning ...4 days ago
- ‘No body, no parole’ laws could be disastrous for the wrongfully convictedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jarryd Bartle, Associate Lecturer, RMIT University The New South Wales government is set to introduce new “no body, no parole” laws, which will deny parole for homicide offenders who refuse to provide information or assistance to locate their victim’s remains. This follows ...4 days ago
- No, we are not a member of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty – but we are o...We reported yesterday on the speech – a short one of around 500 words – which the PM delivered to the 10th meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty. She said the gathering provided an important opportunity to reiterate New Zealand’s unwavering commitment to achieving a world ...4 days ago
- Cowardly Government Needs To Keep Its Promise On No New MinesThe Government's decision not to support Green MP Eugenie Sage's members bill to ban new mines on conservation land shows how little it truly cares about conservation, and keeping promises, says Ours Not Mines spokesperson Morgan Donoghue. "When ...4 days ago
- Ukraine ambassador urges Australian embassy in Kyiv to reopen ASAPSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Ukraine conflict has escalated this week, with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announcing a partial military mobilisation and once again raising the threat of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile Ukraine has been pressing Australia to provide ...4 days ago
- A UN-backed tribunal on Khmer Rouge crimes just confirmed the conviction of key leader Khieu Samphan...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosemary Grey, Lecturer in Law, University of Sydney Nhet Sok Heng/Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia via AP A United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia has just concluded its largest trial, concerning crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The ...4 days ago
- Should I give my teen alcohol? Just a sip, the whole can, or none at all?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Aiken, Adjunct Associate Lecturer, UNSW Sydney Kindel Media/Pexels, CC BY-SA You’re at a barbecue and the adults are enjoying a few drinks. Everyone is relaxed and having a great time. One of your friends has just given their teen ...4 days ago
- High Court sits vac – it looks like we don’t qualify but (while we live off our nest eggs) our b...Latest from the Beehive The Government opened up a great career opportunity yesterday at much the same time as it announced an initiative to protect – within limits – our savings. The job opportunity (which excited us here, at Point of Order, until we were alerted to the age limit ...4 days ago
- Want noisy miners to be less despotic? Think twice before filling your garden with nectar-rich flowe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Fountain, PhD Student, University of Adelaide Photo by Vlad Kutepov/Pexels, CC BY Noisy miners are complicated creatures. These Australian native honeyeaters live in large cooperative groups, use alarm calls to target specific predators, and sometimes help raise the young ...4 days ago
- Government commits nearly $19m to sporting upgrades ahead of 2023 FIFA World CupThe money will pay for upgrades at potential sporting facilities earmarked for the tournament, including pitch, lighting and facility enhancements. ...4 days ago
- Small communities could be buying, selling and saving money on electric power right now – here’s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Soheil Mohseni, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Shutterstock/Riccio da favola Globally, the electricity sector is shifting from large, centralised grids powered by fossil fuels to smaller and smarter renewable local ...4 days ago
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https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114926932/teenage-sportsman-spared-jail-after-admitting-sex-attacks-on-two-girls
Reading this made me both upset for the victims and angry that our judicial system will use exceptional talent in sport as justification for what is to my mind an unbelievably light sentence.
Reeks of money and privilege getting preferential treatment in the court system again. I hope the sentence is appealed.
At least they didn't talk about his "good character" (other than being a serial sexual attacker), which is another common line 🙄
I'm not a big lock 'em up guy, but sentence credits for being good at sport or business seem surreal to me. Those aren't mitigating factors, they are factors that help enable that abuse by increasing the power disparity between abuser and person being abused.
Exactly, given his age locking him up is likely not the best option, but a long community based sentence and the a record of the conviction should stand imo… Feel very sorry for his victims and desperately hope they don't end up in a situation where they have to see him walking around town.
'The judge said the teenager was concerned that any record of his offending would prevent him from achieving his goals.'
Oh well I can see where the judge is coming from …now.
Yeah, maybe it will. But it's still pretty damned light for serious offending on three separate occasions, including an escalation. So supervision or anything.
Being good at sport is learning how to be an adept physical animal. Where is the use of the higher brain that we know we have, I remember my primary school wasn't interested in that.
Edit:
I think this young man should be locked up for ever, There needs to be an enclosed high-security prison farm that enables a lot of activities there and under guard, but keeps the perpetrators secure, and the public safe.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12257685 Wellington man murders woman with mallet in Karori, sexually violates girl
It is really bad so I will not put any detail. But women should be able to live in freedom and trust of men, not be the subjects of obsession, disparagement or disgust,
This is something that should be covered in philosophy classes at school, how we need to understand each other’s different ways. The classes would be where youngsters without loving role models at home, can learn that there are better ways of being than they have encountered.
The girl will never get over this. I hope that she will find love and security with others in a family situation, and peace within herself so she can have years of happy life, with memories of her mother that she can treasure.
Horrific.
John Palino has just announced that he is withdrawing from the mayoral campaign and will stand for the Council position in Franklin. He has also endorsed Tamihere …
Sleazy quits and endorses Queasy fits.
Like Banks’ campaign that-never-was this has the grubby prints of Boag’s evil hands all over it
Both the votes Palino would have got will go to Tamihere. That should see Tamihere's numbers reach into four digits.
Should be a close race then.
The vote to whinge ratio in Auckland is shocking. It's currently running at 237 whinges per single vote lodged.
If the community could be bothered we might see some candidates that can simultaneously walk and chew gum.
Has anybody ever been looked straight in the eye by John Tamihere?
In other news Dick Brain elected leader of UKIP
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49307101
lols
Hoots gazed out the port window and with a huge sigh turned to Hosk, "no ones buying into our spin anymore, the suckers are not even buying into the dumbest what was in the letter trick……" Hosk scratched the bare skin of his knee through the designer tear in his jeans, wafted down another gulp of Dom Pérignon leaned over and peered out the port window, "is that bright light over there where we are landing….shit, squeaked Hoots, thats Pluto, nearly home already…!!
Its worth reposting
"Herein lies the great moral conundrum of Climate Change. That there is literally no part of the planet’s warm, industrially-woven, woolly-jumper that humanity can remove without the whole damn thing unravelling in its hands.
You can sit down on the steel railway tracks (the ones you insist we need more of to get internal-combustion driven vehicles off the roads) to prevent the coal reaching its destination, but that cannot, and will not, save the planet."
https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/101146/chris-trotter-deconstructs-arguments-used-eco-warriors-and-questions-how-much-they
The only question really is …do you want to go down trying?
Chris finally catching up. Meanwhile Peak Oil people were talking about this 15 years ago and brainstorming solutions. Hope he can catch up with that soon too.
Because I've been around solutions based people far longer than I have known how serious CC is, I'm less afraid of the collapse of civ than I am of it continuing unabated.
Then I fear you dont understand what the collapse of civilisation looks like…try Yemen
Civ unabated looks like Hiroshima.
I think it's likely we can't avoid civ collapsing, or at least a major power down. We may have choices in how that happens though. Losing civ isn't one thing, there are a whole range of scenarios that could happen.
I wish people like Chris, who have a fair amount of influence, would spend more time listening to those who've been doing this a long time.
Just because they have been doing whatever for a long time dosnt mean they have the monopoly on insight….is his position wrong? I think not.
And yes civilisation will collapse at some point…but theres no need to hasten it as that is certainly not what I would wish upon anyone
there are good arguments for hastening it (a la Derrick Jensen), but I wasn't meaning that. Powering down while we still can gives us way better chances than carrying on BAU until it's forced on us. The latter is Yemen scenario. The former is more like Cuba.
Trotter's post is patronising (he thinks climate activists haven't thought about these things, really?). He's spent the last ten years dissing the Greens. I spent it learning about how everything about civ is reliant on FF and what we can do about it. People come to it at different times, but having a go at protestors out of his own ignorance is not helpful imo.
It is good he is raising population as an issue, because few will talk about it, but I think the way he has done it is unlikely to take us to the solutions he is looking for. Also, the rice thing, best not go down the teeming Asian hordes track. People in China know a few things about growing food sustainably that Trotter won't even be aware of yet.
I am curious where he go the 8 billion thing from. Did he make that up or is it based on something.
no idea….I would have thought hed be a little more circumspect but dosnt change the theme.
Yes we are overstocked and our farming practice needs revision and there are a multitude of other things that need to change (hell the whole financial system is teetering on the brink of collapse) but we cannot dump everything we currently do without something to replace it and sadly we dont yet have that…and I seriously doubt we are capable of devising an alternative, certainly in the timeframe required….but Im fairly sure that if we do stop everything without a plan we will invite nothing more than a catastrophe every bit as bad as that which we seek to avoid ….only sooner
You say his post is patronising…..have a look at the comments to the article.
His audience isnt the choir,,,theres a large segment of society that have not or only recently begun to consider these issues…the Standard is not representative.
ok, fair point, I'm about halfway through the comments. I still think all he has done is poke a stick to get a reaction, but maybe that's his job and it's up to the rest of us to lead the conversation somewhere useful.
Quake off the coast near Milford Sound. Shallow, and 6.3 thus far.
https://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/2019p603895
Fascinating talk by Mark Blyth. He's quite positive about climate change, says that when it begins to bite, it will force a new round of innovation, and notes the growth of Green parties around the world and solar power in China
He predicts that Trump will be re-elected, claims that Biden, Harris, and Sanders are the only plausible challengers, but the Dem base is soft, unlike the fanatical Trumpists
He also talks about how Corbyn is playing a very smart game in the UK, letting the Conservatives hold the dripping bag of shit known as Brexit, Corbyn's aim isn't to be elected, but to destroy the Tories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGuaoARJYU0