Daily review 13/07/2022
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5:30 pm, July 13th, 2022 - 29 comments
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This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.
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- Corrupt cops should be named, shamed, and fired
On Thursday the Independent Police Conduct Authority found that a senior Northland police officer had improperly involved himself in a prosecution to protect a mate's son from an assault charge. As usual for the IPCA, they refused to name the officer, despite a finding that fundamentally called into question their ...17 hours ago - An Unvarnished, Straight-Talking Working-Class Man?
Unrepentant Scrapper: Any normal candidate would have run a mile from Guy Williams – rightly fearing the humiliation the comedian would be straining every muscle to inflict upon his hapless victim. But, Leo Molloy is not a normal candidate. The former jockey, qualified veterinarian, highly successful businessman, restauranteur and philanthropist ...20 hours ago - Gordon Campbell on the US attempt to regain lost ground
The brief fist bump between Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader Mohammad bin Salman was the most memorable image from the US President’s journey last week to the Middle East. To many, it was a humiliating sign of American impotence. Fist bump the hand of the Crown Prince ...20 hours ago - Geoffrey Miller: Joe Biden’s controversial trip to Saudi Arabia could help New Zealand reset its o...
Joe Biden’s controversial fist-bump with Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Saudi crown prince, may help New Zealand to forge its own new direction in the Middle East. The US president’s trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia showed that despite real concerns over human rights, the Middle East’s strategic importance in ...1 day ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #28
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 10, 2022 through Sat, July 16, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): Cranky Uncle Cartoon 5/20 - Dark Night, Cranky Uncle Cartoon 7/20 ...2 days ago - Enough Is Enough
Enough is enough! Ian Foster must go – and if he doesn’t do so of his own accord (as he should do), he must be pushed. That became apparent in the first minute of the match, when it became clear that neither the coach nor the team had learned any ...2 days ago - Human rights campaign for solidarity with supporters of banned Tamil group
A human rights groups in Germany is calling for international solidarity for two Tamils who have been on trial for collecting funds for the Tamil Tigers (the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) a decade ago. The defendants Nathan Thambi and Anandarajah position is that the LTTE were not terrorists, rather a legitimate ...4 days ago - The relevance of Piketty’s 'A Brief History of Equality' to New Zealand.
The ongoing decline in market income inequality stopped in the 1980s. Since then it has been stable, while 1990 public policy actively increased disposable income inequality.Thomas Piketty has a reputation for (literally and figuratively) weighty tomes. His 2013 best seller – 2.5 million copies – Le Capital au XXIe Siècle ...4 days ago - “Well, I’m back”: The July Rings of Power Trailer
It’s July in Dunedin – grey winter skies, plague-carrying pedestrians, and omnipresent, soul-destroying damp. Which means it’s time for my review of the freshly released two-and-a-half minute trailer for The Rings of Power. (Technically released at 12:30 a.m. on 15th July here, but I decided to sleep on it ...4 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Labour wants to be tough on crime – and tough on the causes of crimeThe Labour Government has managed to get one major issue right this week, at least in an electoral sense. The Government has been under pressure to deal with escalating public concerns about crime and gang activity. On Wednesday the newly appointed law and order duo of Chris Hipkins and Kiri ...4 days ago
- Rumours of [Civil] War.4 days ago
- Performative Caring.Political Sledging: On Sky News Australia, conservative columnist and commentator, Rita Panahi, coined the not-so-kind "Performative Caring" alternative to Jacinda Ardern's trade-mark promotion of "Kindness". There will be plenty on this side of the Tasman happy to pick up the Australian Right's all-too-accurate political sledge.SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA has reformulated Jacinda ...5 days ago
- Straight-up police corruptionAnother report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority today, on a senior police officer who improperly involved himself in a prosecution to protect a mate's son from an assault charge. The IPCA finds that this was improper and a conflict of interest (well, duh), but they fail to call it ...5 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on Labour’s bunker mentalityIt seems very odd that RNZ thought it was worth breaking into its normal programming yesterday in order to provide Christopher Luxon with a platform from which to try and explain away his latest outbreaks of foot-in-mouth disease. Can we now assume that any time that National wants a media ...5 days ago
- The nexus between the climate change and democracy crisesThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Roger Karapin The crises the U.S. is facing regarding global warming and representative democracy are similar in some ways. Both have been serious problems for several decades, but have taken on new urgency in the past five years. In both, the Republican Party ...5 days ago
- More British war crimesBack in 2017, the ABC revealed that Australia's SAS committed war crimes in Afghanistan, murdering prisoners and civilians, and taking body-parts as trophies. Now, the BBC has exposed the same behaviour in the British SAS: SAS operatives in Afghanistan repeatedly killed detainees and unarmed men in suspicious circumstances, according ...6 days ago
- The Strange Case Of The De-Selected Professor.Insufficiently Woke? It is difficult to read the leaked review which sank Professor Richard Jackson's bid to become a co-director of the Centre for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism as anything other than evidence of the ongoing and destructive conflict between the Professor and the Tiriti-centred, iwi-directed, bi-culturally-driven commissars of ...6 days ago
- NZ Rugby’s ProblemYesterday’s match between the Maori All Blacks and Ireland confirmed the sad state of New Zealand rugby. The contrast (and skills gap) between the two teams was at times painfully obvious and reinforced the conclusions which had to be drawn from last week’s test match. In both matches, the locals ...6 days ago
- What’s next after Supreme Court’s climate ruling?This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The Supreme Court’s June 30 ruling in the West Virginia v. EPA, as detailed by Lexi Smith on this site, substantially curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate climate pollutants. Though the language of the decision itself appears to be narrow – limiting the extent of ...6 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #28 2022Innocent until...? "Loss" in the dollars and cents sense of the insurance industry stemming from our accidental, too-rapid instigation of climate change are already a feature of our present. We can look to multiple attribution studies of hydrometeorological anomalies (aka "destructve floods") to confirm this. Multiple projections conducted by a ...7 days ago
- Tour of Duty: Ardern out on the world-stage and gets things done, Luxon goes off the rails. Again.
For a Government and Prime Minister apparently “with no substance apart from a talent for photo ops” it seems as if an awful lot of substance has, in fact, been achieved abroad. Multiple Prime Ministers have failed to get a reasonable deal for New Zealanders on pathways to ...7 days ago - Today’s radicals are proud to make a black woman shut her trapBrendon O’Neil on Spiked looks at the poison of cancel culture and the attack on Macy Gray When today’s radicals were fresh-faced youths, reading their Gramsci and putting up their Malcolm X posters, I wonder if they could ever have imagined that their proudest achievement in the year 2022 would ...7 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Are we spending too little – or too much – on the military?New Zealand has once again been ranked the second-most peaceful nation in the world. When it comes to the Asia-Pacific region and the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is at the top of the peace rankings. This is according to the Institute for Economics and Peace, which recently released its annual ...7 days ago
- Limiting rights needs justificationIf the government wants to violate the Bill of Rights Act, does it need to actually justify it, and what happens if it doesn't? That's basicly the issue in question today in the Supreme Court, where activists of the Make it 16 campaign are challenging the voting age. The ...7 days ago
- The sin of cheapnessOn Monday, RNZ reported on the results of testing CO2 levels in various places, which showed that Auckland buses had CO2 levels of 5737ppm, making them effectively covid-filled sewers (CO2 is a proxy for exhaled air, which in the current situation is a proxy for covid). As with school classrooms, ...7 days ago
- David Seymour Enlists History In Act’s Struggle For Power.History Man: Does David Seymour have a case? Does history confirm that National campaigns from the right when it’s in opposition, only to govern from the left when it’s in government? The answer to this question is ….. complicated.DAVID SEYMOUR is on to something with History. Shrewd use of the past can ...1 week ago
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- Bold solutions needed to ease inflation pressures
Action is needed to address the inequality crisis and support New Zealanders on the lowest incomes, the Green Party says. ...17 hours ago - Inquiry reveals thousands of students living in povertyThe Government must lift student incomes now, says the Green Party, as new evidence shows thousands of students are living in poverty, with many struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. ...21 hours ago
- Free public transport better for climate and inequalityThe Green Party is on board with the extension of half-price public transport, but once again calls on the Government to go further and make public transport free - for good. ...2 days ago
- Alcohol action is suicide prevention – MPs must actEvidence published today showing that acute alcohol use is a factor in more than a quarter of suicides in New Zealand is a shocking wakeup call and politicians must respond, the Green Party says. ...4 days ago
- Greens demand answers as Crown agency backs deep sea miningBanning deep-sea mining is more urgent than ever following the news that a New Zealand Crown Research Institute, NIWA is set to support what could easily become a damaging mining project in the Pacific Ocean. ...5 days ago
- Free masks a Green winFollowing pressure from the Green Party, the Government has announced that medical masks will be available free for everyone, with N95 masks free for those most at-risk. ...5 days ago
- More tools to tackle gangs and keep our communities safer
We’ve announced the next steps in our work to tackle crime and gangs – because all New Zealanders deserve to live in communities that are safe. These new practical tools build on our strong law and order record, which includes delivering New Zealand’s largest ever Police service, targeting illegal firearms, ...6 days ago - Government must focus on the underlying causes of crime to combat gang violenceWe need action to address the underlying causes of crime, not more of the same simplistic solutions that we know do not work and risk harming communities, the Green Party says. ...6 days ago
- Greens say fuel tax cut could have saved regional passenger rail, reduce fossil fuel relianceFor the cost of cutting taxes to petrol for three months, the Government could have ensured the future of a transformational increase to passenger rail services between Wellington, the Wairarapa and Manawatū, says the Green Party. ...7 days ago
- Easing the pressure on New ZealandersSince taking office in 2017, our Government has worked hard to lift wages and make life more affordable for New Zealanders, as we move forward with our plan to grow a secure economy for all. ...7 days ago
- Taxing drug revenue would mean drug reformIf ACT is serious about taxing illicit drug revenue then let’s talk about drug reform, the Green Party says. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls on PM to stop deep sea miningThe Green Party has written to the Prime Minister on the eve of the Pacific Islands Forum calling on the Government to support a moratorium on deep sea mining. ...1 week ago
- 106 years of supporting KiwisIt’s our birthday this week! For more than a century, we’ve remained committed to supporting New Zealanders and securing a better future for all. As we mark 106 years of the New Zealand Labour Party, here’s a look at how our work has made a difference for New Zealanders and ...2 weeks ago
- Make N95 masks free for everyoneThe Green Party is once again calling on the Government to supply free masks to everyone. ...2 weeks ago
- Rent controls and income boost essential for kids’ wellbeingThe Green Party is calling on the Government to immediately introduce rent controls and expand the cost of living payment to those most in need. ...2 weeks ago
- Protecting our environment and marine life from plasticsOur Government is taking further action on plastics to turn around New Zealand’s rubbish record on waste, and to restore our environment for future generations. It’s now been more than three years since our Government banned single-use plastic bags, to help clean up our environment and protect marine life. Before ...2 weeks ago
- Pricing must cut agriculture emissionsCutting climate pollution must be the number one priority for Cabinet when considering how it intends to price agricultural emissions, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls for safer staffing levels in aged careThe Green Party is calling for urgent government action to ensure safe staffing levels in aged residential care facilities, as a new report today shows a strained workforce is under increasing pressure. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens back calls for mandatory pay gap reportingThe Green Party backs the unions and community groups and Human Rights Commission calling for an urgent change in legislation to make pay gap reporting mandatory. ...2 weeks ago
- Building a better Aotearoa for disabled peopleWe’re incredibly proud to be celebrating the launch of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People will put disabled people, their whānau, carers, and supporters first, removing barriers that existed when there was no single agency. The Ministry will also be the first in Aotearoa to ...2 weeks ago
- Discrimination against disabled migrants must endThe Green Party is calling on the Government to scrap the Acceptable Standards of Health policy that discriminates against disabled migrants after former Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni acknowledged the policy “disadvantages” disabled migrants on TVNZ’s Q&A this morning. ...2 weeks ago
- Historic free trade agreement with the European UnionWe’ve secured a major free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) – a move that’s set to boost exports by $1.8 billion per annum, enhance our economic security, and enable New Zealand businesses to grow, by unlocking one of the world’s biggest and high value markets. The new ...3 weeks ago
- A better health system for allOur Government is committed to making sure that our health system works for all New Zealanders, no matter who you are or where you live. Transformation of our health system will take time, and the step we’re taking today – establishing Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority – ...3 weeks ago
- Māori voter choice a significant Green winA strong Green Party voice in Parliament is helping deliver more choice and flexibility for Māori voters. ...3 weeks ago
- Moratorium on deep sea mining needed right nowThe Green Party is calling on the Government to announce its support urgently for a moratorium on deep sea mining under the high seas, after Pacific nations joined forces this week to demand change. ...3 weeks ago
- How we’re delivering a better future for women and girlsWe’re committed to ensuring that there is every opportunity for women and girls to succeed in Aotearoa New Zealand, with fewer barriers. Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to support women and girls, by improving services like healthcare and tackling issues like the gender pay gap. Here are just ...3 weeks ago
- Green Party secures free masks in schoolsPolitical pressure from the Green Party has pushed the Government to supply free masks to kids and teachers in schools across Aotearoa New Zealand. ...3 weeks ago
- Alcohol harm minimisation bill pulled from biscuit tinAfter years of research and advocacy, Parliament will finally consider legislation to take meaningful action on alcohol harm, says the Greens. ...3 weeks ago
- Joint Statement: NZ and EU free trade agreement opportunity to support climate friendly and equitabl...The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and the European Greens have published a joint statement calling for the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement to support climate action, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, cut agriculture emissions, protect human rights, and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...3 weeks ago
- Trucking toward lower emissions heavy transport
The Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods is celebrating today’s launch of two firsts for energy decarbonisation in the transport sector in New Zealand; an electric milk tanker and a hydrogen truck, made possible with the help of Government funding. New Zealand’s (and possibly the world’s) first electric milk ...12 hours ago - New Zealand’s 10th Youth Parliament event beginsYoung people from across Aotearoa New Zealand will take centre stage in the capital as Youth members of Parliament (MPs), Youth Press Gallery members, and the Youth Clerk at the two-day Youth Parliament event in Wellington. Youth Parliament is an opportunity for young people from across Aotearoa New Zealand to ...22 hours ago
- CPI figures highlight challenges amid volatile global environmentThe latest inflation figures reflects the volatile and uncertain global environment though New Zealand is well positioned to respond and help households and businesses through this difficult time. The Consumer Price Index released by Stats NZ today showed a 1.7 percent increase in prices over the June quarter, taking the ...22 hours ago
- Govt provides more cost of living supportPetrol excise duty cut by 25 cents a litre for more than five months until 31 January 2023 Road User Charges reduced by the equivalent until 31 January 2023 Half price public transport fares ...2 days ago
- Local Government commissioners appointedLocal Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of three commissioners to Mana Kāwanatanga ā Rohe | Local Government Commission. The appointed commissioners are: Brendan Duffy, Chair Bonita Bigham Sue Bidrose The Local Government Commission was initially established in 1947 to consider proposals for local government reorganisation. Over time, ...4 days ago
- Five lay members of the High Court appointedAttorney-General David Parker announced today the appointment of five lay members of the High Court under the Commerce Act 1986. Lay members assist the Court in cases involving appeals from decisions of the Commerce Commission and in other matters under the Commerce Act, and play a key role in ensuring ...4 days ago
- Fish Passage remediation in Tasman District to boost fish numbers and employmentA joint Government and Tasman District Council project is investing to bring more freshwater fish to the Tasman region, protect local waterways and employ local people. Environment Minister David Parker said the five-year $2 million Tasman Fish Passage project will see more than 4,000 in-stream structures assessed, with around 1,500 ...4 days ago
- New measures to tackle COVID-19 and fluExpanded eligibility for antivirals Making COVID-19 medicines available in pharmacies to help ease pressure on GPs Significantly expanding access to free RATs and masks Schools provided with mask supplies and more support for ventilation and winter heating costs Second COVID-19 booster available to those over 50 Extra measures for ...5 days ago
- Empowering Pacific Aotearoa to achieve home ownershipPacific peoples in Aotearoa are now on the road to achieving their ultimate goal of home ownership, one year after the launch of the Pacific Financial Capability Development programme, said the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. “We successfully secured funding of up to $41.315 million over four years ...5 days ago
- More tools for Police to tackle gangs and intimidating behaviourNew targeted warrant and additional search powers to find and seize weapons from gang members during a gang conflict Expanding the range of offences where police can seize and impound cars, motorbikes and other vehicles Up to five years prison for a new offence of discharging a gun with ...6 days ago
- Sustainable manufacturing businesses in Manawatū-Whanganui to receive Govt investmentTwo sustainable manufacturing businesses, Techlam in Levin and Plentyful in Rangitikeī, will receive investment from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF), Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash announced today. Techlam, a company that manufactures sustainable timber, will receive up to $1.75 million to procure and install machinery for ...6 days ago
- Drought assistance to Kiribati as drinking water supplies dry upThreats to the drinking water supplies of Kiribati from a prolonged drought are being targeted with a joint assistance package from Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta today announced that New Zealand and Australia are investing a further NZ$1.1 million between them in a new desalination ...6 days ago
- Government support for equality and empowerment of Fijian women and girlsPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced New Zealand will make a significant contribution to support the implementation of the Fiji Gender Action Programme to advance women’s empowerment and social protection. “Gender equality and women’s empowerment is a priority for Aotearoa New Zealand, and for ...6 days ago
- Funds for Manuherekia project will help restore waterway’s healthThe Thompsons Creek projects, part of the wider Manuherekia catchment programme in Central Otago, have been granted Jobs for Nature funding to help improve water quality and restore freshwater habitats. It is expected to generate about eight full time equivalent roles across three years. “The Thompsons Creek projects are based ...6 days ago
- Final section of the Waikato Expressway now openThe Hamilton Section of the Waikato Expressway opens today, marking the final chapter of a 30 year roading project that will improve safety, reduce travel times, and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Michael Wood says. “It’s terrific to see the last 22-kilometre piece of the Expressway falling into place. “This ...7 days ago
- Final section of the Waikato Expressway completeThe Hamilton Section of the Waikato Expressway will open this week, marking the final chapter of a 30 year roading project that will improve safety, reduce travel times, and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Michael Wood says. “It’s terrific to see the last 22-kilometre piece of the Expressway falling into ...7 days ago
- Mountain bike festival gears up with new Govt fundingAn international mountain bike festival will receive Government funding to secure events in Rotorua and across the South Island, offering significant economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand, Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash announced today. Crankworx will receive up to $8.1 million from the Government’s Major Events ...7 days ago
- Hundreds of Kiwis awarded scholarships to Asia and Latin AmericaNew Zealand’s connections with Asia and Latin America are set to grow with 30 groups, made up of 387 New Zealanders, awarded Prime Minister’s scholarships, Chris Hipkins said today. “New Zealand is reconnecting with the world, and for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealanders will embark on ...7 days ago
- Pacific crop resilience supported though climate aidPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the first investment from the recently boosted $1.3 billion climate aid fund, a contribution of $10 million to the conservation of Pacific crop seeds impacted by climate change. $10 million will be allocated to the Fiji based Centre ...7 days ago
- Government announces refreshed Commemorations Programme 2023-2027The programme of historical anniversaries to be acknowledged by the New Zealand Government over the next five years includes some of our nation’s most important events, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni said. “We’re continuing to lay the foundations for a better future by ensuring all New Zealanders ...1 week ago
- First Peoples International Business Forum – “Looking back to move forward”Before I commence, as I did at the beginning of the day, I would once again like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to the original occupants of these ancestral lands, and to the Elders past, present, emerging and yet ...1 week ago
- Southland oat milk producer gets Govt boostSouthland-based oat milk producer New Zealand Functional Foods is getting new Government backing, with a $6 million investment from the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund, Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash announced today. “We set up the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF) to help build more productive, resilient, and sustainable ...1 week ago
- Past impacts the future of te taetae ni KiribatiKiribati is now in the grip of a disastrous drought while it deals with the impact of Climate Change. This makes Kiribati Language Week 2022 a special time to think about the future ,said the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The third of nine Pacific Language Weeks, Wikin ...1 week ago
- Under-Secretary to attend the First Peoples International Business Forum in MelbourneParliamentary Under-Secretary Rino Tirikatene will depart to Australia today to attend the First Peoples International Business Forum: Aotearoa New Zealand and Victoria, which runs from 11 to 12 July in Melbourne. The two-day event is being hosted by the Aboriginal Economic Development group (AED), Global Victoria, Dept Jobs, Precinct and ...1 week ago
- Hillside redevelopment takes major step forwardA major redevelopment of Dunedin’s iconic Hillside Workshops is on track to have the facility up and running by early 2024, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Dr David Clark said. The Government is investing $105 million in KiwiRail’s Hillside Workshops – helping restore the site to its former glory by ...1 week ago
- PM statement on death of Shinzo Abe, former PM of JapanPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern tonight sent New Zealand’s condolences following the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot at a rally today. “New Zealand sends our condolences to Japan at this time of profound grief and deep shock,” Jacinda Ardern said. “This act of violence against ...1 week ago
- PMs reaffirm renewed trans-Tasman relationshipPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met in Sydney this morning for their first annual Australia New Zealand Leaders Meeting. “It was great to meet with Prime Minister Albanese again further cementing the close renewed relationship between Australia and New Zealand,” Jacinda Ardern said. “It is ...2 weeks ago
- Government appoints Remuneration Authority ChairThe Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood has today announced the appointment of Geoffrey Summers as the Chair of the Remuneration Authority (the Authority) for a three-year term. The Authority is responsible for setting the rates of pay and allowances for Members of Parliament, the Judiciary and Local ...2 weeks ago
- Action Plan to ensure agencies work together for children’s wellbeingAn Action Plan signed up to by all children’s agencies will require them to work with each other and the community to support those with the greatest need, Minister for Children Kelvin Davis has announced. The Oranga Tamariki Action Plan requires the Chief Executives of Oranga Tamariki, the Police, ...2 weeks ago
- Building resilience in sports affected by COVIDNational sport and recreation organisations are being supported to help recover and operate successfully after the impact of COVID-19. The $30 million funding announced today for the National Partner Strengthen and Adapt programme is part of the $264.6 million Sport Recovery Package from Budget 2020. “This investment enables national bodies ...2 weeks ago
- Government energy education programme helping Kiwis save moneyThe Government is keeping up the momentum on supporting community energy education initiatives with the opening of the third funding round of its successful Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) Programme, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods says. Community groups, organisations, and businesses can now apply for a total ...2 weeks ago
- 2023 Toloa Scholarships open for Pasifika studentsThe 2023 Toloa Fund will allow more young Pasifika to become scientists, technologists, engineers, artists, and mathematicians said the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. For the past seven years, the Toloa programme has provided funding opportunities for young Pacific people to thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and ...2 weeks ago
- Future-proofed HMNZS Te Mana arrives homeAfter over three years away in Canada undergoing an extensive systems upgrade, the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana and her 170-strong crew sailed into the Waitematā Harbour today with Minister of Defence Peeni Henare on board for its ceremonial homecoming. “The Government is committed to ensuring that ...2 weeks ago
- Benefactor’s donation a boost for mental healthA large donation from Wellington property developer and philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik for a new mental health unit at Hutt Hospital is being welcomed by Health Minister Andrew Little. “The Government committed to replacing Te Whare Ahuru, the hospital’s 24-bed acute mental health unit, with a modern facility of the same ...2 weeks ago
- Defence Policy Review to ensure future investment fit for a post-COVID worldDue to COVID-19, the escalating impacts of climate change, and the intensification of geo-strategic competition, the Government has commissioned a Defence Policy Review to ensure that New Zealand’s Defence policy, strategy, and planned capability investments remain fit for purpose, Minister of Defence Peeni Henare announced today. “Our Defence Force is ...2 weeks ago
- Pilot to unlock private finance for industrial businesses going greenThe Government, through the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) has begun an innovative green private finance pilot, working with participating financiers to help businesses get finance for big decarbonisation projects, says Minister of Energy and Resources, Megan Woods. “This pilot will further support initiatives focussed on climate impact and emissions ...2 weeks ago
- A Pacific Springboard to Engage the World: New Zealand’s Independent Foreign PolicyTe whare e tu nei Te marae e takoto ana, tena korua E nga mate maha, haere, haere, haere. Nga tangata whenua o tenei rohe, tena koutou. Tatou nga kanohi e hui mai ana, Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be ...2 weeks ago
- Ainsley Walter appointed as Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra BoardAinsley Walter has been appointed as Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) Board for a three-year term, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “Ainsley is one of many influential women across the arts and cultural sector and her appointment as Chair will only ...2 weeks ago
- Prime Minister and Ministers attend Australia-NZ Leadership ForumPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will lead New Zealand’s Ministerial delegation to the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) in Sydney today, following a successful trade mission to Melbourne and Sydney which included over 30 New Zealand businesses. The theme of this year’s event is “The Great Acceleration: Emerging Stronger Together”. ...2 weeks ago
- Closing the gaps for public EV charging in South IslandKey gaps in the South Island’s public EV charging network will be closed with support from the Government’s Low Emissions Transport Fund (LETF), Minister for Energy and Resources Dr. Megan Woods announced today. “This round of co-funding was strategically targeted at a few specific locations, to ensure there is good ...2 weeks ago
- Celebrity deepfakes are all over TikTok. Here’s why they’re becoming common – and how you can ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Cover, Professor of Digital Communication, RMIT University One of the world’s most popular social media platforms, TikTok, is now host to a steady stream of deepfake videos. Deepfakes are videos in which a subject’s face or body has ...1 hour ago - Why China’s challenges to Australian ships in the South and East China Seas are likely to continueSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Lockyer, Associate Professor in Strategic Studies, Macquarie University Last week it was reported an Australian warship had, in early July, been closely followed by a Chinese guided-missile destroyer, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and multiple military aircraft as it travelled through the ...1 hour ago
- COVID drugs in Australia: what’s available and how to get themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney Shutterstock With COVID case numbers expected to rise in Australia over the coming weeks and months there is significant concern the numbers of severely sick patients may overwhelm ...1 hour ago
- This is Australia’s most important report on the environment’s deteriorating health. We present ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Johnston, Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Sydney Jo Anne Mcarthur/Unsplash, CC BY Climate change is exacerbating pressures on every Australian ecosystem and Australia now has more foreign plant species than native, according to the highly anticipated State ...1 hour ago
- ‘That patch of bush is gone, and so are the birds’: a scientist reacts to the State of the Envir...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ayesha Tulloch, ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Juliana Lee/Unsplash, CC BY Australia’s State of the Environment Report was finally released today – and its findings are a staggering picture of loss and devastation. As a conservation scientist, I’ve ...1 hour ago
- We have developed a way to screen student feedback to ensure it’s useful, not abusive (and academi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abby Cathcart, Professor of Higher Education & Governance, Queensland University of Technology Holland Taylor as Professor Joan Hambling in The Chair. Elize Morse/Netflix This week, many Australian universities will be sending academics the results of the first semester student evaluation surveys. ...1 hour ago
- Bluey casts a tender light on being childless not by choice. Here’s what women told me about livin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sianan Healy, Tracey Banivanua Mar Research Fellow, La Trobe University ABC In a recent episode of Bluey, Onesies, six-year-old Bluey asks her mum Chilli what’s wrong with Auntie Brandy, who has come to visit for the first time in four ...1 hour ago
- Record inflation: Govt 'needs to front up and do its bit' – Willis
As New Zealand once again faces record high inflation, National and ACT say the government needs to lower spending, reduce regulatory bottlenecks and cut taxes. ...4 hours ago - View from The Hill: Chalmers warns he’ll deliver bad news in parliament’s first weekSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The first week of the new parliament will contain some depressing news, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Monday softening up the community to expect a “confronting” statement on the economy. Chalmers said he would ...8 hours ago
- Biden's Saudi trip may help NZ reset relationship with Middle EastOpinion - Joe Biden's controversial trip to Saudi Arabia could help New Zealand reset its own relationship with the Middle East, Geoffrey Miller writes. ...13 hours ago
- While Australians line up for COVID boosters, low vaccination rates in poor countries continue to co...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Gleeson, Associate Professor in Public Health, La Trobe University Shutterstock Two and a half years into the pandemic, more than 12 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, and more than 5 million are being administered each day. ...14 hours ago
- Yes, cost-of-living pressures are coming from overseas – but check out the pace of growth in non-t...
Buzz from the Beehive A politically timely announcement from the Beehive yesterday advised that the Government is providing significant additional cost-of-living support and is fighting inflation by extending the reductions to fuel excise duty, road user charges and half-price public transport by more than five months until the end of ...15 hours ago - 'Smoke and mirrors': Govt's climate change plans face criticism from oppositionThe Climate Change Minister and Commissioner have been grilled today by the Opposition on the government's plan to slash emissions. ...15 hours ago
- There’s a smart way to push Labor harder on emissions cuts – without reigniting the climate warsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia James Gourley/AAP The fate of Labor’s 2030 climate policy hangs in the balance as the Greens and other climate-conscious crossbenchers this week consider pushing the government harder on emissions reduction. ...16 hours ago
- A heated steering wheel for $20 a month? What’s driving the subscriptions economySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Grimmer, Senior Lecturer in Retail Marketing and Associate Head Research Performance, University of Tasmania shutterstock From gym memberships to music and movies, to razors, toilet paper, meal kits and clothes, there’s seemingly no place the subscription economy can’t go. ...16 hours ago
- Free-thinking Chloe has gone out to bat for impoverished students – but inflation-fuelling govt sp...
Chloe Swarbrick is one of the most interesting politicians in the New Zealand Parliament, a highly effective campaigner who – after one term as a List MP – won Auckland Central for the Green Party. Still only 28, she is already seen as a future leader of her party. This ...17 hours ago - Keith Rankin Analysis – Latest Covid19 Death Demographics in New Zealand Show Disturbing TrendAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. This morning, on Morning Report (RNZ) Monash University epidemiologist Tony Blakely noted that Covid19 death rates in New Zealand are 20% higher in New Zealand ...17 hours ago
- ‘A weird dinging sound that everyone dreads’: what rapid deliveries mean for supermarket workersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Kate Kelly, PhD Candidate, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, RMIT University Woolworths Online grocery shopping has boomed since the pandemic began in 2020, with Woolworths and Coles steadily expanding their home-delivery offerings. Rapid delivery is ...17 hours ago
- The major political parties have a membership problem. Footy club marketing might offer some solutio...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Fujak, Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University A huge story emerging from the 2022 federal election result was the grassroots strength of independents, who dislodged both Liberal and Labor in historically “safe seats”. But the woes of the major parties extend ...17 hours ago
- Vegetarian diets may be better for the planet – but the Mediterranean diet is the one omnivores wi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Allenden, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology, University of New England shutterstock What we eat and how we produce food matters. Food systems are responsible for more than a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. We cannot fully tackle ...18 hours ago
- ‘Respite care’ can give carers a much-needed break, but many find accessing it difficultSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Sutton, Senior Lecturer in Accounting, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock To seek “respite” is to look for a break from strenuous effort to recharge and regroup. In the context of aged care, subsidised respite care provides temporary support to ...18 hours ago
- Pacific Islands are back on the map, and climate action is non-negotiable for would-be alliesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University This year’s Pacific Islands Forum marked the beginning of a more dangerous era as Pacific leaders tried to find common responses to both the climate crisis and sharpening geostrategic competition. There was ...18 hours ago
- PNG police taskforce to hunt down 15 candidate suspects over Enga crisisBy Miriam Zarriga of the PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s Police Commissioner David Manning has fired the first warning shot in the hunt for candidates who were involved in disrupting the national elections in Enga province. He is deploying a multipolice and army taskforce to hunt down 15 suspected candidates ...18 hours ago
- Appeal Dismissed In Criminal Prosecution Under Anti-Money Laundering And Countering Financing Of Ter...
An appeal against convictions in New Zealand’s first criminal prosecution under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act) was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 1 July 2022. An estimated $1.35 billion from ...18 hours ago - Minister Also Wrong On NZ’s Labour Productivity Growth After The ECA 1991A policy paper released today by The New Zealand Initiative rebuts the Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety’s claim to a select committee that New Zealand’s labour productivity growth rate since 1991 was 46% below that of Australia. On figures ...18 hours ago
- University journalism courses need to teach about cultural safety before students enter the workforc...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Media, Queensland University of Technology Universities throughout the country have obligations to ensure their graduates leave with the knowledge and skills necessary to interact in a culturally safe way with Indigenous people. T.J. Thomson, ...18 hours ago
- The downside of digital transformation: why organisations must allow for those who can’t or won’...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn, Associate Professor of Information Systems, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images We hear the phrase “digital transformation” a lot these days. It’s often used to describe the process of replacing functions and services that were once done ...19 hours ago
- Pacific leaders call on world to take urgent climate action for island region’s ‘survival’By Geraldine Panapasa in Suva Climate change remains the single greatest existential threat facing the Blue Pacific, as leaders concluded the biggest diplomatic regional meeting in Suva last week with a plea for the world to take urgent action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. While renewed commitments by ...20 hours ago
- Sick and tired of the sickness – some media try to downplay the pandemicBy Hayden Donnell, RNZ Mediawatch producer Covid has now killed around 1700 people in New Zealand, but much of our news reporting and commentary has focused on how we’re moving on from the pandemic. Why is there such a mismatch between that media coverage, and the reality of a virus that’s inflicting more suffering ...20 hours ago
- Great Scott! John Bishop is crusading for a new All Black coach – but NOT if his name is Robertso...John Bishop, the father of National list MP Chris Bishop and a fellow who helped set up the NZ Taxpayers’ Union, ventured into sports commentary in his regular column in the Dominion-Post last week. In the aftermath of Ireland’s second-test defeat of the All Blacks, he called for heads to ...21 hours ago
- Tertiary students spend more than half of income on rent – surveyThe Green Party is urging rent controls and more support after a survey found two thirds of university students regularly struggle to buy food and other necessities. ...21 hours ago
- Andrea Vance On Coalition Negotiations – Fiction Not FactIt is said the “trouble with publishing is that too many people with half a mind to write a book, do so”. Or as Winston Churchill would put it, the trouble with Andrea Vance and reality is that they are separated by the English language. Words ...22 hours ago
- Inflation At 7.3% Shows Needs For Continued Support For Low- And Middle-income HouseholdsContinued support for low- and middle-income New Zealanders is essential, with inflation hitting 7.3%, say the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. “That means further support for the minimum wage, supporting employers to pay the Living Wage, and continuing ...22 hours ago
- The Highest Inflation In A GenerationToday’s inflation figure of 7.3% demonstrates again just how far out of control Grant Robertson and Labour Government spending is. The Finance Minister cannot continue to bury his head in the sand while costs increase at an alarming rate. He must take ...23 hours ago
- Elected Member Experiences Survey: Bad Behaviour Threatens Progress, Must Be Called OutA new survey of elected members in local government has found that nearly half of respondents have experienced racism, gender discrimination, or other forms of harmful behaviour while doing their job in public office. “The purpose of the survey was ...23 hours ago
- Permanent fuel tax cuts and half price public transport unsustainable – Transport ministerThe government has hinted it may unveil more payments and support to combat the increasing cost of living, in the coming months. ...23 hours ago
- Political Roundup: Resetting NZ’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and the Middle EastAnalysis by Geoffrey Miller Joe Biden’s controversial fist-bump with Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Saudi crown prince, may help New Zealand to forge its own new direction in the Middle East. The US president’s trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia showed that despite real concerns over human rights, the Middle ...23 hours ago
- Break The Chain: SPCA Calls On The Government To Ban Life Chaining Of DogsSPCA is imploring the Government to make a commitment to ban the prolonged chaining and confinement of dogs in Aotearoa. After years of behind-the-scenes advocacy work from the animal welfare charity, and concerned calls from the public weekly, SPCA ...1 day ago
- A cosmic time machine: how the James Webb Space Telescope lets us see the first galaxies in the univ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology NASA/JWST It has been an exciting week with the release of breathtaking photos of our Universe by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Images such as ...1 day ago
- How your status, where you live and your family background affect your risk of dementiaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Monash University Shutterstock As part of a series on cycles of disadvantage, supported by a philanthropic grant from the Paul Ramsay Foundation, we’re publishing three articles on the social determinants of health. They look at ...1 day ago
- Why is tech giant Apple trying to teach our teachers?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Lewis, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Catholic University www.shutterstock.com Apple products are already a central part of our lives in so many ways. We use them to work, socialise, monitor our heart rates, pay for things and watch TV. ...1 day ago
- U311 Cherkasy, the little minesweeper of a Ukrainian film that gave the finger to the Russian NavySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Dolgopolov, Senior Lecturer in Film, UNSW Sydney When 13 Ukrainian soldiers were defending Snake Island in March, Russian forces told them to lay down their weapons. In response, the Ukrainians said “Russian warship, go fuck yourself!”. This maritime call ...1 day ago
- Three waters IT system project could top $500m, warns NationalA new project merging local councils' water service IT systems as part of the three waters reforms could blow out beyond the $500 million upper limit officials have quoted, National says. ...1 day ago
- New Plymouth mayor to stand for third termNew Plymouth's mayor says he wants another go in the job. Neil Holdom has worn the chains for two terms, and he said for the past year people have been ...1 day ago
- Bay Of Plenty Regional Councillor To Stand With Māori PartyIncumbent Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, Toi Kai Rākau Iti, will campaign for re-election to his Kohi Constituency seat under the Māori Party ticket. As an independent, Councillor Iti believes he has been successful alongside the region's two other constituency ...1 day ago
- Here’s a simple way to stop governments giving jobs to matesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Grattan Institute Shutterstock Handing out a cushy job to a political mate might seem harmless – after all, everyone does it, right? – but the politicisation of public appointments has real, pervasive consequences for Australian ...1 day ago
- 'We see the data, we see the challenges' – Little defends health systemHealth Minister Andrew Little admits waiting times at the Emergency Department are getting longer but says health entities are doing all they can to make improvements. ...2 days ago
- Molloy Needs To Front Up On White Elephant Stadium PlanRepeated calls from candidate Leo Molloy to commit to a new waterfront stadium would put the ratepayers of Auckland Council on the hook for at least $3 billion, mayoral candidate Wayne Brown says. “Estimates are hard to nail down, as the recent explosion ...2 days ago
- Fuel tax cut and half price public transport extended into 2023The 25-cent cut in petrol excise duty and half-price public transport fares will be extended into next year, the government has confirmed this afternoon. ...2 days ago
- Greens want ACC to broaden criteria for workplace mental injury claimsThe Green Party is calling for the scope of workplace mental injuries covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation to be widened. ...2 days ago
- Papua People’s Petition protesters hold rallies against new Papuan provincesBy Reiner Brabar in Jayapura Papua People’s Petition (PRP) protesters have braved brutal police blockades, forced dispersals and assaults while staging simultaneous mass actions across Papua. The actions were held on Thursday to demonstrate the people’s opposition to revisions of the Special Autonomy Law on Papua (Otsus), the creation of ...2 days ago
- American Samoa declares state of emergency over severe stormsRNZ Pacific A state of emergency has been declared in American Samoa because of severe weather conditions resulting in damage to roads, infrastructure, property, and coastal villages. American Samoa Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga declared the state of emergency after homes, the school and church on Aunu’u island were swamped by ...2 days ago
- Climate rivalry between secretive autocracy and corrupted democracyCOMMENTARY: By Megan Darby, editor of Climate Home News When it comes to the world’s two biggest emitters, we are caught between a secretive autocracy and an oversharing corrupted democracy. Most media attention is focused on the latter. The United States this week raised hopes of a compromise climate spending ...2 days ago
- Albanese government restores pandemic leave payment until September 30, saying COVID wave will peak ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will reinstate the pandemic leave payment for workers who have to isolate but do not have sick leave, after earlier vigorously defending its ending on budgetary grounds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ...3 days ago
- Huiarua & Matanui Farms Sale Border On TreasonThe government’s failure to stop the sale of Huiarua and Matanui stations on New Zealand’s East Coast to foreign buyers borders on treason according to Social Credit Party leader, Chris Leitch. More than 6000 hectares, including a significant area ...3 days ago
- Media warned over ‘doom-laden’ climate change narrativeRNZ Pacific The media has been taken to task for doom-laden climate crisis presentations in a speech at an international workshop — and told to tell the full story. Former Marshall Islands president Hilda Heine made the comments as the keynote speaker at the recent East West Centre’s international media ...3 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Labour wants to be tough on crime – and tough on the causes o...4 days ago
- Australia’s special visa program for Ukrainians to end, despite war raging onSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olga Oleinikova, Senior Lecturer and Director of the SITADHub (Social Impact Technologies and Democracy Research Hub) in the School of Communication, University of Technology Sydney Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Ukraine this month, promising an extra A$100 million in military aid ...4 days ago
- Was Tricia the elephant happy? Experts on the ethics of keeping such big, roaming creatures in capti...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Turner, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide The beloved Asian elephant Tricia died at Perth Zoo this month at the ripe old age of 65, making her one of the world’s oldest elephants. Tricia was born in 1957 and arrived at ...4 days ago
- Wayne Brown: Molloy Must Withdraw From RaceA bizarre appearance on TV3's New Zealand Today last night has confirmed Leo Malloy does not have the credibility, temperament or capacity to lead and represent Auckland and it should be a suitable epitaph for his campaign, candidate Wayne Brown says. ...4 days ago
- Mask mandates – will we only act on public health advice if someone makes us?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Holly Seale, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney Back in mid 2020, it was suggested mask use was similar to seat belt wearing in cars. Not everyone wore a seat belt start straight away, but now it’s unheard of to get into a car ...4 days ago
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Former airline boss, Christopher Luxon, has been talking the country down a lot recently.
Apparently, we are inward looking and fearful (the smiling PM is on her fifth trade/diplomatic trip in as many weeks). Apparently, Kiwis are sitting around the dining table tonight, concerned (they're not, the ones he's talking to are in Rarotonga or Wanaka). And apparently, businesses are soft and addicted to government support (yet at the same time the government doesn't support them enough).
Not only does former airline boss, Christopher Luxon, speak in boardroom jargon, he speaks in contradictions, and speaks negatively.
It's the last one which he will have to ditch most urgently if he wants to become NZ boss because talking down to the country doesn't work. Kiwis don't like to be told they are scared, soft, and inward looking.
The media to their credit have asked former airline boss, Christopher Luxon, about his gloomy comments, but right now he doesn't seem to be getting the right advice because he doubles down at all of his many stand ups.
I am not unhappy about his negative style because it contrasts so well with the positive style of Jacinda Ardern.
Bad language warning.
Lee Camp ask the most silly question, how will the world end…
Health Minister Andrew Little has a pop at the Nurses Association, describing them as talking with a 'forked tongue'.
This was either a political blunder, or a very calculated and high stakes attack.
The snide forked tongue jab is very rich.
Pay equity negotiations started in 2018 and from the get-go it was understood that when settled back pay would be due.
Little needs to get better advisors. Ones that tell him to stop trying to drive a wedge between nurses and the public.
Ian Powell wrote a piece earlier this month which had a pop at Little, including around the pay equity talks.
"And he is getting stuck into the NZ Nurses Organisation, accusing the union of reneging on a deal on pay equity. Simply not true. The “deal” was agreed to by two negotiating teams, but still required ratification. Following membership feedback, NZNO identified two obstacles to ratification which required resolution. That is not reneging; it is the part of the process called ratification. As a former union leader, Little knows this well."
"Little needs to get better advisors. Ones that tell him to stop trying to drive a wedge between nurses and the public."
Interestingly Ian Powell also said this:
"Little’s poor performance has made him a ministerial liability. A big factor behind this is his failure to recognise the importance of relationships in public health systems."
That is what is really hard to stomach. I had high hopes when Little was appointed.
Union man, seemed to have a degree of 'relatability', heart in the right place…
His deliberate melding of wage negotiation and pay equity settlements to imply nurses were greedy was duplicitious, now this denial that large parts of his workforce feel in crisis. All in the shadow of the pandemic.
David Clark the first MInister of Health was told 5 years ago there was a serious work force shortage. This was before the pandemic.
They hold a worthless enquiry into Mental Health (how many have their been now?) rather than just getting on and hiring/training more staff.
The set up a Cancer Agency ( things have got worse, surgery for cancer being delayed because of the Health workforce shortage).
Then in the middle of a pandemic, rather than spending his every waking hour developing and implementing a plan to increase the workforce, they re-structure the health system, paying Earnst and Young Consultants millons of dollars
This is a massive failure and Little needs to resign.
Do these people not realize what a health system is? Its nurses, Drs, and allied health professionals.
Yea…I had wondered about you. Good to see where you really are. I will keep that in mind.
Andrew Little has called out their union negotiators, not the nurses Pat.
+1 Patricia Bremner
"…not the nurses Pat."
I think you mean 'not the nurses Anker'
Reneged on a deal agreed to in December 2021
"it is very unusual for a union to re-litigate terms of settlement that they have already signed up to"
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300566043/nurses-organisation-uturns-on-pay-equity-agreement-health-minister-says
"And he is getting stuck into the NZ Nurses Organisation, accusing the union of reneging on a deal on pay equity. Simply not true.
The “deal” was agreed to by two negotiating teams, but still required ratification. Following membership feedback, NZNO identified two obstacles to ratification which required resolution.
That is not reneging; it is the part of the process called ratification. As a former union leader, Little knows this well."
New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 22 December 2021
"The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is pleased to advise that it has today signed an Agreement in Principle to settle its Nursing Pay Equity claim for the NZNO and PSA members who work in district health boards (DHBs).
NZNO Industrial Services Manager Glenda Alexander said this settlement is of historical significance because it corrects the long-standing sex-based undervaluation of nursing work.
“This Pay Equity agreement will be absolutely life-changing for many of our members.
“It has been the result of countless hours of data collection and analysis – and then figuring out how it all translates to new pay rates. It is fantastic to finally see that tremendous effort coming to fruition.
“It will do wonders for the future of the profession as well, because it sets a positive pathway for recruitment in years to come.”
https://www.nzno.org.nz/about_us/media_releases/artmid/4731/articleid/6430/nursing-pay-equity-agreed-in-principle
But didn't that still require ratification?
The agreement was signed, then they reneged, hence the Minister's remarks "it is very unusual for a union to re-litigate terms of settlement that they have already signed up to"
Signing an agreement doesn't mean it is ratified. That's the point Ian Powell was making. It's also not how other commentors here are describing it.
Little seems to have had a pop at all and sundry in recent times, including Pharmac, rural health professionals and general practices, Dr John Bonning, and now the Nurses Association. It's strange behaviour for a Minister of Health.
They committed themselves to it when they signed it. Minister Little doesn't suffer fools easily. Sure looks like some needed pulling up.
"They committed themselves to it when they signed it."
No, they didn't. They committed to taking the agreement to ratification. That's the process, and as Ian Powell said, Andrew Little knows that. Little attacking all and sundry is not helpful.
Yeah they did. They were never promised full backpay, yet the NZNO were very happy with the agreement in Dec 2021. The Minister didn't attack all and sundry, as Patricia pointed out @ 3.1.1.1.2 he "called out their union negotiators, not the nurses"
Louis, please give evidence of your assertion "They were never promised full backpay".
Plus as been said a few times now, whatever was signed DID have to be ratified by the union members.
"Health Minister Andrew Little says nurses were never promised back pay"
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300569099/nurses-consider-going-to-era-over-broken-promise-in-pay-equity-deal
"There is a binding agreement in place between the parties, and it should be honoured”
See link @ 3.1.2
Well, certainly seems like it. And yes re Andrew Little.
ffs
Ah! A true English Gentleman …. 'shanked' (in the back!) by immigrants?
How fascist pigs roll.
Eh? What do you mean this is how facist pigs roll.
Oink oink,the trough is over at the daily blog I'm afraid.