Daily review 14/04/2023

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, April 14th, 2023 - 48 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

48 comments on “Daily review 14/04/2023 ”

  1. SPC 1

    Sunak clarifies the Starmer stammer.

    the right – 100% of women do not have a penis

    the left – 99.9% of women do not have a penis

    Preparing the way for their Home Secretary to look at their law (some people were allowed to identify as transgender woman while with a penis under their manged process).

    In an interview with the website Conservative Home Sunak said that while the government needed to have "compassion, understanding and tolerance for those who are thinking about their gender" this could not interfere with the rights of biological women.

    He also hinted that the government was likely to amend the Equality Act, introducing explicit legal protections for biological women in same-sex spaces such as changing rooms and hospital wards.

    "As a general operating principle for me, biological sex is vitally fundamentally important in these questions," Sunak said. "And that's why we need to make sure, particularly when it comes to women's health, women's sports or indeed spaces, that we're protecting those rights and those places."

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/uk/300853806/uk-prime-minister-rishi-sunak-says-that-no-one-with-a-penis-could-be-considered-a-woman

    One wonders if those born female and who identify as transgender men will face the same biological sex determinants – and if so whether they use women's spaces (they won't be able to compete in women's sports because of their male hormone use).

    • bwaghorn 1.1

      Yip very embarrassing for our pm ,when a toff tory proves to be braver and or more honest

      • SPC 1.1.1

        I doubt it is bravery, more likely politics. The opposition was/is sleepwalking to victory and this policy is a disruption factor. It also is within conservative tradition, so his own base will support this course, while it will sustain dissent/division within the opposition.

        • bwaghorn 1.1.1.1

          Well if you don't know what a woman is ,are you intelligent enough to be in government???🥲

          • Sabine 1.1.1.1.1

            Wrong question.

            If you are to scared to define women and you don't have a 'preformulated' answer, what else might scare you too much so that you need that preformulted answer. Who 'formulate' the anwsers to -pre asked- questions?

            And if he were to say 'anyone who identifies as' he would be seen as someone who is fast and lose with his female voter base but kind and affirming to his trans base.

            And if he were to say that women do indeed have penises, or that males have cervixes, or that lesbian have dicks – any of these answers would be a lie in the eyes of everyone based in reality but the queer community which is based in self id and fantasy.

            So really the question is what is the end game of this 'can't define women, won't define women, and to scared to define woman. And why is that? Why is it that every western country is so busy pretending that females/males, woman/man are interchanging terms without any meaning to it. Why is that.

            • gsays 1.1.1.1.1.1

              Ya gotta feel sorry for the PM's spin doctors, comms team and strategists. All those photo ops and column inches, all that work portraying Hipkins as the good old steak and cheese pie eating Hutt boy. All that effort undone by the awkward, cringe worthy silence when asked "What is a woman?".

              Every pie consumer at my local bakery could answer that question in a cholestrol laden heartbeat.

              • Sabine

                Personally i am happy the question was asked. It showed who these people are. They could have answered 'the previous PM identifies as one, my birthing person identifies as one / is one" anything would have been better then admitting that no one has send this question to the Comms team and thus it was/is not 'pre-answered by your Comms team' and if you get questions that are not vetted you don't have answers. Or worse even, non of these highly paid people have been paying attention to what is happening in th UK/US/Canada and thus was ill prepared.

                And it also diminishes the idea that '50% of our team are women'. as that is now a meaningless statement, leading to the questions, All it is is meaningless drivel of can we have both sides, we are not gonna say what a woman is, but we pretend that we have 50% of them in our team.

              • bwaghorn

                Surprised he's got kids I'd he can't identify what makes a woman a woman. 😉

    • Sabine 1.2

      Transmen do sports at a high level, you will however not find them in the 'mens' teams as they would not stand a chance. They play on female teams and compete against other females.

      That is the irony in it all, that female sport becomes the dumping ground for all queer people as it is easier then creating a new division. If this is unfair towards women – human females, oh well, those who should care don't and if the women – human females have issues with that they can always quit, right?

      https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/25-transgender-athletes-you-should-know/14/

  2. weka 2

    Bookmarking. Unconfirmed, but thread on the actual Nazis organising the Stand By Your Woman events this weekend

    https://twitter.com/paparoa3/status/1646662634396323841

    • Shanreagh 2.1

      The messaging:

      'Real women can procreate

      women=biology

      MEN supporting WOMANS Identity'

      Doesn't seem very hateful to me.

      Presumably Paparoa are certain these are actual Nazis. If not certain then they may have affected their ability to make a living in what are quite low paid jobs such as music and the visual arts. The transactivists have already got it wrong once already going after the people who were waiting to speak in Albert Park on 25/3.

      Of course people are right to be cautious if not to avoid being targetted by Nazis as well as transactivists.

      I have not found where in Wellington they are meeting but if the trans mob are staying away I might go to watch, being very careful.

    • Molly 2.2

      It should be realised that his has no connection to #LetWomenSpeak, other than using that event and its media exposure as something that they can benefit from.

      Women attending will most likely be props for the real intent #LetMenPosture.

      This takeover of women's rights is avoided at #LetWomenSpeak events by the deliberate decision to have women-only wardens, although anyone can attend.

      The police advised the NZ wardens on 25 March to face inwards, which is a ridiculous strategy, and which I think increased the risk of security and crowd management failure.

      • Sabine 2.2.1

        I still have a hard time seeing neo nazis in tokoroa, i doubt they would live a good life there. And fwiw, no proof has been offered by anyone, even Ani is quite clear that it 'appears' to be a case of 'we are not sure'. She makes it quite clear that their values don't align, which is in my book a better reason to not go then 'ohmgoshtheremightbenazis'.

        But then, womens rights are totalitarian suppressive rights, and they are inherently transphobic which makes them akin to National Sozialismus.

        But I can see the Hanna Tamaki Party and spouses rock up and gather votes.

        In the meantime women – the human female ones, still don't dare to gather and speak about the things taht are being done to them in the name of kindness.

        • Shanreagh 2.2.1.1

          Good points Sabine.

          In the meantime women – the human female ones, still don't dare to gather and speak about the things taht are being done to them in the name of kindness.

          My values don't align whether this event is run by fundamentalist churches or neo nazis.

          There were neo nazis at the parliamentary protest. I am not sure if they are increasing in numbers or not. I had thought much of the nazi 'stuff' had been proscribed and I think many Australians thought that it had been until the Let Women Speak event in Melbourne.

          • Sabine 2.2.1.1.1

            One of the 'nazis' of Melbourne is the son of a police officers. Again, do i believe that there are Neo Nazis, yes, i am German, i whakapapa to Germany, and i have had ancestors that were in the Hitler Youth, in the Wehrmacht, and who got medals for brithing lots of children. So really, i have opinions on that.

            But this is not what is happening here. This here is a rally planned for men by men, they might be on the right spectrum of politics – act, national, democracy now, blablablbah, they might be religious, Tamaki church or any other of the evangelic small home churches, but chances are they are not National Sozialisten, nor even just a white supremacist.

            Don't go there if your values don't align, that works well for me, or go there to see what the fuss is about from a distance, but unless someone brings concrete proof that these people are Neo Nazis, no one should label them that.

            Unless of course anyone who speaks up for women and their rights to dignity, safety and respect, and of course political representation is now a Nazi/white supremacist, even if they are not white. Then you start having some issues, cause what next? Cause there is always a next.

        • weka 2.2.1.2

          I still have a hard time seeing neo nazis in tokoroa, i doubt they would live a good life there.

          they don't have to be in Tokoroa, the events are organised nationally online. The more visibility they get, the neo-Nazis and the far right talking trad values can recruit disenfranchised men. Any disenfranchised men in Tokoroa?

          And fwiw, no proof has been offered by anyone, even Ani is quite clear that it 'appears' to be a case of 'we are not sure'.

          Forget about proof (that will probably come after the event, and consider the evidence. There are now multiple screenshots of the Telegram with actual Nazis in them. Yes, it might be them co-opting, but consider this. If actual Nazis turn up at one of the events, and look like they involved in organising or protecting women, rather than having their own protest over there, do you think that will help women's rights activists in NZ or make things harder for them?

          I've seen screenshots taken by someone I know and trust who was in the SBYW Telegram, and that includes the conversation asking if Arps would be there, and other comments about known Nazis.

          Add that to Counterspin, and it's reasonable to think that in the absence of the organisers distancing themselves from Nazis, they are in fact ok with the Nazis, or are Nazis themselves. The onus is on them to sort this out.

          Anyone who thinks there are no neo Nazi/white nationalist/far right set of movements building in NZ really hasn't been paying attention for the past few years, nor the longer years of the rise of fascism in the English speaking liberal countries.

          • Sabine 2.2.1.2.1

            And Kellie Jay Keen was / is also a Neo Nazi, and Mana Wahine Korero is also Nazi, and all the women that showed up were also Nazi, and the old women who had her head bashed in was a Nazi who got what she deserved, and we are just lucky that the frenzied mob of nice kind and lefty progressive people protesting 'let women speak' in NZ did not stomp anyone to death, cause literally we might would have to ask if the good and kind and progressive people of NZ – media, politics, academia and their blind followers are the baddies.

            Weka, if Neo Nazis were to show up at Tokoroa – one of the places these poeple want to show up, they would not have much fun.

            Again, my money is on Hanna Tamaki – the party, Tamaki the Church, and some other similar groups. And unless anyone, you or Ani or anyone, actually points to a solid proof that indeed these rallies are held by neo nazis people should not promote that idea.

            Cause the last time, NZ almost killed women for the audacity of a. knowing what a women is, and b. insisting that they are human beings with rights. Something that not a single person on the left currently feels like they could say, lest they get the "Nazi" treatment. And NZ got lucky they did not kill the old women that got bashed, the old dude that got ellbowed by a Drag Queen, or Kellie Jay Keen on her way out. Cause clearly, that would have been some bad bad advertising for this country.

            But keep yelling Nazi Nazi in a crowded theatre and then wonder why witches are burning at the stake.

            • weka 2.2.1.2.1.1

              If you can't tell the difference between calling terfs Nazis, and actual neo Nazis, I can't help you.

              • Sabine

                Women were called Nazis. Weka. Terfs are women.

                Nazi is just a new form of insulting women and their allies who insist in material reality.

                • weka

                  again, if you cannot tell the difference between TRAs saying terfs are Nazis, and left wing women pointing to the actual Nazis, I can't help you.

                  Denying the existence of actual Nazis continues to conflate actual Nazis and women in the minds of the public who are watching.

                  • Molly

                    Those who promulgated the word association of "TERF" + "Nazi", knowing clear connections are unevidenced, contributed to an environment where women were silenced on 25 March.

                    I have little patience for this type of 'support' for women.

        • Molly 2.2.1.3

          The void left by "progressive" men supporting #LetWomenSpeak will either remain empty or be filled by others who consider women speaking to be a concept worth defending.

          I'm just not interested because it is an event run by men, for men. Although, it may give insight into the concerns men have. There is unlikely to be violence because the joyous celebrators of #DoNotLetWomenSpeak are taking a well earned rest on their laurels:

          https://twitter.com/transliberated/status/1646682011283886081?s=20

          • Sabine 2.2.1.3.1

            I'm just not interested because it is an event run by men, for men.

            that i can agree with.

            My values don't align.

            that too is a good reason.

            anything else is fearmongering, slurring and pushing a lable on people that might be worse then just far fetched, and all that without proof.

          • Shanreagh 2.2.1.3.2

            Good points Molly.

            Run by men for men, or by the fundamentalist church which is a play space for mysogyny.

            I should clarify my point about proscribed. I had thought that salutes and dressing like Nazis had been proscribed, from the little reading about the Vic State govt response I understand that it thought this too. Apparently it is not.

            I know that the sale of Nazi memorabilia is forbidden here in NZ as Dunbar Sloane had to with draw items from sale in a recent auction.

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/wellington/131715304/concerns-raised-at-sale-of-disturbing-nazi-military-memorabilia-and-replicas

  3. SPC 4

    Why gaining power turns you into an actual Cookie Monster

    https://bigthink.com/the-learning-curve/gaining-power/

  4. weka 6

    More tweets about #LetMenPosture and Stand By Your Woman.

    https://twitter.com/wlaotearoa/status/1646975483060576263

    • Sabine 6.1

      I'm wrong, Kyle isn't organizer, he's just going Different Nazis are organizers

      bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

      Honestly someone should DM these guys and tell them to go with 'Terfs', Nazi in NZ has no more meaning then Woman. Neither one can be defined unless it is the progressive left that does the defining, and then anyone can be one, unless they are not.

      • weka 6.1.1

        https://twitter.com/wlaotearoa/status/1646975103098585088

        we all have a line. I know where mine is.

        • Sabine 6.1.1.1

          They got it wrong so feel free to hold your wrong line for all its worth.

          This now sounds like the disinformation project that thinks that 1.8 million are 'captured' by something without explaining whom these people are and by what they are captured.

          I understand that you are a self identified lefty and thus think you are on the right side of history, so let me make this clear, on this issue the far right and the far left go hand in hand together, and both will leave you a women without words to describe yourself and your reality, will leave you without places to congregate and discuss your political reality, and will see you abused if you even just try to raise issues that impact on you.

          the ones will call you faschist, nazi, terf, the other will call you chattel and property. the end result is the same.

          And just as a reminder, i know Nazis, we invented them.

            • weka 6.1.1.1.1.1

              Looks to me like a few things happened.

              1. the people organising SBYW were naive and didn't deal with the neo Nazis in the Telegram group

              2. some known neo Nazis organised the Chch event.

              I don't think women will retain our rights if we don't make clear lines between gender critical positions and the far right, gender conformity groups co-opting LWS etc.

          • weka 6.1.1.1.2

            I understand that you are a self identified lefty

            no. I have left wing politics. It's not an identity.

            and thus think you are on the right side of history

            no, I don't. Stop making up shit about me. If you do that again I will moderate. What you just did there was take a GC meme about anti-terfers and applied it to me even though it as nothing to do with me. This is the second time this week someone has done this and it has to stop. You cannot put people in the box you want them to be in so you can run your argument, because it just destroys debate.

            so let me make this clear, on this issue the far right and the far left go hand in hand together

            So make the argument Sabine. Point to the far left fascists. I already have my own analysis of left wing authoritarianism, I just don't see the people I think you are talking about as being left wing so much as neoliberal. Atm you are just throwing out generic stereotypes. Put some effort into your analysis and improve the debate.

            and both will leave you a women without words to describe yourself and your reality, will leave you without places to congregate and discuss your political reality, and will see you abused if you even just try to raise issues that impact on you.

            And? I already know this about the anti-terfers, so why are you lecturing me?

            the ones will call you faschist, nazi, terf, the other will call you chattel and property. the end result is the same.

            Here's the difference though. If what you call the far left can be tempered, that brings us back to progressive norms and socialist politics. The far right being moderated leaves us with NACT.

  5. Anker 7
    • I am inclined to agree with Sabine over this.
    • However anyone who is alt right (and I must admit, I am not entirely sure what that means and/or the likes of Tamaki will not do us any favours. The tras and the msm will use this against us.

    As a movement, I have no idea what we do about this. We have no control over others organising rallies or turning up to ours.

    • weka 7.1

      The far right are fascists anker.

      • Sabine 7.1.1

        As are the far left. Two peas from the same authoritarian pod that has no fucks to give about children and women.

        also please define faschismus: https://www.britannica.com/topic/fascism

        • weka 7.1.1.1

          who are some of the NZ left wing fascists that are akin to people like Kyle Chapman or Philip Arps?

        • Psycho Milt 7.1.1.2

          Both authoritarians, but not both fascists. Fascists describes the far-right version. If you compare the fascist states (Spain, Italy, Germany) with their left-wing equivalents (USSR, PRC, DPRNK), they have in common murderous totalitarianism but little else.

          • weka 7.1.1.2.1

            excellent explanation

          • Sabine 7.1.1.2.2

            The people that got killed by Stalin, Franco, Mussolini, and Hitler are all equally dead.

            Left and right is just something some people hold on to in order to pretend to be 'other' and thus 'better'.

            My totalitarian regime is totes better and kinder then yours. Now shut up lest we call you Nazi. Or Transphobe. Or bigot. Or hold a sign that says 'suck my dick' or 'suck my transcock' or 'shut up bitch'.

            No difference between the both. And deadly to minorities of all kinds, and generally really shitty for women – human females. Either they be private property or they be public property, but they be undefinable and thus undefendable and not worthy of respect in a democracy cause …..property/chattel/an idendity that anyone can be.

            So go on hold on to your academic distinctions and understand that neither the right nor the left will come to the aide of human females.

      • Belladonna 7.1.2

        Which far right? I've frequently seen ACT referred to as 'far right' on TS – and I certainly don't see them fitting into the following definition

        A fascist is someone who supports or promotes fascism—a system of government led by a dictator who typically rules by forcefully and often violently suppressing opposition and criticism, controlling all industry and commerce, and promoting nationalism and often racism.

        https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fascist

        The part that seems to set fascism aside from other forms of dictatorship is the 'controlling all industry and commerce' (violent suppression of opposition, nationalism and racism are dime-a-dozen among dictatorships)

        Even then I'd think that Stalin (for example) with his state control of industry and commerce – would fall under this definition. Perhaps it's that fascism was (initially) more effective in managing the economy than communism ever was.

        And possibly the charismatic leader (although, I can't think of a single current example of a party or group which is described as fascist, which actually has a charismatic leader).

        More in-depth discussion here – but it's still not clear exactly how fascism differs in form from other violent, repressive dictatorships – one commentator even says trying to describe fascism is like nailing jelly to the wall!

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

        • weka 7.1.2.1

          fair point about ACT. I said something to non-NZ people that other day about ACT being far right, and then realised it made no sense outside of NZ pol. ACT aren't fascists, they're RW libertarians.

  6. Anker 8
    • Agree far right and far left are racist.

    didn’t know if the Act party were considered alt right. That’s why I said I wasn’t sure who was considered alt right

    • Shanreagh 8.1

      ACT party are not alt right!

      In NZ, ACT is to the right of the centrist but right National Party.

      National Party is to the right of the centrist but left Labour Party.

      Alt Right from Oxford Languages https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

      (in the US) a right-wing ideological movement characterized by a rejection of mainstream politics and by the use of online media to disseminate provocative content, often expressing opposition to racial, religious, or gender equality.

      Southern Poverty Law Centre

      The Alternative Right, commonly known as the "alt-right," is a set of far-right ideologies, groups and individuals whose core belief is that “white identity” is under attack by multicultural forces using “political correctness” and “social justice” to undermine white people and “their” civilization.

      https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/alt-right

  7. Anker 9

    Good to have some clarity about Stand by your women events re Nazis.

    The organisers well intentioned but Chch Nazis (real ones) slipped in and ran the event.

    Hope the Stand by your women guys can sort this out.

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  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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