When the bigots and misinformation-spreaders cry "free speech!", what they really mean is not "free to stand on the street and say it", which they will always have. They actually mean that somebody else should provide a free digital platform for them, face all of the legal consequences, and then pay the tech staff to run it. Not surprisingly, at some point patience runs out.
Really pleasing to see Racheal McGregor get some satisfaction from Colin Craig. Although I understand that the settlement was way short of her legal fees.
This shortfall clearly says to me that the legal system is seriously broken. It shouts, NO MONEY NO JUSTICE.
In hindsight perhaps Ms McGregor would have been better to have slipped a few dollars to a leather clad motorcyclist.
Two questions.
Do we at the bottom of the food chain have any other options ??
"There is no part of Aotearoa, no business, no community, no farm, no family, whose future will not be shaped in some way by the decisions we all take about what goes in the plan.
"This is why it is so important to get them right, and why the final plan needs to reflect the government's ambition, as well as your own."
…
"Communities, businesses, unions, iwi, young people, faith groups, organisations and people from all walks of live have made it clear to me that they want to be involved in making the plan for how we reach a net zero carbon Aotearoa."
Shaw said we have to go faster and further to reach the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C.
"Inaction today will cost our children dearly, and certainly more than it will cost us to put it right now.
"In the three decades since the science of climate change was made abundantly clear roughly as much climate pollution has been emitted as from the start of the start of the industrial revolution up to that point."
He said politicians all over the world knew what was unfolding and had a chance to stop it but didn't – and this was last moment before the window of oppportunity closed "perhaps for ever".
The ERP will be one of the most important, most comprehensive plans this Government creates. It will set out exactly how each Minister across Government plans to reduce climate pollution to meet our emissions targets and address the climate crisis. If done right, it will set us firmly on the path to a low emissions future.
We know our kids and our grandkids need this plan to be as ambitious as possible. Help us show Government Ministers that there is overwhelming public pressure for ambitious climate action by making a submission.
Please engage with the climate change processes already ongoing, make a submission to the emissions reduction plan. the Greens provide a simplified form and a more comprehensive form above, or if you prefer the Ministry of the Environment form:
In Rotorua you have some 40 motels packed to the rafters with the undesirables and unhoused – i think Queen Victoria called these people 'unfortunates', whole families to one room. It does not matter if they are vaccinated or not, if it hits there it will do damage, and thanks to the generosity of this current Labour Led Government and its doodahs we have 4 – I repeat 4 ICU beds, are several nurses short, under resoursed etc, just like everywhere else.
And i would like to point out that to cover the shortfall of ICU nurses in Auckland these were pulled from other hospitals. Can we get them back from Auckland before Aucklanders bring death to everywhere? Or would that be rude to Aucklanders?
No we don't say fuck it your fault, we simply say the 3 million (or whatever the number) that have got vaccinated can no longer have their freedoms curtailed any longer. We strongly advise you to get vaccinated if you want to greatly reduce your risk of hospitalisation or dying. Pretty simple choice really. It is there choice but the country is not waiting until 2024 or whenever.
So over to them…get off their asses or take the risk of dying. No one is forcing you.
It is "inevitable" Covid-19 cases will crop up around the country once Auckland's border opens, and the greatest impact will be on communities with the least resources, experts say.
It's not just about the vaccination in this case. Dealing with the "inevitable" cases is the problem in these under-resourced communities.
It is ok, so sayeth the government, aucklanders and highly paid men and women who pontificate about leisure and entitlements such as driving a few hundered kilo meters to a million dollar batch elsewhere.
If the plague breaks out there, these same people will be no where to be found when it comes to taking personal responsability.
Of course we can. We can't allow the quarantine areas to be opened up just because that Judith Collins woman wants to, All she wants is to inflict Covid 19 on the whole population of New Zealand before Christmas. We have to stop her!
Wasn't that Grant and Chippies claim a few weeks ago? Well it is going to happen and that is under the Labour Parties' watch. They didn't decide to wait until even one DHB had reached 90% full vaccination. I expect a concerted boo from all the contributors to this blog. 1..2..3.. Silence.
Trying to get the last 9%-10% vaccinated could take another year or two, and still one or two percent will never get vaccinated under any circumstances.
Silly me. I believed what was in Stuff which said. Given Stuff's appalling record on factual information I should never have taken any notice of what they say.
"The 90 per cent target is gone, before any district health board (DHB) had even managed to reach it."
They haven't reached 90% (I mean they may have by the 1pm update on Thursday, but not when I wrote that article). That table rounds up – note that it says there are still 1800 doses to go.
That's what I thought too. All a bit indicative with the HSU chosen as denominator anyway. And the Māori specific rates I find more revealing about how far we have to go to protect communities.
Those are a bit disconcerting – it has been making me worried about a repeat of the 1918 ‘native’ mortality. Especially until recently some very low population jab velocities pointing to a long trail out time with previous techniques.
But it looks like something changed in the past few weeks. Statistically the 12-24yo Maori groups have started getting jabbed.
I haven't seen any analysis on it why it is happening. But when I look at the first dose maps it feels like an access issue in the rural and semi-rural areas where there are high Maori populations.
For instance if you look in the Bay of Plenty – it looks like round Opotiki is satisfactory – but the rest of the BoP is pretty lowish. Why?
BoP DHB has second jab rates that are too low when you look at it by DHB – but vast 1st to second jab jumps in some age groups (71% first jab to 59% in second for the 12-19 age group). It seems like a pattern across multiple DHBs.
I should have a look on the wayback to see when that change happened – clearly something has.
Alwyn your job is to pathetically whinge at anything the govt does.Urban area DHB's plus Southern DHB's have reached 90% plus. Rural areas are lagging behind but given their remoteness and poor access to healthcare that will push those to get immunised.
Now the borders are being opened the numbers will go up as people realise vaccination is the only option left to protect themselves.
And your evidence for this claim is what, precisely? What is wrong with the numbers I gave in my link, other than that it makes your beloved Government look stupid.
Something isn't true just because you want it to be and you simply won't accept anything that shows you to be wrong. You remind me of what my grandchildren, at least when they were very young, were like when they got overtired. To the suggestion that it was time to go home their answer might be "no". When asked why not the only thing they could manage was "because". Just "because". They have grown out of it and can be reasoned with. You are still in the terrible two's mindset.
I would love to see that trickling down, never mind that everyone jabbed between Jan to Jun is in need of a booster shot.
But lest pretend they are in that 90% group, because otherwise we would need to admit that the target is unreachable simply due to the fact that six moth after your double jab, you need a booster.
fwiw, Auckland should go to level 2 with the borders staying open. Go holiday in your own backyard, and keep the rest of the country covid free. There is no human right that gives anyone a right to drag a boat/bikes/othershit across the country to bring the pestilence to some small town with no hospital or even clinic. But i can see how the entitlement runs strong in some.
There have been some of that being drawn to my attention. I suspect the caching – so I will revert it. Let me know if it improves thingsafter a few hours.
I won't have time to look at it further until the weekend. Insufficient brain capacity left over from work….
It's not entitlement, it is love of whanau, and wanting to be together for Christmas. I've had a gutsful of anti Auckland prejudice.
We don't like living in a pressure cooker with a bunch of rule breaking numpties spreading the virus around much either. The rest of NZ needs to stop their prejudiced bullcrap.
Auckland has done ALL the mahi in this dismal pandemic. We locked down for (soon to be) 4 months and got over 95% jabbed (as of today). The rest of Aotearoa should be thankful, not spreading fear of opening up. Let's all get the Shot for Summer and have a great Christmas together.
It is completely unreasonable of non-Aucklanders to expect us to stay locked up indefinitely. Lockdown is a TEMPORARY suspension of human rights and it has gone on long enough. We sacrificed our sanity and stayed home for months, to give you a chance to protect yourself.
Does nobody care about protecting Aucklanders any more? We have to live in a pressure cooker with this small percentage of hard core rule breakers, and we are taking the blame for their bullshit.
Now the rest of Aotearoa needs to step up and do their part. Mask up, wash hands, use the Covid app, and above all get vaccinated. Stop pretending you can lock up your fellow Kiwis and be safe doing nothing.
The enemy is a virus – but another enemy is fear, hatred, and divisiveness. We are reaping the harvest of 35 years of neoliberal capitalism eating away at our institutions and social fabric.
Don't let paranoia and prejudice build Trumpian walls of division around your heart.
The deliberately unvaccinated can take the consequences of their "choices" as far as I'm concerned.
Except for the others that will suffer the consequences of their "choices", and the Governments choice to have "freedom day" before enough are vaccinated.
Medical staff, the immune compromised, children, especially those with asthma, rheumatic fever, leukemia, those whose medical treatment is delayed. All those who won't have, a choice!
What is so special about Aucklanders that they can not holiday in their own area?
I agree that Aucklanders should not be kept locked up at home – they should be free to move, but why the heck should you be entitled to a holiday in the South Island or in Gisborne?
What about the Team of 5 million?
Or do we need to open Auckland and its infested and covid carrying citizens to the rest of the country because dear Leader needs some good news? Or does the Labour party need to open up so that they can blame others for the inevitable spread of Covid?
Frankly Aucklanders, do the right thing, stay the fuck at home.
I'm double vaxxed, tested, and will use the Covid passport. Please don't tell me I can't go visit my elderly parents and whanau up North. I have been stuck at home for months, have been under huge emotional stress and put on tons of weight.
Pull your head in and stop spreading fear. We have had a shitty time and now you want to ruin Christmas as well.
I will be travelling out of Auckland to visit friends and family. I'm double vaxed so why not?
Who the hell are you to tell me I cant travel out of Auckland. As Robologic says, you need to pull your head in. You've definitely swallowed the fear porn.
Ansell's fortress of delusion is nigh impregnable. The media, courts, academia, and especially politicians of all stripes, are engaging in a N4zi conspiracy of bizarre experiments, murder and pedophilia… his head is full of snakes. An exorcism may be warranted.
Scott Hamilton is a national treasure. The "mainstream" right does more than just flirt with the far right nutjobs. They egg one another on in the Kiwiblog comments section, and express their real (disgusting) opinions
What does RTM mean after Hamilton's name? I assume he is using it to describe himself. I'm used to it being "Return to Manufacturer" which is used when something is not up to spec.
‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
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Peter Dunne writes – I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
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Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
Almost all of the Wellington City Council’s recommended zoning changes to allow many more apartments and townhouses in its inner-suburbs have been approved.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guest on geopolitics, ...
Open access notablesA Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future:Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
Alwyn Poole writes – After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
Eric Crampton writes – A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
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Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
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Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
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Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
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Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
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TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
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I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
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Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
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The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
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Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
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Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...
By Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...
Tara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...
The under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
New Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
New Zealand’s largest book publisher has undergone drastic changes this week, leaving its future role in local publishing uncertain. Two of the most recognisable local publishers in New Zealand are among those restructured out of Penguin Random House, it was announced this week. Head of publishing Claire Murdoch will leave ...
In 2021 the Public Interest Journalism Fund launched the Te Rito Journalism project, a $2.4 million initiative to boost diversity in New Zealand’s newsrooms. The initiative was in response to the decades-long shortage of Māori and Pacific journalists in the media industry. It was billed as New Zealand’s ...
The Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...
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Successive governments have tried, and failed, to count Māori. But with the return of social investment, it’s more important than ever to get good data. The post Government looks for a better way to count Māori appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Experts in financing social investment initiatives say New Zealand is in a prime position to tackle social issues via a social investment approach The post What will Willis’ social investment fund look like? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist A former Tuvalu prime minister says while the New Zealand government’s oil and gas plans show it is concerned about its economy, he is more concerned about the livelihoods and survival of the Tuvalu people. Enele Sopoaga — who still serves as an MP ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Many people who follow federal budgets know about the magnificent “budget tree” in a parliamentary courtyard, which turns a glorious red in time for the May event. This week Treasurer Jim Chalmers posed by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Bennett, Professor of Music, Australian National University Richard P J Lambert/flickr, CC BY The future belongs to the analogue loyalists. Fuck digital. As a tsunami of CDs, DAT tapes and samplers swept the recording industry in the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate professor, Music Industry, RMIT University This week American rapper Macklemore released a new track, Hind’s Hall, which has gained a lot of attention because of its explicitly political nature. The track is unapologetically pro-Palestine. It declares the artist’s ...
Explainer - The government from 2025 is mandating how state schools teach children to read. But what is structured literacy and how does it compare to other teaching methods? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danica Jenkins, Lecturer in European Studies, University of Sydney On a freezing spring night in March, Georgia’s national soccer team beat Greece in a nail-biter penalty shootout to qualify for the Euro 2024 championships. The atmosphere on the streets of the capital ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam G. Arian, Lecturer (Accounting & Finance), Australian Catholic University Loic Manegarium/Pexels Imagine every ton of carbon dioxide a company emits is slowly inflating its costs — not just in terms of potential fines or fees but in the capital it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Somwrita Sarkar, Senior Lecturer in Design and Computation, University of Sydney The “latte line” is the infamous, invisible boundary that divides Sydney between the more affluent north-east and the south-west. Historically, people north of the line enjoy better access to jobs and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dowdy, Principal Research Scientist in Extreme Weather, The University of Melbourne Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock In media articles about unprecedented flooding, you’ll often come across the statement that for every 1°C of warming, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture. This ...
RNZ Pacific Former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison, Fiji media are reporting. Bainimarama, alongside suspended Fiji Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the High Court in Suva today for their sentencing hearing for a case involving their roles in blocking a police ...
Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo says, “Addressing violence and abuse remains New Zealand’s most significant human rights issue affecting women. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Symons, Macquarie School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University Michael Schiffer / Unsplash Life has transformed our world over billions of years, turning a dead rock into the lush, fertile planet we know today. But human activity is currently transforming Earth ...
One woman’s quest to watch Challengers without ruining her body clock. Every Saturday morning, I wake up with a screaming demon inside my head urging me to “Do. Something. This. Weekend.” I run through the possibilities in my head in a defensive mental crouch, reminiscent of that one time I ...
Somebody at the NZ Herald has had enough.
When the bigots and misinformation-spreaders cry "free speech!", what they really mean is not "free to stand on the street and say it", which they will always have. They actually mean that somebody else should provide a free digital platform for them, face all of the legal consequences, and then pay the tech staff to run it. Not surprisingly, at some point patience runs out.
https://twitter.com/LoganChurch01/status/1460675461168517122/photo/1
Yet more bureaucratic cruelty at the border.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/bay-of-plenty/300456525/gut-wrenching-wait-for-woman-in-managed-isolation-as-sister-dying-from-leukaemia
The great experiment gone bad.
https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1460353632948391937
https://www.ala.org/ala/ppo/currentprograms/greatexperiment/greatexperimentgeorge.htm
Really pleasing to see Racheal McGregor get some satisfaction from Colin Craig. Although I understand that the settlement was way short of her legal fees.
This shortfall clearly says to me that the legal system is seriously broken. It shouts, NO MONEY NO JUSTICE.
In hindsight perhaps Ms McGregor would have been better to have slipped a few dollars to a leather clad motorcyclist.
Two questions.
Do we at the bottom of the food chain have any other options ??
Is this the kind of society we want ??
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/453438/government-releases-consultation-document-ahead-of-emissions-reduction-plan
https://action.greens.org.nz/strengthen_the_erp
Please engage with the climate change processes already ongoing, make a submission to the emissions reduction plan. the Greens provide a simplified form and a more comprehensive form above, or if you prefer the Ministry of the Environment form:
https://consult.environment.govt.nz/climate/emissions-reduction-plan/consultation/
Greens and Maori party saying opening Auckland border on 15th December is too soon as some communities have not yet lifted their vaccination rate.
Well how about they get their asses down to the vaccination clinic and get jabbed, they've already had months to do this.
Covid-19 NZ: Auckland border reopening too soon, say Green and Māori parties | Stuff.co.nz
We cant stay closed forever just for them.
True as Jester. Bloody pidgeon post should have reached everybody by now, no more excuses.
Need a dose of that personal responsibility, mate.
In Rotorua you have some 40 motels packed to the rafters with the undesirables and unhoused – i think Queen Victoria called these people 'unfortunates', whole families to one room. It does not matter if they are vaccinated or not, if it hits there it will do damage, and thanks to the generosity of this current Labour Led Government and its doodahs we have 4 – I repeat 4 ICU beds, are several nurses short, under resoursed etc, just like everywhere else.
And i would like to point out that to cover the shortfall of ICU nurses in Auckland these were pulled from other hospitals. Can we get them back from Auckland before Aucklanders bring death to everywhere? Or would that be rude to Aucklanders?
But they haven't and they might not, so as a society do we so fuck it your fault and wilfully put them at greater risk?
Or do we say on balance its better to stay away and reduce the risks to those populations and accompanying health systems?
the tail cannot keep wagging the dog forever
survival of the fittest, etc
When close family members contract a serious infection that will motivate those who are hesitant.
Sadly
No we don't say fuck it your fault, we simply say the 3 million (or whatever the number) that have got vaccinated can no longer have their freedoms curtailed any longer. We strongly advise you to get vaccinated if you want to greatly reduce your risk of hospitalisation or dying. Pretty simple choice really. It is there choice but the country is not waiting until 2024 or whenever.
So over to them…get off their asses or take the risk of dying. No one is forcing you.
Covid-19 will 'crop up' all around New Zealand once Auckland's border opens – experts
It's not just about the vaccination in this case. Dealing with the "inevitable" cases is the problem in these under-resourced communities.
It looks like the most under resourced communties have lost more health workers than others to mandates as well. Bit of a double whammy
It is ok, so sayeth the government, aucklanders and highly paid men and women who pontificate about leisure and entitlements such as driving a few hundered kilo meters to a million dollar batch elsewhere.
If the plague breaks out there, these same people will be no where to be found when it comes to taking personal responsability.
"We cant stay closed forever just for them".
Of course we can. We can't allow the quarantine areas to be opened up just because that Judith Collins woman wants to, All she wants is to inflict Covid 19 on the whole population of New Zealand before Christmas. We have to stop her!
Wasn't that Grant and Chippies claim a few weeks ago? Well it is going to happen and that is under the Labour Parties' watch. They didn't decide to wait until even one DHB had reached 90% full vaccination. I expect a concerted boo from all the contributors to this blog. 1..2..3.. Silence.
Yes Grant Robertson said something along the lines of "on the first day of Xmas, national gave to me….Covid".
Well looks like we are getting Covid for Xmas anyway and it's not from National!
Sorry to burst your bubble but Ak DHB is already there today overall: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data#90pct
Not so rosy for Māori rates, also at that link.
Trying to get the last 9%-10% vaccinated could take another year or two, and still one or two percent will never get vaccinated under any circumstances.
Silly me. I believed what was in Stuff which said. Given Stuff's appalling record on factual information I should never have taken any notice of what they say.
"The 90 per cent target is gone, before any district health board (DHB) had even managed to reach it."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300456900/covid19-nz-vaccine-rollout-in-13-charts-as-government-gives-up-on-90-per-cent-target
They haven't reached 90% (I mean they may have by the 1pm update on Thursday, but not when I wrote that article). That table rounds up – note that it says there are still 1800 doses to go.
The time value of information is always an issue.
Like why am I sitting in a empty google meet with no-one else here? Time-zones. Calendar…
Nope – everyone is just late…
/side-issue
That's what I thought too. All a bit indicative with the HSU chosen as denominator anyway. And the Māori specific rates I find more revealing about how far we have to go to protect communities.
Those are a bit disconcerting – it has been making me worried about a repeat of the 1918 ‘native’ mortality. Especially until recently some very low population jab velocities pointing to a long trail out time with previous techniques.
But it looks like something changed in the past few weeks. Statistically the 12-24yo Maori groups have started getting jabbed.
I haven't seen any analysis on it why it is happening. But when I look at the first dose maps it feels like an access issue in the rural and semi-rural areas where there are high Maori populations.
For instance if you look in the Bay of Plenty – it looks like round Opotiki is satisfactory – but the rest of the BoP is pretty lowish. Why?
BoP DHB has second jab rates that are too low when you look at it by DHB – but vast 1st to second jab jumps in some age groups (71% first jab to 59% in second for the 12-19 age group). It seems like a pattern across multiple DHBs.
I should have a look on the wayback to see when that change happened – clearly something has.
Alwynger by the time borders open 90% of eligible people will be vaxxed .
Your faith in this lot is admirable. Stupid but still admirable.
Alwyn your job is to pathetically whinge at anything the govt does.Urban area DHB's plus Southern DHB's have reached 90% plus. Rural areas are lagging behind but given their remoteness and poor access to healthcare that will push those to get immunised.
Now the borders are being opened the numbers will go up as people realise vaccination is the only option left to protect themselves.
And your evidence for this claim is what, precisely? What is wrong with the numbers I gave in my link, other than that it makes your beloved Government look stupid.
Something isn't true just because you want it to be and you simply won't accept anything that shows you to be wrong. You remind me of what my grandchildren, at least when they were very young, were like when they got overtired. To the suggestion that it was time to go home their answer might be "no". When asked why not the only thing they could manage was "because". Just "because". They have grown out of it and can be reasoned with. You are still in the terrible two's mindset.
I would love to see that trickling down, never mind that everyone jabbed between Jan to Jun is in need of a booster shot.
But lest pretend they are in that 90% group, because otherwise we would need to admit that the target is unreachable simply due to the fact that six moth after your double jab, you need a booster.
fwiw, Auckland should go to level 2 with the borders staying open. Go holiday in your own backyard, and keep the rest of the country covid free. There is no human right that gives anyone a right to drag a boat/bikes/othershit across the country to bring the pestilence to some small town with no hospital or even clinic. But i can see how the entitlement runs strong in some.
with the borders staying closed. – no edit function.
There have been some of that being drawn to my attention. I suspect the caching – so I will revert it. Let me know if it improves thingsafter a few hours.
I won't have time to look at it further until the weekend. Insufficient brain capacity left over from work….
It's not entitlement, it is love of whanau, and wanting to be together for Christmas. I've had a gutsful of anti Auckland prejudice.
We don't like living in a pressure cooker with a bunch of rule breaking numpties spreading the virus around much either. The rest of NZ needs to stop their prejudiced bullcrap.
Auckland has done ALL the mahi in this dismal pandemic. We locked down for (soon to be) 4 months and got over 95% jabbed (as of today). The rest of Aotearoa should be thankful, not spreading fear of opening up. Let's all get the Shot for Summer and have a great Christmas together.
It is completely unreasonable of non-Aucklanders to expect us to stay locked up indefinitely. Lockdown is a TEMPORARY suspension of human rights and it has gone on long enough. We sacrificed our sanity and stayed home for months, to give you a chance to protect yourself.
Does nobody care about protecting Aucklanders any more? We have to live in a pressure cooker with this small percentage of hard core rule breakers, and we are taking the blame for their bullshit.
Now the rest of Aotearoa needs to step up and do their part. Mask up, wash hands, use the Covid app, and above all get vaccinated. Stop pretending you can lock up your fellow Kiwis and be safe doing nothing.
The enemy is a virus – but another enemy is fear, hatred, and divisiveness. We are reaping the harvest of 35 years of neoliberal capitalism eating away at our institutions and social fabric.
Don't let paranoia and prejudice build Trumpian walls of division around your heart.
The deliberately unvaccinated can take the consequences of their "choices" as far as I'm concerned.
Except for the others that will suffer the consequences of their "choices", and the Governments choice to have "freedom day" before enough are vaccinated.
Medical staff, the immune compromised, children, especially those with asthma, rheumatic fever, leukemia, those whose medical treatment is delayed. All those who won't have, a choice!
Well actually why not?
What is so special about Aucklanders that they can not holiday in their own area?
I agree that Aucklanders should not be kept locked up at home – they should be free to move, but why the heck should you be entitled to a holiday in the South Island or in Gisborne?
What about the Team of 5 million?
Or do we need to open Auckland and its infested and covid carrying citizens to the rest of the country because dear Leader needs some good news? Or does the Labour party need to open up so that they can blame others for the inevitable spread of Covid?
Frankly Aucklanders, do the right thing, stay the fuck at home.
I'm double vaxxed, tested, and will use the Covid passport. Please don't tell me I can't go visit my elderly parents and whanau up North. I have been stuck at home for months, have been under huge emotional stress and put on tons of weight.
Pull your head in and stop spreading fear. We have had a shitty time and now you want to ruin Christmas as well.
I will be travelling out of Auckland to visit friends and family. I'm double vaxed so why not?
Who the hell are you to tell me I cant travel out of Auckland. As Robologic says, you need to pull your head in. You've definitely swallowed the fear porn.
Many Maori are being manipulated by likes of Brian Tamaki,Dr's teachers religous leaders etc who are antivax.
They are targeting the poorest and least educated.
https://www.twitter.com/SikotiHamiltonR/status/1460737187058651137
Ansell's fortress of delusion is nigh impregnable. The media, courts, academia, and especially politicians of all stripes, are engaging in a N4zi conspiracy of bizarre experiments, murder and pedophilia… his head is full of snakes. An exorcism may be warranted.
Scott Hamilton is a national treasure. The "mainstream" right does more than just flirt with the far right nutjobs. They egg one another on in the Kiwiblog comments section, and express their real (disgusting) opinions
What does RTM mean after Hamilton's name? I assume he is using it to describe himself. I'm used to it being "Return to Manufacturer" which is used when something is not up to spec.
RTM = "Reading The Maps", which is the name of his blog: http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/
Thank you. I hadn't heard of it, or him, until now.
Right-wing Trolling Mollot or Mallet.
A bedtime lullaby.
King by Satyricon.