The stature of NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has entered the stratosphere. She is unique:
This is New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, grieving with the Muslim community as they mourn the 49 departed, & wearing a hijab in solidarity.❤️
We must look after her – a consummately valuable being at a time of crisis both planetary and local. Best way is to actively engage in kindness her word and outreach not only in the weeks ahead but always as the emerging mode of being a Kiwi.
“Troubled times, she says, are “precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.
“I know the world is bruised and bleeding,” she adds, “and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge — even wisdom. Like art.””
The contrast between Jacinda Ardern’s empathy and presence, and Simon Bridges this morning on Radio NZ, plus reports of Paula Bennett as Police Minister watering down the recommendations on gun reform is very telling. Glad we have this government dealing with this horrific issue!!
Simon Dallow reported on One News just now that an 18 year old guy has been charged with inciting violence in Christchurch. Mention was made of him inciting extreme violence online, and posting a photo of one of the mosques with the caption `target acquired’.
This looks like proof of an online proof of an online support system for the shooter – and possible proof of involvement of a Christchurch alt-right cell, as suggested the other day by Paul Buchanan.
In his Herald commentary Hosking joins Trotter in promoting the lone wolf theory. Inasmuch as reports on the shooting as it happened informed us that hundreds of online supporters were cheering him on during his live stream, it seems these two have adopted an untenable position.
However the Herald elsewhere clarified that the other three arrested at the time were not implicated. Merely carrying firearms. Probably regular viewers of tv crime shows.
no, apparently one was volunteering to “help” the police and someone else was picking their kid up from school with the gun as protection.
More than one typre of gun nut around that day.
He might have been the pointy end of the pyramid, but it might be an education to find out how he funded trips around the world, a flat, and a firearms collection when he “obsessively” worked out.
I’ve had a quiet day today reading lots of thoughts and opinions of people. Been great to read non older paler maler views (sorry TS dudes) so i thought I’d put a couple of links up from different voices. They’re angry, emotional, real and deep and will hopefully create a wider tapestry of views for us all.
Thank you. I especially liked this one – debating racist is a waste of time and energy.
“… An article that tries again to show the link between mainstream, fashionable Muslim-bashing and its violent manifestations on the right. An article that fillets the semantic tricks played to stop Muslims ever being complete victims: the line that Islam is not a race; the use of women’s and LBGT rights as a rhetorical stick to beat Muslims with; the cant about freedom of speech, political correctness and the danger of identity politics; the whataboutery and the strawmanning….
…It is time to stop pleading. It is time to call things what they are and not temper or apologise for the strength of the allegations, to call people racists, opportunists and complicit hatemongers even if they do grace our prestigious publications and seats of governance. It is time to do what they always accuse you of doing anyway, and “shut down the debate”.”
Yes – I have read harrowing accounts of race and religion hatred towards our Muslim brothers and sisters today. I think, up to now, I haven’t really understood their pain and alienation in our country. I feel very sad and upset by that and I determined that I will make amends by listening more, supporting more and acting more.
By Khaled Diab
Khaled Diab is a journalist and writer. He is the author of “Islam for the Politically Incorrect” and “Intimate Enemies.”
March 16
If a terrorist were to claim that their attack was intended to “add momentum to the pendulum swings of history, further destabilizing and polarizing Western society,” you might be excused in thinking the perpetrator was an Islamic extremist. But these are the words of a white supremacist and crusader.
[…]
These two hateful ideologies — white supremacy and radical Islamism — may regard themselves as polar opposites, but their worldviews resemble the other. Both are paranoid, exhibit a toxic blend of superiority and inferiority toward the other, are scornful of less extreme members of their own communities, and are nostalgic for an imagined past of cultural dominance.
[…]
A contempt for “Western” modernity is another trait shared by Islamists and the Christian far right. “The Europeans worked assiduously in trying to immerse (the world) in materialism, with their corrupting traits and murderous germs, to overwhelm those Muslim lands that their hands stretched out to,” believed al-Banna. Unintentionally echoing the founding father of political Islam, Tarrant is convinced that the West has become a “society of rampant nihilism, consumerism and individualism.”
[…]
This disdain for many aspects of modernity translates into an overwhelming yearning for a supposedly more glorious and pure past and a nostalgia for bygone imperial greatness when the world was at their command — for the days of European empire or Islamic caliphates.
The thinking and the feelings that may be behind the swirl of social media and blogging from upset and angry men and women – is it like this in their minds?
From Joe90’s link: This disdain for many aspects of modernity translates into an overwhelming yearning for a supposedly more glorious and pure past and a nostalgia for bygone imperial greatness when the world was at their command — for the days of European empire or Islamic caliphates.
Is there a nostalgia for past colonial might of Britain behind Brexit? Is it nostalgia and wishful thinking and an inability to face the world that you actually helped create, driving the extreme resentment? Disruption in others’ lives and land has been caused by unwise attacks and invasion, by or enhanced by outsiders, causing infrastructural, societal and agricultural damage that causes people to be uprooted and flee into your own domain by people who are now outsiders in your country?
Is it resentment from the grunts in the armed forces who haven’t got much out of the maneouvres and fighting, perhaps damage to their bodies and minds that is not recompensed; in the end their personal lives, and their local and nationwide economy has become poorer.
Not what you expected after all the fighting and strain on personal life and health, and then the refugees from the war you have just fought and been damaged in, they come to live in your town and end up with more help than you have received, and the other men in the town aren’t given the same opportunities and help. How do you feel seeing them prosper with deep commitment to each other? Has your society got deep commitment to you and giving you similar opportunities to flourish? You feel that you are now an annoyance to your authorities, a burden, not respected, not appreciated for putting yourselves in the way of harm, under orders and direction. Then you and your cohort seem to be consigned to being second-rate people at home.
Is that a line of thinking that would fire up and keep hot, the anomic males, in a society where employment statistics are so all encompassing that they start at one hour of paid employment a week. That may be useful for stable comparisons for the Stats Department, but measuring full-time numbers at one job of 40 hours would indicate the real situation. (If someone can give me the line of clicks I have to make to get that for the nation and for each region per quarter, and annually, I would appreciate it.)
“Some dealers get around the law by importing parts that are interchangeable between MSSAs and ‘A category’ rifles. “This enables domestic assembly and the assembler to later purchase parts such as a large-capacity magazine or pistol grip without a licence, and to turn the assembled ‘A category’ semi-automatic into a MSSA,” the police told the minister.”
Dude has attitude: “The Queensland independent senator laughed off threats from Scott Morrison, saying: “I hope it’s not too painful. What’s he going to do? Flog me with his lace hanky?”
Hmm, an admirer of Fraser. Apologist for Tarrant the other day. Questioner of the Islam texts yesterday and WTF ever was the shite you tried pull in open mike only hours ago something like racist complaints aren’t real cos Islam isn’t a race cos some judges said so.
Lawyer smarts aye. So reasonable and inquiring aren’t you.
You made a call on the Quran after reading 1 verse of it in Tarrants manifesto – WTF is wrong with you?
At best you are extremely ignorant. I’m leaning towards sociopathic game playing POS.
I think Dennis Frank is trying to be objective. But it comes over as unconcerned, even accepting. And the idea of taking bits out of the holy bibles of any religion because they seem to encourage violence is pointless to put forward. I read Dennis saying this the other day, and consider it both unwise to express at the present, and not useful as a suggestion for any time. It would arouse much anger and claims of interference in the religion and not deal with the problem. The beliefs in peoples’ minds are what need to be exposed to the air and discussed. I
Then there is the role modelling from parents and others in the person’s life. And what faction do they identify with, and is it a positive one? Is there a lack of a reasoned pathway for future life, and a lack of reasoned discussion on how to make a satisfactory life with what you have and could work towards, using your own talents.
This is what is needed, not merely redacting words out of an important, sacred document. Counselling the person when young to help them understand themselves and their talents. This would be a start to the person forming a plan for their future, knowing their strong and weak points, and being able to grow those talents and make a living from them, being appreciated as a worthwhile person. This would not lead to a pathway for that individual shooting at people in deep resentment and anger.
Dennis is not objective. He’s still doing it and he’ll keep doing it as the feedback of a bunch of people means nothing to the sound of his own word heavy nonsense and vile stirring.
Take the rosy glasses off, watch the pattern repeat.
Always playing the victim, simultaneously always on attack. And not that clever it’s mostly gibberish. Lefties vs righties, but he’s in the center. The problem with all of you is…
Look closer. Gibberish with a pin in it. Who he scratches doesn’t matter, as long as he does it. Gets to be victim again, takes the gibberish he’s made up of why that is to the next blog.
I’m glad he did it, but in classical heroism terms Abdul Aziz is pretty hard to beat – attacks armed mass murderer with a credit card reader and beats him so badly he runs off like a yellow dog – give that man a VC! And honorary membership of our armed forces if that’s a prerequisite – he was defending New Zealand – our people are our country.
i can understand why military folk may feel that.
there is an arguement to be had that when these awards were enacted, the was no notion of a ‘civilian’ on a murderous spree with military planning, gear and objectives.
Aziz’s courage can be said to eclipse military bravery as it was a very one sided encounter, in that he was essentially unarmed.
“Peter Dutton has accused the Greens of being “just as bad” as extreme right-wing nationalist senator Fraser Anning, claiming both are seeking to extract political advantage from the Christchurch terror attack. On Monday the home affairs minister equated the Greens holding him accountable for stoking anti-Islamic sentiment with Anning’s comments blaming the attack on Muslim immigration.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/peter-dutton-claims-greens-just-as-bad-as-fraser-anning-on-christchurch-attack
“Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi responded that it was “vile” to say the comments were in any way equivalent, while Labor leader in the Senate Penny Wong accused him of “normalising hate speech. Since the attack on Friday the Greens have gone on the front foot with leader Richard Di Natale renewing calls for a parliamentary code of conduct to stamp out hate speech and Faruqi, the first Muslim senator in Australia, criticising conservative politicians for stoking hatred. “It is politicians like Peter Dutton who have actually contributed to creating an atmosphere where hate is allowed to incubate in our society,” Faruqi told Radio National. “They can’t shrug off their responsibility.”
I’m feeling solidarity with the Oz Greens on their stance. I get that the conservatives are just trying to represent their constituents, as democracy requires of them, but their style of doing so does seem offensive. That said, I’m a centrist not a rightist.
About Oz and insults and ingrained racism against anyone of colour – Aborigines, Muslims – and anyone who wants to make change in social habits.
Oz pollie Fraser Anning says that mother of the boy who threw an egg at him should have slapped him. I’m inclined to believe that the same prescription should have been handed out to this hoity-toity ass.
Background: He and his wife own a number of hotels. He comes from landowner family with a number of properties. He is the great-grandson of a British pastoral squatter who went to Australia to acquire land. He and several of his sons soon expanded from one to amalgamating more properties.
Next bit is telling: His family was involved in the frontier conflict as they forcibly took the land from the local Aboriginal people. In response to the spearing of cattle, the Annings would ride out with firearms, attack Aboriginal campsites and capture young boys who survived in order to use them as labour on their cattle and sheep stations.[8] The Annings at times also requested the services of the local Native Police paramilitary unit to assist in clearing “blacks” off their runs.[9] Frank Hann, another pastoralist in the region who regularly participated in extrajudicial punitive raids on Aboriginals, described in his diary in 1874 how he saw “Anning just come back from hunting blacks”.[10]…
On 4 June 2018, Anning joined Katter’s Australian Party, becoming the party’s first senator;[20] however, he was expelled in October 2018 for his inflammatory rhetoric concerning immigration, including his mention of a “final solution” to the problem….
On 14 August 2018, Anning delivered his maiden speech to the Senate. In it, he called for a plebiscite to reintroduce racial and religious discrimination in immigration policy, especially with regard to excluding Muslims. He criticised “cultural Marxism”, “safe schools and gender fluidity garbage” and the abuse of the external affairs power of the Australian constitution. He also spoke in support of the right of civilians to own firearms, and the Bradfield Scheme irrigation proposal.[43]
His speech included a reference to a “final solution”, the English equivalent of the term used by the Nazi Party during preparation and execution of the Holocaust during World War II[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Anning
He is a vile man, and comes from a family that has apparently little conscience and sense of fairness. It is interesting to know something about the person’s background to see what path they took in forming their views.
They call Fraser Anning the “accidental” senator.
Just 19 people voted for Anning at the 2016 election. Nineteen.
He got into parliament anyway, gaining a $207,106 taxpayer-funded salary and a platform from which to spew his dangerous bile.
Yes kjt and stuff will no longer advertise guns. This is a good sign……..trade me no longer selling them either. Hats off to an industry I view with contempt
To be fair Trade Me had thought about what was the right thing to do in advertising guns. One they had banned the outright blunderbusses, and second they had decided that it was reasonable to offer a trading place for legal guns amongst the public in an open environment which would encourage people to do so openly and honestly.
Some of us at Redline are part of a Marxist and anarchist gender-critical e-group that consists of activists in several countries – trade unionists, women’s liberation activists, gay and straight, male and female. Through this we became aware of the case outlined below. Thanks to Thistle for writing this for ...
Tiwai Point's electricity contract is up for renewal. And as usual, they're sticking their hand out, demanding a government subsidy, and threatening to close if they don't get one:The owners of the aluminium smelter said on Wednesday that there were seeking talks with the Government amid a strategic review which ...
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So, it turns out that the ACT Party - which previously called itself "the liberal party" - is financed by Nazis:ACT Party leader David Seymour says his party will not return a donation from Mike Allen, a Christchurch businessman who sells mock "Make America Great Again" hats to fund advertising ...
Just in case you don’t have a seven-year-old boy in your house (in which case this will be obvious) a well-known brand of breakfast cereal here in NZ is currently coming with All-Blacks stats cards. Perfect for finding out your favourite rugby player’s height, number of caps, and how much ...
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One of the key arguments used by trans ideologists is that some male-bodied people (ie men) are women because they ‘feel’ they are women. To make this hocus-pocus sound a bit more credible, some will argue that such men have a ‘female brain’. But this is thoroughly anti-scientific too. . ...
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by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh This year marks the 20th anniversary of the La Gabarra massacre. The community organised an event to remember the most well-known of the horrendous heart-breaking events that befell the communities of this area of the municipality of Tibú: the massacre carried out on August 21st 1999. ...
There was another police chase in Christchurch this morning, resulting in a crash which killed one person and injured five more. Because someone died, the chase is being investigated by the Independent Police Conduct Authority. And based on previous reports by the IPCA, we know how it will go: the ...
Just a month ago we saw the biggest protest in a generation as people marched to demand stronger action on climate change. A core demand of the protesters was to strengthen the Zero Carbon Bill's target to net-zero by 2040. So what is the government's response? Judging by the ...
Back in 2010, I wrote about the strange tale of the zombie ants, which do the bidding of their fungal overlords. (They’re not an isolated example; a range of parasites change their hosts’ behaviour. See here and here for example – though as you’ll find, the toxoplasmosis story may be ...
Shouldn't That Be: "Wrong White Crowd"? Rather than apportion guilt, would it not have been wiser for the makers of Land Of The Long White Cloud to accept that the Pakeha of 2019 are not – and never will be – “Europeans”? Just as contemporary Maori are not – and ...
One, Two, Many Truths: With the collapse of “actually existing socialism” in 1991, the universities of the West found themselves saddled with a new mission. With their ideological competitors now soundly defeated they were no longer required to demonstrate the superiority of capitalist values. Their job now was to cement ...
by the Council of Disobedient Women We call on the Council of Trade Unions to show some fortitude and take a stand with your sisters. Unionists know that there is a material world, otherwise workers could simply identify out of poverty. They could declare themselves Well Paid. Why stop ...
I spent some time reading the Regulatory Impact Statement and Bill of Rights Act advice for the government's odious control order scheme today. I am not impressed with either of them. Starting with the RIS, it is built on some pretty questionable assumptions. For example:Unless individuals have been convicted of ...
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We all know that NZ First is a party of and for old people who hate the young. But they've topped their previous pedophobia with a proposal that all young people be forced to do 100 hours community work:NZ First wants all young people to do 100 hours of community ...
A couple days ago the NZ Herald published a story with the headline, “Science says Bella Hadid is world’s most beautiful woman“, and followed up with the ridiculous statement that Supermodel Bella Hadid has been declared as the world’s most beautiful woman following a scientific study into what constitutes as ...
A Sustainable Proposition: With as much as 18 percent of the electorate declaring itself “undecided” about who to vote for, there is obviously plenty of space for a party like former Green Party member, Vernon Tava's, about-to-be-launched "Sustainable NZ Party" to move into. The most hospitable political territory for such ...
Keir Starmer has hinted that Labour might vote in favour of the Johnson government's shoddy deal, with the proviso that a second referendum is attached:Speaking to BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We will see what that looks like but it makes sense to say that by whatever ...
In 1994, I was the editor for an issue of Planet magazine focused on cannabis, its culture and the prospects for the end of its prohibition. Part of that issue was an interview with 'Ringo', an experienced cannabis dealer.I recently posted my essay from that issue, and I figured it ...
Dr Helen Waite, sports sociologist and former elite athlete, on the invasion of women’s sport by men and the anti-scientific and misogynist ideology used to rationalise it. ...
As Brexit comes to a grisly conclusion (perhaps) people on all sides are saying intemperate and uwise things. Some, like the Daly Mail, have been doing it for years.People as normally level headed as Jon Lansman are calling for automatic deselection of MPs who vote against a (likely) Labour three ...
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On Wednesday, the government was loudly telling us that it needed to legislate to allow it to impose "control orders" - effectively a parole regime, but imposed without charge, prosecution, conviction or real evidence - on suspected terrorists because they couldn't be prosecuted for their supposed crimes. Today, it turns ...
On Monday, the Hit and Run inquiry heard from NZDF's former director of special operations, who claimed that the defence Minister knew everything about the Operation Burnham raid. Today, the inquiry heard from that (former) Minister - and it turns out that he didn't know nearly as much as NZDF ...
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The last decade has seen a trend of increasing weapons availability to police. Assault rifles. Tasers on every hip. Guns in cars. And following the march 15 massacre, pistols on every hip, all over the country. At the same time, its also seen an increase in the abuse of force: ...
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been busy preparing for our summer paper on Science Communication. Looking for something amusing about ‘risk’ in science, I came across this neat xkcd.com cartoon about why so many people come knocking on my door (or phoning me, or emailing me) desperately wanting ...
by John Edmundson The International Socialist Organisation (ISO) have recently reposted a February article, by Romany Tasker-Poland, explaining ISO’s position in the “trans rights” debate. It is available on their website and on their Facebook Page. The article sets out to explain why “socialists support trans rights”. It reads more ...
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Overruled: The joint decision of Finance Minister, Grant Robertson (Labour) and his Associate Minister, David Parker (Labour) arguably the two most powerful ministers in Jacinda Ardern’s government, to grant OceanaGold the consents which Land Information Minister, Eugenie Sage (Greens) had earlier denied them, offers bitter proof of how hard fighting ...
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Musings continue apace about “the experienced businessman!” soon to be taking up a National Party MP position. Or to be more accurate, being parachuted into a seat to shut down their former MP Jamie-Lee Ross, who despite his own shortcomings shed at least some more light on the inner workings ...
The Ugandan government wants to murder gay people:Uganda has announced plans to impose the death penalty on homosexuals. The bill, colloquially known as “Kill the Gays” in Uganda, was nullified five years ago on a technicality, but the government said on Thursday it plans to resurrect it within weeks. The ...
Hassan Vally, La Trobe UniversityWho doesn’t want to know if drinking that second or third cup of coffee a day will improve your memory, or if sleeping too much increases your risk of a heart attack? We’re invested in staying healthy and many of us are interested in reading ...
Freedom Of Speech? The Säuberung (cleansing by fire) was the work of the German Student Union which, on 10 May 1933, under the watchful eye of the Nazi Reichminister for Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, consigned 25,000 books to the flames in a ritual exorcism of “un-German thought”. According to the logic of the ...
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...
New Zealand has prided itself for decades with regard to its lack of pollution, and all will be aware that the ‘100% Pure New Zealand‘ meme is under threat through land, water and air pollution of various causes. There is another type of contamination that the country also faces: light ...
New Zealand’s media is doing its part in Japan, reassuring those in the path of the storm that they won’t miss any rugby while away from their flooded homes. New Zealand sports reporters stationed in Japan for the Rugby World Cup have had the rare and heartwarming opportunity to inform ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is the only Cabinet member in favour of putting it all on green. As Finance Minister Grant Robertson finds himself with an enormous $7.5 billion surplus, the Government has begun intense, at times contentious conversations about whether to put the money on red or black at ...
by Susanne Kemp At the start of September close to 100,000 school teachers went on strike in Jordan. They demanded a 50% pay rise. A pay rise actually agreed to by the regime back in 2014. In early October, however, in the face of government repression and threats, the teachers’ ...
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has hit back at those who are upset over a change in approach to partnership visas. There has been a specific government directive to stop waiving requirements such as couples needing to have lived together for 12 months - a test Indian couples who have ...
The North Auckland Line rejuvenation kicks off with teams surveying the rail corridor and Northland construction contractors are showing interest in the project.KiwiRail provided an industry briefing for Northland contracting and construction companies about future work opportunities on rejuvenating Northland’s rail lines. The briefing session in Whangarei was held to ...
Journalist Andrew Dickens, reporting from the 2019 New Zealand First Conference, states that the Party once again proved “they are more than a sideshow”. In his op-ed article for NewstalkZB, Mr Dickens said he has always been an admirer of the Party, saying they are “a true centrist party”. “[NZ ...
New Zealand First's potential policy of compulsory community service for ages 15-19 years old has been getting support from those in the industry. A policy remit was passed during their recent Conference in Christchurch, gaining the support of a majority of its membership. Party leader Winston Peters has been talking ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the Party hopes to decide it’s stance pill testing at music festivals "before the season of concern", with festivals generally held during the summer months. Mr Peters' comments come in an interview with TVNZ's Q+A and follow a remit from the party's youth ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he has been told to be "alert" to potential cost blowouts for the light rail project in Auckland. Mr Peters said no such concerns were raised with him from ministerial colleagues, including Transport Minister Phil Twyford of the Labour Party. He suggested that ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters Leader of New Zealand First The Benefits of having New Zealand First in the Centre: Security, Experience & Balance 2.00pm, 20th October 2019 Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you all for your warm welcome to this, the party’s 26thConvention. Speaking on behalf of caucus colleagues, it’s great to ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Fletcher Tabuteau is travelling to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu this week to continue toadvance important bilateral relationships in our region consistent with thePacific Reset. Mr Tabuteau will engage in a range of bilateral meetings and visit New Zealand development ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is predicting a hard Brexit for the United Kingdom, as he believes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won’t be able to negotiate terms before the October 30 deadline. The Minister, who was one of the first to publicly come out and predict British voters would leave ...
Speaking at the Council of Trade Unions' (CTU) biennial conference, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told unionists that any future attacks on the Government won't work. "Now, we are being attacked by the union movement in this country. You can have your views but I'm here to say standing ...
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...
Defence Minister Ron Mark has used his powers to overrule a noise complaint ruling against Whenuapai airbase on the grounds of "national security". The Environment Court last month released a ruling in favour of a private developer, declaring the Auckland airbase had to comply with noise restrictions when it performs ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has opened fire against "unreconstructed morons" after NZ First MP Shane Jones was photographed on holiday holding an AR-15 rifle. Mr Peters is defending Mr Jones, telling Magic Talk host Peter Williams that his MP was just having fun "like most people do". "The ...
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau was in attendance during the morning blessing of the Rotorua Lakefront development project. Around 60 people gathered on the shores of Lake Rotorua, including city mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy Dave Donaldson. The Lakefront development is a ...
Forestry Minister Shane Jones is considering reining in on conversions of farmland to forestry, and also issued a warning to foreign-owned forestry companies that make up nearly 75 per cent of the industry. He said too many foreign companies had not provided enough access for domestic processors to get timber. ...
Speaking to Radio NZ, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the tightening of the parental category visa is a direct result of the Party’s coalition negotiations with the Labour Party. He said the new changes switch the financial onus from the parent moving to New Zealand to the child ...
The Coalition Government is set to cut red tape in the building and construction sector in an effort to allow more houses to be built, including prefabricated houses. The changes will enable the mass factory production of "high quality" buildings, slash the likely number of building inspections for factory produced ...
Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to tackle homelessness and make sure everyone has a warm, dry home. And today, on World Homeless Day, we want to report back and update you on our progress so far. ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has hit back at National Party leader Simon Bridges who criticized the Coalition Government’s approach to crime, and said that the latter isn't credible in his attack on the Government over gang recruitment. "We've got as massive drug problem in this country. It is ...
New Zealand Mānuka honey exporters have welcomed an initiative by the Coalition Government to help secure the term “mānuka honey” to be used exclusively by Kiwi exporters, ensuring that our multimillion-dollar industry is protected. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had recently announced that a Provincial Growth Funding of $5.7 ...
Political commentator Mike Hosking has labelled New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as “the voice of reason in a government soft on drugs”, for the Party’s stance on drug testing at music festivals. “If common sense is worth a vote, Winston Peters is quids in,” Mr Hosking said. The Labour ...
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau has announced Provincial Growth Funding to ensure work opportunities in Turangi and Whanganui, through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi. A fund of $500,000 will go to Rafting NZ in Turangi for a 16-week river guide training course to train ...
Treasury has shown that the Coalition Government has a $7.5 billion surplus, which is $4 billion higher than what was expected in the 2019 Budget unveiled last May. It is also $2 billion higher than the actual surplus unveiled this time last year, and at a size that has not ...
Official Information Act figures released to NZME show there were 350 assaults on officers in the year to the end of June, 79 more than the year before. The increase in attacks have sparked calls for more legal protection for first responders to be enacted. The assaults included officers being ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
We're making progress on tackling the long-term challenges: from homelessness, to strengthening border security, to bringing banking back New Zealand's small towns. ...
Associate Transport Minister Shane Jones has backed the ambitious plan to move Auckland’s port to Northport, at Whangarei harbour, which he says will be the “King Kong of infrastructure”. The plan is part of the recommendations of a six-person independent working group, which has recommended the Ports of Auckland be ...
More houses for homeless New Zealanders are being opened today in Tauranga by Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi. Six 2-bedroom quality units are being opened at 878 Cameron Road by Minister Faafoi and Accessible Properties, a local Community Housing Provider (CHP). Accessible Properties now provides more than 1,700 community housing ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson departs tomorrow for events and meetings in Japan and Vietnam. While in Japan, he will discuss economic and fiscal issues including meeting with the Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, and Minister of Economic and Fiscal Policy, Yasutoshi Nishimura. He will meet with the Minister of Education, ...
The Government’s Housing Dashboard released today confirms record numbers of state houses are under construction and shows the Government build programme is gaining momentum. “After nine years of inaction, and a hands-off attitude from the previous government we’re starting to see things move in the right direction for housing,” says ...
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a ministerial statement relating to the Auckland fire. The Government is closely monitoring the situation with the fire at the NZ International Convention Centre and is thankful that everyone is now safe. Firefighters are doing an incredible job managing the fire and bringing it ...
The Government is investing in ambitious research that will digitise Te Reo, grow the low-carbon protein efficient aquaculture industry, help interpret environmental trends, and large data sets says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. The four projects range from teaching Siri to speak Te Reo to crunching large environmental ...
A new education-to-employment brokerage service to strengthen connections between local employers and schools. Funding for more trades focused ‘speed-dating’ events to connect schools with employers. Promotional campaign to raise profile of vocational education. The Government is taking action to increase the number of young people taking up vocational education and ...
A Bill to improve prison security and ensure the fair, safe, and humane treatment of people in prison while upholding public safety has passed its third reading. Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says the Corrections Amendment Bill makes a number of changes to ensure the Corrections Act 2004 is fit for ...
Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, has selected Arihia Bennett MNZM, Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as the Te Puni Kōkiri appointed representative on the New Zealand-China Council. The New Zealand-China Council (the Council) was established in 2012 as a New Zealand led and funded organisation ...
Responsibility for processing the small number of Southern Response claims still to be settled will be transferred to EQC by the end of the year. “As claim numbers reduce, it no longer makes sense for the Crown to have two organisations processing the remaining Canterbury claims,” Grant Robertson says. “Since ...
Health Minister David Clark is encouraging Whanganui residents to take up the opportunity for free bowel screening, which can detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Over the next two years 12,000 Whanganui locals, aged 60 to 74 will be invited to participate in the National Bowel Screening ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, heads to Oslo today to represent New Zealand at the sixth Our Ocean Conference, which is being hosted by the Norwegian Government from the 23-24 October. “The Our Ocean Conference mobilises real action on issues like marine plastic pollution and the impacts of ...
Two secondary-school initiatives are being expanded as part of the Government’s plan to see more young New Zealanders take up a trade to help close the skills gap. This includes the largest single increase in Trades Academy places in recent years. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris ...
Session 4: Pacific Connectivity – Youth, Media and New Opportunities Kia ora tatou katoa and Warm Pacific greetings to one and all. Representatives of Tainui, the local people of the land, or manawhenua – the indigenous peoples of this area – have welcomed you this morning in accordance with ...
The Government today announced its support for a project that could substantially reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. The announcement was made as part of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to Nelson’s Cawthron Aquaculture Park. The Cawthron Institute will receive $100,000 from the Government’s ...
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the first reading of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension Legislation Amendment Bill. “Every New Zealander has a stake in New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension,” says Carmel Sepuloni. “They are our most common form of social assistance – nearly 800,000 New ...
Babies in Auckland aged six months and over can receive a free vaccination and children will all have access to vaccines, Associate Minister of Health Julie Anne Genter announced today at Papatoetoe High School. The move comes as part of Government efforts to step up the fight against measles. ...
***Check against delivery*** Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here, and to have the honour of opening this important conference on behalf of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Let us take the opportunity to acknowledge all the people who have helped make today possible, including our special ...
Police Minister Stuart Nash says the safety of frontline officers and members of the public will be the focus of a new trial of specialist Police response teams in three of our largest urban centres. Police have this morning released details of an initiative to be trialled in Counties Manukau, ...
The Minister of Fisheries is calling for entries for a new public award to celebrate innovation in our seafood sector. “I have established the Seafood Sustainability Awards to recognise and celebrate those throughout industry, tangata whenua and communities who demonstrate outstanding dedication and innovation towards the sustainability of New Zealand’s ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter welcomes leaders in the private sector taking action on closing their gender pay gaps to ensure a fairer workplace for all New Zealanders. Ms Genter today launched a new report, Addressing the gender pay gap and driving women’s representation in senior leadership, from the Champions for ...
Government Ministers today welcomed the release of a marine environment report highlighting the four key issues affecting our oceans, estuaries and coastlines. The release underlines the importance of government proposals to combat climate pollution, ensure clean freshwater, protect biodiversity, make land use more sustainable, and reduce waste and plastic. Environment ...
The Government has approved funding for a new acute mental health facility for Waikato which will provide better care and support to people with mental health and addiction issues. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Dr David Clark announced the $100 million project to replace the aging Henry Rongomau ...
The Government is making progress on its goal to integrate te reo Māori into education by 2025, with over 500 teachers and support staff already graduating from Te Ahu o te Reo Māori, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Kelvin Davis made the announcement at an awards ceremony in Waikanae today, for ...
Statistics Minister James Shaw has welcomed the first release of 2018 Census data. The first release of data today, 23 September, includes key data on population, regional growth, the number of homes and the size of different ethnic groups in New Zealand. Data from the 2018 Census will support the ...
Minister for Statistics James Shaw today announced a public consultation on a proposed algorithm charter for government agencies. The charter has been developed by the Government Chief Data Steward in response to growing calls for more transparency in government use of data. Computer algorithms – procedures or formulas for solving ...
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Climate Change Minister James Shaw and visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte co-hosted a business roundtable in Auckland this morning focused on working together to address climate change. “The Netherlands is an important partner for New Zealand. We share a strong agricultural history. Sustainable agribusiness and ...
The Government is taking action to build an inclusive economy where more of us receive our fair share at work and businesses can compete on great products and services, not undercutting wages and conditions, Immigration and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. Two consultations launched today seek feedback ...
The future for New Zealand’s threatened indigenous freshwater fish looks brighter with the passing of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill in Parliament today said Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage. “Until now, our freshwater fish legislation has been 20 years out of date. We have lacked effective tools to ...
At 1.30pm tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will join about 65 million people around the globe in ShakeOut, the world’s biggest earthquake drill. The annual drill is to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake which is to Drop, Cover, Hold, and to practise their ...
Kiwis are benefiting from higher wage growth and low inflation under the Coalition Government. Stats NZ data out today shows the rise in the cost of living remains low, as annual Consumers Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 1.5% in September from 1.7% in June. “The low inflation comes as ...
New Zealand’s economic strength and resilience has been recognised in a major update on the state of the global economy. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook released overnight shows a reduced global growth forecast over the next two years as issues like the US-China trade war and Brexit take hold. ...
Justice Minister Andrew Little has today introduced a new Bill to prevent terrorism and support the de-radicalisation of New Zealanders returning from overseas. The Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill gives the New Zealand Police the ability to apply to the High Court to impose control orders on New Zealanders who ...
A Bill that proposes targeted changes to simplify the processes for Māori land owners when engaging with the Māori Land Court has had its First Reading today. “The approach taken by the Government is to ensure that the protection of Māori land remains a priority as we seek to improve ...
Let me first thank all the new unionists and members in the room. There is nothing more important to improving people’s working lives than people making the decision to care, to get on board and help, to take up the reins and get involved. Congratulations to you. You bring the ...
Minister of Defence Ron Mark has signed a certificate exempting the activity of engine testing at Whenuapai Airbase from the Resource Management Act 1991. The Act gives the Minister of Defence the power to exempt activities for the purposes of national security. The certificate will mean the recent Environment Court ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced New Zealand will join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action while attending APEC meetings in Chile. The objective of the 39 member Coalition is to share information and promote action to tackle climate change. It was formed in April this year, in ...
Feedback sought– Lyttelton commercial zone parking The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove on-site car parking requirements for new developments in the Lyttelton commercial zone. The proposal, by Christchurch City Council, asks that powers under section 71 of the Greater ...
Hon Minister Poto Williams Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration MEDIA STATEMENT Tuesday 15 October 2019 Feedback sought – Hagley Oval The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal about Hagley Oval. The proposal was developed by Regenerate Christchurch ...
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...
"Let’s start by acknowledging that it has been a huge year. " Police Association Annual Conference James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel Wellington Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou katoa. President of the Police Association, Chris Cahill; Members of the Association and ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is pleased to announce the appointment of three organisations to provide refugee settlement support services in five new locations from February 2020. The new settlement locations were announced ...
The prime minister has hailed a ‘historic’ agreement between the government and farming groups. What does it amount to, and is it a substantial step forward in the climate fight, or a ‘sellout’?What’s all this then?For as long as the Emissions Trading Scheme has existed, it has been dogged by ...
Farmers won't have to start paying for their emissions until 2025, as long as they make progress in finding ways to measure and price emissions at the farm level. ...
Thursday, 24 October: Greenpeace is calling the Government’s surprise backdown on its commitment to put farming into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) a major sell-out. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Environment Richard Harman (Politik): Farm leaders win Government backdown Henry Cooke and Luke Malpass (Stuff): Farmers ...
Act MP David Seymour is confident the public is well-equipped to vote in a referendum on whether to ratify legislation to allow terminally-ill adults to request assisted dying. ...
Changes are being proposed to the standards and guidelines that apply to Election Programmes which are broadcast by or for political parties and candidates in the run-up to the general election. In consultation with broadcasters, the Broadcasting ...
Federated Farmers is pleased to be working with the government via the industry’s ‘He Waka Eke Noa’ commitment but continues to oppose agriculture entering the Emissions Trading Scheme, ...
As the interminable saga surrounding the Wellington Mayoralty election result drags on, some are already blaming the uncertainty on the fact that the election was carried out under proportional representation – in this case, the Single Transferable Vote ...
Vision NZ says it is a mockery that people who have been in the county five minutes can decide the fate of our nation. New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world that gives non-citizens the right to vote. Vision NZ will put a stop to this ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cedric van den Berg, PhD student, The University of Queensland How does an optical illusion work? – Scarlett, age 8, Shellharbour, NSW. Take a look at this image and move your eyes across the pattern: Your eyes tell the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University “Remaining and expanding”. The propaganda tagline of Islamic State (IS) has rung hollow since the collapse of the physical caliphate. But recent developments in north-eastern Syria ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donna Bridges, Lecture of sociology, Charles Sturt University The construction and building industries can be dangerous places to work. These jobs not only pose risks to a person’s physical health, but can threaten their mental health, too. In Australia, “tradies” make up ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University For the past few years, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions have headed in the wrong direction. The upward trajectory has come amid overwhelming evidence that the world must bring carbon dioxide emissions down. But the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Callie Little, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of New England Teachers have very little to do with why some kids are better at school than others, our research shows. This contradicts the popular view that teachers matter most (after genes) when it comes ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Quilter, Associate Professor of Law, University of Wollongong Cycling is often held up as a model of healthy and sustainable urban transport. So why have bike laws become more, not less, draconian? Our ongoing research shows mandatory helmet laws have become ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreas Cebulla, Senior Research Fellow, South Australian Centre for Economic Studies , University of Adelaide Skilled migration, a mainstay of Australia’s economic and population policies, should be a win-win. Federal and state governments are looking for migrants to meet skills shortfalls and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Ryan, Associate Professor (Literature), Australian Catholic University When in 2017 Nordstrom began selling US$425 jeans (A$620) covered in fake mud, it seemed the long prophesied “late stage capitalism” had finally arrived. Suddenly the phrase itself was everywhere from Reddit to Twitter ...
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Euthanasia bill set to go to a referendum, police whistleblower says he was threatened with legal action, and the finer details of Zero Carbon report.The country is likely to see another referendum next year, on the question of whether the ...
Boris got his Brexit bill approved by Parliament with a swag of Labour party votes – but in principle only. And the opposition has shafted him on his request for an urgent timetable to turn it into legislation before the given Brexit day of 31 October. Nor is the EU ...
The latest in Sony’s stable of 90s remasters should come with a pair of rose-coloured glasses. Sam Brooks reviews the 2019 MediEvil remaster.In this generation of gaming, we’ve seen the glowed-up return of a few of our childhood avatars. The bandicoot spins back in, looking fresher than ever. The purple dragon ...
With over 15,000 public submissions on the bill, the Environment Select Committee had a lot to think about. Here’s everything they did – and didn’t – seek to change about the Zero Carbon Bill.Please do not print it out, but let it be known that the Environment Select Committee has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has finally seen off John Setka from the ALP, with the militant construction union leader capitulating and quitting the party. Setka, who lost a court case he brought in his fight ...
New Zealanders will almost certainly face a referendum next year on whether to legalise voluntary euthanasia after a make-or-break vote in Parliament cleared the way. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Nationals leader Michael McCormack has admitted his party should have handled better agriculture minister Bridget McKenzie’s bring-forward of the planned dairy code. Some Nationals were furious when McKenzie suddenly sped up the code’s preparation in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra While the drought continues to hit the Nationals’ constituents hard, the party faces a testing terrain on a political level. In this episode of Politics with Michelle Grattan, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack acknowledges the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy – in the job for for just weeks after moving across from the department of infrastructure last month – has dismissed talk of spending big on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Downie, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, Australian National University It’s time we started talking about the principal opponents to action on climate change – fossil fuel industries. If history has taught us anything, it is when oil, gas and coal industries ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie Grigg, Research Associate at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University My friends are taking ecstasy at raves and music festivals. Is it safe? — Anonymous Key points no drug use, including ecstasy, is 100% safe festivals can present ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Transport Todd Niall (Stuff): Auckland Light Rail: Goff says it’s the Government’s call Richard Harman ...
It isn't the first time Tiwai Point's owners have warned they may close the aluminium smelter, but this Government is unlikely to be handing out financial assistance. ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says APEC will definitely still be held in Auckland in 2021, despite the destruction caused by the fire at the NZ International Convention Centre. ...
The headline said it all. Stats NZ has released 2018 census data on New Zealanders’ commuting habits and, guess what, we love a motorised polluter. “Car streets ahead for travel to work and education” was the heading. It should have been “cars rule, all other options drool”.New cycleways are under construction ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Liu, Chancellors Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Fashion and Textiles Designer, University of Technology Sydney The tech giants Amazon, Google and Facebook have all begun to use machine learning to give you tips on what to wear. Is fashion styling the next field ...
Prime Minister is meeting with officials at the scene of a massive blaze in Auckland's CBD. Watch a live video of a media stand-up with FENZ and the PM. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Bowden, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Newcastle It is becoming increasingly possible that sea-level rise of a metre or more will occur this century. You might expect this threat to preoccupy coastal homeowners. But many deny the need to act, for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chloe Watfern, Scientia PhD scholar, UNSW At Studio A, on the fourth floor of the Crows Nest community centre, a group of artists is working quietly. An occasional burst of laughter erupts from a corner of the studio. It makes its way ...
In response to Meghan Markle’s admission that she’s finding it a struggle to be a new mother in the media spotlight, columnists across the globe have banded together to launch a charity to support all those women who ‘have it worse’, Emily Writes can exclusively reveal.Meghan Markle – duchess, new ...
Will New Zealand’s largest construction firm have to write off yet more money over the troubled International Convention Centre project?Both Fletcher Building and SkyCity’s share prices have felt the impact of the devastating fire that has raged at Auckland’s half completed convention centre for over a day now. More than ...
The new and spectacular atlas We Are Here is page after page of haunting, hella beautiful visual data, each chapter introduced with an essay. This one, Lost in the Forest, opens the section on people. At some point in the 1990s, one of the creators of this book tried to impress ...
Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa) has been looking to Māori stories and storytellers to learn more about our gender identities before colonisation. There’s a lot to be read between the lines, she writes.Te ao Māori can be a very gendered place to be. In some settings, your gender can tell you ...
The Shouting Valley is a powerful group exhibition at the Gus Fisher Gallery in Auckland that interrogates and gives voice to the people caught between borders. But is the real paradox of this politically charged show the limit of what art can do? Lana Lopesi reviews. “What’s bad about borders?” asked ...
The future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is under question again as majority owner, mining giant Rio Tinto, is reviewing the plant's future. ...
There will be another crucial vote for the voluntary euthanasia bill later today - whether or not a referendum will be held at the 2020 general election. ...
It was never intended that state owned enterprises should use their monopoly commercial or regulatory power to stifle competition, yet it is at least arguable that is what has happened says Peter Dunne. ...
Go Bus drivers in South Auckland will continue refusing to collect fares tomorrow as their protest continues with the intent of avoiding disruption to passengers while highlighting the need for fair wage negotiations with their employer, FIRST Union ...
Smoke continues to billow in downtown Auckland 24 hours after fire broke out in the incomplete complex.Shortly after 1pm yesterday came the first reports of a fire on the site of the SkyCity New Zealand International Convention Centre in central Auckland. That brought a massive mobilisation of emergency services, evacuations ...
He Kākano Ahau is a podcast by writer and activist Kahu Kutia (Ngāi Tūhoe) that explores stories of Māori in the city, and weaves together strands of connection. In episode one: the legacy of urban marae Tapu te Ranga.I grew up where the tarseal on the road crumbles away into ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australians are divided over whether the nation’s universities have too many foreign students, according to the Australian National University’s ANUpoll, released Wednesday. In the polling, 52.8% said the mix between foreign and domestic students was ...
National's leader Simon Bridges says a bill imposing restrictions on people returning after fighting for extremist groups would only keep New Zealanders "half safe". ...
Alex Casey talks to Leigh Hart about the return of Late Night Big Breakfast, the finest morning TV parody show New Zealand has ever made. Late Night Big Breakfast is set to return to TVNZ in 2020 after a five year hiatus, creator and comedian Leigh Hart has confirmed. Filmed in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Gordon, PhD candidate. Sydney University Physics Education Research (SUPER) group, University of Sydney If you want to get good marks in your exams, there’s no substitute for study. So do past exams, go over your notes, read what you need to ...
Otago University academic Chris Brickell wonders whether his new book on LGBT objects ought to be the sort of thing bookshops would want to have on their shelves. ...
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The stature of NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has entered the stratosphere. She is unique:
Toronto Star
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/australia/2019/03/17/after-massacre-new-zealand-leader-shows-resolve-empathy.html
We must look after her – a consummately valuable being at a time of crisis both planetary and local. Best way is to actively engage in kindness her word and outreach not only in the weeks ahead but always as the emerging mode of being a Kiwi.
well said, Ant.
couldnt agree more.
“Troubled times, she says, are “precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.
“I know the world is bruised and bleeding,” she adds, “and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge — even wisdom. Like art.””
https://www.tonimorrisonsociety.org
Great words. Lead us to the activity to follow to turn them into substance.
The contrast between Jacinda Ardern’s empathy and presence, and Simon Bridges this morning on Radio NZ, plus reports of Paula Bennett as Police Minister watering down the recommendations on gun reform is very telling. Glad we have this government dealing with this horrific issue!!
Simon Dallow reported on One News just now that an 18 year old guy has been charged with inciting violence in Christchurch. Mention was made of him inciting extreme violence online, and posting a photo of one of the mosques with the caption `target acquired’.
This looks like proof of an online proof of an online support system for the shooter – and possible proof of involvement of a Christchurch alt-right cell, as suggested the other day by Paul Buchanan.
In his Herald commentary Hosking joins Trotter in promoting the lone wolf theory. Inasmuch as reports on the shooting as it happened informed us that hundreds of online supporters were cheering him on during his live stream, it seems these two have adopted an untenable position.
However the Herald elsewhere clarified that the other three arrested at the time were not implicated. Merely carrying firearms. Probably regular viewers of tv crime shows.
no, apparently one was volunteering to “help” the police and someone else was picking their kid up from school with the gun as protection.
More than one typre of gun nut around that day.
He might have been the pointy end of the pyramid, but it might be an education to find out how he funded trips around the world, a flat, and a firearms collection when he “obsessively” worked out.
Yes – where was this cunt’s money coming from? Time to make use of that unpleasantly intrusive anti-terrorism legislation.
Yes it’s a question investigators must be considering; reportedly he didn’t have a job and there was no obvious family money we know about.
It will be interesting to find out where this trail leads.
Very interesting. Let’s make sure that investigation is undertaken!
Apparently his father died a few years ago and he got an inheraitence. But how was he living in a state house (IIRC)?
Trotter’s lone wolf stuff is because he’s feeling guilty as hell for the whole free speech coalition around Southern and Molyneaux.
He was told exactly who these people are, what they say and what they promote.
I’ve had a quiet day today reading lots of thoughts and opinions of people. Been great to read non older paler maler views (sorry TS dudes) so i thought I’d put a couple of links up from different voices. They’re angry, emotional, real and deep and will hopefully create a wider tapestry of views for us all.
https://overland.org.au/2019/03/today-we-mourn-tomorrow-we-organise/
https://www.vice.com/en_nz/article/8xy34p/i-am-a-muslim-new-zealand-woman-and-i-am-as-angry-as-i-am-sad
Thanks, marty. I read the overland piece earlier in the day. Good stuff.
Be good to see any other recommended articles from other people too – any recommendations mate?
Chloe Swarbrick put up this comment from Mukseet of Massey:
Thanks that was awesome.
These are all worth a look, IMHO:
4 lessons for NZ, opinion from Al Jazeera, and two pieces from the Guardian on debating racists and the terror/technology link
Thank you. I especially liked this one – debating racist is a waste of time and energy.
“… An article that tries again to show the link between mainstream, fashionable Muslim-bashing and its violent manifestations on the right. An article that fillets the semantic tricks played to stop Muslims ever being complete victims: the line that Islam is not a race; the use of women’s and LBGT rights as a rhetorical stick to beat Muslims with; the cant about freedom of speech, political correctness and the danger of identity politics; the whataboutery and the strawmanning….
…It is time to stop pleading. It is time to call things what they are and not temper or apologise for the strength of the allegations, to call people racists, opportunists and complicit hatemongers even if they do grace our prestigious publications and seats of governance. It is time to do what they always accuse you of doing anyway, and “shut down the debate”.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/18/christchurch-islamophobes-media-anti-muslim
From the other day:
Saziah Bashir – Christchurch mosque terror attacks a dark day of grief, shock and unspeakable heartbreak
Anjum Rahman – Islamic Women’s Council repeatedly lobbied to stem discrimination
Thank you arkie – so important those voices.
The Vice article is a tough, sobering read.
Yes – I have read harrowing accounts of race and religion hatred towards our Muslim brothers and sisters today. I think, up to now, I haven’t really understood their pain and alienation in our country. I feel very sad and upset by that and I determined that I will make amends by listening more, supporting more and acting more.
WaPo op-ed.
By Khaled Diab
Khaled Diab is a journalist and writer. He is the author of “Islam for the Politically Incorrect” and “Intimate Enemies.”
March 16
If a terrorist were to claim that their attack was intended to “add momentum to the pendulum swings of history, further destabilizing and polarizing Western society,” you might be excused in thinking the perpetrator was an Islamic extremist. But these are the words of a white supremacist and crusader.
[…]
These two hateful ideologies — white supremacy and radical Islamism — may regard themselves as polar opposites, but their worldviews resemble the other. Both are paranoid, exhibit a toxic blend of superiority and inferiority toward the other, are scornful of less extreme members of their own communities, and are nostalgic for an imagined past of cultural dominance.
[…]
A contempt for “Western” modernity is another trait shared by Islamists and the Christian far right. “The Europeans worked assiduously in trying to immerse (the world) in materialism, with their corrupting traits and murderous germs, to overwhelm those Muslim lands that their hands stretched out to,” believed al-Banna. Unintentionally echoing the founding father of political Islam, Tarrant is convinced that the West has become a “society of rampant nihilism, consumerism and individualism.”
[…]
This disdain for many aspects of modernity translates into an overwhelming yearning for a supposedly more glorious and pure past and a nostalgia for bygone imperial greatness when the world was at their command — for the days of European empire or Islamic caliphates.
http://archive.li/WWVw9
Thanks mate
The thinking and the feelings that may be behind the swirl of social media and blogging from upset and angry men and women – is it like this in their minds?
From Joe90’s link: This disdain for many aspects of modernity translates into an overwhelming yearning for a supposedly more glorious and pure past and a nostalgia for bygone imperial greatness when the world was at their command — for the days of European empire or Islamic caliphates.
Is there a nostalgia for past colonial might of Britain behind Brexit? Is it nostalgia and wishful thinking and an inability to face the world that you actually helped create, driving the extreme resentment? Disruption in others’ lives and land has been caused by unwise attacks and invasion, by or enhanced by outsiders, causing infrastructural, societal and agricultural damage that causes people to be uprooted and flee into your own domain by people who are now outsiders in your country?
Is it resentment from the grunts in the armed forces who haven’t got much out of the maneouvres and fighting, perhaps damage to their bodies and minds that is not recompensed; in the end their personal lives, and their local and nationwide economy has become poorer.
Not what you expected after all the fighting and strain on personal life and health, and then the refugees from the war you have just fought and been damaged in, they come to live in your town and end up with more help than you have received, and the other men in the town aren’t given the same opportunities and help. How do you feel seeing them prosper with deep commitment to each other? Has your society got deep commitment to you and giving you similar opportunities to flourish? You feel that you are now an annoyance to your authorities, a burden, not respected, not appreciated for putting yourselves in the way of harm, under orders and direction. Then you and your cohort seem to be consigned to being second-rate people at home.
Is that a line of thinking that would fire up and keep hot, the anomic males, in a society where employment statistics are so all encompassing that they start at one hour of paid employment a week. That may be useful for stable comparisons for the Stats Department, but measuring full-time numbers at one job of 40 hours would indicate the real situation. (If someone can give me the line of clicks I have to make to get that for the nation and for each region per quarter, and annually, I would appreciate it.)
This report of the gunshop owner’s campaign against the cops also includes a link to the ActionStation petition: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/18-03-2019/gun-city-owner-defends-sale-of-murder-weapons-as-ardern-pledges-reforms/
“Some dealers get around the law by importing parts that are interchangeable between MSSAs and ‘A category’ rifles. “This enables domestic assembly and the assembler to later purchase parts such as a large-capacity magazine or pistol grip without a licence, and to turn the assembled ‘A category’ semi-automatic into a MSSA,” the police told the minister.”
Quote of the century – (referring to the attack on Anning)
“It’s like Nazi Germany but with chickens!” First Dog on the Moon.
Dude has attitude: “The Queensland independent senator laughed off threats from Scott Morrison, saying: “I hope it’s not too painful. What’s he going to do? Flog me with his lace hanky?”
Hmm, an admirer of Fraser. Apologist for Tarrant the other day. Questioner of the Islam texts yesterday and WTF ever was the shite you tried pull in open mike only hours ago something like racist complaints aren’t real cos Islam isn’t a race cos some judges said so.
Lawyer smarts aye. So reasonable and inquiring aren’t you.
You made a call on the Quran after reading 1 verse of it in Tarrants manifesto – WTF is wrong with you?
At best you are extremely ignorant. I’m leaning towards sociopathic game playing POS.
I aint joking Dennis. What have you got to say for yourself regarding:
Sympathising with Tarrant
Admiring Fraser
Taking one verse from the context of a terrorists ramblings and thinking you’ve got a point to make about the victims religion
Finding judgment to align with your warped view Islamophobia isn’t racism thus isn’t a crime – and using this as a ‘told you so’ moment here on TS
Being a general POS who plays the victim card for being sworn at while spouting nasty divisive shit.
Like I’ve said all along. The sociopaths hide in plain sight. Their favorite past time is stirring up shit.
You have quoted the terrorist, Fraser, the judges, anyone else you admire in all this?
Thanks WTB – Dennis’s comments were bothering me too for the same reasons you express so well.
No problem. I wish I was wrong.
Dame Anne Salmond has this (kind of) guys number too.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213747
I also say Dennis is, to use a metaphor:
The woman at the pub who plays guys against each other.
He does this by running between blogs reporting on what’s been said.
“They say you’re all ignorant”
“They say you’re a pack of snowflakes”
But always reasonable, aye.
I think Dennis Frank is trying to be objective. But it comes over as unconcerned, even accepting. And the idea of taking bits out of the holy bibles of any religion because they seem to encourage violence is pointless to put forward. I read Dennis saying this the other day, and consider it both unwise to express at the present, and not useful as a suggestion for any time. It would arouse much anger and claims of interference in the religion and not deal with the problem. The beliefs in peoples’ minds are what need to be exposed to the air and discussed. I
Then there is the role modelling from parents and others in the person’s life. And what faction do they identify with, and is it a positive one? Is there a lack of a reasoned pathway for future life, and a lack of reasoned discussion on how to make a satisfactory life with what you have and could work towards, using your own talents.
This is what is needed, not merely redacting words out of an important, sacred document. Counselling the person when young to help them understand themselves and their talents. This would be a start to the person forming a plan for their future, knowing their strong and weak points, and being able to grow those talents and make a living from them, being appreciated as a worthwhile person. This would not lead to a pathway for that individual shooting at people in deep resentment and anger.
Dennis is not objective. He’s still doing it and he’ll keep doing it as the feedback of a bunch of people means nothing to the sound of his own word heavy nonsense and vile stirring.
Take the rosy glasses off, watch the pattern repeat.
Always playing the victim, simultaneously always on attack. And not that clever it’s mostly gibberish. Lefties vs righties, but he’s in the center. The problem with all of you is…
Look closer. Gibberish with a pin in it. Who he scratches doesn’t matter, as long as he does it. Gets to be victim again, takes the gibberish he’s made up of why that is to the next blog.
Rinse and repeat.
Analling’s a right wanker sure enough franky.
The teenager who smashed the egg on his head has been formerly nominated for Australian of the Year.
I’m glad he did it, but in classical heroism terms Abdul Aziz is pretty hard to beat – attacks armed mass murderer with a credit card reader and beats him so badly he runs off like a yellow dog – give that man a VC! And honorary membership of our armed forces if that’s a prerequisite – he was defending New Zealand – our people are our country.
your call for a VC is hard to ignore Stuart.
seems highly appropriate.
I think military folk might say it would have to be the George Cross, but I don’t think VCs would be ashamed of Aziz’s company – rather the reverse.
i can understand why military folk may feel that.
there is an arguement to be had that when these awards were enacted, the was no notion of a ‘civilian’ on a murderous spree with military planning, gear and objectives.
Aziz’s courage can be said to eclipse military bravery as it was a very one sided encounter, in that he was essentially unarmed.
Bravo re egg boy becoming Australian of the year
The egg boy says that the money collected for him, will go to the Christchurch Fund. Pretty good for a 17 year old.
FDOTM – a wonderful take down of Andrew Bolt.
Is it possible to deport David Moffat?
It would be a great way to say that, despite the UN Compact, nations can still have a no ass….. rule.
Another result. Whaleoik abandons final appeal against Blomfield: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/111379428/whale-oil-blogger-cameron-slater-abandons-appeal-against-defamation-court-ruling
“The court is yet to decide how much money Slater will have to pay Blomfield in damages.”
RIP Mr Surf Guitar.
“Peter Dutton has accused the Greens of being “just as bad” as extreme right-wing nationalist senator Fraser Anning, claiming both are seeking to extract political advantage from the Christchurch terror attack. On Monday the home affairs minister equated the Greens holding him accountable for stoking anti-Islamic sentiment with Anning’s comments blaming the attack on Muslim immigration.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/peter-dutton-claims-greens-just-as-bad-as-fraser-anning-on-christchurch-attack
“Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi responded that it was “vile” to say the comments were in any way equivalent, while Labor leader in the Senate Penny Wong accused him of “normalising hate speech. Since the attack on Friday the Greens have gone on the front foot with leader Richard Di Natale renewing calls for a parliamentary code of conduct to stamp out hate speech and Faruqi, the first Muslim senator in Australia, criticising conservative politicians for stoking hatred. “It is politicians like Peter Dutton who have actually contributed to creating an atmosphere where hate is allowed to incubate in our society,” Faruqi told Radio National. “They can’t shrug off their responsibility.”
I’m feeling solidarity with the Oz Greens on their stance. I get that the conservatives are just trying to represent their constituents, as democracy requires of them, but their style of doing so does seem offensive. That said, I’m a centrist not a rightist.
About Oz and insults and ingrained racism against anyone of colour – Aborigines, Muslims – and anyone who wants to make change in social habits.
Oz pollie Fraser Anning says that mother of the boy who threw an egg at him should have slapped him. I’m inclined to believe that the same prescription should have been handed out to this hoity-toity ass.
Background: He and his wife own a number of hotels. He comes from landowner family with a number of properties. He is the great-grandson of a British pastoral squatter who went to Australia to acquire land. He and several of his sons soon expanded from one to amalgamating more properties.
Next bit is telling:
His family was involved in the frontier conflict as they forcibly took the land from the local Aboriginal people. In response to the spearing of cattle, the Annings would ride out with firearms, attack Aboriginal campsites and capture young boys who survived in order to use them as labour on their cattle and sheep stations.[8] The Annings at times also requested the services of the local Native Police paramilitary unit to assist in clearing “blacks” off their runs.[9] Frank Hann, another pastoralist in the region who regularly participated in extrajudicial punitive raids on Aboriginals, described in his diary in 1874 how he saw “Anning just come back from hunting blacks”.[10]…
On 4 June 2018, Anning joined Katter’s Australian Party, becoming the party’s first senator;[20] however, he was expelled in October 2018 for his inflammatory rhetoric concerning immigration, including his mention of a “final solution” to the problem….
On 14 August 2018, Anning delivered his maiden speech to the Senate. In it, he called for a plebiscite to reintroduce racial and religious discrimination in immigration policy, especially with regard to excluding Muslims. He criticised “cultural Marxism”, “safe schools and gender fluidity garbage” and the abuse of the external affairs power of the Australian constitution. He also spoke in support of the right of civilians to own firearms, and the Bradfield Scheme irrigation proposal.[43]
His speech included a reference to a “final solution”, the English equivalent of the term used by the Nazi Party during preparation and execution of the Holocaust during World War II[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Anning
He is a vile man, and comes from a family that has apparently little conscience and sense of fairness. It is interesting to know something about the person’s background to see what path they took in forming their views.
This NZ Herald piece should be helpful in forming our ideas about political voting measures and their possible, and dangerous, outcomes.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12213587
How Fraser Anning got into parliament with 0.00 per cent of the vote.
They call Fraser Anning the “accidental” senator.
Just 19 people voted for Anning at the 2016 election. Nineteen.
He got into parliament anyway, gaining a $207,106 taxpayer-funded salary and a platform from which to spew his dangerous bile.
There are not many people who can punch someone in the face in front of cameras and not be charged with assault.
He can’t really argue self defence. Provocation maybe. Possibly ‘haywiz jars taleddle barga’ is extenuation in Strollyer.
Gabby
You triumph at Delphic pronouncements. It’s a cunning ploy to force people to stop and think.
I think the mother should’ve slapped Analling too.
Heard that both Trademe, and Hunting and Fishing, have withdrawn semi auto rifles from sale.
If that is the case, good on them.
Yes kjt and stuff will no longer advertise guns. This is a good sign……..trade me no longer selling them either. Hats off to an industry I view with contempt
To be fair Trade Me had thought about what was the right thing to do in advertising guns. One they had banned the outright blunderbusses, and second they had decided that it was reasonable to offer a trading place for legal guns amongst the public in an open environment which would encourage people to do so openly and honestly.