Daily review 19/08/2022
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5:30 pm, August 19th, 2022 - 14 comments
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- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 27, 2022 thru Sat, Dec 3, 2022. Story of the Week #ClimateScam: denialism claims flooding Twitter have scientists worried Many researchers are fleeing the platform, unnerved by the surge in climate misinformation ...2 hours ago - New paper: A toolkit for understanding and addressing climate scepticismThis is a quick summary about the newly published paper "A toolkit for understanding and addressing climate scepticism" by Matthew J. Hornsey and Stephan Lewandowsky. It leverages a thread tweeted by Stephan Lewandowsky shortly after publication as well as a mention in Doug Bostrom's and Marc Kodack's New Research Week ...2 days ago
- The Coming Recession?
Is leaving inflation fighting to the Reserve Bank all we can do?We are making sacrifices to restrain climate change, not because the particular climate is what we want, but because if it starts changing too quickly, our current way of life is unsustainable. Similarly the current price level may not ...2 days ago - Climate Change: More subsidised pollution
Back in 2020, the government realised that the industrial allocations in the ETS - supposed to protect large polluters from unfair competition from countries who didn't pay for their carbon - was overallocated. They were giving away too many free credits, resulting in windfall gains to polluters. So, they started ...2 days ago - Still asleep at the wheelA couple of months ago, I asked various government agencies whether they had produced any advice on the impacts of Long Covid, and was shocked to learn that they hadn't. Newsroom's Marc Daalder has been keeping an eye on this issue, and in an article today, he reports that the ...2 days ago
- On Entrenchment: The Politics of Anti-Privatisation
I was not wanting to wade into New Zealand’s little furor about the proposed Three Waters reform. To be honest, Labour has brought this one on themselves – the task of cleaning up this country’s waterways really ought to be funded via the resources (financial or otherwise) of the ...2 days ago - The Masque of the Covid Breath: Testing Positive
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- US court decision shows need for stronger protection of Māui dolphin
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- Political parties call for action on IranParties from across Parliament have come together to call on the Government to take decisive action to hold those responsible for violence and human rights violations in Iran to account. ...1 week ago
- Social workers need to see pay equity immediatelyThe Green Party is welcoming today’s announcement that pay equity will be extended to more social workers, and urges the Government to work with unions to get this sorted as quickly as possible. ...1 week ago
- Case for excess profit tax on banks clearer than everThe Government should adopt an excess profits tax and use any revenue raised to help people make ends meet, following the rise in the Official Cash Rate today. ...2 weeks ago
- Easing the pressure on New ZealandersSince taking office in 2017, our Government has worked hard to lift wages and make life more affordable for New Zealanders, as we move forward with our plan to create economic security for all. ...2 weeks ago
- Crown mineral change does not go far enoughLong overdue changes to the Crown Minerals Act are a welcome step in the right direction but the Government needs to go further to end the nonsensical search for fossil fuels. ...2 weeks ago
- Healthy Homes for all means a WOF and Landlord RegisterThe Government’s decision to exclude landlords from property management regulations means more than half of Kiwi rentals will be left out in the cold. And, where they’re kicking the can down the road on Healthy Homes Standards, the Government falls short on the basics that a Rental Warrant of Fitness ...2 weeks ago
- Time to extend the voting ageThe Green Party is calling on the Government to take immediate action to lower the voting age to 16. ...2 weeks ago
- Supporting Kiwi kids this Children's DayOur Government has put the wellbeing of children at the heart of everything we do. As we celebrate World Children’s Day, we’re taking a look at some of the ways Labour is working to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child. ...2 weeks ago
- Hate speech change welcome, but still leaves communities at riskThe Green Party welcomes hate speech reform to protect religious groups, but is concerned that the exclusion of gender, rainbow, and disability communities sends a signal that these groups are less deserving of protection. ...2 weeks ago
- Young people deserve betterThe National Party’s plan to put children into military boot camps is so flawed it is dangerous. ...2 weeks ago
- Thousands more homes under LabourWe’ve just announced a massive infrastructure investment to kick-start new housing developments across New Zealand. Through our Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, we’re making sure that critical infrastructure - like pipes, roads and wastewater connections - is in place, so thousands more homes can be built. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party solution better for Māori voters, not deal with NationalAn agreement between Labour and National misses an historic opportunity to make our democracy more accessible for Māori voters. ...3 weeks ago
- Govt must extend Samoa visa changes to all Pacific countriesThanks to Green Party pressure, visitors from Samoa can soon travel to Aotearoa without a visa – a right that should be extended to every Pacific country. ...3 weeks ago
- A cheaper, faster, better resource management systemOur Government is delivering a new resource management system that will better protect the environment while cutting red tape, lowering costs and speeding up the time it takes to approve new homes and infrastructure projects. ...3 weeks ago
- Nature missing in RMA reformThe Government has missed a crucial opportunity to redesign the resource management system with climate and nature at its heart. ...3 weeks ago
- Govt continuing to prioritise high income earners in immigration systemThe resumption today of the parent visa category needs to be followed by an end to the Government’s unfair salary based family reunification policy. ...3 weeks ago
- Supporting more Kiwis into jobsWe’re helping more Kiwis into work, to help support whānau, grow our skilled workforce and secure our economy for future generations. During our time in Government, we’ve delivered record low unemployment rates, as well as a steady fall in the number of New Zealanders receiving a main benefit, and we’re ...3 weeks ago
- Government to remove entrenchment from Three Waters legislation
The Government will fix the Water Services Entities Bill this week by removing the entrenchment clause that was voted on during committee stages, Leader of the House Chris Hipkins announced today. “It was a mistake to put the entrenchment clause in and the Government will fix the issue as soon ...33 mins ago - Joint statement: Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister ConsultationsAustralian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong welcomed Aotearoa New Zealand's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta to Canberra today for biannual Australia – Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations. The Ministers acknowledged the unique strength of the relationship between Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, reaffirmed the shared ...2 days ago
- Funding boost for kaupapa Māori response to homelessnessAssociate Minister of Housing (Homelessness) Marama Davidson has announced a significant funding boost today for kaupapa Māori approaches that support whānau into housing. $24.7 million will be allocated to support the delivery of He Ara Hiki Mauri – a tangata whenua-led response to homelessness. “Homelessness is not inevitable. By working ...2 days ago
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- New mental health facility a step closer for GisborneHealth Minister Andrew Little was at Gisborne Hospital today to mark the next step of Te Tairāwhiti’s new Te Whare Awhiora mental health facility build. The Health Minister turned a sod to mark the start of groundworks at the site, in preparation for the placement of a mauri stone. “The ...2 days ago
- More rural broadband for regional communitiesNew contracts will improve around 30,000 broadband connections in rural homes and communities Govt on track to see 99.8% of all New Zealanders receive access to improved broadband as a result of various connectivity programmes by the end of 2023, including those targeting rural regions Applications open for one-off ...2 days ago
- Tauranga region to benefit from new funding and financing toolTauranga will be the first region to use a new Government tool to raise funding for much-needed infrastructure. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be used to raise finance from private markets, which is then repaid via the levy on those who benefit from the infrastructure. The finance raised by ...2 days ago
- New committee established to drive better public health outcomesSome of the country’s most difficult health issues will be tackled by a newly established public health advisory committee, whose members have now been appointed. Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall says the new Public Health Advisory Committee will investigate and help address long-term health challenges facing Aotearoa. “We ...2 days ago
- Government and sector back innovative regional and wool projects$2.17 million for new food and fibre ventures in Taranaki $2.24m to develop high-value, sustainable cashmere industry $233,000 to prototype an acoustic, knitted textile product from strong wool for high-end commercial and residential interiors. $530 million co-invested with business through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund The Government closes ...2 days ago
- Statement on the death of Sir Murray HalbergNew Zealand has lost one our true sporting icons with the passing of Sir Murray Halberg, Grant Robertson, Minister of Sport and Recreation said today. “Sir Murray was an extraordinary athlete. His gold medal in the 5000m at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960 has been immortalised as part of New ...3 days ago
- Ministerial talks in Canberra to progress trans-Tasman relationshipThe importance of cooperation in the Pacific to support the region’s recovery and resilience will be a focus of formal talks in Canberra tomorrow between the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and her Australian counterpart Penny Wong. Nanaia Mahuta will meet Senator Wong for the second formal Foreign Ministers’ Consultations following ...3 days ago
- Iwi and Government partnership delivers more rental homes for Pāpāmoa whānauAssociate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare attended the official opening of 10 new rental homes built for working whānau of Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore in Pāpāmoa today. “The Bay of Plenty region is one of many regions facing significant housing challenges and this Government is taking action by ...3 days ago
- Government investment to support growth of Māori businesses and jobs in the primary sectorTotal exports by Māori businesses have grown by 38% since 2017 to $872 million, with the majority from the food and fibre sector Launch of Rautaki mo te Taurikura action plan to support the continued growth of Māori food and fibre sector Support for Māori agribusiness innovation and workforce development ...3 days ago
- Government to address child abuse system failingsThe Government is adopting the majority of recommendations from an independent review into the actions of government agencies leading up to the death of 5-year-old Malachi Subecz, Minister for Children Kelvin Davis announced today. Following Malachi’s murder at the hands of his caregiver in 2021, Dame Karen Poutasi was appointed ...3 days ago
- More tools to help Police deal with fleeing driversIncrease the maximum driver licence disqualification period for a second offence of failing to stop or remain stopped, from 12 months to between 12 months and 24 months; Amend the Sentencing Act 2002 so that a vehicle can be forfeited on conviction for failing to stop. Offenders could have their ...3 days ago
- Govt books solid as global situation worsensThe Crown accounts are in a solid position thanks to the Government’s careful financial management through a deteriorating global environment. For the four months to the end of October, the Operating Balance before Gains and Losses (OBEGAL) recorded a deficit of $2.8 billion, $274 million lower than forecast at Budget ...3 days ago
- Expanded Dental Grants Available From Today· Increased Special Needs Grants for dental treatment are available to eligible New Zealanders available from today · New criteria means more Dental Treatment covered · People can now receive more than one grant in a year (any 52-week period), up to the maximum of $1,000 · Recent increases to ...3 days ago
- Exports tracking towards new record high growthPrimary industry exports to reach new record high of $55 billion in 2023 Forecasts $2.9 billion higher than in June 2022 Tracking strongly towards a 4 per cent increase in the year ending June 2023, despite global downturn New Zealand’s record food and fibre export revenue is projected to reach ...3 days ago
- New guidance for climate action at the local levelThe Government has released new guidance to support stronger links between New Zealand’s climate change goals, and local and regional planning. From today, it has become a legal requirement for local governments to consider the Government’s National Adaptation Plan and Emissions Reduction Plan when preparing or changing regional policy statements, ...4 days ago
- World-first bedside blood test good for people, good for health systemA single blood test that can diagnose heart attacks in minutes instead of hours, saving the health system millions of dollars and getting patients treated faster, is being rolled out in New Zealand hospitals, says Health Minister Andrew Little. “This research, led by emergency doctors at Christchurch Hospital, is ground-breaking,” ...4 days ago
- New rongoā workstream announced alongside Therapeutic Products BillA new workstream has been established within government to consider how rongoā might be protected in legislation. This comes as the Therapeutic Products Bill is introduced in Parliament today, Associate Minister for Health (Māori) Hon Peeni Henare said. “Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Crown has an obligation to actively ...4 days ago
- Therapeutic Products Bill introducedLegislation to modernise the way medicines, medical devices and natural health products are regulated has been introduced in Parliament today. The Therapeutic Products Bill replaces the Medicines Act 1981 and Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 with a comprehensive regulatory regime that is fit for the future. Health Minister Andrew Little said ...4 days ago
- New Climate Action Centre to support farmers maintain international edgeNew Climate Action Centre launched to support farmers reduce ag emissions through R&D investment 50:50 joint venture between Government and agribusiness to accelerate product development First Centre projects launched to get farmers the emissions reducing tools sooner Indicative funding commitment rising to $35 million per year by Joint venture partners, ...4 days ago
- Progress on firearms register and safety authorityThe launch today of a new firearms regulator to ensure the legitimate possession and use of firearms, and an online portal to apply for licences, marks a significant step towards modernisation and improvements in gun safety, Police Minister Chris Hipkins says. Police is moving from being an administrator of ...4 days ago
- Government sets out next steps for on-farm sequestration strategyGovernment to work with primary sector on developing a sequestration strategy Government confirms today it will bring all scientifically robust forms of sequestration into the Emissions Trading Scheme, starting from 2025. This will be done at full value, rather than at a discount, so farmers can realise the true potential ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister concludes bilateral talks with Finnish PMPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin have concluded their first in person bilateral meeting in Auckland this morning. The Prime Ministers reiterated how their respective countries shared similar values and reflected on ways to further strengthen the relationship between New Zealand and Finland. “New Zealand and Finland ...4 days ago
- Plan to boost value & lift sustainability of NZ forestry sectorSector ITP to grow domestic processing and low-carbon wood products Grow the wood processing sector by 3.5 million cubic metres (25%) by 2030 Grow export earnings from value-added wood products by $600 million by 2040 Increase the use of domestic timber in construction by 25% by 2030 The Forestry and ...4 days ago
- Government supports more energy-saving projects to help more Kiwis save money17 community energy-saving education projects share $1.7 million Builds on success of previous Government projects that have supported more than 13,000 households and 440 energy education events with more than 80,000 LEDs distributed Helping households to reduce their energy bills and make their homes warmer and more energy-efficient, is the ...4 days ago
- Govt funds new 80-bed mental health unit for CanterburyThe Government has granted final approval for a new 80-bed acute mental health facility at the Hillmorton Hospital campus, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “This is the second stage of Hillmorton’s major infrastructure redevelopment programme and is one of the largest investments ever made in New Zealand’s mental health infrastructure ...4 days ago
- Māori education momentum rolls on with new wharekuraA new Year 1-13 wharekura will extend Māori Medium Education into Porirua West from 2027, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. “The establishment of Te Kākā Kura o Ngāti Toa Rangatira will over time provide a local option for up to 200 tamariki and rangatahi on the western side ...4 days ago
- Easing administrative burden on farmers through new integrated farm planning projects37 new investments to simplify planning and reduce paperwork for farmers and growers Targeted projects for Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, West Coast, Canterbury, and Otago Resources, a digital wallet and template tools to help farmers develop and integrate their farm planning. The Government is ...5 days ago
- New Commerce Commission Chair appointedCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Dr David Clark has today announced the appointment of Dr John Small as the new Chair of the Commerce Commission. “Dr Small has made a valuable contribution to a broad range of the Commission’s work in his roles as associate member and member, which he ...5 days ago
- Realising housing dreams for the Kāpiti CoastMuch needed public housing is on the way for the Kāpiti Coast thanks to the Government’s purchase of a large vacant plot of land at 59-69 Raumati Road in Raumati Beach. “This purchase will ultimately mean more families have a place to call home and demonstrates our commitment to resolving ...5 days ago
- Decarbonisation industry milestone reached in TimaruA pioneering boiler conversion project is now up and ready to go, using woodchips to make potato chips, while slashing emissions. “McCain’s newly converted coal boiler will reduce CO2 emissions at its Timaru factory by 95% and is an excellent example of the great climate gains we can achieve through ...5 days ago
- Fiftieth Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations With ChinaChinese Embassy Reception Te Papa, Wellington Tēnā koutou katoa, Da jia hao Let me first acknowledge Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, thank you for the invitation this evening, it is a pleasure to be here. I would also like to acknowledge current and former Parliamentary colleagues, as well as members of ...6 days ago
- Govt keeps AM on the air in NorthlandMinister of Broadcasting and Media Willie Jackson and Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty today announced a $1.48 million package to fund the repair and replacement of three transmission masts in Northland to ensure AM radio can stay on air in the region. “This funding will secure the reinstatement of ...6 days ago
- Multi million dollar package to tackle retail crime and reoffendingA multi million dollar package to tackle retail crime and reoffending is the most significant crime prevention financial package in recent memory New fog cannon subsidy scheme set up. Government to provide $4000 for all small shops and dairies in New Zealand who want a fog cannon installed, with shops ...6 days ago
- Funding boost to support NZ’s game development industryNew Zealand’s game developers will receive an immediate funding boost to help support the growth of local studios beyond the current Dunedin centre. “New Zealand’s game development sector has been rapidly growing. The latest data from the New Zealand Game Developers Association shows the total revenue for the industry is ...6 days ago
- A new strategy for Pacific housingNew and existing housing initiatives are being brought together to improve home ownership for Pacific people said Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. Fale mo Aiga: Pacific Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2030, launched today, is the Government’s targeted response to the housing challenges faced by Pacific Aotearoa. Minister ...6 days ago
- Government takes action on pay parity for healthcare workersThousands of frontline community health workers – including nurses in aged-care facilities - are in for a pay rise as the Labour Government takes action on pay parity in the health sector. “I’m pleased to announce that Cabinet has agreed to on-going funding of $200 million a year so that ...6 days ago
- 45 years of Radioactive.FM
John Campbell, Samantha Hayes and Tova O’Brien remember the Wellington radio station where their careers began. John Campbell was studying English at Victoria University in the late ’80s when he fell in with a group of people working at Wellington radio station RadioActive. He and his friend Jim Scott began ...1 hour ago - Essay on Sunday: Where women were cloaked in shameAs demonstrators continue to risk and lose their lives challenging Iran’s regime, Aida Tavassoli recalls the shame and rage she felt growing up under it – and urges the world to support the protests. I have a picture of my mum, dad, my sister, and me outside our home. It’s ...2 hours ago
- NZ Chinese local community protests against China lockdowns, ‘dictatorship’
By Lucy Xia, RNZ News journalist More than 200 people from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Chinese community gathered for a vigil at Auckland’s Aotea Square last night to mourn the lives lost under China’s stringent covid-19 lockdowns and to call for an end to the country’s “Zero Covid” policy. The unprecedented ...7 hours ago - Three waters: Law Society urges Nanaia Mahuta to remove entrenchment provision
The Law Society has lambasted a provision in three waters legislation making it more difficult to privatise water assets. ...12 hours ago - ‘Tourists buzzing’ in resorts and islands as Fiji welcomes back visitorsBy Rachael Nath, RNZ Pacific journalist A year after re-opening its borders, Fiji has recorded an injection of F$805 million into its economy from international visitor arrivals between April and August. After shutting its borders for almost two years at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, Fiji has welcomed 520,000 ...13 hours ago
- Pro-independence groups want Kanak flag for New Caledonia’s official flagThe French flag and the Kanak independence ensign . . . flown together since 2011. Image: 123rf/RNZ Pacific The territorial government of New Caledonia debated the introduction of an official regional flag in 2008, as required by the Nouméa Accord. In July 2010, the New Caledonian Congress voted ...13 hours ago
- Lowering the voting age: It all works better when everyone feels involvedOpinion: Democracy is a lot like helping out around the house - as soon as the kids show the slightest bit of interest, they should be heartily encouraged, Michele A'Court writes. ...20 hours ago
- How to improvise your way through the silly season, according to the expertsAlex Casey talks to the women behind Sleigh!, the Basement’s fully improvised Christmas show, about how to think on your feet this Christmas. Improvised comedy is just like jazz, says Alice Canton. “In order to be a good improviser in jazz you need to know scales, you need to know ...20 hours ago
- A new era of dining for AotearoaThe fair pay agreement legislation, passed in October, has the potential to transform our local dining culture. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. It’s been just over a month since the fair pay agreement legislation, one of the biggest shake ups to employment law in ...21 hours ago
- THOMAS CRANMER: Questions remain over the appointment of Tuku Morgan
Many questions remain unanswered about the appointment of Tuku Morgan to his new Three Waters role, and the reforms are set to speed up once this Bill is passed into law. THOMAS CRANMER writes – Four weeks after Tuku Morgan issued a press statement confirming that he had been ...22 hours ago - Government agency call holding times double that of private businesses – Consumer NZConsumer New Zealand compared hold times for 16 government agencies, and found the average wait was 25 minutes - but it took four calls and two-and-a-half hours to reach Immigration. ...22 hours ago
- Focus on Politics: Hamilton West offers teaser for 2023 electionPolling for the Hamilton West by-election closes in a week. Political Reporter Anneke Smith takes the pulse of the bellwether electorate. ...23 hours ago
- A rolling disasterWhat sort of self-respecting adult woman doesn’t know how to roll a joint? An adult woman like Sharon Lam. If you are like me then you will have, for much of your life, based your definition of an independent woman on Destiny’s Child’s ‘Independent Woman Part I’. An independent woman ...1 day ago
- Inside Woof, the little bar that goes hardThe Dunedin bar has grabbed headlines throughout the year, but what has it taken to keep the doors open? Sam Brooks talks to Woof’s co-owners about running Ōtepoti’s hottest venue. There are a lot of bars in Dunedin. Throw a stick in the Octagon, and you’ll hit a bevy of ...1 day ago
- Questions remain over how Three Waters anti-privatisation clause got past ministersLabour's top brass somehow missed the memo at their caucus meeting last week that the Three Waters amendment they were backing was a constitutional bear trap. ...1 day ago
- World Cup: what body type works best for football? A professor of biomechanics explainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Blazevich, Professor of Biomechanics, Edith Cowan University If you’ve been watching the World Cup, you might have marvelled at the physical fitness and skill of these elite players. How can they run and run and run for so long? What ...2 days ago
- The government will not send out Yes and No case pamphlets ahead of the Voice to Parliament referend...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Sydney The Albanese government proposes to ditch the “Yes/No” case pamphlets that are ordinarily posted to voters before a referendum. Is this a good idea, and what, if anything, should replace it? What changes ...2 days ago
- Keith Rankin Essay – Using the Sex Industry to Critique Textbook EconomicsAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Economics is a profound and important discipline. But its practice is prone to self-censorship, and still reflects in large part its (Victorian era) glory days ...2 days ago
- The Black Ferns are going on a victory tourThe Black Ferns are hitting the road around Aotearoa in the aftermath of their winning performance in the recent Rugby World Cup. According to Stuff, the team will travel to Ōmokoroa next Monday, then onto Hamilton next Tuesday, New Plymouth next Wednesday, Palmerston North next Thursday, and Christchurch and Wellington ...2 days ago
- The Basement Christmas show Sleigh is warm, fuzzy – and oh so funnyAfter a Covid-imposed hiatus in 2021, the annual Basement Theatre Christmas show returned to Auckland this week – and this time, it’s fully improvised. The Spinoff was there to check out Sleigh on opening night. Lots of laughs, even for the Christmas cynics Much like my fellow Spinoffers writing below, ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Comeuppance’ by Kerry DaltonA new poem by Paekākāriki poet Kerry Dalton. Comeuppance All week a seal has come into our house through the cat door. Three times we returned him to the sea, thinking he had got lost. But he came back. Then we got the DOC ranger involved, who put him into ...2 days ago
- Govt highlights benefits for Tauranga in funding deal – but (in smaller type) beneficiaries learn ...Buzz from the Beehive Geography, ethnicity and your occupation will determine the extent to which you might benefit from the latest hamper of goodies to be distributed by the Beehive. But be warned. Being a beneficiary may result in levies being imposed. Roughly interpreting the latest announcements, the ...2 days ago
- Lehrmann trial discontinued: when prosecution isn’t in the public interestSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Burgin, Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Swinburne University of Technology ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shane Drumgold today announced that the charges against Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in 2019, have been ...2 days ago
- The ‘greatest film of all time’: Chantal Akerman’s win shows a generational shift is taking pl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben McCann, Associate Professor of French Studies, University of Adelaide IMDB Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles – Chantal Akerman’s 1975 hypnotic study of a mother performing domestic chores in microscopic detail – has just been crowned the ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s Real-terms Trauma: Inflation Wiping Out Pay Rises As Cost Of Living Bites
New research reveals looming ‘salary stand-off’ as candidates promise to walk away over pay packets that fail to keep up with soaring costs Almost four in five (79%) white collar workers are warning they expect to start looking for a new job ...2 days ago - The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 2The 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. AUCKLAND 1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $23) A gem of a ...2 days ago
- Fresh developments on climate change measures in the dairy industry: a wake-up call to farmers
The NZ dairy industry faces climate change hurdles beyond the levies the Ardern government has indicated it will impose on farms. Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell drew attention to them when he told an interviewer at the Fieldays at Mystery Creek the giant dairy co-op and its farmers risk not ...2 days ago - A China-backed dam in Indonesia threatens a rare great ape – and that’s just the tip of the iceb...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Divya Narain, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland James Askew/SOCP handout In 2017, scientists described a new species of great apes – the Tapanuli orangutan. The species, found in the Batang Toru ecosystem of North Sumatara, Indonesia was listed ...2 days ago
- Iranian-Kiwi Community Press ReleaseMinister Hon Nanaia Mahuta responded today to earlier demands made on the government by the Iranian-Kiwi community of Aotearoa New Zealand (the Community). In an official meeting with the Minister on November 9, 2022, the Community demanded the government ...2 days ago
- What I learned from Michael Meredith about low-stress Christmas cookingOn Christmas Day, save your stress levels for arguing politics with Uncle Martin and let the dinner preparation be a smooth-running joy. One of Aotearoa’s top chefs showed Wyoming Paul how that’s done. It’s undeniable: supermarkets are stacked to the gills with pavlovas and Christmas mince pies, tinsel is adorning ...2 days ago
- Test your knowledge with The Friday Quiz!It’s Friday, it’s a quiz – it’s The Friday Quiz. Test yourself below. ...2 days ago
- Happy West Papua Day – and the brutal truth about where we are nowCOMMENTARY: By Yamin Kogoya On 30 June 2022, the Indonesian Parliament in Jakarta passed legislation to split West Papua into three more pieces. The Papuan people’s unifying name for their independence struggle — “West Papua” — is now being shattered by Jakarta’s draconian policies. Under this new legislation, the two ...2 days ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Board Adopts New Mission For New Zealand’s Most Popular UnionThe Taxpayers’ Union ’s Board has formally adopted a new mission to guide the work of New Zealand’s most popularly supported political centre-right pressure group. Lower Taxes, Less Waste, More Transparency, which the Union adopted in 2018, ...2 days ago
- The Block, but better: Everything you need to know about House Rules NZWhat’s the new show replacing The Block NZ in 2023? Tara Ward explains. It all starts now…or does it? Earlier this week Three announced the postponement of The Block NZ 2023, due to the “challenging” housing market. It’s no surprise after October’s heartbreaking Block NZ auctions, when only two of ...2 days ago
- Wayne Brown suggests Auckland Airport share sell off plan to cut ratesAuckland’s mayor has proposed selling off 18% of the council’s shares in Auckland International Airport with the aim of raising nearly $2 billion. Wayne Brown said it would mean cutting next year’s rate raise by almost a third. “Next year, Auckland ratepayers are set to fork-out $88 million in debt servicing ...2 days ago
- The bumper 2022 Christmas tech gift guidePersonalised watches, connected toys and foldable flip phones: there are tech gifts to suit every family member. Yes, even grannie. After several years of Covid disruptions and supply chain delays, this was the year when tech companies began releasing full, unbridled, no-holds-barred product ranges again. From big companies to small ...2 days ago
- Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The plan for a second trial of Bruce Lehrmann has been dropped after expert medical advice warned it posed a “significant and unacceptable risk” to Brittany Higgins’ life. The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, ...2 days ago
- Why does lightning zigzag? At last, we have an answer to the mysterySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Lowke, Adjunct Research Professor of Physics, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has seen lightning and marvelled at its power. But despite its frequency – about 8.6 million lightning strikes occur worldwide every day – why lightning proceeds in ...2 days ago
- The world finally has its first ‘parastronaut’. Can we expect anyone to be able to go to space o...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Moore, Professor, School of Engineering and Technology, CQUniversity Australia NASA astronaut Winston E. Scott on an EVA in 1996. NASA JSC The European Space Agency made history last week with the announcement of the first “parastronaut”, 41-year-old UK citizen John McFall. ...2 days ago
- Ethnic community media can play a key role in a crisis – but it needs our supportSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wilfred Yang Wang, Lecturer in Media & Communications Studies, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock The recent Who Gets to Tell Australian Stories? report on diversity in Australian newsrooms revealed some grim, but unsurprising figures. The report found most television news ...2 days ago
- Kim Jong Un wants North Korea to be a nuclear superpower – the real risk is a regional arms raceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato The recent claim by Kim Jong Un that North Korea plans to develop the world’s most powerful nuclear force may well have been more bravado than credible threat. But that doesn’t mean it can ...2 days ago
- Commissioner Marks International Day Of Persons With DisabilitiesThe Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner says health and disability services must be responsive to the needs and aspirations of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha. Rose Wall’s call comes as the United Nation’s International Day of Persons with ...2 days ago
- September 2022 Quarter Gross Domestic Product And COVID-19 – MethodsSeptember 2022 quarter gross domestic product and COVID-19 provides technical users with information about our approach to measuring the impact of COVID-19 in the forthcoming release of Gross domestic product: September 2022 quarter (scheduled for 15 December ...2 days ago
- Temporary Disruption To GoBay And MyWay Services As Bus Drivers Attend A Union Stop Work MeetingGoBay bus services and MyWay on demand services will experience additional temporary disruptions due to drivers attending a union stop work meeting in Clive next Monday 5 December from 6.30am-11am. These temporary disruptions are in addition to the reduced ...2 days ago
- Political editors panel: Slip-ups and course correctionsMorning Report - RNZ and Stuff's Political Editors Jane Patterson and Luke Malpass assess errors from the Labour and National leaders on Three Waters, superannuation and more. ...2 days ago
- Mental Health And Addiction Workers Not Prioritised In Pay Parity AnnouncementMental health and addiction community sector peak body organisation, Atamira Platform, are disappointed that mental health and addiction workers are excluded from the first round of priority funding for pay parity in the funded health sector, as announced ...2 days ago
- Deaf Community To Receive More Support In The 2023 CensusAn ambitious project to translate all the 2023 Census questions into New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) will help the Deaf Community participate more easily in the census next March, Stats NZ said today. Once completed, more than 80 NZSL videos ...2 days ago
- Rising Import Prices Drive Increase In Trade DeficitThe total trade deficit increased in the September 2022 quarter to $7.5 billion, driven by increases in import prices, Stats NZ said today. Compared with the September 2021 quarter, total imports of goods and services rose $5.6 billion (23 percent) ...2 days ago
- The UN committee against torture has found Australia still has work to doSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreea Lachsz, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock Content warning – this article discusses acts of violence, suicide, and deaths in custody. Australia appeared before the United Nations Committee against Torture on November 15 and 16 2022. This UN ...2 days ago
- The strange joy of stacking (and re-stacking) the dishwasherWashing dishes by hand is rightly romanticised. But the miracle that is the household dishwasher is a gift – a game, a puzzle, a perfect hobby, writes Duncan Greive. You’ll always find me in the kitchen at parties, re-stacking the dishwasher. It takes a certain level of familiarity with the ...2 days ago
- Listen: How do we keep elderly renters out of poverty?We hear a lot about young people struggling with housing affordability, but much less is spoken of how the housing crisis will impact pensioners. A new report shows we’re at serious risk of doubling the number of retirees facing rent and mortgage stress by 2048. While the debate around who ...2 days ago
- The tragedy of Malachi Subecz should prompt change, but not like thisThe report into Malachi’s tragic death recommends a new law that will negatively impact Māori while failing to fix our broken system. Yesterday saw the release of another review into Oranga Tamariki, this one focused on the circumstances leading to the death of Malachi Subecz, the five year old killed ...2 days ago
- Immigration NZ says Dizzee Rascal is approved to perform hereDizzee Rascal is approved to perform at Rhythm & Vines under the country’s visa waiver program, says Immigration NZ, and his right to headline two festivals won’t be revoked despite the rapper’s assault conviction earlier this year. Controversy has erupted over Dizzee Rascal’s upcoming summer festival appearances after he was ...2 days ago
- Territories free to make their own voluntary assisted dying laws, in landmark decision. Here’s wha...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Voluntary assisted dying will soon be an option for the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory, now the Senate has just ...2 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Clawing back $7bn of corporate welfareAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Clawing back $7bn of corporate welfare Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. The taxpayer is short of billions of dollars that were overpaid to businesses during Covid according to Christchurch philanthropists Grant and Marilyn Nelson. They are taking legal action against state agencies to push ...2 days ago
- Whakatōhea Have SpokenŌpōtiki, 2 December 2022: The people of Te Whakatōhea have spoken, the release of the results in the historic vote on the Whakatōhea Settlement are below. Whakatōhea 2022 settlement results Āe/Yes 67.01% Kāo/No 32.21% For full results of the Whakatōhea ...2 days ago
- Kindergarten Teachers Reject Government OfferThousands of kindergarten teachers from across Aotearoa have resoundingly rejected their collective agreement offer from the Ministry of Education and kindergarten associations. NZEI Te Riu Roa members covered by the Kindergarten Teachers' Collective ...2 days ago
- The Bulletin: An ‘invisible child’Stuff’s Michelle Duff reports on the investigation into the death of Malachi Subecz. Dame Karen Poutasi’s report identified critical gaps in the system that rendered Malachi an “invisible child” who was failed by multiple agencies and his community. The government has accepted nine of the 14 recommendations made by Poutasi. Minister ...2 days ago
- The public health case for Three WatersSix public health experts mount their case for Three Waters with a reminder that the genesis of the reforms was a campylobacteriosis outbreak that killed four people, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday morning, sign up here. Public ...2 days ago
- Malachi Subecz: Te Pāti Māori calls out lack of urgency to act on changesTe Pāti Māori has accused the government of being bereft of leadership and in a "state of paralysis" over its response to the murder of five-year-old Malachi Subecz. ...2 days ago
- There’s a serious ethical problem with some sunscreen testing methods – and you’re probably no...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Loughran, Director Radiation Research and Advice (ARPANSA), and Adjunct Associate Professor (UOW), University of Wollongong frantic00/Shutterstock As summer approaches, we need to start remembering to slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade where ...2 days ago
- Fifty years ago, the new Whitlam government removed the luxury sales tax on the pill. It changed Aus...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Arrow, Professor of History, Macquarie University Broad Agenda Amid the scale and sweep of the list of decisions made by the Whitlam government in their first week in office, most people remember the big changes: freeing all draft resisters ...2 days ago
- 50 years ago today, Gough Whitlam was elected. There are some lessons for Albanese in what came nextSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Byrne, Honorary Fellow, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne David Crosling/AAP On December 2 1972, after 23 years in opposition, Gough Whitlam led the Labor party back to government. What followed was three tumultuous years ...2 days ago
- Ventilation reduces the risk of COVID. So why are we still ignoring it?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lidia Morawska, Professor, Science and Engineering Faculty; Director, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (WHO CC for Air Quality and Health); Director – Australia, Australia – China Centre for Air Quality Science and Management (ACC-AQSM), Queensland University of Technology ...2 days ago
- 54% of projects extracting clean energy minerals overlap with Indigenous lands, research revealsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Kemp, Professor and Director, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland An Indigenous person in Indonesia protests against a copper and gold mine. Charles Dharapak/AP Vast quantities of minerals are needed to accelerate the transition to a clean ...2 days ago
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"National is still full of Nincompoops……."
Its a premium piece from Chris Finlayson in the Herald but freely available in the Listener….for those library members that can log in….
Link(s)?
The Herald link:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-dilemma-chris-finlayson-on-co-governance-education-and-frankly-hopeless-politicians/LPGZDX32PPUKFAVT6LPKJUCMQE/
Ta
Really a puff profile, giving a potted history, advertising his book.
Yes, but I can't help smile when I read that term nincompoop…….and puff piece or not its still a reasonably accurate description of most National MP's.
Then there's this review of Finlayson's book "Yes Minister" by Matthew Hooton.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/book-of-the-week-hooton-on-finlayson
Realities and the road to happiness (butterflies and rainbows) is in a jar of Soma.
That is bleak
pretty accurate though.
Materialism
Seems the account lifted the clip from the original without acknowledging the creator.
https://www.stevecutts.com/
https://twitter.com/Steve_Cutts
Local body democracy is in safe hands – at least in Otago.
A truly diverse candidate 😉
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/129628875/meet-slime-the-nitrate-monster-in-the-running-for-the-otago-regional-council
He's got our household Otago votes 🙂