Daily Review 19/09/2016

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, September 19th, 2016 - 68 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

not radical

Daily review is also your post.

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

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

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

68 comments on “Daily Review 19/09/2016 ”

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  1. Richard Rawshark 1
    19 September 2016 at 6:11 pm

    Colin Craig gives us the reason there were monasteries in the old days where we could shuffle weird fellows like him.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1
      19 September 2016 at 6:30 pm

      Yeah, and look what happened when we did:

      The Crusades
      The Inquisition
      The general denigration of women
      People getting vilified for finding out scientific truth that was contrary to what the church taught

      And the list goes on.

      Much better to keep these people in public view so that we can dis-empower them.

      • Colonial Viper 1.1.1
        19 September 2016 at 7:01 pm

        Monastics also brought Europe back out of the Dark Ages.

        Don’t be so bloody selective and narrow in your perspective. Without their salvaging and protection of the knowledge of antiquity, your precious western enlightenment would have been delayed for maybe 500 years, and you’d be wondering today if the universe really orbited the Earth, let alone all the rest of the liberal lefty dogma.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1
          19 September 2016 at 8:39 pm

          Monastics also brought Europe back out of the Dark Ages.

          [citation needed]

          Did Christianity cause the Dark Ages?

          It seems that we probably have more to thank the Muslims for rise for maintaining the early base.

          But then, Would humans be more advanced if the Dark Ages never happened?

          So Western Europe was unquestionably more advanced in the 15th Century than it was in the 5th Century. Elsewhere in the world, where progress was continuous and just as rapid, there isn’t even a question. We can safely say that the fall of the Roman Empire had minimal effect on technological progress in China and India.

          It seems that technologically we were advancing across the world whether there was monastics or not.

      • RedLogix 1.1.2
        19 September 2016 at 10:07 pm

        An interesting topic guys.

        I’d argue that there were definitely several major factors all at work:

        1. The Christian monastics can definitely be credited with preserving at least some of the classical heritage, and providing sanctuaries in which some level of literacy and scholastic traditions survived. While it’s probably true to say that much of this traditional knowledge had stagnated, it’s also true that without it any new influences would have fallen on much more barren soil.

        2. The Crusades absolutely exposed Europe far more intimately to influence of Islam. For at least the first 600 yrs after Mohammad there is no question that the Islamic civilisations progressed far more rapidly than anywhere else in the world. For instance the notion of citizenship and equality before the law are all first clearly espoused within Islam, not Europe. These were imported ideas.

        3. The Black Death essentially overturned the feudal economic model in Europe, liberating talent and opportunity in equal measure.

        4. The development of mercantilism in Europe was accelerated by the invention of banking; capitalism at least in it’s infancy was a huge stimulus.

        5. Other aspects such as a temperate climate, ready access to sea lanes, and a solid base of metals and coal also assisted.

        And I’d imagine a real scholar could bang off a far longer list, but these are what come to the top of my mind.

  2. vto 2
    19 September 2016 at 6:22 pm

    I am quite staggered by the number of people today with large wads of capital financing a life of ease, no work, walking the dog, coffee, new range rovers, winter escapes and summer sleeps….

    it kinda matches the number of people today with nothing whatsoever….

    it is all up the boohai

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      19 September 2016 at 6:32 pm

      it kinda matches the number of people today with nothing whatsoever….

      Yes, the more a few have the less the majority have.

      • vto 2.1.1
        19 September 2016 at 6:39 pm

        In the olden days I recall in our community most everyone played a role and contributed to its wellbeing. Today there is one huge number of people who actually do not play a role and do not contribute to its wellbeing. This huge number of people are, really, bludgers …

        That is the reality of their daily existence

        keep an eye out for them, they are quite easy to spot ….

        and they aint the unemployed or poor

        • Richard Rawshark 2.1.1.1
          19 September 2016 at 7:12 pm

          But what should people spend their day doing . Bearing in mind you only have one life, and it could end in 1 second.

        • BM 2.1.1.2
          19 September 2016 at 7:18 pm

          You need to get a hobby old boy, spending your retirement worrying about what everyone else is doing.

          Enjoy the time you have left.

          • vto 2.1.1.2.1
            19 September 2016 at 8:05 pm

            heh, I aint that old, and I aint worrying about what everyone else is doing… I am though worrying about our society and its future…

            I don’t think it is that rosy in the short to mid term and the above phenomenon I consider an indicator of our society’s directional movement …

            no more no less

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.3
          19 September 2016 at 8:50 pm

          Today there is one huge number of people who actually do not play a role and do not contribute to its wellbeing. This huge number of people are, really, bludgers …

          They’re not a huge number but they are bludgers.

      • Halfcrown 2.1.2
        19 September 2016 at 6:40 pm

        “Yes, the more a few have the less the majority have.”

        An excellent snippet of wisdom there Draco. Please, can I add it to my list of quotable quotes?

    • Wayne 2.2
      19 September 2016 at 9:49 pm

      Presumably they are mostly retired, and are in their mid 60’s. And probably looking a lot more healthy and active than people who were in their mid 60’s a generation or two ago (1970’s and 1980’s) and who were once known as the blue rinse brigade – the women I guess.

      Lots of retired farmers, professionals, business people and senior civil servants would be able to afford what you have set out, (and pretty much always have) except that travel is now a lot cheaper.

      I would also note a lot of them are very active in their communities in clubs, charities and community activity. For instance people in this group were pretty much the driving force behind saving the Takapuna motor camp, which has become a really big issue on The Shore. In part standing up for “the local” within the big city.

  3. adam 3
    19 September 2016 at 6:25 pm

    I forgot I liked DNews, and have been going on a binge catching up. Here is a cool video explaining the Ozone Layer. Isn’t it great when science wins.

    • Richard Rawshark 3.1
      19 September 2016 at 7:21 pm

      Next we’ll actually find the factor 100 skin lotions they bleated on about, are more harmful and cancer causing than the sun.

      • corokia 3.1.1
        19 September 2016 at 9:25 pm

        On average a New Zealander dies every day from skin cancer.

        IF, as you suggest, skin lotions might be harmful, exactly which fatal conditions are they causing?

        • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1
          19 September 2016 at 9:47 pm

          Most of the ingredients are toxic, or which toxicity is largely unknown. The problems they cause to individuals will depend on what is already going on with the individuals’ health.

        • weka 3.1.1.2
          20 September 2016 at 7:37 am

          As well as any toxicity issues, there’s the fact that sunscreens block the vitamin D production that happens due to UV exposure on the skin. It will take time for the problems with that to show up in populations but low vitamin D levels in the general population (as opposed to people who get no sun like geriatric patients) are increasingly thought to be a factor in the genesis of multiple diseases. There is a trade off going on, we don’t yet know what we swapped skin cancer for.

          Another fuck up brought to us by the reductionist medical model used in public health.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1.1.2.1
            20 September 2016 at 8:22 am

            Really?

            Conclusions: No person, including those aged 70 years and over, developed any vitamin D levels outside the normal reference range during the period of the study…

            No, not really…

            Well, maybe sorta kinda…

            …normal usage does not generally result in vitamin D insufficiency.

            I bet stress caused by worrying about phantom sunscreen-related vitamin d deficiency is a health hazard though.

            • weka 3.1.1.2.1.1
              20 September 2016 at 9:47 am

              Those links are research from 1995 and 2009. Most of the work I’ve seen done on Vit D has been more recent. Further, consider that there might be differences in studying say Australians, and Brits or Southlanders, and that there is questioning about the reference range for Vit D serum levels, and that is coming from medical people.

              As with other public health fuck ups (eg the fat hypothesis), it took decades of medical people and research scientists (as well as non-medical activists) raising these issues before they got taken seriously enough to be looked at. Pulling a couple of references off the internet, esp one that is old, doesn’t really address an issue that is as complex as this. RCTs are great, but looking at them in isolation is the precise problem in the mindset that leads to the fuck ups.

    • Colonial Viper 3.2
      19 September 2016 at 7:24 pm

      ” Isn’t it great when science wins.”

      partially solving a global crisis caused by science, by using science, isn’t a “win.”

      At best, it’s a tie. If you’re feeling generous.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1
        19 September 2016 at 8:52 pm

        The problem wasn’t caused by science but by commercialism.

        • Colonial Viper 3.2.1.1
          19 September 2016 at 9:00 pm

          Whatever Draco, whatever.

          Last I looked, CFCs were designed and mass manufactured by chemists.

          • weka 3.2.1.1.1
            20 September 2016 at 7:41 am

            true and scientists do the research and write the reports that industry relies on for both manufacturing and PR.

            Plus the cultural mindset that underpins Western science also supports capitalism. They’re like twins.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 3.2.1.1.1.1
              20 September 2016 at 7:49 am

              “the cultural mindset that underpins Western science”, eh.

              So for example, when I asked for a lay summation of the scientific method at Realclimate, the best answer was “honesty and curiosity”.

              I suppose that isn’t what you meant.

              • Colonial Viper …
                20 September 2016 at 8:26 am

                The “scientific method” isn’t the problem; the problem is science being hired and put to use as a tool for profit by the most powerful corporate and extractive forces driving our economy today.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  20 September 2016 at 8:33 am

                  Knowledge gets put to use by pretty much everyone. Exhibit a: the AK47.

                  I agree that the profit motive has inherent problems. Show me a motive that doesn’t.

                  Baby, meet bathwater.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    20 September 2016 at 8:39 am

                    I agree with you 100%. So it seems obvious why the general public is sometimes unimpressed with the large scale endeavour of science when sometimes it gives to the public good with one hand, and sometimes it takes away from the public good with the other. Eg. CFCs which started this discussion.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      20 September 2016 at 8:46 am

                      Nothing about public opinion “seems obvious” if you ask me: trying to think of a good metaphor has me thinking about the Pamplona bull run. It follows a predictable path and yet changes direction frequently. Don’t be standing in the way.

              • weka …
                20 September 2016 at 9:51 am

                “the cultural mindset that underpins Western science”, eh.

                So for example, when I asked for a lay summation of the scientific method at Realclimate, the best answer was “honesty and curiosity”.

                I suppose that isn’t what you meant.

                Of course it isn’t. The irony here is that if we look at the medical field it is full of dishonesty, by their own admission.

                As for curiosity, instead of dropping a smart arse reactionary comment that basically takes us nowhere, you could actually engage with the idea in the spirit of where curiosity might take us. In the meantime I will assume that you don’t understand what I meant /shrug

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  20 September 2016 at 10:15 am

                  OK: I think the notion of ascribing a single mindset to as diverse and wonderful a field as science is prejudicial, to say the least.

                  And like other forms of prejudice, it is also wrong, and useless.

                  Please be more specific. For example, how does the oft-repeated saw that as individuals, scientists are less motivated by material wealth than the rest of us fit into this mindset?

                  • weka …
                    20 September 2016 at 12:06 pm

                    “OK: I think the notion of ascribing a single mindset to as diverse and wonderful a field as science is prejudicial, to say the least.”

                    Not sure what you mean there exactly. I’m not saying that science has a single mindset, is that what you meant? Or did you mean that I was saying that everyone in science has this particular mindset? (also not what I am saying). What I am saying is that there are particular world views that underpin Western science, both in its evolution and in its current practice. Those world views bring benefits and problems. I was pointing to the problems and comparing them to the problems with capitalism (because in this context I don’t think evil capitalism alone explains the mistakes that science makes).

                    “Please be more specific. For example, how does the oft-repeated saw that as individuals, scientists are less motivated by material wealth than the rest of us fit into this mindset?”

                    I’ve not heard that saw before, and I wouldn’t believe it. Scientists are a group of humans like everyone else. What would make them less motivated by material wealth than others? (if you want to compare them to merchant bankers you might have a point).

                    But even it it were true, it doesn’t inherently negate my contention that there is a worldview underpinning Western science that causes problems. It doesn’t have anything to do with that.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      20 September 2016 at 12:19 pm

                      The saw follows the narrative that they are motivated more by curiosity than wealth.

                      Please would you name or provide an example that illustrates the worldview? Curiosity killed the cat?

  4. Janice 4
    19 September 2016 at 6:32 pm

    Our dear leader has just appeared on Newshub coming out of the UN building with Helen Clark. He looked stupid standing there with both of his hands in his pockets, just like he did when walking with Malcolm Turnball a few weeks ago. Does he feel the need to keep his hands in his pockets because:
    a. He has a Michael Jackson complex and wants to keep his hands clean at all times.
    b. He needs to keep his hands tethered in case of passing temping pony tails.
    c. He is financially insecure and wants to assure himself that he has money in his pocket.
    d. He is playing with himself.
    I can’t recall any other male in the public eye who has this weird habit.

  5. Anne 5
    19 September 2016 at 6:41 pm

    Dirty Politics is alive and well and Cameron Slater is in the thick of it. Wonder what is fee is these days?

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201816735/dirty-politics-hits-mayoral-candidates-in-nelson-and-marlboroug

    • mac1 5.1
      19 September 2016 at 7:12 pm

      I’d ask another question. Who is paying his fee, and that of his mate Simon Lusk, of dirty politics infamy, as well? Why is Slater interested? Because his mate Lusk is. Why is Lusk so interested that he comes to Marlborough and holds a seminar to aid far right wing candidates. Who is living outside of Marlborough yet wants to use dirty politics tactics to attack a more middle of the road candidate who has the front running? Why is this just come out at the time when council voting papers are mailed out?

      I’d say follow the money. Who is interested in having an ineffective and right wing mayor in a province in which water, fish, mussels, timber, cows and grapes are raw products waiting to be profited from?

      This in a province with low wages and eighty per cent of the grape industry owned outside of the area and the country; where Talley, that family which loathes unions, owns considerable industry; where waterways, the sea-bed and the land are being degraded by primary industries like fishing, forestry and grapes, and water is described as the new white gold.

      Hmmm………..

      • Anne 5.1.1
        19 September 2016 at 7:36 pm

        OK. So the key word is Talley. Well, they’re rolling in the moneyed stuff so I guess these two fine upstanding NZers, Lusk and Slater are merely doing necessary research into the effects the Talley industries (and others?) are having on the local community and how best to manipulate that community in the interests of the market economy – but in particular their own…

        • mac1 5.1.1.1
          19 September 2016 at 7:57 pm

          No, I can’t say it is Talley. But it’s bound to be money, profit, exploitation, behind it. Talleys are one firm among many who profit from what is akin to a third world economy, where profits from primary industry are extracted out of the province as the West does to Third World economies, slave labour and all.

      • Cinny 5.1.2
        20 September 2016 at 5:55 am

        No way PT would have anything to do with whale blubber, js I used to work for him, PT may be many things but I can tell you he is not the type to have dealings with cameron sack of shit slater

    • Richard Rawshark 5.2
      19 September 2016 at 7:23 pm

      I saw a pic on his twitter account of him, in like a black leather waistcoat with” Dirty politics original” patch sewn on it, like he was some hard guy gang member. Trying damn hard to look as mean as he can posing.

      knob.

  6. b waghorn 6
    19 September 2016 at 7:09 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11712679

    Another day another national party failure that the taxpayer has to tidy up

    • Pat 6.1
      19 September 2016 at 7:36 pm

      “It is not fair to describe queries about the Convention Centre as being “palmed off” to DPMC, as ministers and Crown agents have legal, contractual and commercial constraints, which opposition MPs do not have,” he said.

      and are able to hide behind that delightfully useful phrase “commercial sensitivity”

    • Sabine 6.2
      19 September 2016 at 9:39 pm

      it’s a honey pot, innit?

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    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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