Easy to answer and happy to do so. Thanks for the opportunity to play.
Electorate is a tactical vote for labour. Because they have the best chance to unseat the sitting national member.
Party vote is for the greens. Because their policies are more left than labour, and with luck, in government, they’ll stop the reds from being national lite. One can hope, any way.
So, second intervention of yours in a couple of days on my posts.
Seeing as we’re playing questions, what’s your angle?
I note more people think National are best on new transport infrastructure. I guess most of them are thinking of the Waterview tunnel. That was a Labour initiative. National just got to be in power when it finished. 🙄
Yeah that one was odd, couple it with the design disaster in Onehunga, plus the roads of national importance looking as bad as people predicted. I’m not sure what people are thinking.
And destroyed several communities while ‘saving’ that money.
I think we’ll find that the extra damage to those communities will far outweigh the monetary savings.
EDIT: And there seems to some debate about just how much the government ‘saved’.
In 2009, NZTA made a presentation claiming the Clark government proposal would cost $2.77b for twin two-lane bored tunnels or $3.1b for a three-lane version.
But this number included improvements to State Highways 20 and 16, and it is not clear if the cost can be directly compared to the government’s headline cost for the tunnel itself of $1.4b.
A fairer comparison could be to the cost of the entire Western Ring Route, which NZTA has priced at $2.4b.
Good, that would make up for the lanes they chopped off the Harbour bridge then had to add back on a few years later, which are now showing signs of fatigue…
Bingles has shamelessly used the Waterview tunnel in his campaigning. They even did campaign ads there before it opened and have used photo material extensively.
Sad to hear Jacinda has lost her Grandmother. It is comforting to know she will have Gaylord travelling with her from now on with the funeral Friday morning. The small hours can be lonely away from home in these circumstances.
Having been through the grieving process many times, including the death of my spouse, I would recommend she NOT debate. If she debates, she will lose. She cannot possibly be mentally and emotionally in top form.
Being politically hard nosed about it, Jacinda could justifiably cancel. It would win sympathy votes. It would highlight National’s health failures.
I’m inclined to agree with you AmaKiwi. Its easy to think you’re alright but in fact you are not as anyone who has been through the process would know.
Grant Robertson would be a suitable replacement given he is shadow Minister of Finance. He was exceptional debating with Steven Joyce a week ago.
Another CB poll being released on TV1 tomorrow at 6pm. I suppose this one will register the momentum gained by National over their attack and scaremongering strategy – not to mention the despicable lies.
Depends on who they ring and how brainwashed or clued up they are
Looking forward to the final debate, wish Corin was hosting it, I much prefer a knowledgeable political editor moderating over a gambling promoting entertainer.
Lolz maybe they should have done a poll on that, who was the better host out of hosking and Corin Dann.
James supports child poverty, abject levels of homelessness, the housing crisis, large government debt, long hospital waiting lists and tax cuts for the rich.
He votes National.
One of my kids at work was totally convinced Labour was going to increase income tax – until I made him go online on the office computer to get the facts.
Interesting to see his Masters issued the following preamble..
“Editor’s note: The opinions in this article are the author’s, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft.”
(PS) Dunno what microsoft has to do with it ..)
But I agree with Gowers sentiments.
“I am calling National out – this is the biggest piece of misinformation this campaign.”
So James, I noticed you posted some disgusting comments of your own at 8:46, then deleted them shortly afterwards. Given that they were disgusting, and you authored them yourself, ought we to call you “disgusting” from here on? By your reasoning and claim, it seems we should. Fair enough, though it goes against the grain; you’re disgusting, James.
Edit – and now, look what you’ve started! Reason is calling you names, James! Remember, when you point a finger at someone, there are 3 fingers pointing back at you!
I didn’t see anything other than your own disgusting comments, James; the ones you eventually deleted. Sadly, you’ve cast a stone that’s bounced back and caught you smack in the eye. You know what they say about throwing stones, James? Ruins the look of the best-kept glasshouse.
nah james, Hones ‘Feed the Kids’ bill is not a disgusting view and I’m so happy that others are keeping it going no matter what his electorate result.
dude, you are busy on here wasn’t going to comment cause I thought you were getting enough attention already, but I had to say something because I’m a strong supporter of that particular bill.
James, I’d probably vote National too but they LIE too much and can’t be trusted with anything, so maybe this time I’ll vote for someone else who’s honesty is still regarded as a VIRTUE
Looks like he is not going back on the gravy train. His attendance record at parliament broke all records for not turning up.Kept getting paid though. Gosh’some people have short memories.
Would it surprise you to know I feel the same way about David Seymour? To me he is the worst kind of human pond scum in politics, after David Garrett of course.
Well Nelson Mandela would disagree with you ….. and was lifted by people like Hone fighting racism when National were supporting it …..
All the countries who boycotted and ruined the Montreal Olympics because of Nationals support of contact with racist Apartheid South Africa would also disagree with you ……
The fact he supported hungry white kids getting fed in schools ….. as well as the brown ones ……… also tends to disagree with you.
The fact is James your an apologist for a Government that resides over a murderous suicide rate for Maori ….
Let me say as one Pakeha to another….You are a white maggot who talks bile ……
By actually listening to interviews of Hone ….. a much different Man emerges than your NAct party smears/spin
James – can I help? You’ve waded in to waters over your head. You can’t see that you’re insulting a person reason respects, and doing so gratuitously. Reason has explained his reasoning clearly, but you’ve persisted to the point where reason has labled you “a white maggot who talks bile”. Perhaps an apology from you would help? There was no need for your unpleasantness and there are others here who find your (disgusting) comments offensive. Can righties like you say sorry?
So, not a glimmer of self-awareness here, James?
No matter. I wasn’t really expecting any, it’s just that you said, and I quote;
“I respectfully disagree.”
I’m just trying to pin down what you meant by “respectfully”, ’cause, you know, your behaviour belies your words.
Robert seems to have forgotten how Hone got besotted with the fat german ‘s money , and sold his soul to the devil. But Robert speaks in lovely prose and is authoritive and this is his feeding ground so be warned young fellow.
……… you understand that the James and Ians are speaking Bill shit ….. Dirty politics, the latest chapter being written in real time.
I’ve also taken note that James thought a post mentioning our disgraceful murderous suicide rate for Maori …. and my insult in relation to that …. to be “amazing funny) ”
The salient point for me is that I’ve always been pretty clear on where Hone Harawira stands politically, regardless of what money has or hasn’t been behind his campaigns. For that reason, I think it can be categorically stated that any attempt to discredit his policies on the grounds of association with Dotcom is a smear (also, anyone who uses the expression “the fat German” is categorically a dick).
I logged off last night after telling James that Hone was a good MP.
Great to read the responses this morning. Thank you all (especially Reason) for supporting Hone against the right wing bile and bigotry from the likes of James and Ian.
Hopefully on Saturday we can relieve the Country from that sort of leadership.
Party vote Green.
Remember the Kids interview each of the Leaders Part 2 tonight at 8-9pm on TV1.
Strangely engaging. English is first up tonight – started last night. English, Winston, & Seymour tonight.
This is how stupid the dim twat is. He’s on TV1 on ‘Face the Classroom’ but then agrees to a live question and answer with the Herald at the same time.
Maori Television has the Maori electorates debate on tonight. It has been well worth the watch. Te Tai Tokerau is on at the moment. Marama Davidson earlier on has had the best comment of the evening. Tax is sharing.
Well, anything can happen, but over half a million have voted already. That lowers the impact of the debate.
Nobody would blame Ardern if she bowed out, and if she doesn’t blinglish can’t be too much of a prick because that’ll backfire. But equally, I’ve seen some folks channel pain quite spectacularly and blow their objective out of the park – then let out the pain in private, later. Obama was in a similar place in ’08.
If that’s the case it will be New Zealand’s loss because we’ll have to wait another three years for what absolutely everyone agrees will be the inevitable.
Horrible to think what further damage to communities National will do in that time and I don’t really understand why, if change and a Labour/Green win is inevitable, people would want to delay it.
As human impact on the environment in terms of population increase and resource usage begins to bite hard, environmental parties and socially conscious parties will become more popular. Consumption parties will become less popular.
No matter the result on Saturday, these are the death throes of the National government in New Zealand so you’d better enjoy it while it lasts. 🙂
You are begging for her to pull out of the debate. Your mates at Kiwiblog were just today saying they suspect Ardern’s grandmother died on purpose this week for the sympathy vote. These are your people we are talking about here.
Why do you want National to win big?
So they can reduce taxes for the rich even more?
Pollute our waterways more?
Destroy our health service more?
Sell more of our country to foreigners?
And make James richer.
Reading Bryce Edwards article earlier regarding the youth quake reminded me of this.
It’s well known fact that as people get older they tend to become more right wing.
It’s also a fact that as you get older you lose brain cells.
I would therefore like to propose that Toryism is a degenerative illness.
Risk being bystanders in history – the prick’s going to start a war or two and his senate has given him the green light to do whatever tf he wants to.
Donald Trump will use his first address to the UN general assembly on Tuesday to call for international action to confront North Korea and Iran, which he will portray as twin threats to global security, the White House said.
The US president will warn member states that they risk being “bystanders in history” if they do not mobilise to confront such threats, according to a senior White House official.
This video produced in Seattle looks at the gender identity curriculum used in schools in the US. A thin veneer of pseudoscience is being used to indoctrinate children with an ideology based on scientific and medical inaccuracies. ...
For once, I have written my submission on a bill with enough time to spare to both enocurage any of you who wants to make a submission to do so as well, and to give you time to spot the typos in mine.Louisa Wall's Harmful Digital Communications (Unauthorised Posting of Intimate ...
Judith Collins’ National Party leadership is under more scrutiny, with increased talk in the media of her being replaced by brand new MP Christopher Luxon. For many commentators it’s just a question of “when” rather than “if” Collins is replaced. While others ponder whether Luxon really has what it takes ...
‘Tis the season for unearthing the rarest gems in Tolkien adaptation – which, considering that the fandom has been dominated by Peter Jackson for nigh on two decades, is a positively heart-warming development. It is why I have devoted so much blog space to the obscure and weirdly wonderful ...
Whatever the damage, especially to the British economy, Brexit has done us a service by illustrating the complexity of trade.Brexit is the only example we have of two closely integrated sophisticated economies severing trading ties. The European Union and Britain still do not have tariffs or import quotas between them ...
The Palmerston North City Council has voted for Māori wards: Palmerston North Māori will be guaranteed one or two seats on the city council from 2022, and this time, there is nothing opponents can do about it. The council decided by an 11-5 vote at its monthly meeting this ...
Kids are striking for the climate today, demanding a decent, liveable future. Meanwhile, the National Party, the reliable servant of the farm lobby and other polluting businesses, is calling for action to be delayed: National has written to Climate Change Minister James Shaw calling for him to extend the ...
Today tens of thousands of schoolkids have walked out of school to strike for a future free from climate change. And tens of thousands of older New Zealanders have joined them. Their demands are clear: eliminate fossil fuels, implement 100% renewable energy with a just transition, and support our Pacific ...
The Gods That Failed.We studied the dialecticRead the whole of ‘Capital’So we could follow youSo we could follow youHow we shoutedHow we scrawledPainted slogans on city wallsOn prison wallsProof we had followed youBut, we still didn’t find what we’re looking forAnd we still haven’t found what we’re looking forWhen they ...
Conventional Wisdom? The Republican Right is convinced that to “go woke” is to “go broke”. It simply does not believe sufficient Americans feel strongly enough about social justice to make any kind of boycott remotely effective. Clearly, the Boards of Directors of more and more American corporations disagree. RECENT MOVES by ...
On November 25, 2020 Skeptical Science Inc. became a registered nonprofit organization and on March 17, 2021 our application to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) status was approved. In this blog post, we’ll explain why we went down this path and what will come next. Since its ...
Blowing Hot And Cold: Mike Hosking’s bosses should, perhaps, ask themselves what message Newstalk-ZB (and NZME) is sending to the people of New Zealand if Mike Hosking, their self-appointed “People’s Prosecutor”, is accorded bragging rights for “cancelling” the democratically-elected Prime Minister of New Zealand. Especially when said Prime Minister’s only ...
Ali Boyle, University of CambridgeIf you ask people to list the most intelligent animals, they’ll name a few usual suspects. Chimpanzees, dolphins and elephants are often mentioned, as are crows, dogs and occasionally pigs. Horses don’t usually get a look in. So it might come as a surprise that ...
Selwyn Manning and I dedicated this week’s video podcast to the potential emergence of rival blocs within the transitional process involved in the move from a unipolar to a multipolar international system currently underway. However one characterises the phenomenon–autocracies versus democracies, East versus West, colonial versus post-colonial–the global order is ...
With the rediscovery of the lost Soviet Lord of the Rings, the time has come for the important things in life. Specifically, compiling the Tom Bombadil scenes from the three known screen adaptations that feature him: This is a collection of scenes from:– Sagan om Ringen (1971: ...
Back in February the Climate Change Commission recommended a ban on new coal-fired boilers, and a phase out of existing ones by 2037. And today, the government has said they will implement that policy, and backed it up with funding to help transition some of our large pollution sources: ...
Back in 2014, the police raided and searched journalist Nicky Hager's home over his book Dirty Politics, seizing his journalistic work in an effort to identify his sources to please their political masters in the National party. The raid - and much of the police's related investigative work - was ...
By Professor Tony Blakely, Dr Tim Wilson, Luke Thorburn and Professor Nathan Grills, University of MelbourneA new web tool, COVID-19 Pandemic Trade-offs, allows people to weigh the costs and benefits of different policy responses as Australia rolls out vaccines and considers opening borders.See here for an associated explanatory ...
This evening I was engaging in polite conversation (well, I was polite, anyway) on an RNZ Facebook post about – you guessed it! – the covid19 vaccination program. One of those present offered up a link to a blog post by Joseph Mercola to support a claim he was making ...
by Jordan Levi (Contributed) I don’t remember when I first came across the concept of gender identity, but it was definitely before Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner) came out as transgender because I’m sure that would’ve confused me way more if it was my first acquaintance with the phenomenon. The ...
The fact that the much vaunted “most advanced, richest Nation on the planet, ever”, that being America, ran into a brick wall in its responses to the problems across the world of late is because, at its heart, of the economic system that we’ve all been largely forced to ...
The EPA has commenced the 2021 “denewing” of new organisms. Their New Organisms team explain what this means, and ask you to put forward your proposals. The places we inhabit are shared with thousands of different kinds of organisms. They’re in the trees, flying in the sky, in our yoghurt, ...
As we roll out the COVID-19 vaccine across NZ there will inevitably be people who experience adverse events after getting their jab. Here are some super important things to keep in mind about adverse events following immunisation. Terminology – words matter Any event that is undesirable and follows administration of ...
Nature Climate Change celebrates 10 years of obfuscation The Nature Publishing Group is distinguished not only by what we're told (most of us must take somebody's word for it) are exceptionally high quality research publications but also by what some might term an outlier, extremist policy on locked-down content. In many ...
How can we stop the Ministry of Health censoring and sanitising vital mental health statistics to make themselves (and Ministers) look good? Legislate for annual reporting: Green Party mental health spokeswoman Chlöe Swarbrick says the Ministry of Health should be legally required to produce a wide range of mental ...
Here’s a few short interesting developments or discussions I’ve seen recently. Loosely bundled together in a theme of “values.” Irregular labour Is the private sector the best provider and facilitator of “gig work”? That’s challenged in a New Yorker profile of Wingham Rowan, an English social entrepreneur. For many years ...
In 1997 the Law Commission reviewed the OIA. In the process, they identified a problem: decisions to transfer a request could not be investigated by the Ombudsman under the Act. They also identified a workaround: transfer decisions by agencies subject to the Ombudsmen Act could be investigated under that Act, ...
The area of mental health has been a key strength for Jacinda Ardern and her Labour Government over the last few years. They campaigned strongly in 2017 on fixing up the dysfunctional system, and initially they made some vital strides forward in reforming the sector. An in-depth inquiry was instigated ...
By Jamie Stewart, Federated Mountain ClubsFederated Mountain Clubs (FMC), founded in 1931, represents 96 clubs, 22,000 members and 300,000 people that regularly recreate in the New Zealand backcountry. This article first appeared in the June 2020 issue of Backcountry magazine and is reproduced with permission. (Read the original article). ...
Stuff had an appalling story on Sunday about the Ministry of Health's attempts to hide unflattering mental health statistics and sanitise a regular report. The report came out last week, and showed a massive increase in the use of "seclusion", a practice which has been condemned by the UN Committee ...
Another unpleasant surprise at Tiwai Point: in addition to the declared stockpiles of toxic waste, they may have tens of thousands of tons secretly buried in the early 1990's to avoid the RMA: Investigators are looking into claims highly toxic waste has been buried in unmapped sites at Tiwai ...
This morning the government is deciding on the start-date for a trans-Tasman travel bubble. Note the way that that's phrased: the existence of such a bubble is taken as a given, and the only question is how to implement it. Obviously, we're going to have to re-open the borders eventually, ...
Qualified To Give - And Take - Advice: Most Labour MPs are self-conscious members of the meritocracy, meaning they have succeeded where the vast majority of their fellow citizens have failed. The primary political obligation, understood by all members of the First Labour Government, was to listen to the people. ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters, PhD A critical global shipping node – Egypt’s Suez Canal – was reopened on Monday, March 29, six days after being shut down when the 400-meter-long container ship Ever Given became lodged in the canal. A statement by the Suez ...
Red, red whines.That’s all you’ll hear.Not like those glory daysWhen we would cheer. Red, red whines.If it were up to us,We'd make a proper jobOf transforming the world. We would beMore than kind.Offer so much more than spin.Makes us sadWhen we findThere’s so much you won’t begin. Red, red whines.Now ...
Worlds Apart: According to the report of the British Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: “family structure and social class had a bigger impact than race on how people’s lives turned out”. These are not the sort of findings that New Zealand fighters against "White Supremacy" and "Colonisation" are eager ...
Caitlin Clark, Colorado State UniversityWhether baked as chips into a cookie, melted into a sweet warm drink or molded into the shape of a smiling bunny, chocolate is one of the world’s most universally consumed foods. Even the biggest chocolate lovers, though, might not recognize what this ancient food ...
Since December 2020, I have been working my way through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s corpus of Sherlock Holmes stories, in order of publication. As of today I have managed to finish this adventure ...
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 28, 2021 through Sat, Apr 3, 2021 The three apparently most popular posts on our Facebook page this week were John Cook's 23 Ways to Mislead (and how to spot them), Stanton Glantz' blog post ...
The Inward Journey: Indeed, this would appear to constitute the essence of the Gospel of Mary. That the teachings of the Christ are not to be read as a promise of victory over Death; but as an invitation to explore ever more fearlessly the manifold mysteries of Life.THE EASTER STORY is ...
It has never ceased to surprise me that those who profit at the expense of others are so unaware of the harm suffered by those they exploit, and are so convinced that they have a right to do the exploiting and that their profit is a proper and justifiable reward ...
The government’s recent housing package may work; will it do enough?Trick Question: Does New Zealand have a capital gains tax on housing? If you ask the Prime Minister she will say not. It is true that her government is increasing the scope of the ‘bright-line test’ on non-family homes to ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Kristen Pope Trees and other plants have been critical in helping to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. But newly published scientific findings suggest the clock may be running on vegetation’s forever continuing at the same carbon sink efficiency rate currently ...
Today is the goodest of Fridays. What better way to celebrate a day off work when everything is closed to honour one of the greatest minds ever to nestle his parliamentary buttocks one of those gigantic green seats in the debating chamber. Ladies and gentlement I give you… Mr David ...
Below, for those interested, I copy my submission on the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Urgent Interim Classification of Publications and Prevention of Online Harm) Amendment Bill.This is the government bill aiming to create a mandatory Internet filter. The bill is largely unnecessary, but in parts not as bad as people ...
Matt Parker, University of PortsmouthYou’ve probably heard that fish have a three-second memory, or that they’re incapable of feeling pain. Neither of these statements is true, but it’s telling that these misconceptions don’t crop up for other vertebrates. Perhaps it’s because fish appear so different from us. They don’t ...
So, corporate pillager Ron Brierley has plead guilty to possession of child pornography, and there are obvious calls for him to be stripped of his feudal honour (awarded in the 80's for services to his own banak balance). When faced with such calls in the past, the government has hidden ...
Rage, Rage, And The Crying Of The Right: Retributive populism is founded on the principle that the past was better than the present: and that unless there is a strong and unapologetic reassertion of the values and policies that dignified the past, then the nation’s steady decline will persist into ...
Jacinda Ardern can essentially say “kia kaha” as much as she wants to those at the bottom of the housing market, but it won’t help their plight. Eventually her government is going to have to take state housing seriously as a tool for helping solve the housing crisis – especially ...
Completed reads for March: The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Valley of Fear, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Another quiet month ...
It might just be me, but there are few things more exciting than the rediscovery of art previously thought lost. Even if it isn’t particularly great art, there is still the thrill of notching up a victory for human knowledge against the inevitable sands of time. There is a ...
Autotomy. There’s a word you don’t see every day – but those familiar with lizards may well have seen the result. For autotomy is the scientific name for what I suppose we could also call “self-amputation”: the process whereby an animal deliberately sheds a part of its body (a tail, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gary Yohe, Henry Jacoby, Ben Santer, and Richard Richels Governing from the White House by executive actions – whether by executive orders or variations thereon – has its pluses and minuses. Executive orders, for instance, can help get past rigid partisan opposition and ...
Massey's Cossacks: New Zealand's employer class didn't need the services of a Pinkerton Detective Agency – strike-breakers par excellence in the service of US industrial titans like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Not when the strapping sons of Waikato and Wairarapa cockies could be quietly trained and organised by ...
Gregory Moore, The University of MelbourneIt’s official: Australians endured the coldest, wettest summer in at least five years thanks to La Niña, a climate phenomenon over the Pacific Ocean. Before we knew it, autumn rolled in bringing more rain. Tragically, it led to widespread flooding across New South Wales, ...
by Orla Ní Chomhraí In 1946 George Orwell wrote: “Fifteen years ago, when one defended the freedom of the intellect, one had to defend it against Conservatives, against Catholics, and to some extent — for they were not of great importance in England — against Fascists. Today one has to ...
SATIRE by Remy Beethey/them, demigender, queer, white priv. In a stunning and brave turn the Court Theatre in Christchurch has decided to completely change how it casts plays. The awakening came when Christchurch’s Court Theatre got called out by queer activist, agender Rosemary Mitford-Taylor after casting a cis actor to play ...
The government shifts blame for its own failings onto landlords South Auckland councillor Efeso Collins remarked early this month that Jacinda Ardern had abandoned the collegiality of “the team of five million” and entered her “post-kindness phase” after she blamed South Aucklanders for sparking an unpopular week-long lockdown. Casting ...
Dr Leah Grout, Dr Jennifer Summers, Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Prof Michael Baker, Prof Nick WilsonWhile succeeding very well with its elimination strategy, NZ still does not have optimal border control. We find since July 2020 there have been 13 identified border failures and at least 6 internal MIQ facility ...
By Monica Vallender, Master’s student with AgResearch Invermay and the University of Otago. A few months ago, while home for the Christmas break, my mother – out of the blue – turned to me and asked, “what made you actually decide you wanted to go to university and study science?” ...
One of the innovations of the Zero Carbon Act was a clause specifically allowing public bodies (or bodies performing public functions) to consider climate change targets and reduction plans in their decision-making. It was phrased as a "permissive consideration": they didn't have to. But as we've seen from the Thames-Coromandel ...
Jim Mann, University of OtagoType 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in New Zealand and will get much worse unless action is taken now, according to a new report on the economic and social cost of the disease. Already 228,000 New Zealanders (4.7% of the population) have type 2 ...
Small businesses are not only the heart of our economy – they’re also the heart of our communities. They provide important goods and services, as well as great employment opportunities. They know and love their locals. And after a tough year, they need our support! ...
Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono MP, supports the demand from Pasifika communities fighting for climate action as their homelands are more at risk in the Pacific region. ...
The Green Party supports the six demands for climate action put forward by School Strike for Climate NZ, who are striking across the country today. ...
The Ministry of Justice Māori victimisation report, released today, reinforces what we already know about the impact of systemic racism in Aotearoa and that urgent action is needed. ...
Ricardo Menéndez March’s Members Bill to ensure that disabled New Zealanders do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog was today pulled from the biscuit tin to be debated in Parliament. ...
More than one million people will be better off from today, thanks to our Government’s changes to the minimum wage, main benefits and superannuation. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to do more for New Zealanders who continue to miss out, as main benefits are set to rise by less than $8 a week tomorrow, Thursday 1 April (at the start of the financial year). ...
Sunday 28th March 70 Rongomaiwahine descendants welcomed members of the Green Party’s Māori Caucus, Te Mātāwaka, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere and Teanau Tuiono, to discuss concerns about RocketLab’s operations on the Mahia Peninsula. ...
The new homes enabled through additional borrowing capacity for Kāinga Ora announced by Government today must have a Te Tiriti o Waitangi lens, having Māori take the lead in developing homes ...
We’ve announced the next steps in our plan to tackle New Zealand’s housing crisis, as we take urgent action to help more Kiwis into homes. Here, we answer your questions about our plan to improve housing in New Zealand. ...
We believe everyone deserves a warm, dry place to call home, which is why we’ve announced the next steps in our plan to tackle the housing crisis. The new policies we’ve announced build on the work we’ve already done to improve housing in New Zealand. Here’s a look at everything ...
The Green Party is calling for active transport access across the Auckland Harbour Bridge to be a priority as the future of the SkyPath remains uncertain. ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today expressed New Zealand’s sorrow at the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. “Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time. On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express ...
We, the Home Affairs, Interior, Security and Immigration Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (the ‘Five Countries’) met via video conference on 7/8 April 2021, just over a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Guided by our shared ...
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni has today announced the opening of the first round of Ngā Puninga Toi ā-Ahurea me ngā Kaupapa Cultural Installations and Events. “Creating jobs and helping the arts sector rebuild and recover continues to be a key part of the Government’s COVID-19 response,” Carmel ...
Interim legislation that is already proving to keep people safer from drugs will be made permanent, Health Minister Andrew Little says. Research by Victoria University, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, shows that the Government’s decision in December to make it legal for drug-checking services to operate at festivals ...
Public consultation launched on ways to improve behaviour and reduce damage Tighter rules proposed for either camping vehicles or camping locations Increased penalties proposed, such as $1,000 fines or vehicle confiscation Rental companies may be required to collect fines from campers who hire vehicles Public feedback is sought on proposals ...
The Government is continuing to support Air New Zealand while aviation markets stabilise and the world moves towards more normal border operations. The Crown loan facility made available to Air New Zealand in March 2020 has been extended to a debt facility of up to $1.5 billion (an additional $600 ...
Christchurch’s Richmond suburb will soon have a new community hub, following the gifting of a red-zoned property by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to the Richmond Community Gardens Trust. The Minister for Land Information, Damien O’Connor said that LINZ, on behalf of the Crown, will gift a Vogel Street house ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the reopening of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ (MPP) Languages Funding in 2021 will make sure there is a future for Pacific languages. “Language is the key to the wellbeing for Pacific people. It affirms our identity as Pasifika and ...
It is a pleasure to be here tonight. Thank you Cameron for the introduction and thank you for ERANZ for also hosting this event. Last week in fact, we had one of the largest gatherings in our sector, Downstream 2021. I have heard from my officials that the discussion on ...
Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has today announced the 16 projects that will together get $3.9 million through the 2021 round of Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, further strengthening the Government’s commitment to Māori knowledge in science and innovation. “We received 78 proposals - the highest ...
The Government is delivering on a key election commitment to tackle climate change, by banning new low and medium temperature coal-fired boilers and partnering with the private sector to help it transition away from fossil fuels. This is the first major announcement to follow the release of the Climate Commission’s ...
Six projects, collectively valued at over $70 million are delivering new schools, classrooms and refurbished buildings across Central Otago and are helping to ease the pressure of growing rolls in the area, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. The National Education Growth Plan is making sure that sufficient capacity in the ...
Two more schools are now complete as part of the Christchurch Schools Rebuild Programme, with work about to get under way on another, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. Te Ara Koropiko – West Spreydon School will welcome students to their new buildings for the start of Term 2. The newly ...
The Government is acting to ensure decisions on responding to the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic are informed by the best available scientific evidence and strategic public health advice. “New Zealand has worked towards an elimination strategy which has been successful in keeping our people safe and our economy ...
Six Māori scholars have been awarded Ngārimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships for 2021, Associate Education Minister and Ngārimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The prestigious Manakura Award was also presented for the first time since 2018. “These awards are a tribute to the heroes of the 28th ...
New Zealand’s aerospace industry is getting a boost through the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), to grow the capability of the sector and potentially lead to joint space missions, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has announced. 12 New Zealand organisations have been chosen to work with world-leading experts at ...
The Government is backing more initiatives to boost New Zealand’s food and fibre sector workforce, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “The Government and the food and fibres sector have been working hard to fill critical workforce needs. We've committed to getting 10,000 more Kiwis into the sector over the ...
Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the first reading of the Social Security (Subsequent Child Policy Removal) Amendment Bill in the House this evening. “Tonight’s first reading is another step on the way to removing excessive sanctions and obligations for people receiving a Main Benefit,” says ...
The Government has taken a significant step towards delivering on its commitment to improve the legislation around mental health as recommended by He Ara Oranga – the report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment ...
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has welcomed the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill passing its third reading today. “After nearly 100 years of a system that was not fit for Māori and did not reflect the partnership we have come to expect between Māori and the Crown, ...
New Zealand’s successful management of COVID means quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia will start on Monday 19 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the conditions for starting to open up quarantine free travel with Australia have ...
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little welcomed ngā uri o Ngāti Hinerangi to Parliament today to witness the third reading of their Treaty settlement legislation, the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill. “I want to acknowledge ngā uri o Ngāti Hinerangi and the Crown negotiations teams for working tirelessly ...
Minister of Police Poto Williams has announced the members of the Ministers Arms Advisory Group, established to ensure balanced advice to Government on firearms that is independent of Police. “The Ministers Arms Advisory Group is an important part of delivering on the Government’s commitment to ensure we maintain the balance ...
Kiri Allan, Minister of Conservation and Emergency Management will undertake a leave of absence while she undergoes medical treatment for cervical cancer, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “I consider Kiri not just a colleague, but a friend. This news has been devastating. But I also know that Kiri is ...
Excellent progress has been made at the new prison development at Waikeria, which will boost mental health services and improve rehabilitation opportunities for people in prison, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says. Kelvin Davis was onsite at the new build to meet with staff and see the construction first-hand, following a ...
To reduce the trauma of road crashes caused by drug impaired drivers, an Independent Expert Panel on Drug Driving has proposed criminal limits and blood infringement thresholds for 25 impairing drugs, Minister of Police Poto Williams and Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill ...
Temporary COVID-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, providing continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Over the past year, we have had to make rapid decisions to vary visa conditions, extend expiry dates, and ...
Temporary COVID-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, providing continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Over the past year, we have had to make rapid decisions to vary visa conditions, extend expiry dates, and ...
The Government is expanding its Pregnancy and Parenting Programme so more women and whānau can access specialist support to minimise harm from alcohol and other drugs, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “We know these supports help improve wellbeing and have helped to reduce addiction, reduced risk for children, and helped ...
*** Please check against delivery *** It’s an honour to be here in Rūātoki today, a rohe with such a proud and dynamic history of resilience, excellence and mana. Tūhoe moumou kai, moumou taonga, moumou tangata ki te pō. The Ahuwhenua Trophy competition is the legacy of a seed planted ...
The economic recovery from COVID-19 continues to be reflected in the Government’s books, which are again better than expected. The Crown accounts for the eight months to the end of February 2021 showed both OBEGAL and the operating balance remain better than forecast in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson and Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash have welcomed confirmation New Zealand will host the opening ceremony and match, and one of the semi-finals, of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Grant Robertson says matches will be held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin, ...
Changes to the minimum wage, main benefit levels and superannuation rates that come into force today will raise the incomes for around 1.4 million New Zealanders. “This Government is committed to raising the incomes for all New Zealanders as part of laying the foundations for a better future,” Minister for ...
The New Dunedin Hospital – Whakatuputupu has been approved for consideration under the fast track consenting legislation. The decision by Environment Minister David Parker signifies the importance of the project to the health of the people of Otago-Southland and to the economy of the region. “This project ticks all the ...
Transport Minister Michael Wood is getting Auckland light rail back on track with the announcement of an establishment unit to progress this important city-shaping project and engage with Aucklanders. Michael Wood said the previous process didn’t involve Aucklanders enough. ...
The Minister of Tourism is to re-open a government fund that supports councils to build infrastructure for visitors, with a specific focus on regions hardest hit by the loss of overseas tourists. “Round Five of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund will open for applications next month,” said Stuart Nash. It ...
A Governance Group of eight experts has been appointed to lead the next phase of work on a potential new public media entity, Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi announced today. “The Governance Group will oversee the development of a business case to consider the viability of a new ...
Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today helped launch a new fund to provide direct financial support for tamariki and rangatahi Māori throughout the South Island who is experiencing financial hardship and missing out on physical activity opportunities. “Through Te Kīwai Fund, we can offer more opportunities for Māori to ...
Six whānau in Pāpāmoa receive the keys to their brand-new rental homes today, in stage four of a papakāinga project providing safe and affordable housing in the regions. Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson congratulates Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated on the opening of three affordable rentals and three social housing ...
Kia ora tatou. It’s great to be here today and to get a conversation going on the disarmament issues of greatest interest to you, and to the Government. I’m thrilled to be standing here as a dedicated Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, which I hope reinforces for you all ...
Dunedin writer Victor resumes his Sunday odes to public figures. Today: Mike HoskingThe Hosky and Cindy Show I want you on my show. And then I do not. I’ve fired you again. You’ve had your shot. You cancelled yourself. You’re on the shelf. But now ...
Sex is life in acclaimed Waikato writer Tracey Slaughter’s latest short story collection. Of course it’s there in Slaughter’s stories about affairs. In those pieces sex thumps and pants and dominates, it goes so hard it knocks grit off the ceiling and onto the bed, it sets fire to a marriage, ...
Bathroom, kitchen, sitting room, bookshelves, friends, memories – Linda Burgess ponders the decluttering of life. Made possible thanks to the support of Creative New ZealandOriginal illustrations by Gary Venn Go to the second drawer down in your bathroom. Open it. In it are countless small bottles of shampoo and skin cream ...
Analysis by Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Judith Collins’ National Party leadership is under more scrutiny, with increased talk in the media of her being replaced by brand new MP Christopher Luxon. For many commentators it’s just a question of “when” rather than “if” Collins is replaced. While ...
Kiwi Seafarers continue to feel shortchanged by the New Zealand Government. On the 1st of December 2020 the UN general Assembly called for all Seafarers to be designated as Key Workers . International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack ...
Revelations that foreign affairs officials have approved the sale of military equipment to a host of human-rights-abusing countries, including Israel, is an outrage. In recent years foreign affairs has been dominated by trade priorities with concerns ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Quilty, Senior Staff Specialist, Alice Springs Hospital. Honorary, Australian National University A sizeable chunk of Northern Territory’s doctors are thinking about leaving the territory because of climate change, our new research shows. Our study, just published in The Lancet Planetary Health, ...
With the trans-Tasman bubble on the way, Auckland Airport has undertaken the unique challenge of splitting one airport into two. Matthew Scott went along to see what the parallel worlds look like. Birdsong is piped into an empty hallway. A message to nobody plays on the intercom. Luxury stores ...
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is today marking the death of their patron, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Phillip had been patron of the College for 47 years, since he formally handed over ...
"People are walking up the hill, as we walk down, with their hands on their hips, their faces red, or looking directly at the path, not game enough to look up to see how far they’ve got to go": a portrait of a relationship set in a Dunedin landmark, by ...
It was with great sadness that I received notification from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness Prince Philip has died at Windsor Castle. The death of His Royal Highness is a great loss to Her Majesty the Queen, the members of the Royal Family ...
The Royal Commonwealth Society expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal Commonwealth Society expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to our Patron, Her Majesty ...
9 April 2021 Monarchy New Zealand today expresses its sadness at the passing of Queen of New Zealand’s consort, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Prince Philip died aged 99. Prince Philip is the longest-serving consort in New Zealand’s history. ...
"On behalf of ACT, I would like to express sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family. "Prince Philip will be remembered for his long dedication to public service. He has selflessly contributed to a long period of stability ...
Critic's Chair: Guy Somerset salutes Losing Alice, a compelling eight-part psychological thriller showing on Apple TV+ Who doesn’t like a compliment, a bit of flattery? But, unless you happen to be Donald J Trump, when the flattery spills over into sycophancy you tend to get suspicious. Alice Ginor (Ayelet Zurer) ...
WATCH: Silver Ferns shooter Monica Falkner talks about the pain of losing her dad, then fighting back from injury in part three of Pure As. Monica Falkner knows her dad, David, would have shed tears watching her finally play for the Silver Ferns against England last year - after five harrowing ...
Rampant house prices mean saving money for a deposit on a home is becoming increasingly fruitless. But just how long does it take in today’s market compared to a few years ago?Of all the essential and obscure pecuniary concepts that we learn throughout life, saving is one of those things ...
From the trauma of loss, Jean Sergent built a stage production that offers an invitation to others to embrace the radical possibility that things can get better.I’ve always been interested in death and dying – not the mechanics of it, but the social conditions. How death is prepared for, announced, ...
For almost three years, Onzo’s black and yellow fleet littered New Zealand’s streets with an accessible and affordable two-wheel option. Then it vanished, leaving behind a trail of angry and perplexed customers. Auckland’s first dockless bike-share scheme has disappeared in much the same way it first arrived – quietly, mysteriously and ...
Ardent disciple of mountain, valley, river and sky, Brian Turner is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated poets. Michelle Langstone travelled to his central Otago home to meet and hear the man who commands the language of the landscape.The landscape starts speaking to you from the turnoff on to the ...
George Driver heads to the end of the Earth to spend his birthday alone in New Zealand’s forgotten city.“Don’t go to Invercargill.”I’d spent most of my life a couple of hours’ drive from Invercargill. But every time I considered going I was confronted with this advice: “Don’t go, it’s not ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Jeffrey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Southern Cross University Trees are the Earth’s lungs – it’s well understood they drawdown and lock up vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But emerging research is showing trees can also emit methane, and it’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Last week, people were falling over themselves to get vaccination appointments and had to be told, by their doctors and their government, to be patient. Patience is still needed — indeed, more than ever — ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A week ago, people were falling over themselves to get vaccination appointments and had to be told, by their doctors and their government, to be patient. Patience is still needed — indeed, more than ever ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Last night, the federal government announced substantially revised plans for the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia. Due to concerns about the vaccine’s possible links to a rare blood-clotting disorder, and following advice from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Aigner, PhD candidate Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy, Australian National University On Saturday at the Adelaide Festival there will a public showing of Australian Atomic Confessions, a documentary I co-directed about the tragic and long-lasting effects of the atomic weapons testing ...
The Human Rights Commission is calling for more information on the justification behind the temporary suspension of travel from India. “Temporarily banning New Zealanders from returning home from India is a significant limitation on their freedom ...
The Chinese developers who caused an environmental disaster on an idyllic Fijian island have been found guilty on two counts of undertaking unauthorised developments in relation to a planned 370-bure resort and casino. The Suva Magistrates Court delivered its verdict against Freesoul Real Estate today, after the ruling date was pushed out twice with no ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia Australia’s vaccine rollout is in chaos. The news last night the AstraZeneca vaccine, the only one Australia has guaranteed supply of, would not be recommended for people under 50 due to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Golembiewski, Researcher, University of Technology Sydney The Royal Commission into Aged Care left organisations that provide housing for aged care wondering how they will put its recommendations into effect. Most of these recommendations relate to the models of care and levels ...
Our Beehive bulletin The Government’s ban on new low and medium temperature coal-fired boilers and partnering with the private sector to help it transition away from fossil fuels perhaps ranked as the most important Beehive announcement yesterday. It was the first major announcement to follow the release of the Climate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nikki Turner, Professor, University of Auckland From next week, unvaccinated staff working at managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities will be moved to low-risk jobs, following a case of a worker who missed vaccination appointments and then tested positive for COVID-19. The ...
The proposed Regulatory Standards Bill has been welcomed by Energy Resources Aotearoa as a useful tool in developing better public policy. The Bill was drawn from the members ballot at Parliament on Thursday. "This should help deliver better policy ...
Division and social discord has undermined Covid-19 responses in other western nations. We must do everything we can to prevent that taking seed here, writes Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman. The Ministry of Health has done a stellar job in keeping us all safe. I have no doubt that the latest ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw (Vintage, $38)Excerpt from Emma Espiner’s fantastic Spinoff review of this fantastic ...
Eight Wellington City Councillors – given the critical constitutional choice of Treaty partnership or democracy – yesterday voted in favour of further undermining the council’s democratic election and decision-making structures by granting voting rights to the representatives appointed by Maori tribes to sit on council committees. Only six councillors voted ...
Mike Hosking did, didn’t, does, doesn’t, will and won’t want to have the PM on his radio show, while simultaneously accusing the New Zealand media of being asleep at the wheel, writes James Elliott It was reported in the news this week that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere ...
Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez March’s labelling of police dogs as being “attack dogs” is as out of touch as it is insulting to our entire police force, says Darroch Ball co-leader of Sensible Sentencing Trust. “A bill seeking to increase the maximum ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Reilly, Professor, University of Western Australia Could a change be afoot in the way Australians vote in federal elections? The Coalition government may be eyeing a shift to optional preferential voting — as used in New South Wales — which allows ...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is urging action in the case against New Zealand-born Paul Mora, who allegedly fraudulently claimed €113 million in German tax credits. Paul Mora is wanted by Interpol in relation to the Cum-Ex tax affair after failing ...
An almost forgotten moment in our history, brought into the spotlight by a gutsy new theatre show, reveals uncomfortable truths about the history of race relations in Aotearoa.In a country that has until very recently avoided teaching its own history in schools, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a confrontation between university ...
A new poem from Ōtautahi-based poet Claudia Jardine.Ode to Mons Pubisfatty tissue, edifice of overturesjoints, ligaments, bones, cartilagedark turns to stars when I think aboutthe buttress of pubic symphysisyes! paths of faery lights, yes! brambly wadsyes! tracks of calligraphic gastropodsyes! tender grasses, yes! boxed bedsclippings from a crooner’s greenhousetopiary of ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media a day after announcing a suspension of travel from India because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases. ...
The country's largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, is backing the school students striking for climate action across the country today. NZEI Te Riu Roa President Liam Rutherford says the organisation "fully supports tamariki and educators who ...
At its core, Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing crisis is not about houses, but about the way we think about wealth, community, ourselves and our neighbours, the economy, education system, and much more. The only solutions to this problem involve everyone. ...
One year ago today managed isolation became mandatory for travellers arriving into New Zealand. The joint heads of Managed Isolation and Quarantine, Megan Main and Brigadier Jim Bliss, have paid tribute to the efforts of those who’ve contributed ...
Public feedback is now invited to improve freedom camping in New Zealand. To support the public consultation, the first of a series of public meetings throughout Aotearoa is being held at the Ellen Melville Centre in central Auckland from 2pm – 4pm on ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily. Today’s contentCovid: India travel ban Luke Malpass (Stuff): Is the the ‘temporary’ India travel ban proportional ...
Hospitals should be a place of welcome and healing. But for gender-diverse people and their families, going to the hospital can feel like walking into a linguistic minefield. While a child was being treated at a New Zealand hospital last month, a health professional kept using the wrong gender pronouns ...
Local Government New Zealand welcomes the long overdue review of self-contained freedom camping rules announced by Tourism Minister Stuart Nash today. “Many councils across the country welcome the contribution freedom campers make to local economies,” ...
A new just transition plan released today by Climate Justice Taranaki calls for a major shift towards a domestic economy and away from exports and imports in a phase out of fossil fuels by 2030. The document focuses on Aotearoa’s three main greenhouse ...
Today Renters United launches their campaign for #RentControlsNow. This comes just weeks after the Government announced it’s housing package, a package that Renters United said “fell short of delivering any change to over one third of New Zealanders ...
Three… two… one… blast-off! They’re an incredible sight, but what’s the impact of rocket launches on the environment? Mirjam Guesgen investigates.Commercial space flights, moon colonies and missions to Mars are all exciting prospects. Some of them are even being helped along by New Zealand companies. Rocket launches are loud, ground-shaking, smoggy ...
A government committed to fairness and responsible law-making should not allow two bills recently drawn from the Member’s Ballot to sink without debate, Federated Farmers says. "At the very least the Regulatory Standards Bill and the Income ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ritesh Chugh, Senior Lecturer – Information Systems and Analysis, CQUniversity Australia If you’ve ever gotten your phone wet in the rain, dropped it in water or spilt liquid over it, you’re not alone. One study suggests 25% of smartphone users have damaged ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Macaulay, Professor of Public Administration, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Following a number of high-profile inquiries into workplace misconduct — including within parliament, the police and fire service — it became clear people who report such behaviour in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Holly Seale, Associate professor, UNSW This year is shaping up as the year of the COVID-19 vaccination photo, with the pandemic providing seemingly endless photo opportunities. We’ve seen stock photos of people getting vaccinated in news reports, images of the prime minister ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucinda McKnight, Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Curriculum, Deakin University Robots are writing more of what we read on the internet. And artificial intelligence (AI) writing tools are becoming freely available for anyone, including students, to use. In a period of rapid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW House prices are back in the news, and out of control. In the past three months the median house price in Sydney has risen by more than A$100,000 to A$1.12 million. Sydney’s median residential property price ...
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for April 9, bringing you the latest news throughout the day. For one day only, Stewart is off, so to get in touch email Bulletin editor Alex Braae at thebulletin@thespinoff.co.nz.The Spinoff can’t exist without our members. If you want to help us stay ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Four key questions for the climate strikers, unvaccinated border worker tests positive, and big implications of ban on arrivals from India.We’re going to start today’s Bulletin with something different – a short interview. Because today teenagers across the country will once ...
The climate strikes are finally back! It’s been a turbulent year-and-a-half since our last strike, with two cancellations due to COVID-19, but finally we’re back with our fourth Intergenerational Strike 4 Climate. Christina Sieberhagen, 15, is ...
Staff from the animal rights organisation SAFE are going on strike today and will be marching with School Strike 4 Climate NZ in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said the strike is especially important to SAFE because farming ...
From: Auckland Feminist Action and Migrant Zine Collective Feminist coalitions across Tāmaki Makaurau are calling on elected leaders to put an end to sexual violence in Aotearoa. The coalitions on Saturday, April 10 at 2pm, will march down Queen Street ...
Interesting poll.
https://horizonpoll.co.nz/page/479/labour-best?gtid=0829406810526LRQ
So, who are you voting for, Adam?
Your mum.
Ludicrousness enough response to your fetish?
Simple enough question, Bra. Who you voting for?
So UCG who are you going to vote for and why? Simple enough question …
Easy to answer and happy to do so. Thanks for the opportunity to play.
Electorate is a tactical vote for labour. Because they have the best chance to unseat the sitting national member.
Party vote is for the greens. Because their policies are more left than labour, and with luck, in government, they’ll stop the reds from being national lite. One can hope, any way.
So, second intervention of yours in a couple of days on my posts.
Seeing as we’re playing questions, what’s your angle?
I note more people think National are best on new transport infrastructure. I guess most of them are thinking of the Waterview tunnel. That was a Labour initiative. National just got to be in power when it finished. 🙄
Yeah that one was odd, couple it with the design disaster in Onehunga, plus the roads of national importance looking as bad as people predicted. I’m not sure what people are thinking.
of course National made it an extra lane each way and delivered it for 700 million cheaper than what labour were going to do (even with less lanes).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96543448/factchecking-waterview-tunnel-claims
And destroyed several communities while ‘saving’ that money.
I think we’ll find that the extra damage to those communities will far outweigh the monetary savings.
EDIT: And there seems to some debate about just how much the government ‘saved’.
$300m is piddly.
Good, that would make up for the lanes they chopped off the Harbour bridge then had to add back on a few years later, which are now showing signs of fatigue…
Bingles has shamelessly used the Waterview tunnel in his campaigning. They even did campaign ads there before it opened and have used photo material extensively.
They don’t own that tunnel at all.
Its a function of the simplicity of the debate, moar roads means less congestion.
A whole lot of education is required to persuade people otherwise and one of the main parties is not interested in having the debate …
Sad to hear Jacinda has lost her Grandmother. It is comforting to know she will have Gaylord travelling with her from now on with the funeral Friday morning. The small hours can be lonely away from home in these circumstances.
Huge Condolences! (Sincerely)
… listening to Jacinda Ardern on Checkpoint just now. (Link not up yet)
John Campbell concluding asked if she would be the next PM?
To which she replied: ” Yes I am!
kia kaha Jacinda !
Great Interview, I can now understand the Stardust!
P.M’s Checkpoint link:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201859111/checkpoint-leader-interview-jacinda-ardern
+1
What happens to tomorrow’s final leaders debate?
Having been through the grieving process many times, including the death of my spouse, I would recommend she NOT debate. If she debates, she will lose. She cannot possibly be mentally and emotionally in top form.
Being politically hard nosed about it, Jacinda could justifiably cancel. It would win sympathy votes. It would highlight National’s health failures.
I’m inclined to agree with you AmaKiwi. Its easy to think you’re alright but in fact you are not as anyone who has been through the process would know.
Grant Robertson would be a suitable replacement given he is shadow Minister of Finance. He was exceptional debating with Steven Joyce a week ago.
Another CB poll being released on TV1 tomorrow at 6pm. I suppose this one will register the momentum gained by National over their attack and scaremongering strategy – not to mention the despicable lies.
Depends on who they ring and how brainwashed or clued up they are
Looking forward to the final debate, wish Corin was hosting it, I much prefer a knowledgeable political editor moderating over a gambling promoting entertainer.
Lolz maybe they should have done a poll on that, who was the better host out of hosking and Corin Dann.
I assume you think that brainwashed will be people voting National, and clued up being Labour right?
I expect that’s what Cinny’s thinking because it is the truth.
Truth is obviously subjective in Annes view of the world.
Nope. Truth is always objective. That’s why National have to lie all the time.
Well, The brainwashed still think that National are good economic managers despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Until his arrest, all of Beanie Madoff’s clients were convinced he was an investment genius.
Only the sharper minds in banking and investment knew it was almost surely a Ponzi scheme. Now he’s doing life in solitary.
That’s because they know what ponzi schemes look like given the entire banking industry is one.
nah james, brainwashed being fake news victims. Clued up means doing your own research and looking beyond the bubble or dominance of one media outlet.
Speaking of which Paddy called out bill and team for telling the biggest lie of the campaign so far.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/opinion/2017/09/patrick-gower-national-guilty-of-biggest-campaign-lie.html
Well if that’s not a good assumption to make, why not?
Colmar Brunton polls are cobblers, landline only polls doesn’t tell you shite.
There’s so much massaging of data going on because the demographic is so narrow and narrowing further each election.
We’re almost at that stage where slaughtering a goat and reading its entrails would give you a more accurate idea of what’s going on.
But it includes all those pensioners that Bill holds so dearly.
nothing to do with her performance – u-turns etc…
James. Leave it alone!
You stated you were fine with a Labour/Green government earlier in a thread.
Get over it. Build a bridge as they say. Move On!
There’ll be plenty of time for trolling after saturday..
And,… there’s always rugby…
Actually I said something like that I would accept it. Not that I was OK with it – its my worst nightmare (politically).
But dont count your chickens before they are hatched JC.
Vote for me – I will build you a worse nightmare than that 😀
you arnt going to dress in a man-kini, and wear a clown mask are you?
James supports child poverty, abject levels of homelessness, the housing crisis, large government debt, long hospital waiting lists and tax cuts for the rich.
He votes National.
The bus you support
https://mobile.twitter.com/rodemmerson/status/908782931501391872/photo/1
I’d vote for that bus over the greens or labour – so I guess you are kinda right.
So you vote for the housing crisis?
Great…..
Cannot be cos Key did that. He also promised a tax working group so no detail during campaign. So it logically has to be something else.
National has probably regained their lead and normal service resumed.
Its Jed Clampetts fault !!!
Him and his consarn shotgun !!!
Now nobody’s going anywhere’s fast !!!
Beverly Hillbillies Theme Song – YouTube
beverly hillbillies song▶ 0:54
Jesus Paddy needs to settle down. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. His National paymasters will not be happy with this.
http://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/comment-national-guilty-of-biggest-campaign-lie/ar-AAscsnt?li=AAaeXZz&ocid=ientp
One of my kids at work was totally convinced Labour was going to increase income tax – until I made him go online on the office computer to get the facts.
😆
Blatant lie of course.How can they get away with it?
Lying does appear to be the National Party’s MO. And they get away with it because the MSM almost never calls them on it.
Tnks Trey.
Interesting to see his Masters issued the following preamble..
“Editor’s note: The opinions in this article are the author’s, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft.”
(PS) Dunno what microsoft has to do with it ..)
But I agree with Gowers sentiments.
“I am calling National out – this is the biggest piece of misinformation this campaign.”
http://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/comment-national-guilty-of-biggest-campaign-lie/ar-AAscsnt?li=AAaeXZz&ocid=ientp
This is great news (assuming that the poll is accurate):
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/poll-clear-majority-for-kelvin-davis-in-te-tai-tokerau.html
Great to have Harawira kept out. Parliament (who ever is leading it) is a better place without him (on the odd occasion he turned up).
That is bad news. Hone was one of the best Mp’s in the house. A straight talker with no bullshit – the complete opposite of National.
I agree he is the exact opposite of National – thank goodness.
He’s a disgusting person.
‘Disgusting’ is not the opposite of National.
I respectfully disagree.
But everyone is entitled to their views.
Including Hone. He doesn’t need someone like you calling him “disgusting” for expressing his views, does he, james?
when his views are disgusting – then yes.
So James, I noticed you posted some disgusting comments of your own at 8:46, then deleted them shortly afterwards. Given that they were disgusting, and you authored them yourself, ought we to call you “disgusting” from here on? By your reasoning and claim, it seems we should. Fair enough, though it goes against the grain; you’re disgusting, James.
Edit – and now, look what you’ve started! Reason is calling you names, James! Remember, when you point a finger at someone, there are 3 fingers pointing back at you!
You know that they were all Hone quotes with just the race reversed right?
And I prefaced it with “do you think the following comments are racist”.
Obviously you agree with me that Hones comments are disgusting. Top man.
I didn’t see anything other than your own disgusting comments, James; the ones you eventually deleted. Sadly, you’ve cast a stone that’s bounced back and caught you smack in the eye. You know what they say about throwing stones, James? Ruins the look of the best-kept glasshouse.
you’re just a dimwit james – nothing a noddy like you says is meaningful – Hone was correct in targeting little bias pricks like you
nah james, Hones ‘Feed the Kids’ bill is not a disgusting view and I’m so happy that others are keeping it going no matter what his electorate result.
dude, you are busy on here wasn’t going to comment cause I thought you were getting enough attention already, but I had to say something because I’m a strong supporter of that particular bill.
James, I’d probably vote National too but they LIE too much and can’t be trusted with anything, so maybe this time I’ll vote for someone else who’s honesty is still regarded as a VIRTUE
Hey – as long as you vote – thats the main thing.
Looks like he is not going back on the gravy train. His attendance record at parliament broke all records for not turning up.Kept getting paid though. Gosh’some people have short memories.
Do you know how big TTT is? Probably not because you are a dumb cow cockie.
oh ian such wise words from you – why the sudden change? I thought you liked billshit english.
Hi and Cheers garibaldi …. I’m replying to your comment below of this post as the reply button is not showing to me on that one …
But when it comes to disgusting Politicians ….. its hard to trump John Key or Judith Collins …
Pike River and John Key refusing to pay Government compensation to victims families ….despite Government culpbability …. and also despite the Government pocketing millions in insurance payouts ….. http://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/west-coast/9399690/PM-avoiding-Pike-River-payout
“families received the news that the Government had refused to stump up with the $3.41 million reparation ”with an air of resignation and sadness”.
Its still National party policy and its still disgusting …………..
James is a race to the bottom type guy …………….
I reckon Davis will win TTT but I also reckon those Newshub Māori seat polls are rubbish.
So you think they got the answer right – but they are rubbish?
what %ages are you thinking?
Kelvin is a good unit, and will keep drilling into the Corrections culture whether in government or not.
Great to catch up with him at the Avondale Markets on the weekend.
Great news? The loss of a seat to a progressive coalition that needs a stalwart to accommodate the ‘far’ left support is pretty disappointing.
Hone Harawira was fighting racism when National was supporting it ……
More recently he was for feeding hungry NZ schoolkids …..
What other things do you dislike him for James ? ?
fighting racism?
***Edit – I put some Hone quotes here (with edits) – but decided to delete, as well – they are racist as hell.
Besides that – he’s a sell out – see the whole Kim Dotcom thing.. what a guy
Would it surprise you to know I feel the same way about David Seymour? To me he is the worst kind of human pond scum in politics, after David Garrett of course.
No – but then I think you have a rather strange view of the world.
Well Nelson Mandela would disagree with you ….. and was lifted by people like Hone fighting racism when National were supporting it …..
All the countries who boycotted and ruined the Montreal Olympics because of Nationals support of contact with racist Apartheid South Africa would also disagree with you ……
The fact he supported hungry white kids getting fed in schools ….. as well as the brown ones ……… also tends to disagree with you.
The fact is James your an apologist for a Government that resides over a murderous suicide rate for Maori ….
Let me say as one Pakeha to another….You are a white maggot who talks bile ……
By actually listening to interviews of Hone ….. a much different Man emerges than your NAct party smears/spin
You racist maggot
“Racist Maggot” – classy (and amazing funny).
James – can I help? You’ve waded in to waters over your head. You can’t see that you’re insulting a person reason respects, and doing so gratuitously. Reason has explained his reasoning clearly, but you’ve persisted to the point where reason has labled you “a white maggot who talks bile”. Perhaps an apology from you would help? There was no need for your unpleasantness and there are others here who find your (disgusting) comments offensive. Can righties like you say sorry?
Robert – I love how you follow me around commenting on my comments like a wee puppy dog.
When Im in the wrong (as I have been) – I have apologised.
I couldn’t give a flying fudge if reason respects Hone – I dont – and I do think hes a disgusting person.
So, not a glimmer of self-awareness here, James?
No matter. I wasn’t really expecting any, it’s just that you said, and I quote;
“I respectfully disagree.”
I’m just trying to pin down what you meant by “respectfully”, ’cause, you know, your behaviour belies your words.
Robert, you make me laugh. You really need to step up your troll game – its really weak.
Shallow and simple, huh?
Others can listen to Hone and make up their own minds ……. James will be the one who comes out looking disgusting …..
I think the first link dealing with Teina Pora is perhaps the best ….
Robert seems to have forgotten how Hone got besotted with the fat german ‘s money , and sold his soul to the devil. But Robert speaks in lovely prose and is authoritive and this is his feeding ground so be warned young fellow.
Hone does not have $8 million of pseudo anonymous donations like National gathers ….. let alone the ones we know about ….
22 November 2011: National Party receives $50,0000 donation from Citi Financial Group. Shareholders: Yan Yang and Qiang Wei. (Source) (Source)
22 November 2011: National Party receives $1,600 from Oravida NZ. (Source) (Source)
26 November 2011: NZ General Election
30 November 2011: National Party receives further $55,000 donation from Oravida NZ. (Source) (Source)
27 January 2012: Government ministers approve Shanghai Pengxin’s application to purchase 16 Crafar farms. https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/tag/crafar-farms/
When one listens to Hone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOpvCyJPMgU
……… you understand that the James and Ians are speaking Bill shit ….. Dirty politics, the latest chapter being written in real time.
I’ve also taken note that James thought a post mentioning our disgraceful murderous suicide rate for Maori …. and my insult in relation to that …. to be “amazing funny) ”
laugh like a racist James …………
Hones a much better man than you ……….
“Hone does not have $8 million of pseudo anonymous donations like National gathers ….. let alone the ones we know about ….”
I was going to link to the donations Mana (Not Hone) received in 2016 – but it looks like nobody thought they were worth giving money to.
so you are lying again – typical gnat billshit
Political Donations are not a subject National would want discussed James ….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8515361/Money-trail-leads-home-to-New-Zealand
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0611/S00368.htm
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-hollow-men-2008
It might cause people to ask question about the laws being written , and/or flouted by the NActs …..
People can listen to what Hone says https://youtu.be/yhx5VDWVv0M
Versus what Dirty politics peeps like you say about him ……
The salient point for me is that I’ve always been pretty clear on where Hone Harawira stands politically, regardless of what money has or hasn’t been behind his campaigns. For that reason, I think it can be categorically stated that any attempt to discredit his policies on the grounds of association with Dotcom is a smear (also, anyone who uses the expression “the fat German” is categorically a dick).
I logged off last night after telling James that Hone was a good MP.
Great to read the responses this morning. Thank you all (especially Reason) for supporting Hone against the right wing bile and bigotry from the likes of James and Ian.
Hopefully on Saturday we can relieve the Country from that sort of leadership.
Party vote Green.
Hone is notas left as everyone thinks he is. When he was in the Maori Party he supported welfare reform and privatisation of social services.
How accurate ?
September 15, 2014 Reid Research-Māori TV poll (Te Tai Tokerau)
Vs 2014 Election Result:
………..………………….Poll …… Election Result
Electorate Vote
•Harawira, Mana … 45% … … 41% … – 4
•Davis, Labour …. .. 44% .… .. 45% … + 1
•Paenga, Maori …. . 11% … … 12% … + 1
•Dearlove, Ind …… …1% … …… 2% … + 1
(2014 poll included those Unsure = so I re-calculated to make comparable)
.
Remember the Kids interview each of the Leaders Part 2 tonight at 8-9pm on TV1.
Strangely engaging. English is first up tonight – started last night. English, Winston, & Seymour tonight.
Watch out for Winston’s self-portrait. Amazingly good.
This is how stupid the dim twat is. He’s on TV1 on ‘Face the Classroom’ but then agrees to a live question and answer with the Herald at the same time.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11924141
Celebrating Voyager’s fortieth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1bD_36y3EU&feature=youtu.be
Your planet today.
+1000
Maori Television has the Maori electorates debate on tonight. It has been well worth the watch. Te Tai Tokerau is on at the moment. Marama Davidson earlier on has had the best comment of the evening. Tax is sharing.
Ironically hooking up to 2 parties that see taxation as theft.
Thanks, I’ll see if I can find a replay link. So many things on at the moment.
Another one of these stories. Vote them out.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/339741/rotorua-whanau-go-without-food-to-pay-bills
Heartwarming election story
“A passionate Labour supporter died less than two weeks before voting opened, but his message has reached thousands.
Rangiora community stalwart Peter Allen – who suffered from motor neurone disease – died on August 30, 12 days before early voting began.”
https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/96987242/staunch-labour-supporter-leaves-dying-message-ahead-of-elections
I have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that National is going to win, and win big.
Jacinda will be grieving from the death of her nana, when tomorrow’s debate happens. English will take full advantage of this and destroy her.
I say this all with sorrow.
Well, anything can happen, but over half a million have voted already. That lowers the impact of the debate.
Nobody would blame Ardern if she bowed out, and if she doesn’t blinglish can’t be too much of a prick because that’ll backfire. But equally, I’ve seen some folks channel pain quite spectacularly and blow their objective out of the park – then let out the pain in private, later. Obama was in a similar place in ’08.
If that’s the case it will be New Zealand’s loss because we’ll have to wait another three years for what absolutely everyone agrees will be the inevitable.
Horrible to think what further damage to communities National will do in that time and I don’t really understand why, if change and a Labour/Green win is inevitable, people would want to delay it.
“I don’t really understand why, if a Labour/Green win is eventually inevitable, people would want to delay it.”
Well – its eventually inevitable that National will go on to beat them at some point in the future – so they are just skipping a government 😉
As human impact on the environment in terms of population increase and resource usage begins to bite hard, environmental parties and socially conscious parties will become more popular. Consumption parties will become less popular.
No matter the result on Saturday, these are the death throes of the National government in New Zealand so you’d better enjoy it while it lasts. 🙂
Whilst I would love National to win big – I just cannot see it.
It really is anyones guess how this is going to unfold – I think it will be close either way.
I wouldnt blame Ardern if she wanted to pull out of the debate – and if she did English should support that decision.
You are begging for her to pull out of the debate. Your mates at Kiwiblog were just today saying they suspect Ardern’s grandmother died on purpose this week for the sympathy vote. These are your people we are talking about here.
actually no – not at all. Im saying if she did, then engligh needs to support that decision – with a bit of class and with respect for the situation.
if she wants to debate – great.
and no – any one saying that is not ‘my people’ – just as some of the people on here who say some things arnt ‘your people’ either.
Why do you want National to win big?
So they can reduce taxes for the rich even more?
Pollute our waterways more?
Destroy our health service more?
Sell more of our country to foreigners?
And make James richer.
well for starters – if National win big – it prob means that the greens and NZ First are less than 5% and hopefully goneburger.
I’d be happy for a big National win on that basis alone.
At a time of unprecedented environmental destruction, species extinctions and climate change ………….. James wants to see the Green party gone.
Obviously a delusional white dinosaur …….
You should be made to drink our polluted river water James …… until you either wise up ……….. or go extinct.
In fairness. I might just get my wish on current polling. So I’m not the only one.
In Fairness ….. you were predicting and lusting for the same thing to happen to British Labour under Corbyn …..
Being the big David Cameron fan that you are ….. english chap.
Lets hope your foresight is as good re the greens getting obliterated in New Zealands election ……
Btw, …..Its quite funny to hear a dinosaur say …… ” So I’m not the only one.” ….. extinction is a group event buddy.
Just follow the English ……
Reading Bryce Edwards article earlier regarding the youth quake reminded me of this.
It’s well known fact that as people get older they tend to become more right wing.
It’s also a fact that as you get older you lose brain cells.
I would therefore like to propose that Toryism is a degenerative illness.
As I’ve got older I think I’ve become more tolerant, more empathetic and more left wing.
Ditto
Likewise
National .
Rowley Birkin QC – Very Drunk, Terrible Flattulence – YouTube
Video for Rowley Birkin QC – Terrific Snowstorm▶ 1:10
Risk being bystanders in history – the prick’s going to start a war or two and his senate has given him the green light to do whatever tf he wants to.
Donald Trump will use his first address to the UN general assembly on Tuesday to call for international action to confront North Korea and Iran, which he will portray as twin threats to global security, the White House said.
The US president will warn member states that they risk being “bystanders in history” if they do not mobilise to confront such threats, according to a senior White House official.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/18/donald-trump-first-speech-un-north-korea-iran?
Oh btw … to the GSCB or whoever who keep hijacking and putting up a ‘your access to this site has been blocked 503 ‘ all night long ,….
Go fuck yourselves.
Or then again,… it could be just this , however , … with an election 3 days away and Nationals track record?, … yeah bloody right… :
Why Do I Get 503 Service Unavailable? – YouTube
Video for access blocked 503▶ 2:56