Daily review 20/06/2023

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, June 20th, 2023 - 40 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

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 …

40 comments on “Daily review 20/06/2023 ”

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  1. Dennis Frank 1
    20 June 2023 at 6:59 pm

    Fun in parliament. Marama was naughty, so the Speaker kicked her out. Seymour pretended to ask a question in Maori. The Speaker pointed out it wasn't a question (he's Maori). Then Seymour questioned the PM, (via the Speaker as translator):

    Rurawhe rephrased the question for him in English, asking Hipkins: “To you, do you consider me to be Māori?” Hipkins said it was up to Seymour to work out his own ethnicity.

    Damn good response, I thought! yes

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132370840/watch-act-leaders-reo-mori-backfires-green-coleader-booted-from-the-house

    • bwaghorn 1.1
      20 June 2023 at 7:07 pm

      Could be a valid question as hipkins isn't sure what a woman is!!

      • SPC 1.1.1
        20 June 2023 at 11:38 pm

        Who is the PM to question parliament's law?

        Parliament (every single member) gave the right to all those not born female to self-identify as a transgender woman (including change to their birth certificate).

        Any person who now stands by the historic definition of a women (an adult born female) is denying the legal status of other citizens.

        Which is the whole issue of whether biological sex (traditional) and gender identity (current).

        While traditionalists praise Sunak of the UK for his answer, there is the disturbing willingness to disregard the legal status of transgender women in the UK, How many other UK citizens are "fair game", say because they do not conform to some "traditionalists/traditions" perspective?

        • SPC 1.1.1.1
          20 June 2023 at 11:46 pm

          Why was I unable to edit this within the 10 minutes?

          • SPC 1.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2023 at 11:57 pm

            This I also could not edit, I am facing a block on what I can post on this topic from either wordpress (or GSCB).

            International sports are able to ensure fair competition and exclude transgender women. Local sport can do the same on grounds of player safety.

            Lesbian groups might seek the rights of religious groups (who do not have to approve of same sex relationships or marry same sex couples) and be able exclude those not born females.

            • SPC 1.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2023 at 12:09 am

              to continue

              Then there are refuges, the easiest regime would be to allow management to exclude anyone seen as a risk – they might include transgender men (born female) and transitioned transgender women but exclude sociopath misogynists self- identifying as women – which could include ex husbands or those drunk or on drugs.

              Then it is onto the changing room (community and school sport) and bathroom issue.

        • weka 1.1.1.2
          21 June 2023 at 12:41 am

          Any person who now stands by the historic definition of a women (an adult born female) is denying the legal status of other citizens.

          Not really. There is such a thing as female. Women is the word that most people use to name females. Female a category exists irrespective of what a country's laws say. It's not something that can be redefined any more than we could say water is made of fire and have it make sense.

          This is why some people talk about the legal fiction of gender identity. It's something intended to make the lives of trans people easier, it's not supposed to be taken literally (we come up hard against this in medicine).

          Further, the self ID law in NZ simply allows trans people to change the sex on their birth certificate in a more straight forward way. The law doesn't say that trans women are literally female. DIA has said that women will still be able to have single sex spaces and services, and that it's up to service providers to determine their own policies (birth certificates aren't the be all and end all). In other words, the birth cert doesn't act as a gender recognition certificate.

          Questions about the implications of self-identification for service providers

          What does the new law say about how service providers should consider birth certificates as evidence of sex or gender?

          The new legislation clarifies how birth certificates can be used as evidence of sex or gender. Where service providers need to determine someone’s sex or gender, other factors can be considered over and above the registered sex listed on a birth certificate. This reflects the fact that birth certificates are not intended to be considered evidence of a person’s identity (usually birth certificates are provided with other documents such as a driver licence or passports to prove identity).

          What does self-identification mean for single sex spaces and activities such as changing rooms and sports teams?

          The self-identification process should not affect how access to single sex spaces or sports is determined. Birth certificates are not usually used to determine a person’s right to access single sex services or spaces.

          Organisations and individuals can continue to rely on their own policies rather than birth certificates. For example, it is still up to individual governing bodies to determine how sex and gender are determined in sport. It is also still up to individual schools to discuss with learners, parents, caregivers and whānau what name and gender learners use, regardless of the details on their birth certificates.

          How will self-identification affect the placement of people in prison?

          The self-identification process should not affect the placement of people in prison. Corrections is exploring a policy change to ensure birth certificates are not an overriding consideration in placement decisions. Any changes will come into force alongside the self-identification process.

          https://www.dia.govt.nz/bdmreview—Frequently-asked-questions

          What we don't know is how social pressures will change single sex spaces and services. Self ID is both a legal change and a social one. We also don't know if there will be legal challenges to single sex status.

          Which is the whole issue of whether biological sex (traditional) and gender identity (current).

          Again, biological sex exists independently of anything humans say on the matter.

          While traditionalists praise Sunak of the UK for his answer, there is the disturbing willingness to disregard the legal status of transgender women in the UK, How many other UK citizens are "fair game", say because they do not conform to some "traditionalists/traditions" perspective?

          The UK situation is different from the NZ one. They do have a gender recognition certificate process, as well as protections for trans people in line with the rest of the population. They also recognise biological sex. They don't have self-ID in law (getting a GCR still requires a formal process rather than a simple declaration).

          I'm not sure what you mean by fair game. Some trans people in the UK have different legal status than other trans people because of the GRC.

          • SPC 1.1.1.2.1
            21 June 2023 at 2:12 pm

            An article on the current circumstance in the UK, as to biological sex and legal sex/GRC impasse – yet to be resolved. Sunak's government is inclined to the former, as indicated in his answer to the definition question.

            https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/09/at-last-consensus-emerging-on-protecting-women-only-spaces

            Labour's – position shows where the consensus might be

            Another issue likely to figure in the general election is trans rights. “It is of legitimate concern for women that their rights in law to sex-segregated spaces, to their safety, to their dignity, are respected,” Mahmood says. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for anybody to try and imply that their worries or their concerns are non-existent, or not real, or that they are motivated by bad faith.”

            Labour is committed to single-sex spaces, she says, including in the prison system, in domestic violence refuges, and sport. She welcomes the review of the Equality Act triggered this week by Kemi Badenoch and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, saying that when Labour passed the legislation “there was an acceptance that in most scenarios the law would treat trans women exactly the same as women but there would also be other scenarios in which it’s appropriate for there to be a distinction between what trans women can access and what women can access”.

            https://archive.ph/P35aP#selection-999.0-1007.396

            • weka 1.1.1.2.1.1
              21 June 2023 at 2:23 pm

              I know what the situation in the UK is, I'm just not sure what your point is.

              • SPC …
                21 June 2023 at 2:34 pm

                I would have thought it obvious. The relevance of reference to the legal definition when speaking as PM.

                Sunak's answer to the question has lead to focus on the legal standing there of those with GRC.

                The legal meaning of woman, as per single sex spaces, can have real world impact.

                I am sure you are aware of the court case in Oz – Sall vs the trojan horse (not a real transgender woman) and the one in the US (another trojan horse, also not a real transgender woman) where a human rights body adjudicated on access to a woman's spa.

                • weka …
                  21 June 2023 at 2:43 pm

                  the legal situations in the UK, Australia and NZ are all different from each other, because we each have different sets of legislation. Which is why I’ve asked you below to quote the specific legislation and clause that you believe defines what a woman is.

                  Sunak's answer to the question has lead to focus on the legal standing there of those with GRC.

                  Kind of. That conversation has been going on for a while. Both Labour and the Conservatives are in a mess over this, which is a direct result of ignoring women who were raising the issues for years. Further, Stonewall etc have been lobbying to remove sex from law in the UK, that's a big part of why this is coming to a head.

                  • weka …
                    21 June 2023 at 2:46 pm

                    I should try and do a post on Tickle vs Giggle. But the Australian law is both complicated and daft in terms of how it treats women.

                • RoseyK …
                  22 June 2023 at 12:28 pm

                  What is a "real transgender woman"? Under self-ID, anyone who says they are a transgender woman is a transgender woman, surely?

                  • SPC …
                    22 June 2023 at 1:08 pm

                    Yes under self ID.

                    When I use the term "not a real transgender woman" I am doing so cogniscient of 4chan and 8chan (Q “birther movement”central) operations to manipulate incels to two extremes – one is the celibate proud boys and the other are the "trojan horses" who claim access to women's spaces via self ID). These are people who wear dresses and falsies on a periodic basis (and have taken no hormones). Their purpose is to war on both liberalism and feminism – divide liberal women against liberal women.

        • bwaghorn 1.1.1.3
          21 June 2023 at 6:11 am

          The laws an arse then , gay people identify as gay, transgender people can identify as transgender, that's far more honest than trying to erase the fact that they are genetically or mentally wired differently!

          Own it be proud of it , don't steel womans identity and erase natural born womans existence.

          • SPC 1.1.1.3.1
            21 June 2023 at 7:21 am

            My advice is to stop with the silly comments (cheap shots) about the PM's answer to the question without regard to the wider circumstance in which he was doing so.

            And once again note, all parties in parliament supported the legislation.

            PS There is no difference between legislative and common determination on Maori identity (ancestry).

            • bwaghorn 1.1.1.3.1.1
              21 June 2023 at 1:04 pm

              My advise is pull your head out of your arse, and realise that governments world wide have been gripped by stupidity, a man can never be a woman ,

              • SPC …
                21 June 2023 at 1:13 pm

                So you move from making taking cheap shots about the PM, to anyone who calls you on it. Classy.

                PS Your opinion about the issue is noted, but not relevant to the points I have made.

                • bwaghorn …
                  21 June 2023 at 1:24 pm

                  My point was very relevant,

                  Hipkins did himself and every woman in nz a disservice when he failed to show a hint of spine ,when asked a very simple question.

                  You can be as Condescending as you want ,but you are wrong,and history will show you are wrong once the fools wake up.

                  • SPC …
                    21 June 2023 at 1:30 pm

                    On what I am wrong?

                    • bwaghorn …
                      21 June 2023 at 1:35 pm

                      "Who is the pm to question parliaments law"

                      You make it sound like it's illegal for Hipkins to confirm that a woman is not a transgender man.

                    • SPC …
                      21 June 2023 at 1:41 pm

                      No. Merely that a PM needs to be mindful of parliamentary legislation, as to who is legally a woman when answering a question as PM.

                      I note you refer to an adult person, born male, who now identifies as female, as a transgender man. Have you heard of Ellen now Elliot Page and Camille Paglia, both former lesbians who identify as transgender men?

                    • bwaghorn []
                      21 June 2023 at 5:04 pm

                      I don't care about who wants to identify as what and whether I've got what's a transgender male vs transgender female arse about face.

                      Unless you where born with a vagina and a womb, (I allow there's bound to be the odd birth defects that doesn't entirely fit) you are not and never will be a woman,

                      As I said transgender people are best to own it and be proud, not lie to themselves

                    • weka …
                      21 June 2023 at 2:22 pm

                      can you please quote and link to the specific NZ legislation clause that defines who is legally a woman?

                    • SPC …
                      21 June 2023 at 2:56 pm

                      Inferred and not specified – check the opt outs.

                      Note that this act only has sex, and not gender as a category.

                      Either they have no human rights, or it comes under sex.

                      https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0082/latest/DLM304475.html

            • weka 1.1.1.3.1.2
              21 June 2023 at 2:28 pm

              My advice is to stop with the silly comments (cheap shots) about the PM's answer to the question without regard to the wider circumstance in which he was doing so.

              He was asked a question he was clearly unprepared for. That in itself is remarkable given how big an issue this has been for Labour in the UK.

              The wider circumstance in NZ is that people are afraid to say adult human female and we have active No Debate. That would partly explain why Hipkins didn't know what to say.

              But we also know from the UK that eventually public pressure will force MPs to answer the question in a meaningful rather than avoiding way. There are far more people who think woman = AHF, than who think TW are literally women. The issue in NZ is how much bullshit we have to go through and how much damage will be done getting there, because we can have an adult conversation about the issues.

              I'm not aware of any legislation in NZ that would require the PM to say woman is anyone who identifies as a woman, as opposed to saying that “woman = adult human female, and in addition we have trans women who are a distinct class of people who also need to be recognised. Both groups have rights specific to them that need work to be upheld”.

              • SPC …
                21 June 2023 at 3:03 pm

                He has little choice until the HRA is changed to specify a difference between biological women and transgender women etc.

                They have the Equality Act of 2010 and we have the the HRA.

                • weka …
                  21 June 2023 at 4:03 pm

                  please point to the specific part of the HRA that prohibits the PM from talking about AHF.

                  • SPC …
                    21 June 2023 at 4:13 pm

                    Who said he was prohibited from saying anything?

                    All I have said, the PM has to be mindful of the legal position.

                    Sunak said stuff that led to the moves towards a clarification of their EA 2010 legal meaning.

                    Our HRA does not distinguish between biological women and the transgender woman. It just says sex.

    • pat 1.2
      20 June 2023 at 7:14 pm

      More important is likely to be 'do Te Whatu Ora' consider Seymour Maori?

      • Shanreagh 1.2.1
        20 June 2023 at 8:14 pm

        I doubt this as for years in NZ the test has been being able to whakapapa back to an eponymous Maori ancestor, or meet the tests to enrol on the Maori Roll and from my understanding Seymour is able to do this as do many other Pakeha-looking NZers.

        There would be 'hell to pay' if blood quantum or similar was used in this day & age.

        And even a relatively small amount of Maori will be enough to trigger/predispose towards some diseases. A friend whose gt grandmother was Indian from the sub continent was advised to always advise medicos of this ancestry as there are certain diseases that are more common in Indians.

        • tWiggle 1.2.1.1
          20 June 2023 at 11:44 pm

          On the other hand, Seymour still has only one electoral and one party vote if he's on the Maori roll. He won't be able to vote for himself in Epsom then.

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    20 June 2023 at 7:04 pm

    Poll update from Claire Trevett: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/talbot-mills-poll-shows-bounce-back-for-labour-bad-news-for-nationals-christopher-luxon-and-nz-first/ZKKVRXRJ6VEZLGEFU6YWXOGSII/

    Point of interest: NZF hasn't disappeared – as was suggested by disinformation the other day. Same old same old: Nat & Lab pollsters both show their parties in front…

  3. joe90 3
    20 June 2023 at 9:21 pm

    The missing Titanic tourist submersible was being controlled with an off-brand PlayStation controller. At $250K/ghoul you'd think they could afford an upgrade to PS5 controller.

    https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/submarines-final-ping-suggests-vessel-could-be-trapped-within-the-titanic-wreckage/news-story/c4d784af7a528e372afb6b08fa3f97e7

  4. tWiggle 4
    20 June 2023 at 11:35 pm

    guardian video 20/6

    This is a follow-on from Robert Smith's free pass in the 2020 ADF investigation of Afghan war crimes.

    "Lambie says senior brass have not been investigated over alleged war crimes and she has referred senior commanders to the international criminal court (ICC) in The Hague. 'The government is no doubt hoping this will all just go away. They're hoping that Australians will forget that when alleged war crimes in Afghanistan were investigated, our senior commanders got a free pass while our diggers were thrown under the bus,' she said.”

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  • 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
    23 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

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