Daily review 23/12/2020
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5:30 pm, December 23rd, 2020 - 10 comments
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- School holidays remain unchanged for Auckland regionSchool holidays in Auckland will continue to be held at the same time as the rest of the country, starting from Saturday, 2 October, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “I’ve carefully considered advice on the implications of shifting the dates and concluded that on balance, maintaining the status quo ...5 days ago
- Government continues crackdown on gangs and organised crimeOperation Tauwhiro extended until March 2022 Since it was launched in February, Operation Tauwhiro has resulted in: 987 firearms seized $4.99 million in cash seized 865 people charged with a firearms-related offence Gangs and organised crime groups will continue to be relentlessly targeted with the extension of Police’s successful ...5 days ago
- Speech to Body Positive 'HIV Treatments Update Seminar 2021'E ngā mana E ngā reo E ngā iwi Tēnā koutou katoa Ka huri ki ngā mana whenua o te rohe nei. Tēnā koutou. He mihi hoki ki a tatou kua tau mai nei I raro I te kaupapa o te rā. Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa Acknowledgements It’s a ...5 days ago
- Power bill changes bring fairness to chargesA key recommendation of an independent panel to make electricity charges fairer across all households will be put in place, the Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has announced. “Phasing out the regulations on ‘low-use’ electricity plans will create a fairer playing field for all New Zealanders and encourage a ...5 days ago
- NZ economy’s strong momentum will support rebound from Delta outbreak; COVID fund replenishedThe economy showed strong momentum in the period leading up to the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak, which bodes well for a solid economic rebound, Grant Robertson said. GDP rose 2.8 percent in the June quarter, following on from a 1.4 percent increase in the previous March quarter. This was a ...6 days ago
- Projects create benefits into the futureMaking a well-known lake swimmable and helping to halt the decline of the endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins are among a suite of new projects being supported by the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme across the southern South Island, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “It’s no secret that many of our most ...6 days ago
- Opening statement for Whāriki Indigenous Small Business RoundtableKei ngā tōpito e wha o te āo e rere ana te mihi maioha ki a koutou nō tawhiti, nō tata mai e tāpiri ana ki tēnei taumata kōrero mo te ao hokohoko arā mā ngā pākihi mo ngā iwi taketake Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa – Pai Mārire. ...6 days ago
- New members appointed to KāpuiaThe Government is adding four additional members to Kāpuia, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. “I’m looking forward to having Pamela MacNeill, Huia Bramley, Melani Anae and Katherine Dedo join Kāpuia and contribute to this group’s ...7 days ago
- Timeline confirmed for Emissions Reductions PlanCabinet has agreed to begin consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan in early October and require that the final plan be released by the end of May next year in line with the 2022 Budget, the Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw confirmed today. “Cabinet’s decision allows organisations and communities ...7 days ago
- Pay parity pathway for early learning teachers confirmedPay parity conditions and higher funding rates for education and care services will come into force on 1 January, 2022, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins confirmed today. The Government signalled this work in Budget 2021. “From 1 January, 2022, centres opting into the scheme will receive government funding and be ...7 days ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Conference 2021Kia Ora tatau katoa. Ka tuku mihi ki nga nēhi, He pou Hauora o Aotearoa, E ora ai tatou. Whakatau mai I runga i te kaupapa o te ra Te NZNO conference. Tena koutou tena koutou Tena tatou katoa Good morning, and thank you inviting me ...7 days ago
- Government investment in farmer-led catchment groups sweeps past 150 mark171 catchment groups have now been invested in by the Government 31 catchment groups in the Lower North Island are receiving new support More than 5,000 farmers are focussed on restoring freshwater within a generation through involvement in catchment groups Government investment in on-the-ground efforts by farmers to improve land ...1 week ago
- Fight to protect kauri on trackThe Government is pitching in to help vital work to protect nationally significant kauri forests in Auckland, Minister of Conservation Kiri Allan says. “Ensuring the survival of these iconic trees for future generations means doing everything we can to prevent the potential spread of kauri dieback disease,” Kiri Allan said. ...1 week ago
- Joint statement of Mr Bernard Monk; Hon Andrew Little, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry,...[Note: The Parties have agreed on terms to fully and finally settle the proceeding and will jointly issue the below statement.] At the heart of this litigation are the lives of the 29 men tragically lost at the Pike River mine on 19 November 2010 and to whom we pay ...1 week ago
- More financial support for businessesToday’s decision to keep Auckland in a higher COVID Alert Level triggers a third round of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which will open for applications at 9am this Friday. “The revenue test period for this payment will be the 14th to the 27th of September. A reminder that this is ...1 week ago
- Aotearoa New Zealand provides further humanitarian support for AfghanistanAotearoa New Zealand is providing a further $3 million in humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “There is significant humanitarian need in Afghanistan, with the crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” said Nanaia Mahuta. The UN has estimated that 80% of the quarter of a million ...1 week ago
- Innovative te reo prediction tool announced in Te Wiki o Te Reo MāoriA new Māori language prediction tool will play a key role in tracking our te reo Māori revitalisation efforts, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. He Ara Poutama mō te reo Māori (He Ara Poutama) can forecast the number of conversational and fluent speakers of te reo Māori ...1 week ago
- Further Government support for people to access food and essential itemsThe Government is responding to need for support in Auckland and has committed a further $10 million to help people access ongoing food and other essential items, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced today. This latest tranche is targeted at the Auckland region, helping providers and organisations to distribute ...1 week ago
- Half a million Pfizer vaccines from DenmarkThe Government has secured an extra half a million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from Denmark that will start arriving in New Zealand within days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “This is the second and larger agreement the Government has entered into to purchase additional vaccines to meet the ...1 week ago
- Inland Revenue providing essential COVID support for businessesInland Revenue is seeing increased demand for Resurgence Support Payments and other assistance schemes that it administers, but is processing applications quickly, Revenue Minister David Parker said today. David Parker said the Resurgence Support Payment, the Small Business Cashflow (loan) Scheme and the Wage Subsidy are available at the same ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand marks 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacksNew Zealand is expressing unity with all victims, families and loved ones affected by the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, and all terrorist attacks around the world since, including in New Zealand. “Saturday marks twenty years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to SPREP Environment MinistersTalofa Honourable Ulu of Tokelau Faipule Kelihiano Kalolo Tēnā koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings from Aotearoa to your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. The new science released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on 8 August paints an alarming picture of the projected impacts of climate change on the ...2 weeks ago
- Additional Resurgence Support Payments to support businessBusinesses affected by higher Alert Levels will be able to apply for further Resurgence Support Payments (RSP). “The Government’s RSP was initially intended as a one-off payment to help businesses with their fixed costs, such as rent. Ministers have agreed to provide additional payments to recognise the effects of an ...2 weeks ago
- More Dawn Raids scholarships announcedDetails of the ‘Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships’, a goodwill gesture that follows the Government’s apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, were released today by Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio. “These scholarships that are targeted to the Pacific will support the kaupapa of the Dawn Raids’ ...2 weeks ago
- One-way quarantine-free travel for RSE workers starting in OctoberOne-way quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu starts in October New requirement for RSE workers to have received their first vaccination pre-departure, undertake Day 0 and Day 5 tests, and complete a self-isolation period of seven days, pending a negative Day 5 ...2 weeks ago
- Govt boosts Pacific suicide prevention supportApplications have opened for the Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund as the Government acts to boost support amid the COVID delta outbreak. “We know strong and connected families and communities are the most important protective factor against suicide and this $900,000 fund will help to support this work,” Health Minister ...2 weeks ago
- Govt parks the expiry of licenses, WoFs and regosAs a result of the Delta outbreak, driver licences, Warrants of Fitness (WoFs), Certificates of Fitness (CoFs), vehicle licences (‘regos’) and licence endorsements that expired on or after 21 July 2021 will be valid until 30 November 2021, Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced today. “While this extension won’t officially ...2 weeks ago
- COVID-19 community fund to provide support for vulnerable women and girlsMinister for Women Jan Tinetti today announced a $2 million community fund that will provide support for women and girls adversely affected by COVID-19. “We know that women, particularly those who are already vulnerable, are disproportionally affected by the kind of economic disruption caused by COVID-19,” Jan Tinetti said. ...2 weeks ago
- Next phase of support for Fiji’s COVID-19 response announcedA further NZ$12 million of support for Fiji’s COVID-19 response has been announced by Foreign Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta today. The package builds on previous tranches of assistance Aotearoa New Zealand has provided to Fiji, totalling over NZ$50 million. “Fiji remains in a very challenging position in their response to ...2 weeks ago
- Robotic asparagus harvester aimed at addressing industry challengesThe Government is backing a $5 million project to develop a commercial-scale autonomous robotic asparagus harvester, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures) is contributing $2.6 million to the project. Project partner Robotics Plus Limited (RPL) will build on a prototype asparagus ...2 weeks ago
- How to talk to loved ones who are vaccine hesitant
Approach the conversation not with anger and frustration, but with patience, respect and aroha, advises Kate Hannah.The team of 1.7 million – that’s the good people of Tāmaki Makaurau – and our wider teammates across Aotearoa need to get vaccinated, if they can. We need to do this so we ...1 hour ago - Cleaner, greener cars are finally on their way to our roads. But at what price?Emissions from imported vehicles may plummet as the government introduces new vehicle emissions standards. Some have called the policy the most significant step to reducing the country’s greenhouse emissions yet, while others claim it’s another tax that will do little for the environment. Who is right?Two months after the government ...1 hour ago
- Kiwi handball captain aiming to change the world
Ardent New Zealand handballer Erin Roxburgh-Makea is empowering young women on and off the court, helping them realise they, too, have the skills to be leaders. At 29, Erin Roxburgh-Makea feels like she’s finally coming into her sporting prime. But the stages of her career where she can truly make a ...1 hour ago - Govt won't review derailed efforts to rehabilitate terrorist
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi has refused to entertain a specific review of the failed efforts to rehabilitate the September 3 terrorist, which were interrupted before they truly began. ...1 hour ago - Pat Baskett: The climate clock is ticking
New Zealand is dragging its feet taking action on what's supposed to be an emergency. Pat Baskett looks to the EU's Green Deal for inspiration on how we should be addressing climate change. The delay until May of the announcement of the Government’s strategies for the climate crisis is only the most ...1 hour ago - Manufactured outrage over Shaw's Glasgow trip
James Shaw's limited delegation to the Glasgow climate summit has been the target of bad faith attacks weaponising the frustrations of New Zealanders stuck overseas, Marc Daalder writes Comment: James Shaw's forthcoming trip to the famed resort town of Glasgow is not likely to be much of a vacation. The United ...1 hour ago - Concern over 'censorship' rules of NZ-Chinese news site
An influential Chinese-language media outlet in New Zealand warned its users their information could be shared with 'relevant state agencies' if they violated Chinese laws A popular news site could be exposing New Zealanders to Chinese state surveillance, Newsroom can reveal. The revelation raises questions about the role of media ...1 hour ago - MIQ hopefuls – holidaymakers or just trying to come home?
While more than 5000 people were able to secure a room in Monday’s first round of MIQ’s virtual lobby and queue, there’s no certainty for the tens of thousands who missed out when the lobby opens again next week The new MIQ booking system may be the great leveller. Everyone ...1 hour ago - The Speaker's new rules for the unvaccinated
Parliament will eventually be out of bounds for unvaccinated. ...1 hour ago - Sorry, Mother!
A personal essay which asks: why does everyone always blame the mother? "Everyone blames the mother," Mum once said. It was an open address. But in my case it was true. For decades of my adult life, I blamed my mother. For what? Loving too much. That was Mum’s crime. ...1 hour ago - Jo Cribb: Much at stake for women workers
Jo Cribb lifts the bonnet on our gender pay gap - and doesn't like what she finds. ...1 hour ago - The feral dogs of the Far North
Packs of feral dogs have been causing heartbreaking stock losses throughout the Far North, and authorities are ill-equipped to deal with them All-night patrols with guns, baiting, trapping, surveillance cameras - Far North locals are trying everything to get rid of the feral dogs roaming the area and mauling their animals. ...1 hour ago - Blockchain not just a case of good or bad
There's a lot to be gained by taking a balanced view of the opportunities and risks of blockchain technology, writes Simon Mackenzie. Here he explains how it's much more than just gambling on Bitcoin’s price volatility. Opinion: Hang on a minute, I think I’ve just been called a charlatan and a climate criminal. ...1 hour ago - Energy chaos – coming to a market near you
If the great Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, had been an economist he might have written: “All happy market outcomes are alike, but each policy error is disastrous in its own way”. Certainly the implosion of the UK’s energy market manages to combine many familiar bad policy interventions, while nonetheless ...2 hours ago - View from The Hill: Morrison and Macron need to talk
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra After mishandling its cancellation of the French submarines contract, the Morrison government is making things worse by suggesting the French really must have, or should have, known what was coming. As Labor keeps saying on ...8 hours ago - Podcast with Michelle Grattan: The Furious French and Porter’s fallSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. In this ...9 hours ago
- Clean vehicles bill passes its first reading in Parliament
A bill that sets up the legal framework for the government's clean car discount and fees for high-emission imports has passed its first checkpoint to becoming law this evening. ...10 hours ago - Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill passes second readingLegislation that will introduce a new offence - planning a terrorist attack - is a step closer to becoming law. ...10 hours ago
- Word from The Hill: The Furious French and Porter’s fallSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. In this ...10 hours ago
- Doherty modelling update provides the goalposts, but local insights will determine playSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Baker, Research Fellow in Statistics for Biosecurity Risk, The University of Melbourne The Doherty Report, released 10 August, underpins the vaccination targets in the federal government’s national reopening plan of 70% and 80% of the population aged over 16. However, since ...10 hours ago
- If NZ’s covid elimination strategy is abandoned now ‘more Māori and Pasifika people will die’ANALYSIS: By Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland Auckland’s move to alert level 3 has also triggered speculation about whether the national covid-19 elimination strategy has failed or is even being abandoned. While the New Zealand government denies it, others clearly believe it is at least a possibility. The uncertainty is ...10 hours ago
- NZ covid-19 breaches: Infringement fines to increase dramaticallyRNZ News Breaching covid-19 restrictions in New Zealand will now mean an increased infringement fee of up to $12,000 for individuals when imposed by a court, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. Speaking at the daily covid-19 briefing today, Ardern said fines for breaches of the Covid-19 Public Health Response ...10 hours ago
- Samoa Observer: The fallacy of a nuclear submarine deal for peaceEDITORIAL: By the Samoa Observer editorial board It perhaps wasn’t a remarkable coincidence that last month Samoa’s former Ambassador to the United Nations called on the United States to ratify a treaty declaring the South Pacific a nuclear-free zone. Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia, currently Samoa’s High Commissioner to Fiji, made the ...10 hours ago
- NZ experts say Auckland move to alert level 3 ‘risky’ – but PM still confidentBy Rowan Quinn, RNZ News health correspondent Alert level 3 is being called a roll of the dice that could either eliminate delta or send the country back into level 4. From tomorrow, Auckland will make the move after five weeks at alert level 4. Covid-19 modeller – and Aucklander ...10 hours ago
- Pacquiao says boxing career over in favour of his presidency questBy Roy Luarca in Manila Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is leaving the sport that propelled him to stardom as he seeks the Philippine presidency in 2022 He is no longer fighting in the ring. “My boxing career? My boxing career is already over,” Senator Pacquiao told actress Toni Gonzaga ...10 hours ago
- ‘It’s almost like grooming’: how anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, and the far-right came to...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josh Roose, Senior Research Fellow, Deakin University Scenes of protesters clad in hi-vis jackets and shouting anti-vaccination slogans have dominated the news this week. As the ABC reported: Some of those gathered held a banner reading ‘freedom’, while others sang the ...11 hours ago
- Shaw says COP26 conference most important since Paris AgreementThe climate minister's trip to the COP26 conference and his delegation's use of MIQ spaces upon their return is again being criticised by the opposition. ...11 hours ago
- Want to improve our education system? Stop seeking advice from far-off gurus and encourage expertise...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn C. Savage, Associate Professor of Education Policy, The University of Western Australia Over the past two decades, Australian governments have committed exorbitant energy and resources to transform our nation’s schools. The driving force behind many reforms has been a narrative of ...13 hours ago
- Opinion: My opinion on NZ’s Covid strategy is bold, unwavering and probably wrongIn the wake of the government’s decision to move Auckland down to alert level three, Hayden Donnell rises to the challenge that faces him, a human with a byline, to issue an opinion on elimination, lockdowns, and whether it’s possible to contain a delta outbreak.It’s official. The government has or ...14 hours ago
- If you were called by a melody, how would it sound? Communities in Ethiopia and PNG name people with...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Sarvasy, Research Fellow in Linguistics, Western Sydney University Binoora Bhultse demonstrates the two-handed _moyzé_ whistling technique used in the Oyda district of southwest Ethiopia. Azeb Amha, Author provided 36-year-old Binoora Bhultse lives in Garda village in the Oyda district of ...14 hours ago
- From ‘Mädchen’ to ‘Mutti’: as Angela Merkel departs, she leaves a great legacy of leadershi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabriele Suder, Professor. Dean, New Business Acceleration, Federation University Australia AAP/EPA/Focke Strangmann With Chancellor Angela Merkel departing as one of the most significant politicians in a generation, the German elections of September 26 will be very closely watched. This is ...15 hours ago
- New Campaign Aims To Highlight Mental Health Issues Stemming From Online Abuse And Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is defined as “the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.” The campaign You Wouldn’t Say It To Their Face produced by mental health charity Voices of Hope ...15 hours ago - No, we aren’t part of the nuclear submarine pact, but CER keeps us in a relationship with our cobb...
Reassuring news about this country’s relationship with Australia emerged from the office of Trade Minister Damien O’Connor yesterday after his virtual meeting with his Aussie counterpart. It was reassuring because of the concerns raised in some quarters after this country (where we pride ourselves on shunning nuclear power) was left ...15 hours ago - Keith Rankin Analysis – New Zealand Superannuation: The Rules versus Common SenseAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. Radio New Zealand (Checkpoint) ran stories last week about New Zealanders aged over 65 stranded in Australia who are at risk of having their pensions (‘New Zealand Superannuation’)stopped, and then having to repay the funds they received while in Australia. There is a simple ...15 hours ago
- How to survive on Drag Race Down UnderWith news that RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is holding an open casting call, we asked this year’s queens to share their advice for season 2 hopefuls.What’s that I hear? Is it a Kylie Minogue song? Is it the unique twang of a New Zealand accent? Is it a door ...15 hours ago
- Yet Another Greyhound Tests Positive For Prohibited Substances In ChristchurchIn a judgement released this week by the Racing Integrity Board, Craig Roberts was fined $2,000 after his dog Willene Bale tested positive for Ketoprofen at Addington Raceway in July 2021. This is the third time one of Roberts’ dogs had tested positive ...16 hours ago
- Covid-19 update: PM says best way to flush out mystery cases is 'to test, test, test'Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is also asking level 3 workers returning to work tomorrow to get vaccinated. ...16 hours ago
- Personality traits may drive our ideas about fairness and sharingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milan Andrejević, PhD Candidate in Psychology, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Disputes over fairness can create conflict. Families squabble over inheritances, societies polarise around the question of how to distribute wealth fairly, and nations become mired in territorial quarrels. ...16 hours ago
- Unitec Cuts Shine Light On Broken SystemTe Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is once again dismayed but not surprised to note yet another Aotearoa New Zealand polytechnic attempting to cut its way to growth despite this repeatedly failed strategy contradicting the wishes of its parent ...16 hours ago
- Shaw's Scottish Odyssey Insults Stranded Expats And TaxpayersResponding to the revelation that Climate Change Minister James Shaw will bring 14 staff to Glasgow for climate talks, and receive a special MIQ allowance , New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Jordan Williams says: “We held a naïve optimism ...17 hours ago
- Being number 14,694 in line for MIQHaving tried and failed to get home to New Zealand using the old MIQ booking platform, David Farrier gives the new kinder, fairer system a whirl.This story first appeared on David Farrier’s newsletter Webworm.This week the New Zealand government launched its new MIQ website, which is now the main way ...17 hours ago
- Outdated Views? Andrea Vance On Sean PlunketChris Trotter, political columnist, blogger and commentator, writes here about “shock jocks”, “outdated” views, “privilege” and the “Woke” establishment … IT’S ONE OF THOSE throwaway lines which, precisely because so little conscious thought was given to it, tells us so much. The author, Andrea Vance, ...17 hours ago
- New Zealand cannot abandon its COVID elimination strategy while Māori and Pasifika vaccination rate...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Collin Tukuitonga, Associate Dean Pacific and Associate Professor of Public Health, University of Auckland GettyImages Auckland’s move to alert level 3 has also triggered speculation about whether the national COVID-19 elimination strategy has failed or is even being abandoned. While ...18 hours ago
- PNG’s labour minister calls for truce in ‘no jab no job’ controversyAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Papua New Guinea’s Department of Labour has broken its silence over the government’s stance on covid-19 testing requirements in the “no jab no jobs” controversy, reports the PNG Post-Courier. It has called on employers and employees to exercise common sense and ensure that businesses are allowed ...19 hours ago
- Auckland moves ‘cautiously’ to covid alert level 3, rest of NZ stays putRNZ News Auckland will move to alert level 3 from 11.59pm on Tuesday night, and stay in level 3 for at least two weeks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. The rest of New Zealand will remain in level 2, but will move from gatherings of 50 up to gatherings ...19 hours ago
- Criminalisation of activists blamed for Indonesia’s declining democracyAsia Pacific Report newsdesk The criminalisation of activists — including those in West Papua — in 2019 and 2020 has been cited as one of the factors for the decline in the quality of democracy in Indonesia. Based on a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), democracy in Indonesia ...19 hours ago
- Three new NZ ‘breakout’ covid cases in Waikato include two studentsRNZ News A testing centre is being set up at a marae in New Zealand’s Waikato settlement of Kaiaua today after three community cases of covid-19 were confirmed in the region. They are household members of a man with the virus who is in remand at Mount Eden prison in ...19 hours ago
- Dignity and mana in Aotearoa lawIn international human rights law, a person’s inherent dignity is the foundation for why all of us should have access to justice and safety. In Aotearoa we have a unique understanding of that value, but policymakers need to understand that ‘mana’ and ‘dignity’ are not interchangeable.The law assumes that all ...20 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – September 21 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here. Today’s content Government gambles with Level 3 move Matthew ...20 hours ago
- Police acknowledge IPCA reportPolice acknowledge a report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) in relation to the use of a Police dog to prevent a man attempting to escape custody in Dunedin. ...20 hours ago
- Police justified in use of dog to prevent man escapingThe Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police were justified in the use of a Police dog to arrest a man who tried to run from officers in Dunedin. ...20 hours ago
- Call to address pay equity for community social workersOrganisations representing community social services and social workers have joined forces to launch a collective call for pay equity and fair funding this Social Workers’ Day 2021. ...21 hours ago
- ANZASW calls for social worker pay equityWednesday 22 September is Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day. ANZASW is celebrating social workers throughout the country for the tireless work they do to better Aotearoa. Social workers work throughout the motu in a variety of settings and roles, from ...21 hours ago
- Auckland needs a Flexible 3It will be a long and hard road back to economic health but at last thousands of Auckland businesses locked down can reopen and reduce the burden and stress of trying to retain jobs, pay staff and bills and look after the wellbeing of family – and ...21 hours ago
- BookTok tips from a master of the genre, Chloe GongTikTok’s book community is driving sales, influencing bestseller charts and even turning old books into sensations – but is that a good enough reason for writers to jump aboard? She was far too modest to mention this in her piece, but Gong’s debut novel, a 2020 YA called These Violent Delights, ...21 hours ago
- Ad Campaign Calls For Government To Bring In Bottle DepositsThe Kiwi Bottle Drive is launching an ad campaign today, to encourage the government to immediately implement a beverage Container Return Scheme. ...21 hours ago
- Digital tech is the future, but a new report shows Australia risks being left in the pastSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shazia Sadiq, Professor, The University of Queensland Headway/Unsplash.com, CC BY-SA Digital technologies are now at the heart of our everyday lives, as anyone who has swapped their office for a videoconferencing screen, or downloaded a contact-tracing app, knows only too ...22 hours ago
- Which federal MP is spending the most on Facebook advertising? (Hint: it is not Craig Kelly)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Scanlon, Senior Lecturer in Communication, Deakin University Mick Tsikas/AAP Which federal MP spends the most on Facebook advertising? If you guessed Prime Minister Scott Morrison or Labor leader Anthony Albanese — or even headline-grabbing backbenchers Craig Kelly or Andrew ...22 hours ago
- Therapy for babies showing early signs of autism reduces the chance of clinical diagnosis at age 3Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Whitehouse, Bennett Chair of Autism, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock A therapy for infants showing early signs of autism reduces the chance of the child meeting diagnostic criteria for autism at three years of age. ...22 hours ago
- New Zealand has ramped up vaccination rates, but too many people remain concerned about vaccine safe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Croucher, Professor and Head of School of Communication, Journalism, and Marketing, Massey University Fiona Goodall/Getty Images After five weeks in the strictest lockdown, Auckland will move to level 3 restrictions from midnight on Tuesday, for at least two weeks. ...22 hours ago
- Climate change is testing the resilience of native plants to fire, from ash forests to gymea liliesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Helene Nolan, Postdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University One year following the 2019/20 fires, this forest has been slow to recover. Rachael Nolan, CC BY-NC-ND Green shoots emerging from black tree trunks is an iconic image in the days following bushfires, ...22 hours ago
- Scientists still don’t know how far melting in Antarctica will go – or the sea level rise it wil...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chen Zhao, Research associate, University of Tasmania The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest mass of ice in the world, holding around 60% of the world’s fresh water. If it all melted, global average sea levels would rise by 58 metres. But ...22 hours ago
- Decoding the music masterpieces: Stravinsky’s The FirebirdSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott Davie, Lecturer in Piano, School of Music, Australian National University Kent G Becker/flickr, CC BY-SA On June 25 1910, Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird opened to acclaim at the Paris Opéra. The success propelled its composer, then aged 28, ...22 hours ago
- Auckland could reach 90 percent first dose vaccination milestone in two weeks – ArdernIt's possible 90 percent of Aucklanders could have had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the time Cabinet next reviews restrictions, the prime minister says. ...22 hours ago
- A hectic day in the life of a wastewater testerWith an increased demand for wastewater testing in order to monitor the spread of Covid-19, ESR scientists are feeling the pressure. Chris Schulz meets one in the middle of a hectic day at work.The chilly bins begin piling up early. They range in size – from small polystyrene packs to ...22 hours ago
- Live updates, September 21: Bloomfield denies ‘spinning’ for the government as elimination strat...Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for September 21, by Stewart Sowman-Lund. Say hello at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz.8.00am: Bloomfield denies ‘spinning’ for the government as elimination strategy questionedA tense face-off between Mike Hosking and Ashley Bloomfield on Newstalk ZB this morning saw the director general of health push back at an assertion ...22 hours ago
- ‘A calculated risk’ as restrictions easedAuckland’s move to level three has left some experts worried that delta could spring back to life as hundreds of thousands of people are called back to work, Justin Giovannetti writes in The Bulletin.We’ve never been here before. One of the most infectious variants of Covid-19 is still appearing unexpectedly in ...23 hours ago
- Timeline: How Covid-19 left Auckland with a man on bailWhy could a recently released prisoner cross the Auckland boundary and how was he infected? Political reporter Katie Scotcher traces his steps. ...23 hours ago
- Anti-terror law back before Parliament today, but faces oppositionLegislation introducing a new offence for planning a terrorist attack comes back to Parliament today, after being expedited as a result of the LynnMall attack. ...24 hours ago
- How Australia is laughing all the way to the bank
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Season's Greeting to one and all. It has been a long hard year, may you all enjoy family friends and a break. Cheers.
Finally – stop work. Off to rottenrua tomorrow…
The Kepler from Boxing Day, then off to visit the Guyton's on the 1st.
Wahoo!
Keep an eye out for Ad here
https://www.metdata.net.nz/doc/kepler/cam2/live.php
If he wears his The Standard T-shirt he’ll be easily recognisable 😉
Parked under a coolibah tree by a billabong in the Paroo River. No swagmen or women, jumbucks, troopers, grey nomads, santas, coronaviruses or anyone else in sight, just the odd emu family. Christmas in the Queensland outback is oddly cool and green. Cheers to all!
Xmas Eve at First Church to listen to the choir, then off to a quiet spot camping with my GF for a few days, away from WiFi & electricity & people, to count our blessings and enjoy the silence. Happy holidays.
Been trying to get back in shape since I broke my arm in Feb. Overdid it today, playing badminton for a couple of hours in Auckland heat and humidity. I'm absolutely buggered. And I have a dozen people to shop for tomorrow! AAAaaaarrrgh FML
Season's Greetings folks. I hope 2021 is kind to you all. Take good care and stay safe.
Cheers.