I am sure that there would be any number of New Zealand Prime Ministers who would be jealous of Howard's display. He was in the job for 11 years, second only to Menzies 18. I'm sure Helen Clark would have loved to have lasted that long instead of being kicked out after a mere 9 years. Key of course never lost. He won every election he contested as Party Leader.
Oh well I suppose you are like all of us. Memory going in your old age I suppose.
That is a sensible question although I think a zero is a little harsh. Just a little though.
On the other hand I think I would prefer a low charisma PM than the fool we have at the moment. Charisma coming out her ears but no knowledge of the world to go with it.
why dont you finish the story alwyn. when aussies finally woke up, howard lost very badly. even lost his own seat, something that had never happened in aus, so yes, his last parliamentary act was a massive loss.
Love how this radical far right wing economic experiment keeps rolling on, and the deaths just don't matter. Or how the centre left just do nothing but platitudes, and keep running with this destructive economic theory.
I'm afraid that after almost 2 years in office the current Government is simply going to have to cop any flak that is coming, whether it is fair or, as I think, rather unfair. Can't try the standard line about it all being National's fault though.
The government has already put a lot of effort into mental health services, but it all takes time to become effective; some areas of help were persistently underfunded for the previous 9 years. Poverty can be important, but youth services seem to be quite important too – high youth unemployment, some of it not helped by using immigration to fill employment shortages in some not very skilled areas didn't help either.
Increasing expenditure on mental health services largely overlooks the issues that initially trigger mental health problems, thus is not the solution in itself. So while it may help comfort some currently having problems, it's clear the Government will have to do far more to help prevent more from initially becoming mentally stressed/ill.
And an area where the Government can do a lot more to have an almost instant impact is better addressing poverty. Which, of course, despite the rhetoric, thus minimal input to date, has largely been deferred. With no date for significant change announced. Which, in itself, is depressing.
I expected far better understanding from you, Rosemary.
Poverty is totally related to people feeling worthless. And in today's consumer based society where people are largely judged upon what they do and how much they earn their feeling of worthlessness and shame is further compounded by the scorn and venom dished upon them by many in the community.
Your (and others) lack of understanding of this highlights their feeling of abandonment.
Shame on you.
[I will try to respond to your other comment(s) in due course but this is the second time you’re pulling this emotional string on another commenter for not agreeing with you (on being anti-Labour) – the first one was Cinny yesterday who, according to you, “seem[ed] easily pleased”. In fact, you tried it with me too today. This is not a good way to debate and argue your case as it changes it from playing the ball to playing the (wo)man – Incognito]
It's but one aspect. The Chair is trying to force his blunt view on those who know what nuance is. He's doing that so that he can ride his, "Labour's failing the poor" hobby-horse.
Maybe everyone consider that suicide is a sensitive topic, and there will be people reading and commenting with histories that we don’t know about so extra care is called for.
If poverty caused such deep feelings of worthlessness in an individual that suicide was the only the sole relief, then the numbers would be much, much higher.
Think about it for a second or two…
Your lack of willingness to even consider this does indeed add to a sense of abandonment…in those of us 'survivors' who will spend the rest of our lives asking 'why?' How neat and tidy it would be to blame 'poverty', and simply move on.
Highlighting emotional realities felt by people is nothing like playing the man, Incog.
[So, Rosemary should feel ashamed and Cinny should not feel pleased? That’s a rhetorical question, BTW. You have no right to tell others how or what they should or shouldn’t feel. It makes for a poor argument and it makes it personal. It is the same as putting words in people’s mouths. Please don’t do it again and please stop arguing about moderation – Incognito]
Howard: "Well you know I wrote that character reference for Cardinal Pell after he'd been convicted of child sexual abuse John. It'd be no trouble at all for me to whip something up that exonerates you from the corruption that's been happening at ANZ lately!"
Why did no one speak up, and despite a "written" apology James Hardie will not respond to the Herald – I don't care how "high" his "position" is this is sickening. Thankfully it seems the restaurant is standing by their employee, no young hard working and studying NZer shuld have been subject to this.
Statisics are not good, some young NZers might not have this young woman's sound self awareness and confidence in a situation that she handled property but did severely upset her understandably. Other young NZers are no doubt subject to similar and adversely affected, no wonder the stats for the young are so awful.
She's only 17 but she's already running rings around her philistine detractors. Look at the photo. A lovely, intelligent young Maori woman who wants to become a medical practitioner.
Rumours (unvalidated obv) that Jacindas dropped to 35% (which I could easily believe). Her trends are really going in the wrong direction.
Of course it’s not what makes a government- but with NZF gone, greens very close to gone, and National out polling labour – I wouldn’t be so confident about 2020 if I was a labour fan
Looking for some public polls – esp the first one putting Jacinda in the 20’s. Might have to wait a couple for that however.
I can see the headlines now “NZ’s PMs support halves”
You got very excited by a rumour issuing forth from Matthew Hooton and decided it was so hot you had to drop it into The Standard as some sort of public service, James?
He (Hooten) was his usual pathetic self. Overall the programme was an interesting watch, I was impressed with the interview with Meng Foon – he will (in my humble impression) make a great ambassador for his position.
Just goes to show, a sympathetic journalist can give activists a propaganda platform that industry money just can't buy. Personally, I'm glad the liquor and hospitality industries have a financial stake in standing up to the campaigns of anti-drug activists, because there's no way ordinary citizens have the resources to do it.
This government's soft on drugs, huh? It's not cracking down hard enough on the people peddling this poison to our kids! Any other conservative talking points while you're at it?
Arse about face. You're the one promoting a tough-on-drugs approach, not me. If I ever do start hand-wringing about the government not cracking down hard enough on recreational drug use the way you are on this thread, feel free to call me a hypocrite.
Don't be another detractor, Incog. Unite with me and help pressure them to up their game. That, is of course, if you want them too.
Lets see if we (all of us united together) can make better use of this site. Let’s see if we can make this a site actually work to produce change for the better.
Now that would be something to behold, would it not?
Alternatively, we can continue on to squabble amongst ourselves.
I've seen so much damage and death as a result of alcohol
Ditto. Which is why I'm not thrilled about their piss poor effort.
And now that Little has appeased you by merely announcing a review (and in his mind hopefully others) his job is done knowing he's got your (and others) vote. Meanwhile, the carnage continues on unabated.
Akshully the medical professionals have come out saying that the 2012 review has done bugger all to help and the Minister is listening and is taking action.
TC, how do you feel the 2012 review has worked out?
Thanks for that hopeful news Cinny – review/reform looong overdue if the research and advocacy of these "anti-drug activists" is anything to go by. You can lead the National party towards alcohol law reform, but you cannot make them drink.
Aim
The study examined the impact of alcohol use on lifestyle and wellbeing among adults accessing New Zealand community alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, and practice implications.
Results
In total, 598 people reported alcohol as their main substance of concern. The largest improvements in lifestyle and wellbeing were observed for mental health, social relationships and physical health. Change in days of alcohol use significantly contributed to the prediction of change in lifestyle and wellbeing issues experienced (model R2=20%, adjusted R2=19%, p<.001). Results were similar for amount and total volume.
Conclusion
Reduced alcohol use positively impacts on people’s lifestyle and wellbeing. Findings have implications for increasing awareness of the benefits for people’s lives, even small reductions in alcohol use. The need to strengthen routine ADOM collection in AOD services is highlighted, as well as the availability of vocational rehabilitation to support people’s wellbeing.
Tamihere's camp at the start of his campaign talked of his prowess as a chief executive, yet the budget-busting policy appears to have no business basis.
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Tamihere's campaign strategy so far makes sense in the classic political way, if you're focussed on making a splash, getting noticed, and trying to make over-simplistic slogans look like carefully-crafted policy. Tamihere hates his style being compared with that of US President Donald Trump, but the campaign parallels are hard to ignore.
Record fires are raging, with more than 2500 fires currently burning and collectively emitting huge amounts of carbon, with smoke plumes visible thousands of kilometres away."
What can we make of where National’s current leader Simon Bridges and the Party’s reliable water carrier Paula Bennett are taking their campaign to “win back the Treasury benches”? Going by the often petulant tone he has adopted, and the frequent histrionics of the most ardent supporters: going nowhere, and ...
by Daphna Whitmore It is surprising how rarely the authorities take an evolutionary perspective when dealing with health crises, such as the latest coronavirus spread. They talk about viruses mutating but that is a frequent occurrence, and they treat mutation as though it were equivalent to evolution. A mutation is ...
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Method In Our Madness? When a liberal-democratic society encounters racism its first impulse is to shut it down – not interrogate it. But, is this wise? Is it reasonable to assume that a phenomenon as powerful, pernicious and persistent as racism is entirely without purpose? Surely, there must be, as Shakespeare puts it: ...
Here is the speech that Maya Forstater gave at the Woman’s Place UK Women’s Liberation 2020 conference at UCL on February 1st In a recent newsletter she wrote: it was an amazing day (and brilliant to meet so many people in real life). I talked about what makes people and ...
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Peter TalleyI really don’t envy Jacinda Ardern’s position as Prime Minister of New Zealand. She’s probably got the hardest job in the country. Not only does she have to ensure her own MPs are behaving properly, she has to negotiate with Winston Peters and other NZ First MPs who seem ...
Will She, Or Won't She? Jacinda’s white vestments may look impressive on the cover of the international edition of TIME magazine, but every day Labour’s relationship with Winston Peters and NZ First continues, her ability to go on wearing them back home in New Zealand – without exciting derision – diminishes.IT WAS ...
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Less than two months after China told the WHO there was a problem, a lot has happened. Sadly, deaths, confirmed cases and countries affected are increasing every day. However, on a scientific and medical level, what is going on to contain, cure and prevent this new disease is truly inspirational. ...
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The Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change book is now available! The book uses cartoons, humor, and critical thinking to expose how and why some people reject climate science. It's now available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book outlets. If you're near the DC area, you're very welcome to ...
by the Council of Disobedient Women When Moana Maniapoto recently lamented that Rachel Stewart was no longer writing for the Herald, political commentator Morgan Godfery was quick to brag on Twitter, like a schoolyard bully, how proud he was of “driving Rachel Stewart from the Herald”. What a contrast Morgan ...
You’re probably aware that the Achievement Standards used to assess senior school students’ learning are being reviewed. Science is one of the ‘pilot’ subjects in this process, where a ‘Subject Expert Group’ has developed 4 draft Science standards¹ (a significant step away from the current 30+, and a response to ...
John MacCormickTo succeed in an unpredictable and changing world, adaptability is the key. Let’s be chameleons. Technology continues to change people’s jobs and work environments. But change so far is not as fast and extensive as some pundits claim. Nor is it as fast and extensive as it needs ...
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Oh look! NZ First's secret slush fund was laundering donations from Talley's:One of the country's biggest fishing companies, Talley's, and its managing director donated nearly $27,000 to the New Zealand First Foundation, which has been bankrolling the New Zealand First Party. The foundation received $26,950 from seafood giant Talley's and ...
Janet Hoek, Richard Edwards, Andrew Waa, Nick Wilson, George ThomsonMinister Jenny Salesa announced the Government’s long-awaited Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill on Sunday 23 February. The Bill contains some important provisions as it works to strike a balance between ensuring regulated products are available to ...
Surprisingly enough, one could argue (as I often do) that the day inserted into a leap year is not that we label 29th February, but actually the 24th of February. Here I explain why, briefly. Almost everyone assumes that the day added into February in a leap year is the ...
If you haven’t watched Newsroom’s video showing Oranga Tamariki staff attempting to uplift a newborn baby yet you should do so. Although it's not the worst case as far as interventions go, it’s certainly not a good look for the Government. Because of this controversy there’s been a plethora of ...
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Transport is our second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Any credible effort to reduce emissions to net-zero has to target it. So what is the government doing? Subsidising some of the dirtiest, most inefficient vehicles on the roads:New Zealand's favourite cars - double cab utes - are largely exempt ...
You’ve really got to wonder what the NZ First Party was thinking and drinking last Friday? Not only did they hamstring the Greens by halting one of their main environmental policies, the electric vehicle fee-bate scheme, a policy that the public was led to believe was a done deal…but they ...
High Risk Call: Insensitive though it may seem to even pose the question: how will the electorate respond to what the Prime Minister’s opponents will undoubtedly characterise as an attack on New Zealanders’ freedom of speech? At more than twelve month’s remove from the terrible events of 15 March 2019, ...
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A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Feb 16, 2020 through Sat, Feb 22, 2020 Editor's Pick JP Morgan economists warn climate crisis is threat to human raceLeaked report for world’s major fossil fuel financier says ...
Last week the Wall Street Journal published an article ‘The Dangerous Denial of Sex by two scientists Colin Wright and Emma Hilton. Write is an evolutionary biologist at Penn State and Hilton is a developmental biologist at the University of Manchester. It is well worth reading the article in full. Here ...
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Last Monday SpaceX launched another clutch of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, bringing up to 300 the number of these units intended to bring 5G internet to the whole globe. In this post I present a movie showing how all 300 such satellites will be zipping around our planet over ...
The recent floods in Southland have highlighted the issue of Rio Tinto's illegal toxic waste dump in Mataura. But according to Newsroom, there's an even worse mess in Ruakaka near Whangarei:A Northland property stockpiled one million litres of flammable and toxic chemicals. Almost two years since the situation came to ...
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OMV's exploratory drilling in the Great South Basin has failed to find oil. Good. Firstly, because we can't afford to burn the oil and gas we've already found, so there's just no point looking for more. And secondly, because offshore, deep-water drilling poses a risk of an environmental catastrophe, which ...
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Hon. Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic Development Up to $2 million will be allocated from the Provincial Growth Fund to set up temporary water supplies in Kaikohe and Kaitaia where drought is biting hard, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. Drought conditions in Northland have led to ...
Darroch Ball, Spokesperson for Law and Order New Zealand First welcomes the deployment of an Eagle Police helicopter in Christchurch in what is a step towards fulfilling its long-standing goal to increase the use of police helicopters for the front line, particularly in addressing the scourge of fleeing drivers. Christchurch leads ...
It may have been the first sitting week of 2020, but our Government is already in full-swing - managing a strong economy, investing in infrastructure, and working to break the cycle of homelessness. Read below for all that, and more... ...
In a heated debate in Parliament, National's Deputy Leader Paula Bennett claimed that “nearly 1600 patched gang members have been added” since the Coalition Government took power. To illustrate her point, she altered a chart used by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to show her government’s progress in housing to instead ...
Speech by the Rt Hon Winston Peters at Parliament’s Opening 2020 "We all need insurance" This year New Zealanders are going to have a clear choice to make That choice is between: Optimism versus pessimism; More progress versus back to the future; Investment versus divestment; Unity versus division. New Zealand ...
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has slammed the Board of Auckland Airport following the airport's runway closing twice within two weeks due to maintenance. Around 2,000 passengers were affected by last week’s runway closures, according to 1NEWS. Another maintenance closure on January 24 saw two international flights and three domestic flights ...
It’s my pleasure to be in Sydney today for our annual meeting, Prime Minister. It’s fair to say that since we last met, tragedy and disaster have befallen our two countries. They say that in moments of that nature, the true character of an individual comes to the fore. I ...
Travel restrictions introduced for Iran from today No exemptions for students from China to enter the country Increased health staff presence at international airports The Government has announced a suite of new actions as it steps up its response to the rapidly changing global spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. This ...
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has today classified the drought conditions in Waikato and South Auckland as an adverse event for the primary sector, unlocking $80,000 in Government support for farmers and growers. “This is recognition that the extreme and prolonged nature of this dry spell is taking its toll on ...
The Crown accounts are in a strong position to weather any economic uncertainty as a result of coronavirus, with the books in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the seven months to January. The operating balance before ...
Supporting New Zealand to make most of digital and data driven technologies will be the focus of a new Digital Council that begins its work today. Minister for Government Digital Services, Kris Faafoi, and Minister of Statistics, James Shaw, have confirmed the group of experts chosen to advise the Government ...
Safety and climate change resilience are behind South Island regional roading projects that are being brought forward as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. As part of the NZ Upgrade, $300 million was allocated for regional investment opportunities. “I’m pleased to ...
Digital and air connectivity in Fiordland are getting a big boost, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. As part of the $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme announced in January, $300 million was allocated for regional investment opportunities, to be administered by the Provincial Development Unit. “I’m pleased ...
West Coast ports and roads will benefit from an investment of $18.6 million to improve safety and resilience and enable future economic growth, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The $12 billion NZ Upgrade Programme announced last month allocated $300 million for regional investment opportunities, to be administered ...
Regional roading projects that will improve safety and resilience are being brought forward as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. As part of the NZ Upgrade, $300 million was allocated for regional investment opportunities. “I spend a lot of time in ...
The Eastern Bay of Plenty will finally get the harbour development it has wanted for decades, thanks to a $79.4 million central Government investment, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. This game-changing project will revitalise the township of Ōpōtiki and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty, creating hundreds ...
Regional New Zealand will be a hive of activity in the coming months as the New Zealand Upgrade Programme delivers on its promise to modernise our infrastructure, prepare for climate change and help grow our economy. As part of the $12 billion NZ Upgrade Programme announced by the Government last ...
A milestone has been reached with the graduation of more than 2,000 new Police officers since the Coalition Government took office in October 2017. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation today of Wing 335 marks a surge of 2,023 new officers, and coincides with some significant breakthroughs against organised ...
Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister, Kris Faafoi, and the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, have welcomed a new cyber security qualification as a step towards countering cyber threats and keeping New Zealanders safe. Attending the launch of the new Level 6 Diploma of Cyber Security at Auckland’s Unitec Institute ...
Government Ministers today celebrated 20 years of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park/ Ko te Pataka kai o Tikapa Moana/ Te Moananui a Toi, and recognise there is much to celebrate and so much more to do to give nature a helping hand. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said “New Zealanders care deeply about nature.I want to ...
Prepared remarks on coronavirus by Finance Minister Grant Robertson to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Massey University. Good morning ladies and gentlemen, The topic of this speech is the Budget 2020 priorities. But, given the considerable interest that I imagine is in the room about COVID-19 coronavirus, I do ...
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e ngā rau rangatira ma. Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. Ni sa bula vinaka. Namaste Thank you Shamima, Hon. Minister Vuniwaqa, community leaders and Women’s Crisis Centre staff for your warm welcome. It’s an honour and privilege to officially ...
The Government has released a comprehensive response to ensuring New Zealanders get a fairer deal at the petrol pump. This follows the Commerce Commission fuel market study which found motorists were paying more than they should for petrol and includes: Fuel Market Bill drafting, to pass mid-year Industry consultation in ...
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e ngā rau rangatira ma Tēnā koutou katoa Ni sa bula vinaka As-salaam alaikum It is a privilege to be here today. Thank you for welcoming us to your house of prayer. Thank you for your warmth. Thank you for greeting ...
Taupō Airport is to be upgraded and expanded through a $5.9 million Government funding boost, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. “Taupō Airport is the gateway to the Central North Island. It is essential for both keeping local people and businesses connected, but also to bring more people ...
The Minister of Housing Megan Woods has confirmed the Government is working with Rotorua Lakes District Council and Te Arawa for the second place-based assessment to better understand the housing and urban issues affecting the city. “Every New Zealander has a right to a warm, safe and secure place to ...
19 new community homes (in addition to 14 opened in December) delivered in Takanini, Auckland 500 people housed by CORT Housing Trust by end of March 2,290 new public housing homes delivered in Auckland (November 2017 – December 2019). Another nineteen new public housing homes are being delivered in Auckland, ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker met today with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss ways to strengthen ties between New Zealand and India. “India is a priority relationship for New Zealand. We share common democratic traditions, growing two-way trade, extensive people-to-people links, ...
Speech to the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) Delhi, India Wednesday 26 February 2020 [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] The Indo-Pacific: from principles to partnerships Distinguished guests, good afternoon and thank you for your invitation. It is good to be here at a time where New Zealand needs less of an introduction than ...
Tihei mauri ora Te Whare e tu nei Te Papa e takoto Tēnā korua No reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Ni sa bula Vinaka It is a real pleasure to be here today, and to have the honour of addressing you all. If you’ll indulge me I’m ...
Improved air quality to support better health and environmental wellbeing is the focus of proposed amendments to air quality regulations, says the Associate Minister for the Environment, Hon Nanaia Mahuta. “Although our air quality is good in most places, during winter certain places have spikes in air pollution, mainly from ...
The remote eastern Bay of Plenty community of Raukokere will receive a Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of $10.6 million for a water storage facility, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. “This is great news for the rural community. The landowner, Te Whānau a Maruhaeremuri Hapū Trust, will use ...
The Lake Ōkaro lakebed has transferred to Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Kelvin Davis announced today. Kelvin Davis joined Te Arawa at Te Papaiōuru Marae in Rotorua to celebrate the reinstatement of Te Arawa Lakes Trust as a key decision maker over the bed ...
New legislation is being proposed which aims to reduce the stress and financial hardship caused by late payments to small businesses. The Minister for Small Business Stuart Nash is considering stricter rules around payment practices between businesses. “Late payments from large organisations to smaller suppliers can be crippling for these ...
A new partnership programme between the New Zealand Police and Fiji Police will focus on combatting transnational organised crime and enhancing investigative skills, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on the first day of her visit to Fiji. The programme will see: · New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama met today in Suva, and renewed their commitment to continue to strengthen Fiji-New Zealand relations on a foundation of shared values and equal partnership. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the kinship between Fijians and New Zealanders, one that has endured over ...
A $19.9 million investment from the Provincial Growth Fund will help develop essential infrastructure for an industrial hub in the Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. “The funding will go to three projects to further develop the Putauaki Trust Industrial Hub, an industrial ...
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing $8.3 million on a roading package for Mahia that will lead to greater and wider economic benefits for the region and beyond, Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced at an event in Mahia today. The $8.3 million announced consists of: $7 ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed new reporting showing the Coalition Government is on track to meet its child poverty targets, with 18,400 children lifted out of poverty as a result of the Families Package. Stats NZ has released the first set of comprehensive child poverty statistics since the Government ...
Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter today announced that Bikes in Schools facilities have been rolled out to 20,000 more kiwi kids under this Government. She made the announcement at the opening of a new bike track at Henderson North School in Auckland. “Bikes in Schools facilities give kids ...
Benefit settings rise in line with wages as of 1 April Main benefits will increase by over 3 percent, instead of 1.66 percent, on 1 April with the Government’s decision to annually adjust benefit rates to increases in the average wage. The Minister for Social Development, Carmel Sepuloni, said ...
Strengthening New Zealand’s political and business ties with India will be the focus of Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters’ and Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker’s visit to India this week. The Ministers are co-leading a high level business delegation to India to support increased people and economic engagement ...
The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio continues to champion for greater Pacific participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers with the announcement of the Toloa Awards, with 8 recipients of the Toloa Community Fund and 13 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships. “The Toloa Programme encourages more Pacific peoples ...
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage has extended the date for people to have their say on proposed changes to improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. Submissions were due to close on 2 March 2020 but will now remain open until 9am on Monday 16 March 2020. “I have ...
The endangered toroa/Antipodean albatross has new international protection for its 100,000km annual migration, thanks to collaborative efforts led by New Zealand, Australia and Chile. Today, 130 countries agreed to strictly protect Antipodean albatross at the Conference of Parties on the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild ...
No sales to under-18-year-olds No advertising and sponsorship of vaping products and e-cigarettes No vaping or smokeless tobacco in smokefree areas Regulates vaping product safety comprehensively, - including devices, flavours and ingredients Ensure vaping products are available for those who want to quit smoking Vaping regulation that balances ...
"If it wasn’t for the blood stains on his jeans and the road they could pretend it hadn’t happened": a children's birthday in Wellington is the setting for a short story by Rebecca Styles. “Oh, Jesus,” says Tom as he tears off down the driveway. Suzie runs after him — ...
Silver Ferns centurion Casey Kopua stars in the second episode of Pure As, a mini documentary series on the Silver Ferns' personal journeys to World Cup glory. The moment Casey Kopua returned to the Silver Ferns after two years in retirement, she had to seriously ask herself if she'd done the right ...
I had planned to write an unabashed rave review, and then another book landed in my letterbox – and I just couldn’t read those stories in isolation from my own experience, writes Spinoff books editor Catherine Woulfe.I want to write about two books that I’ve just read, and then I ...
Less than half of New Zealand adults have a will. One hundred per cent of New Zealand adults die. Sam Brooks writes on why you need a will.Before you read any further, ask yourself this one question:If I dropped dead right now, reading this piece, would my loved ones know ...
Yesterday New Zealand confirmed the first known case of Covid-19 in the country. As the virus approaches global pandemic status, what progress is being made in developing a vaccine? Siouxsie Wiles explains where we’re at, and how the vaccines work.The race to find a vaccine for Covid-19 is under way, ...
By RNZ News Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed today that a suspected case of Covid-19 coronavirus has tested positive in New Zealand. Ardern said the person was in their 60s, and was a citizen of New Zealand who had recently travelled from Iran via Bali. The person had previously ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Happy February 29! It doesn’t come round very often, so make sure you enjoy it. But why do we have these extra days? Well, if we didn’t, the seasons would gradually move around the ...
New Zealand Pompe Network Allyson Lock, MNZM An open letter to New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern “Know us by our deeds”. This was the headline next to your picture on the cover of Time Magazine, for all the world to see. I saw it. I’m ...
Analysis: The government faces economic strife and uncertainty as the coronavirus continues to spread, four men charged in National's donations case plead not guilty, and more revelations about NZ First's "slush fund". ...
New Zealand’s first case of COVID-19 has just been confirmed. Here’s what we know so far.What’s the latest?Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed New Zealand’s first case of COVID-19 coronavirus. New Zealand is the 48th country to have a confirmed case of the virus. What do we know about the patient?The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Mercer, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, Curtin University Review: Leviathan, directed by Yaron Lifschitz. Circa in collaboration with Co:3 Australia, MAXIMA Circus and CircusWA for Perth Festival. As the audience takes their seats, two feet poke out from beneath the curtain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Bailey, Research Fellow, The University of Queensland If you’re hot and sticky even before your daily commute, you might ask why you sweat so much. Sweating is usually the body’s way of stopping you overheating. But for some people, sweating becomes ...
At a tense press conference in Sydney, the New Zealand prime minister has just issued a stark challenge to Australia over its treatment of NZ citizens. Here’s what she said. We appreciate that many Kiwis have taken up the opportunity to live and work in Australia – many more than has ...
New Zealand has widened, not narrowed, its coronavirus travel ban despite universities pleading for an exemption for international students The Government has extended its coronavirus-related travel restrictions to include Iran, while resisting calls from universities to provide an exemption for international students from China. Health officials will also monitor an ...
The Serious Fraud Office has today received a referral from NZ Police in relation to Phil Goff’s election expenses. The SFO will be assessing the matter and has no further comment at this time. ...
The series, a collaboration between Spinoff Members and Verb Wellington, kicks off with a discussion on politics and the media. As all right thinking people know, there are a mere 204 days until the general election. To get in the mood, we’re launching a new series of live events. And not ...
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 Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Picador, $20)What are you even up to, Auckland.2 Eleanor ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson insists NZ is in a strong position to weather the fallout from coronavirus, even though Australia has declared it a pandemic. He underlines the Crown accounts are buoyant, the fundamentals of the economy are strong and careful management has seen the economy continue to grow in ...
On the heels of the arrival of The Outsider on NEON, Jean Sergent explores how screen adaptations of Stephen King’s work are able to take on a life of their own. Stephen King, the 72 year old horror author from Portland, has a better work ethic than you or I and ...
Iwi are too reliant on investments in property and primary industries, restricting returns for their members, according to a new report. The annual Iwi Investment Report by consulting firm TDB Advisory, showed the country's eight largest iwi with a collective $9 billion worth of assets, had weak growth in the ...
Announcing a package of regional capital projects worth about $190 million, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones mentioned climate change. He said Regional New Zealand “will be a hive of activity in the coming months as the New Zealand Upgrade Programme delivers on its promise to modernise our infrastructure, prepare ...
The people of India have been holding mass protests all over India ever since the anti Muslim and anti working class Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was enacted into law on 12 December 2019. The state has made many attempts to suppress the rising ...
New Zealand consumer confidence remains high, according to the ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index. The index was down just one point on last month to 122. "Consumers are feeling pretty happy with their lot at the moment - the lifting housing market is making homeowners feel richer, job opportunities are ...
Jacinda Ardern has described difficult conversations with Australia as being "gnarly'' - but says the trans-Tasman relationship is strong enough to get through them. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s contentPolitical donations Yvette McCullough (RNZ): Transparency International warns need for political funding reform is urgent Gordon Campbell: On where the ...
Continued strong demand for chicken, burgers and tacos has resulted in another strong year for Restaurant Brands. The fast food operator's net profit for the year ended December fell nearly 16 percent to $30.1m, but that was for a 44-week period, versus the year earlier's 52-week period. That company changed ...
The New Zealand share market opened lower on Friday, following a sixth day of world market losses as investors respond to the economic threat of coronavirus. The NZX benchmark top 50 index opened down 1.5 percent, after last night's 0.9 percent fall. The benchmark top 50 Index has fallen more ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maggie Tonkin, Senior Lecturer, English and Creative Writing, University of Adelaide Review: Dance Nation, directed by Imara Savage. State Theatre Company South Australia and Belvoir for the Adelaide Festival Dance is at the heart of playwright Clare Barron’s Dance Nation, from the ...
The Government’s response to new revelations that one of the country’s biggest fishing companies, Talley’s, and its managing director has donated tens of thousands of undisclosed dollars to the New Zealand First Foundation is unacceptable. “The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Michelle Grattan talks with Assistant Professor Caroline Fisher about the week in politics, including the implementation of an emergency plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus, the major parties’ policies on climate change, national security ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University On Churchill Island, southeast of Melbourne, small cone-shaped, shallow holes (digs) puncture the grass. They’re widespread, and reveal moist soil below ...
The University of Auckland's Tim Dare examines what SkyCity's 'de-platforming' of controversial speaker Peter Singer might mean for free speech In work first appearing in the late 1970s, Princeton Philosophy Professor Peter Singer argued that in a limited range of circumstances parents ought to be able to ask doctors to end ...
By Stefan Armbruster of SBS News in Brisbane Thousands of New Zealanders who are denied disability support are hoping Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take the issue up with her counterpart Scott Morrison when they meet today. Despite paying taxes and the NDIS levy, New Zealanders who have come ...
The Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and her Australian counterpart have met in Sydney and formally agreed to share ideas on how to better support each country's indegineous people ...
Apparently you have a vacancy on your programme after Kanoa Lloyd decided she didn’t “need to see a homophobic Pasodoble or a xenophobic Cha Cha.” Now, we have to admit we don’t know what a Pasodoble is. But we do know xenophobia when we see ...
Public services are increasingly migrating to the internet, but as the government prioritises digital interaction many of the people who need those services the most are left behind, according to a new report. Pita, an elderly gentleman, received a letter from the IRD that claimed he hadn’t paid his tax obligations ...
By Felipe F. Salvosa II in Manila Philippines Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has dismissed comments by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go that “politics” is behind the filing of a proposed concurrent resolution calling on regulators to temporarily allow television giant ABS-CBN to operate as Congress deliberates on its ...
The Serious Fraud Office has received a referral from NZ Police in relation to Lianne Dalziel’s election expenses. The SFO will be assessing the matter and has no further comment at this time. ...
Employers are encouraged to sign up for Road Safety Week 2020 (4-10 May), and join hundreds of communities, schools and organisations running activities to raise awareness of road safety issues. Brake, the road safety charity, which coordinates the event, ...
A poem by US National Youth Poet Laureate Kara Jackson.i woke up and the day caught me in its mouth like a strand of yarni am usefulthe motivation for a scarf, maybe some stitch started to be finishedi will make up someone’sheat i will be a fireso intricate it can be worn i ...
The euthanasia debate took an unusual turn this week when Vision NZ, the political party associated with the Destiny Church, made an unexpected policy announcement. It appeared that Vision NZ supported voluntary euthanasia, but just for one person, co-host of TV3’s The Project, Kanoa Lloyd. The now former campaign manager ...
State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has today announced the findings of an inquiry into how Budget-sensitive material was accessed at the Treasury. The inquiry, led by Ms Jenn Bestwick, was launched by the Commission at the request of the Treasury ...
A scathing report into the accidental release of sensitive Budget 2019 information by the Treasury has found poor procurement processes and governance failures by senior leadership were to blame for security flaws in its website not being identified earlier The inquiry into the accidental release of Budget 2019 information prior ...
The Port of Tauranga's first half result is flat, despite a drop in cargo handled through the country's biggest port. The port company's net profit dropped 1.4 percent to $48.3 million in the six months to December, but was otherwise flat after accounting for a tax adjustment of $0.6m. Revenue ...
For those mothers who gave birth by non-elective Caesarean section, feelings of sadness – even of failure – can be overwhelming, writes Janice Sharan.I’m sitting next to my 15-month-old. He’s sleeping peacefully, his mop of dark hair damp with sweat, lips pursed and his chest rising and falling as he ...
Today is the last day Kiwibank will accept cheques, and its customers will no longer be able to make a payment by cheque. Inland Revenue and ACC will also follow suit on 1 March. The number of cheques has been going down by about 20 percent year-on-year and last year ...
Television New Zealand has reported a strong increase in first half profit, driven up by an increase in advertising revenue. The state-owned broadcaster made a net profit of $15.8 million in the six months to December, beating the year earlier by $5m or 47 percent. "Strong ratings performance for our ...
Air New Zealand has launched its latest safety video that moves away from celebrity appearances to push an environmental message on New Zealand's endangered native birds. The video A Journey to Safety takes a different approach from the widely criticised video of two years ago - called a 'weird mish-mash' ...
A report into how sensitive documents were accessed by the National Party before last year's Budget has found Treasury governance, oversight and risk management processes fell short. ...
In the lead up to Children’s Day in New Zealand on Sunday 1 March, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Aotearoa NZ President Dr Jeff Brown says the wellbeing of children and their whānau must remain a priority for all of society, not only ...
A Kiwi firm is trialling a mobile device and app that could test for Covid-19 in hospitals, schools, factories and homes anywhere in the world within 40 minutes No-one wishes harm on anyone, but sometimes a crisis is also an opportunity to quickly develop new technologies and systems to solve ...
Ahead of the forthcoming public meeting on Monday 2 March regarding the Newlands Volunteer Fire Brigade former Ohariu MP Hon Peter Dunne is extending his best wishes to all those involved in the current campaign to keep the station open. "Although ...
Sure, the new wave of RTDs might have cool labels and no carbs or whatever, but for Sam Brooks, none come close to the perfection held within that little yellow can.RTDs are coming back, if they were ever really gone. I remember the halcyon days of getting drunk off Purple ...
The ongoing strike by NorthTec tutors steps up a notch today with a public rally. For two weeks the members of Te Hautū Kahurangi | New Zealand Tertiary Education Union have been on strike. The action has meant not completing attendance registers; ...
The cut price fuel retailer, Waitomo says the Government’s proposed changes to the fuel market will mean customers will be able to see if they are getting fleeced. ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will use today’s meeting with counterpart Scott Morrison in Sydney to tell him his Government is deporting Australian criminals to New Zealand. ...
Coronavirus: Finance Minister Grant Robertson - NZ in shadow of the biggest economic uncertainty in recent times; and A2 Milk result: Net profit leaps 21% on China sales. ...
Thousands of Kiwis are expected to attend the March for Life in Auckland this Saturday (29 February). With Parliament just days away from voting on a Bill to liberalise abortion-up-to-birth in New Zealand those marching will be making a public stand ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Tormey, Professor of Politics, University of Bristol Of the many issues thrown up by Brexit, one of the most pressing is the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom. Brexit was in large measure a revolt by a certain section of English ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Gibney, NHMRC early career fellow, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity While countries around the globe have been taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, it has now been reported in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee Baumgartner, Professor of Fisheries and River Management, Institute for Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University As this summer draws to a close, it marks just over a year since successive fish death events at Menindee in Lower Darling River made ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW Every January Larry Fink, the head of the world’s largest funds manager, BlackRock, sends a letter to the chief executives of major public companies. This year’s letter focused on climate risk. “Climate change has become a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin Davis, Professor of Finance, University of Melbourne The government’s financial system inquiry, on which I sat, reported five years ago. It recommended that the creators of financial products be subject to a design and distribution obligation (DDO), which would mean the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andy Simionato, Lecturer, RMIT University Books are always transforming. The book we hold today has arrived through a number of materials (clay, papyrus, parchment, paper, pixels) and forms (tablet, scroll, codex, kindle). The book can be a tool for communication, reading, entertainment, ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Ardern gets diplomatic, fuel market legislation released, and police pinged over employment records breach.There hasn’t really been much coverage of it in The Bulletin, but it’s worth looking back at quite an important diplomatic week for the PM. She has been ...
This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias.Fiction 1 The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox (Victoria University Press, $35) ReadingRoom broke the storydetailing how Knox’s novel was fought over by US publishers in a ...
Sky Sport News presenters Kate King and Goran Paladin deliver the latest news of Kiwi sporting women at home and around the globe. *WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE* Hurdler Portia Bing has reinvented herself in a bid to make the Tokyo Olympics and take another step towards putting last year's disqualification at ...
Trying to reduce drownings - and bring on a new generation of surfers - the Wave Warriors teach kids from low-decile schools water safety wrapped in a surf lesson. Eight-year-old Athena Talavai is less than half the height of the surfboard she’s expected to stand on, and probably only a quarter of the weight. She ...
Daily review 26/08/2019 
What can we make of where National’s current leader Simon Bridges and the Party’s reliable water carrier Paula Bennett are taking their campaign to “win back the Treasury benches”? Going by the often petulant tone he has adopted, and the frequent histrionics of the most ardent supporters: going nowhere, and ...13 hours ago
by Daphna Whitmore It is surprising how rarely the authorities take an evolutionary perspective when dealing with health crises, such as the latest coronavirus spread. They talk about viruses mutating but that is a frequent occurrence, and they treat mutation as though it were equivalent to evolution. A mutation is ...13 hours ago
With sincere apologies to Martin Niemöller ...15 hours ago
For over a decade, Heathrow airport has been wanting to add a third runway, to increase air traffic. Its been vigorously opposed by people concerned about the environmental impact. And now, its been ruled illegal on climate change grounds:Plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport have been ruled illegal ...17 hours ago
Many readers will probably have read this RNZ article (or heard the related interview), or seen calls for consultation on the Ministry of Education’s suggested changes to the number of subjects – and achievement standards – on offer to year 11 students. I’ve been following (& participating, where I ...21 hours ago
Method In Our Madness? When a liberal-democratic society encounters racism its first impulse is to shut it down – not interrogate it. But, is this wise? Is it reasonable to assume that a phenomenon as powerful, pernicious and persistent as racism is entirely without purpose? Surely, there must be, as Shakespeare puts it: ...23 hours ago
A New Hope from the National Party leader ...2 days ago
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BAMS survey of 2018 extreme weather The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society has published a collection of articles examining unusually extreme weather events of 2018 and connections of those to climate change. These investigations are listed separately below but thanks to the generosity of AMS appear free for ...2 days ago
Fans are outraged at the prospect of Destiny Church pastor Hannah Tamaki joining the Black Caps ...3 days ago
I am about to mail my overseas ballot to Florida so that it can be counted in the Democratic primary on March 17. In Florida you have closed as opposed to open primaries, which means that one must declare a party preference in order to vote in a party primary. ...7 days ago
In mid-December the Israeli secret police, the Shin Beit, revealed it had arrested dozens of Palestinian left-wing activists, including members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), in the previous few months. Among those arrested was one of the central leaders of the PFLP, Khalida Jarrar. As ...1 week ago
I am among the most pro-free speech people I know. I don’t doubt there are others more strident than me, but I’m certainly up there. And my support for freedom of expression isn’t limited to opposition to government-imposed restrictions. It extends to a belief that employers should have limited powers ...2 weeks ago
The eastern Bay of Plenty town of Ōpōtiki is getting a new harbour, which will create 1,850 new jobs in the region, in a new round of regional services funding announced by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones. Ōpōtiki's harbour is currently unusable by most ships, but it will receive ...20 hours ago
One of our most immediate priorities upon forming Government was to get people out of sleeping in cars, garages, or on the street and into safe and warm housing. Since then, we've made major progress towards breaking the cycle of homelessness, including expanding Housing First, building more state houses, and ...3 days ago
It’s my pleasure to be in Sydney today for our annual meeting, Prime Minister. It’s fair to say that since we last met, tragedy and disaster have befallen our two countries. They say that in moments of that nature, the true character of an individual comes to the fore. I ...15 hours ago
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Why is Simon posing with those losers?
"losers"?
I am sure that there would be any number of New Zealand Prime Ministers who would be jealous of Howard's display. He was in the job for 11 years, second only to Menzies 18. I'm sure Helen Clark would have loved to have lasted that long instead of being kicked out after a mere 9 years. Key of course never lost. He won every election he contested as Party Leader.
Oh well I suppose you are like all of us. Memory going in your old age I suppose.
Good point.
The question really should be, what are they doing being seen with an obvious zero like Simon?
That is a sensible question although I think a zero is a little harsh. Just a little though.
On the other hand I think I would prefer a low charisma PM than the fool we have at the moment. Charisma coming out her ears but no knowledge of the world to go with it.
why dont you finish the story alwyn. when aussies finally woke up, howard lost very badly. even lost his own seat, something that had never happened in aus, so yes, his last parliamentary act was a massive loss.
You really are a very foolish little chap, or is it chappess?
You claim "even lost his own seat, something that had never happened in aus".
As usual you are WRONG. He wasn't the first. Some people really are ignorant aren't you?
the second to lose his seat, still went out a loser. like you
Good on Martin at the TDB for this –
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/08/26/suicide-rate-hits-all-time-record-high/
Love how this radical far right wing economic experiment keeps rolling on, and the deaths just don't matter. Or how the centre left just do nothing but platitudes, and keep running with this destructive economic theory.
I'm afraid that after almost 2 years in office the current Government is simply going to have to cop any flak that is coming, whether it is fair or, as I think, rather unfair. Can't try the standard line about it all being National's fault though.
Terrible figures though, aren't they.
National support, and want to extend the far right crazy economics. So national are as bad – indeed probable the reason it so high.
And as for platitudes, I forgot the right can do it in spades as well…
What's not ok is to ignore it.
What's not ok is to pretend it's someone else's problem to fix.
Wouldn't better addressing poverty have far more impact?
The government has already put a lot of effort into mental health services, but it all takes time to become effective; some areas of help were persistently underfunded for the previous 9 years. Poverty can be important, but youth services seem to be quite important too – high youth unemployment, some of it not helped by using immigration to fill employment shortages in some not very skilled areas didn't help either.
Increasing expenditure on mental health services largely overlooks the issues that initially trigger mental health problems, thus is not the solution in itself. So while it may help comfort some currently having problems, it's clear the Government will have to do far more to help prevent more from initially becoming mentally stressed/ill.
And an area where the Government can do a lot more to have an almost instant impact is better addressing poverty. Which, of course, despite the rhetoric, thus minimal input to date, has largely been deferred. With no date for significant change announced. Which, in itself, is depressing.
No, it's not about poverty it's about feeling worthless.
Living in poverty adds to people losing their self worth, Cinny.
When you can't afford to participate in society, you no longer feel part of society, thus start thinking what is the point of living.
When you can't afford to participate in society, you no longer feel part of society, thus start thinking what is the point of living.
I expect better from you TC. Suicide is not as simple as you purport. Oh, that it were.
Cinny is correct. It is not about poverty.
I expected far better understanding from you, Rosemary.
Poverty is totally related to people feeling worthless. And in today's consumer based society where people are largely judged upon what they do and how much they earn their feeling of worthlessness and shame is further compounded by the scorn and venom dished upon them by many in the community.
Your (and others) lack of understanding of this highlights their feeling of abandonment.
Shame on you.
[I will try to respond to your other comment(s) in due course but this is the second time you’re pulling this emotional string on another commenter for not agreeing with you (on being anti-Labour) – the first one was Cinny yesterday who, according to you, “seem[ed] easily pleased”. In fact, you tried it with me too today. This is not a good way to debate and argue your case as it changes it from playing the ball to playing the (wo)man – Incognito]
It's but one aspect. The Chair is trying to force his blunt view on those who know what nuance is. He's doing that so that he can ride his, "Labour's failing the poor" hobby-horse.
Labour is failing the poor (and the ill and the disabled)….
…but these are not the people who are taking their own lives.
I often agree with The Chairman, but not on this topic.
Fuck off clown.
I personally know people who have passed away for that exact reason.
Nor am I claiming it's the only reason behind suicide. You fricken egg.
So direct your uncaring shit elsewhere.
[TC, please take a step back before you need to resort to abuse. – weka]
mod note for you Chairman.
Maybe everyone consider that suicide is a sensitive topic, and there will be people reading and commenting with histories that we don’t know about so extra care is called for.
If poverty caused such deep feelings of worthlessness in an individual that suicide was the only the sole relief, then the numbers would be much, much higher.
Think about it for a second or two…
Your lack of willingness to even consider this does indeed add to a sense of abandonment…in those of us 'survivors' who will spend the rest of our lives asking 'why?' How neat and tidy it would be to blame 'poverty', and simply move on.
You should know people react differently under pressure, Rosemary.
Moreover, as I just told Robert, I’m not claiming poverty is the only reason behind suicide.
See my Moderation note @ 12:51 PM.
Highlighting emotional realities felt by people is nothing like playing the man, Incog.
[So, Rosemary should feel ashamed and Cinny should not feel pleased? That’s a rhetorical question, BTW. You have no right to tell others how or what they should or shouldn’t feel. It makes for a poor argument and it makes it personal. It is the same as putting words in people’s mouths. Please don’t do it again and please stop arguing about moderation – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 2:52 PM.
Howard: "Well you know I wrote that character reference for Cardinal Pell after he'd been convicted of child sexual abuse John. It'd be no trouble at all for me to whip something up that exonerates you from the corruption that's been happening at ANZ lately!"
Why did no one speak up, and despite a "written" apology James Hardie will not respond to the Herald – I don't care how "high" his "position" is this is sickening. Thankfully it seems the restaurant is standing by their employee, no young hard working and studying NZer shuld have been subject to this.
Statisics are not good, some young NZers might not have this young woman's sound self awareness and confidence in a situation that she handled property but did severely upset her understandably. Other young NZers are no doubt subject to similar and adversely affected, no wonder the stats for the young are so awful.
waitress calls for apology after racist abuse
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261985
She's only 17 but she's already running rings around her philistine detractors. Look at the photo. A lovely, intelligent young Maori woman who wants to become a medical practitioner.
Absolutely Anne, watched a wonderful interview with her this evening with Kanoa Lloyd on The Project this evening.
https://twitter.com/matthewhootonnz/status/1165880071908818944?s=21
Rumours (unvalidated obv) that Jacindas dropped to 35% (which I could easily believe). Her trends are really going in the wrong direction.
Of course it’s not what makes a government- but with NZF gone, greens very close to gone, and National out polling labour – I wouldn’t be so confident about 2020 if I was a labour fan
Looking for some public polls – esp the first one putting Jacinda in the 20’s. Might have to wait a couple for that however.
I can see the headlines now “NZ’s PMs support halves”
You got very excited by a rumour issuing forth from Matthew Hooton and decided it was so hot you had to drop it into The Standard as some sort of public service, James?
You're a wag.
It’s a political blog. Seemed like the right place.
And I find it funny.
So do we James.
You're a wag.
Hooton then tweets in reply to a question.
Broadly, Bridges less popular than a lump of coal but – despite that – his party’s poll numbers are still strong.
Yep – still our polling labour – even with bridges.
Would love to know the Green Party figs.
It can't possibly be true James. Labour always leak good results from their polls.
Let's face it. 35% would be a good result after the last month's news.
I don't believe your story though. It's a lie. it's a lie. It's a lie. It's a lie. It's a lie. It's a lie.
Exit, pursued by a bear.
Old hooten is going to be on the Q+A panel tonight.
He (Hooten) was his usual pathetic self. Overall the programme was an interesting watch, I was impressed with the interview with Meng Foon – he will (in my humble impression) make a great ambassador for his position.
Absolutely agree 🙂 Meng Foon, one of the good guys.
Oh yeah…. now that's what I'm talking about
Justice Minister Andrew Little warns alcohol industry a law review is on the cards
Most excellent news, am thrilled about this. Thanking you Mr Andrew Little, legend!
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/justice-minister-andrew-little-warns-alcohol-industry-a-law-review-is-on-the-cards.html
Just goes to show, a sympathetic journalist can give activists a propaganda platform that industry money just can't buy. Personally, I'm glad the liquor and hospitality industries have a financial stake in standing up to the campaigns of anti-drug activists, because there's no way ordinary citizens have the resources to do it.
You seem easily pleased, Cinny. Labour will be hoping there is more out there like you.
Justice Minister Andrew Little warns alcohol industry a law change is going to be raced through under urgency would be a more pleasing headline.
By the time Little's review is done, National may be in power, thus nothing will come of it.
Hence, Little squanders the opportunity to take action is how the headline reads to me.
The headline I was dreading:
The "lefty" "more left than most" Chairman back on relentlessly soggy form.
It's like you never 'left'
It's the Government's response that is once again "soggy" hence lacking substance. I'm merely the one here highlighting it.
Thus, regardless if I'm posting here or not, it's clear they aren't in a hurry to change.
Perhaps if more called them out on their piss poor efforts (rather than cheering them along) they may actually up their game.
This government's soft on drugs, huh? It's not cracking down hard enough on the people peddling this poison to our kids! Any other conservative talking points while you're at it?
Not really. Take the use of medicinal cannabis. It's not being very soft on that.
This Government, like a true right wing Government tends to favour. thus is far more softer on corporations involved in drugs.
Good luck having no corporations involved in medicinal cannabis.
If we can win that up and coming referendum, we'll be all good in that respect. Which I hear the gangs and corporations oppose. Seems your with them.
Arse about face. You're the one promoting a tough-on-drugs approach, not me. If I ever do start hand-wringing about the government not cracking down hard enough on recreational drug use the way you are on this thread, feel free to call me a hypocrite.
I'm not calling for alcohol to be banned or consumers of it to be criminalised, merely calling for tighter regulations on the sale of it.
Therefore, it's a far cry from your accusation of taking a tough-on-drugs approach.
Easily pleased…. dang, I've seen so much damage and death as a result of alcohol. That's why I'm thrilled.
Well said, Cinny. To the dismay of The Chairman, you’re not breaking out into an anti-Labour
rantchant.Don't be another detractor, Incog. Unite with me and help pressure them to up their game. That, is of course, if you want them too.
Lets see if we (all of us united together) can make better use of this site. Let’s see if we can make this a site actually work to produce change for the better.
Now that would be something to behold, would it not?
Alternatively, we can continue on to squabble amongst ourselves.
Ditto. Which is why I'm not thrilled about their piss poor effort.
And now that Little has appeased you by merely announcing a review (and in his mind hopefully others) his job is done knowing he's got your (and others) vote. Meanwhile, the carnage continues on unabated.
Akshully the medical professionals have come out saying that the 2012 review has done bugger all to help and the Minister is listening and is taking action.
TC, how do you feel the 2012 review has worked out?
Little isn't taking action, he's merely called for another review, squandering the opportunity to take real action.
Evidently, the implementations of the 2012 review were/are a failure to sufficiently address the problem.
Thanks for that hopeful news Cinny – review/reform looong overdue if the research and advocacy of these "anti-drug activists" is anything to go by. You can lead the National party towards alcohol law reform, but you cannot make them drink.
"If anyone was wondering why the [National-led] government has not brought in reforms to put an end to ultra-cheap alcohol or dismantle the relentless promotion of alcohol through advertising and sponsorship deals they now know the reason."
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00534/national-mp-admits-about-alcohol-industry.htm
"We could, perhaps, start with a short history lesson – though most readers will be pretty familiar with how New Zealand has gotten itself into such a pickle and pickled state in terms of how we drink."
https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/matters-of-substance/may-2016/alcohol-law-reform/
https://www.alcohol.org.nz/
https://www.actionpoint.org.nz/alcohol-harm-in-new-zealand
https://www.northlanddhb.org.nz/your-health/healthy-lifestyles/health-promotion/alcohol-and-other-drugs/
https://www.cph.co.nz/your-health/alcohol/
Thanks for the links and info DMK, much appreciated
Respected local government journo Todd Niall thinks the right's latest poodle is not taking the Auckland mayoral race seriously: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/115290201/auckland-mayoral-election-has-john-tamihere-shaken-it-up-too-much
"Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has not ruled out New Zealand's help in dealing with Amazon rainforest fires.
It follows reports that leaders of the G7 nations were preparing to help Brazil fight the fires and nearing an agreement about what support to offer, which would involve both technical and financial mechanisms.
Record fires are raging, with more than 2500 fires currently burning and collectively emitting huge amounts of carbon, with smoke plumes visible thousands of kilometres away."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115294401/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-concern-over-amazon-rainforest-fires–nz-may-help
Trump wants to nuke hurricanes 🙄 ffs
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/115289083/why-dont-we-nuke-hurricanes-asks-donald-trump
But Hillary 🙄
Why nuking hurricanes is a bad idea
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49471093
Can just picture him on a gaudy throne, ordering back the tide.