Daily review 27/09/2019
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5:30 pm, September 27th, 2019 - 18 comments
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- Graham Adams: Will He Puapua propel Winston Peters back into politics?
The NZ First leader once described the UN Declaration as the “road to Zimbabwe”. Graham Adams asks how long he will sit on the sidelines as the debate over Maori sovereignty rages. The controversial report He Puapua has been seized upon by National and Act as evidence of a covert ...4 hours ago - The same question again and again
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- Labour’s divide and rule pay freeze
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- Rotuman Language week affirms language as the key to Pacific wellbeingThe first Pacific Language Week this year makes it clear that language is the key to the wellbeing for all Pacific people said Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. “This round of language weeks begin with Rotuman. As I have always said language is one of the pillars of ...2 days ago
- Budget delivers improved cervical and breast cancer screeningBudget 2021 funds a more effective cervical screening test to help reduce cervical cancer rates A new breast screening system that can proactively identify and enrol eligible women to reach 271,000 more people who aren’t currently in the programme. Budget 2021 delivers a better cervical screening test and a major ...3 days ago
- NZ-France to co-chair Christchurch Call Leaders’ SummitNew Zealand and France will jointly convene the Christchurch Call Community for a leaders’ summit, to take stock of progress and develop a new shared priority work plan. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and President Emmanuel Macron will co-chair the leaders’ meeting on the 2nd anniversary of the Call, on 14 ...3 days ago
- New South Wales travel pause to be lifted tomorrowCOVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says the current travel pause with New South Wales will lift tomorrow – subject to no further significant developments in NSW. “New Zealand health officials met today to conduct a further assessment of the public health risk from the recently identified COVID-19 community cases in Sydney. It has been determined that the risk to public ...3 days ago
- March 15 Collective Impact Board appointedThe voices of those affected by the March 15 mosque attacks will be heard more effectively with the establishment of a new collective impact board, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan announced today. Seven members of the Christchurch Muslim community have been appointed to the newly established Board, ...4 days ago
- More young Kiwis supported with mental health and addiction servicesNearly quarter of a million more young New Zealanders will have access to mental health and addiction support in their communities as the Government’s youth mental health programme gathers pace. New contracts to expand youth-specific services across the Northland, Waitematā and Auckland District Health Board areas have been confirmed, providing ...4 days ago
- New hospital facilities mean fewer trips to Auckland for NorthlandersNorthlanders will no longer automatically have to go to Auckland for lifesaving heart procedures like angiograms, angioplasty and the insertion of pacemakers, thanks to new operating theatres and a cardiac catheter laboratory opened at Whangārei Hospital by Health Minister Andrew Little today. The two projects – along with a new ...5 days ago
- Fair Pay Agreements to improve pay and conditions for essential workersThe Government is delivering on its pre-election commitment to implement Fair Pay Agreements which will improve wages and conditions, as well as help support our economic recovery, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. Fair Pay Agreements will set minimum standards for all employees and employers in an ...5 days ago
- Establishment of the new Māori Health Authority takes first big stepSir Mason Durie will lead a Steering Group to provide advice to the Transition Unit on governance arrangements and initial appointments to an interim board to oversee the establishment of the Māori Health Authority. This Group will ensure that Māori shape a vital element of our future health system, Minister ...5 days ago
- Cycle trails move up a gear in CentralWork on new and upgraded cycle trails in Queenstown, Arrowtown and Central Otago is moving up a gear as two significant projects pass further milestones today. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has announced new funding for the Queenstown Trails Project, and will also formally open the Lake Dunstan Trail at Bannockburn ...5 days ago
- Picton ferry terminal upgrade consent fast-trackedThe planned upgrade of the Waitohi Picton Ferry terminal has been approved under the fast-track consenting process. Environment Minister David Parker today welcomed the decision by the expert consenting panel to approve the Waitohi Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment Project. The project will provide a significant upgrade to the ferry facilities ...5 days ago
- Quarantine Free Travel with New South Wales pausedCOVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced his intention to pause Quarantine Free Travel from New South Wales to New Zealand while the source of infection of the two cases announced in Sydney in the last two days is investigated. Whole genome sequencing has linked the case yesterday to a recent ...5 days ago
- Covid-19 immigration powers to be extendedThe passing of a bill to extend temporary COVID-19 immigration powers means continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said. “Over the past year, we’ve made rapid decisions to extend visas, vary visa conditions and waive some application requirements ...5 days ago
- “Supporting a Trade-Led Economic Recovery”Trade Policy Road Show SpeechManukau, Auckland Kia ora koutou – nau mai, haere mai ki Manukau, ki Tāmaki. Good morning everyone, and thank you for this opportunity to discuss with you current global challenges, opportunities and the Government’s strategy in support of a trade-led recovery from the economic ...5 days ago
- Building consent numbers at an all-time highA record 41,028 new homes have been consented in the year ended March 2021 March 2021 consent numbers the highest since the 1940s Record number of new homes consented in Auckland The number of new homes consented is at an all-time high, showing a strong and increasing pipeline of demand ...5 days ago
- Whānau-centred support for parents and tamarikiUp to 60 whānau in Counties Manukau will be supported through the first three years of their parenthood by a new whānau-centred model of care, said Associate Health Minister, Hon Aupito William Sio. “Providing this support to young parents is something we have to get right. It’s a priority both ...5 days ago
- NZ backs moves to improve global access to COVID vaccinesNew Zealand welcomes and strongly supports the announcement made by the United States Trade Representative to work for a waiver of IP protections on COVID-19 vaccines at the WTO, Trade Minister Damien O’Connor said. “New Zealand supports equitable access to COVID vaccines for all. No one is safe from the ...6 days ago
- Tourism communities: support, recovery and re-set planTIHEI MAURI ORA Tuia te whakapono Tuia te tumanako Tuia te aroha Tuia te hunga ora Ki te hunga ora Tihei Mauri ora Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. Thank you, Hilary and thank you, Chris, and everyone at TIA for this ...6 days ago
- Support, recovery and re-set plan for tourism communitiesFive South Island tourist communities targeted for specialist support Pressure on Māori tourism operators and Conservation facilities recognised Domestic and international-facing tourism agencies put on more secure footing Long-term plan to re-set tourism with a focus on sustainability, industry standards and regional economic diversification A plan to ensure the immediate ...6 days ago
- Speech on NZ Rail PlanCheck against delivery E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karanga maha o te wa, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. Ki ngā mana whenua o Taranaki Whānui anō nei aku mihi ki a koutou. Nōku te hōnore kia haere mai ki te whakanuia tēnei huihuinga whakahirahira. Nō ...6 days ago
- Government hits massive milestone in Violence Prevention & EliminationMinister for Family and Sexual Violence Marama Davidson announced a major milestone at a hui in South Auckland today, with the launch of the national engagement process on the prevention and elimination of family and sexual violence. “There is no room for violence in our lives – there is no ...6 days ago
- Fee waiver extended for conservation tourism businessesTourism businesses operating on public conservation land will have another six months of fees waived to help them adjust to the downturn in international visitors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Acting Minister of Conservation Dr Ayesha Verrall has announced. "We acknowledge it has been a difficult year for ...6 days ago
- ‘Lua Wave’ to future-proof Pasifika Festivals in AotearoaPasifika festival organisers will receive additional support to adapt to the COVID-19 environment thanks to the Government’s newly launched ‘Lua Wave’ component of the Pasifika Festivals Initiative, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “This initiative has not only been to support festival organisers to recover from ...6 days ago
- Crown accounts show confidence in Govt economic planThe Government’s financial accounts continue to reflect the resilience of the economy and confidence in the Government’s economic recovery plan. The Crown accounts for the nine months to the end of March 2021 show both OBEGAL and the operating balance remain better than forecast in the Half Year Economic and ...6 days ago
- Energy Trusts of NZ Autumn ConferenceIt’s a pleasure to be here today. Thank you Karen [Sherry] for the introduction and thanks to the Energy Trusts Executive for inviting me to speak at tonight’s event. It is an exciting time to come to speak to trustees of distribution companies. For many decades the electricity industry was ...6 days ago
- New partnership to grow Māori success in STEMA new partnership with the Pūhoro STEM Academy will support thousands more rangatahi Māori to participate and succeed in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Since 2016, Pūhoro has worked with Māori students to build their capability and create pathways to employment ...6 days ago
- Rail builds platform for economic recoveryTransport Minister Michael Wood and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dr David Clark today released the Government’s long term vision for a sustainable rail network that supports our economic recovery. New Zealand Rail Plan lays out how the Government is building a resilient, reliable and safe network, as well as the indicative ...6 days ago
- NZ and UK agree to lift the pace of free trade talksNew Zealand and the United Kingdom have agreed to rapidly lift the tempo of talks, as the two countries enter a new phase in free trade negotiations, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, and I spoke today about ...6 days ago
- Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill passes first readingThe Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill has passed its first reading and will now be considered by Parliament’s Justice select committee. “The Bill updates and improves New Zealand’s counter-terrorism legislation and ensures that the right legislative tools are available to intervene early and prevent harm,” Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi said. “The ...6 days ago
- Statement on The Speaker and Annual Review Debate“The serious issue of alleged sexual assault and harassment at Parliament was poorly managed and inappropriately politicised last night. The tone of the debate did not reflect well on Parliament as a whole,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “Any investigation of claims of sexual assault should be in a manner ...7 days ago
- Govt motoring towards zero-carbon buses and protecting drivers’ conditionsTransport Minister Michael Wood is seeking feedback on options for the next phase of the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) review to better protect bus drivers’ pay conditions, and also achieving the Government’s target of fully decarbonising the public transport bus fleet by 2035. Michael Wood said investing in our ...7 days ago
- Drop in unemployment shows Govt economic plan is workingThe Government’s economic recovery plan continues to be reflected in the labour market, with more people in work and unemployment falling. Stats NZ figures show employment rose by 15,000 in the March quarter, with 14,000 more women in work. The unemployment rate fell from 4.9 percent to 4.7 percent. This ...7 days ago
- Government sets pay and workforce expectations for the Public SectorThe Government’s Workforce Policy Statement issued today sets out its expectations for pay and employment relations in the Public Sector, the Minister of Finance and Minister for the Public Service say. “New Zealand has had an exceptionally successful health and economic response to COVID-19. This has been supported by the ...7 days ago
- Author Ben Brown is New Zealand’s first Te Awhi Rito Reading AmbassadorLyttleton writer Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa) will be New Zealand’s first Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, promoting the value of reading for children and young people, Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti announced today. A poet and award-winning author, Ben Brown writes books, non-fiction and short stories ...1 week ago
- Cuts, spends, debt: everything you need to know about the budget at a glance
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Hansen, Deputy Editor and Chief of Staff, The Conversation After twenty years of rhetoric from both sides of politics focusing on getting back to surplus, this year’s budget continues pandemic spending in the hope of getting the economy back on track ...3 hours ago - Less hard hats, more soft hearts: Budget pivots to women and the care sectorSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Wood, Chief executive officer, Grattan Institute Last year’s post-bBudget photo ops were all heavy machinery and hard hats. But this year we can expect soft-focus shots with children and the elderly. The big story of the Budget is not just that ...3 hours ago
- View from The Hill: Frydenberg finds the money treeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Josh Frydenberg’s third budget aims to give Australia a post-pandemic soft landing, using revenue windfalls for spending and tax cuts rather than for slashing the deficit. Its philosophy is very much gain, not pain, for ...4 hours ago
- Budget 2021: the floppy-V-shaped recoverySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW I don’t often feel sorry for politicians. But having to manage a process that produces forecasts about the next four years of an economy still clawing its way out of a pandemic, and then having to ...4 hours ago
- Frydenberg spends the budget bounty to drive unemployment down to new lowsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Never before has a budget spent so much to supercharge the economy after the worst of a recession has already passed. The economy bounced back from last year’s COVID recession ...4 hours ago
- Budget splashes cash, with $17.7 billion for aged care and a pitch to womenSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Morrison government has brought down a big-spending, expansionary budget that forecasts Australia’s unemployment rate will fall to 4.75% in two years time. But Australia’s international borders won’t be properly open for at least a ...4 hours ago
- Parliament caps off Budget 2019 as 2021 version nears
The House - The last of Budget 2019, bills from non-ministers and a special debate on immigration and border policies are taking place at Parliament this week. ...6 hours ago - Hundreds protest Māori ward delay in ManawatūLast week councillors voted six to four against establishing a Māori ward, deferring the matter until 2023. ...6 hours ago
- MSD told to further investigate wage subsidy scheme paymentsThe Auditor-General wants the Ministry of Social Development to step up its efforts to claim back cash from businesses that wrongly received wage subsidies. ...6 hours ago
- Curious Kids: why does the sun’s bright light make me sneeze?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Farmer, Researcher, The University of Melbourne Why does the sun’s bright light make me sneeze? — Orlo, age 5 Dear Orlo, Thanks for your lovely question. Very smart people have been wondering about this very question for thousands of years. ...7 hours ago
- Public sector pay freeze: Unions cheer softer government stanceIn a partial backdown, the government has softened its public sector pay freeze, agreeing to review the directive next year and leave cost-of-living increases on the table. ...7 hours ago
- Congratulations To New Zealand MPs Showing Solidarity With Palestinians At A Time When It Is So Desp...
Today is World Keffiyeh Day (the keffiyeh is a piece of iconic Palestinian dress) and a big group of MPs got together to wear keffiyehs as a show of solidarity with Palestinians at a time when it is so desperately needed – they ran out of keffiyehs ...8 hours ago - Long before Billie Eilish, women wore corsets for form, function and supportSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Boddy, PhD Candidate in History, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Singer Billie Eilish’s new look for British Vogue, in which she trades her baggy clothes for lingerie — most notably a series of corsets — has sparked much ...8 hours ago
- Manawatū District Council Must Not Defer Māori Wards To 2024A successful hikoi in Manawatū has challenged the decision by the Manawatū District Council to defer introducing Māori Wards to 2024. “Today I walked with iwi, hapū and whānau from across the Manawatū to protest against Manawatū District Council ...8 hours ago
- Public sector unions say pay freeze talks with ministers 'frank and constructive'Unions are claiming progress in the dispute over the government's pay freeze after crisis talks at the Beehive today. ...9 hours ago
- No Vaping Signs Displayed In Schools From TodayThe Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act has taken another important step forward today with a key new requirement taking effect. On 11 November 2020, changes under the Act saw the existing prohibition on smoking at schools, kura kaupapa, ...9 hours ago
- For Muslim refugees in immigration detention, another sombre, isolated Eid holidaySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Peterie, Research Fellow, University of Wollongong Around Australia, Muslims are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr – “the feast of breaking the fast” that marks the end of Ramadan. Eid usually involves dawn prayers and gatherings to share food and gifts. Family ...10 hours ago
- A beginner’s guide to the financial aspects of buying a house
Our beginner’s guides are quick and simple explainers on everyday money topics hitting headlines right now. This week, we look at what it takes to finance your first home. With the average house in New Zealand now worth more than $900,000, the reality for most New Zealanders is it’s getting harder ...10 hours ago - NZ Muslims Strongly Condemn Continued Israeli Aggression Against The Palestinian People & The Ho......10 hours ago
- Protest march is mounted against council that wasn’t intimidated by a haka and voted against Maori...
When we disagree with decisions made by the democratically elected leaders of our towns, cities or country on a highly contentious issue, we can be sanguine and reason that whatever had been decided, either one side or the other would have been disappointed. Or – the Maori Party way of ...10 hours ago - Halt The Forced Evictions Of Palestinian Families And The Violent Suppression Of Protest By Israeli ...Violence is escalating in Israel/Palestine as a result of the threatened, forced evictions of Palestinian families in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem. An act that is illegal under international law. For several nights ...10 hours ago
- ‘Boys and their toys’: how overt masculinity dominates Australia’s relationship with waterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Kosovac, Research Fellow in Water Policy, The University of Melbourne In Australia over recent months, the fury of women has been hard to ignore. The anger, much of it directed at the toxic masculine culture of Parliament House, has sparked a ...11 hours ago
- CTU Public Service Unions Meet With Public Service MinisterThe Council of Trade Unions and affiliated public service unions, met with the Minister for the Public Service Hon Chris Hipkins this afternoon to discuss the pay expectations of those working in our public services. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said it was ...11 hours ago
- Wage Subsidy: Well-managed, But More Checks NeededAuditor-General John Ryan says there is much to commend about how the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy has been managed. While the high-trust approach at the start meant money could reach employers and workers quickly, there also needed to be a strong post-payment ...11 hours ago
- We don’t have enough celebrities for all these reality showsThe Masked Singer is the latest in a long line of shows drawing on our increasingly shallow pool of celebrities. How long before the well runs dry? This week on The Masked Singer NZ, the first of 2021’s many celebrity-based reality shows, the judging panel had to guess the celebrity hiding ...12 hours ago
- Once Again: Why Police Need Body-cams...12 hours ago
- Govt goes gunning for the gangs but Nats grouch about the time it has taken and ask why firearms ban...The government’s intention to get tougher on gangs with a firearms ban triggered almost immediate statements of support from ACT and – less generously – a better-late-than-never grouch from the Nats. The Nats, moreover, pressed for the legislation to be even tougher. The only other announcement from the Beehive since ...13 hours ago
- This Is Your Moment – Take It!Nanaia Mahuta Minister of Foreign Affairs Parliament Buildings Wellington Once again we urge you to speak out condemning Israel’s brutal aggression against the Palestinian people which is escalating in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. ...13 hours ago
- Mazda New Zealand And Make A Wish Foundation Come Together For The Paper Cranes ProjectThe Paper Cranes Project symbolizes a bright future and hope for children <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2105/9c7c3d94c86524156e08.jpeg" width="720" height="622"> Mazda New Zealand and Make A ...13 hours ago
- Newsflash: Gangs Don’t Care About Any Gun LawsThe government has announced the introduction of ‘Firearm Prohibition Orders’(FPO) which in a nutshell is telling criminals who don’t care about the laws, that there are more laws in place to not care about, says Darroch Ball co-leader of Sensible ...13 hours ago
- Letter To Jacinda Adern Regarding Current Events In Palestine...13 hours ago
- The Single Object: How this pen was used to highlight police racismOne morning in 1978, a University of Auckland law lecturer walked into the police station and made a confession. His crime? Stealing a ballpoint pen from his employer.Iki Toloa finished his shift at the Ellerslie plastics factory where he worked and started the long walk home to Ponsonby. The 17-year-old ...14 hours ago
- Early Learning Not Invited To MIQ Lolly ScrambleThe early learning sector has been excluded from MIQ spaces freed up for refugees, students, and construction and RSE workers. “In the middle of a severe teacher shortage that’s putting early learning centres out of business, we’ve been left ...14 hours ago
- Why NZ’s public sector wage freeze ignores the lessons of historySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato With the government facing a serious backlash over its public sector wage freeze policy, that sound you hear could be the ghost of Rob Muldoon chuckling. Former prime minister Robert Muldoon in 1981. CC ...14 hours ago
- Scientists are too easily seduced by beautiful plants. Time to love the ugly ones, tooThere’s a clear researcher bias towards visually striking plants, and it’s not good for the ecosystem, writes Kingsley Dixon of Curtin UniversityWe all love gardens with beautiful flowers and leafy plants, choosing colourful species to plant in and around our homes. Plant scientists, however, may have fallen for the same ...16 hours ago
- Chris Hipkins on public sector pay: 'It's the opposite of austerity'Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins denies the government is engaging in bad faith bargaining with unions after its decision to restrict public sector wage increases. ...16 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – May 11 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily. Today’s content Public sector pay freeze Justin Giovannetti (Spinoff): Ardern and Robertson say public sector wage freeze ...16 hours ago
- Tahr Control Operations More Collaborative But Tahr Plan Still Needs UpdatingThe Tahr Foundation is pleased that the 2021-2022 tahr control operational plan released indicates the Department of Conservation has utilised the knowledge and expertise of the hunting sector. The Tahr Foundation and other hunting organisations ...16 hours ago
- High-risk people to be prevented from having gunsThe government will make it illegal for high-risk people to access or use firearms, in a bid to combat gang crime. ...17 hours ago
- Auckland mayor accused of running ‘boys’ club’ councilA decision on who should represent Auckland Council on the government’s light rail project board has sparked debate about whether Phil Goff is doing enough to ensure gender equality in the ranks.One of Auckland’s longest serving councillors and former mayor, Christine Fletcher, has questioned mayor Phil Goff’s leadership appointments, claiming ...17 hours ago
- Stormwater – The Poor Cousin Of The Water SectorInvestment in stormwater infrastructure is lagging well behind drinking and wastewater investment despite the challenges posed by climate change and the need for the development of water sensitive towns and cities. The Water New Zealand Stormwater conference ...17 hours ago
- China’s Tiangong space station: what it is, what it’s for, and how to see itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paulo de Souza, Professor, Griffith University China’s space program is making impressive progress. The country only launched its first crewed flight in 2003, more than 40 years after the Soviet Union’s Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. China’s first Mars ...18 hours ago
- Would Australians support mandates for the COVID-19 vaccine? Our research suggests most wouldSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney Australia’s vaccine rollout is moving far more slowly than the government had hoped, and there is evidence of vaccine hesitancy in a significant part of the ...18 hours ago
- The NT’s tough-on-crime approach won’t reduce youth offending. This is what we know worksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Fancourt, Paediatrician & Research Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research Last week the Northern Territory (NT) government proposed legislative changes to youth justice, including tightening access to bail and diversion, particularly for re-offenders. We expect the legislation could go through as ...18 hours ago
- New research finds native forest logging did not worsen the Black Summer bushfiresSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania The Black Summer bushfires shocked the world and generated enormous global media interest. Fire scientists like myself found themselves filling a role not unlike sport commentators, explaining the unfolding drama in ...18 hours ago
- The outlook for coral reefs remains grim unless we cut emissions fast — new researchSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Cornwall, Rutherford Discovery Fellow, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington The twin stress factors of ocean warming and acidification increasingly threaten coral reefs worldwide, but relatively little is known about how various climate scenarios will affect coral reef growth ...18 hours ago
- Nobody cares about fugly flowers. Scientists pay more attention to pretty plantsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kingsley Dixon, John Curtin Distinguished Professor, Curtin University We all love gardens with beautiful flowers and leafy plants, choosing colourful species to plant in and around our homes. Plant scientists, however, may have fallen for the same trick in what they choose ...18 hours ago
- If I could go anywhere: searching for music in the places where Chopin lived and diedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott Davie, Lecturer in Piano, School of Music, Australian National University In this series we pay tribute to the art we wish could visit — and hope to see once travel restrictions are lifted. The appreciation of art is enriched through experience, ...18 hours ago
- Live updates, May 11: 42yo man arrested after Dunedin stabbing, charged with attempted murderWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for May 11, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.00am: 42yo man arrested after Dunedin stabbing, charged with attempted murderFollowing on from the top story in The Bulletin: a 42-year-old man has been arrested after a stabbing ...18 hours ago
- Eight important business lessons from The Apprentice AotearoaAs The Apprentice Aotearoa choppers onto our screens, Alex Casey witnesses a masterclass in business prowess. Yes, the timing of The Apprentice Aotearoa could not be any weirder. A reality series that played a huge part in giving Donald Trump the profile that would see him become president, now hosted by ...18 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Bystanders praised after Dunedin stabbing attackGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Bystanders praised after Dunedin stabbing attack, 500 managed isolation spots a fortnight to be opened, and East Coast endures harsh drought.What is as yet believed to be a random stabbing attack has taken place in Dunedin. Details are still emerging about ...18 hours ago
- Women don't need men stating the bleeding obvious
Comment: The Super Rugby clash at Eden Park was a critical and sporting success but still the undermining of women's sport persists, writes Ashley Stanley The media coverage was solid. The players' build-up looked professional. And the end product on the afternoon was free-flowing and skilful. But after the hype of ...19 hours ago - Hardworking Tax Payers Need A Break“Hardworking taxpayers have spent the first four months and 10 days of 2021 working to hand over every cent they’ve earned to Grant Robertson,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “Today is ‘Tax Freedom Day’ according to accounting firm Baker Tilly ...19 hours ago
- Ethiopian Community Delivers Petition To Parliament For NZ To Condemn Ongoing KillingsAs atrocities against Amhara ethnic communities worsen in Ethiopia, the community here in Aotearoa New Zealand is asking the Government to condemn the increasing attacks and urge the Ethiopian government to stop and prevent the ongoing massacre of the ...20 hours ago
- Win the greatest book prize of all time
Win every single book shortlisted for the Ockham New Zealand national book awards Good old ReadingRoom has a book prize to beat all book prizes, ever: all 16 books - yes, 16! - shortlisted for Wednesday night's Ockham New Zealand book awards are up for grabs. They will go to ...20 hours ago - Dying well: Whānau seek tikanga Māori at end of life
Researchers spoke to whānau who lived with death by using tikanga Māori - now they are using digital storytelling to support those who have lost traditional care customs and are neglected by a one-size-fits-all healthcare system It takes a village to raise a person, but it takes a village ...20 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Tuesday 11 May
...20 hours ago - Rabbits: Turning the tables
Since Newsroom’s investigation into the rabbit plague hitting parts of the South Island, we have had many suggestions on ways to extract value from rabbits. Melanie Reid reports on the enterprising small businesses that have sprung up in Otago and Southland aiming to make money out rabbit meat and skins. ...20 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 11 May
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...20 hours ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Tuesday 11 May
...20 hours ago - The unacknowledged consequences of the gender pay gap
The gender pension gap is seldom measured or even acknowledged. As the population ages, we need to address the gap before it widens, writes Claire Dale. The majority of the 10 highest paid individuals across government departments and most universities are still men, it has been reported. It is particularly concerning ...20 hours ago - Covid-19: Saliva tests to be rolled out in pharmacies
Saliva tests may be mainly useful to the ‘worried well’ and Olympians, but they can also ease pressure on the testing regime as a whole. Matthew Scott reports. Those who dread the feeling of a swab being swivelled around their sinuses will soon have access to another option: pharmacies are about to ...20 hours ago - Voiding Covid vaccine patents isn't enough
The economic benefits of making vaccines widely and quickly available worldwide are indisputable - but simply relaxing intellectual property protections on vaccines won't be enough to achieve that, writes Eric Crampton. ...20 hours ago - ‘Relive your trauma or run the risk of dying’: Why the end of smear screening can’t come too s...A video circulating on social media last week had a message that hit home for many: some survivors of sexual harm would rather take their chances than endure retraumatisation through a cervical screening test. For this reason, the announcement of funding for a self-administered HPV test could mean the difference ...21 hours ago
- Ardern and Robertson say public sector wage freeze is ‘misreporting’. But is it?The government is blaming misreporting for anger over a pay freeze for the public sector. Justin Giovannetti looks at the prime minister and finance minister’s claim that public servants are being misled by the media. Last Wednesday the government issued guidance which became immediately and almost unanimously characterised as a ...21 hours ago
- 'Outdated, flawed' local election laws need overhaul
Council election laws are stifling attempts at modernisation, officials warn. ...21 hours ago - Covid-19: Tech trials founder at border
Trials of new technology which could help New Zealand fight Covid-19 have faltered in recent weeks. ...21 hours ago - Beneath the joyful job stats
The unemployment rate has defied the expectations of economists, banks and Treasury. Is it hiding the reality of the job situation, or did the wage subsidy save us? When New Zealand went into Level 4 lockdown on March 25 last year, we were sailing into uncharted waters. Treasury officials were ...21 hours ago - House prices: The little-known fourth tool in the Reserve Bank kit
Amid all the noisy talk of constraints on LVRs, DTIs and interest-only loans, the Reserve Bank has quietly floated the possibility of wielding a fourth tool: increasing the capital requirements for banks to lend against houses. ...21 hours ago - Opaque, inefficient, unfair: Govt's $42b procurement regime report card
New research shows the way government agencies award contracts is complicated and skewed towards international companies. ...21 hours ago - Timor-Leste reports 126 more covid cases – almost all in DiliBy Antonio Sampaio in Dili The Timor-Leste health authorities have registered a total of 126 new infections with SARS-CoV-2 in the last 24 hours, almost all in the Timorese capital, according to official data. The data was released in a statement from the Integrated Crisis Management Center (CIGC), which states ...1 day ago
- Part of the legal challenge to the India travel ban has been comprehensively defeated — here’s w...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Sydney One part of a legal challenge to the Commonwealth’s India travel ban was comprehensively defeated in the Federal Court on Monday evening. Justice Thawley rejected all the arguments made by the applicant, Gary ...1 day ago
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Someone needs to pull this idiot's head in. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12271534
Is yet another reflection of the abysmal quality of so many involved in politics today…it must be contagious
The abysmal quality of thinking of a lot of citizens today. To make comments about something, put the link and say nothing about it. It is an example of how many have a brain that is not fully exercised, and then criticise politicians for not being better. You can't convey a fully formed thought from yourself to someone else!
Most people couldn't manage half of what politicians are doing, so practise being good informed effective citizens why don't you instead of picking away at the scabs of horny politicians. They may not be perfect, but see if overall they are making breakthrough on their jobs towards the desired outcomes.
The polly under the microscope is Shane Jones by the way.
pardon?
Not as abysmal as an old fool asking how to link in to tree planting programs and then coming back with a "what you talking about Willis" response when someone suggests joining the most prominent tree planting group in the country. You are so critical of others yet your walls are of the thinnest glass.
What you on about solkta? I find you are often negative and cutting, yet when I ask that people actually indicate what a link is about when they put it up – as part of a joined up thought to share, you go off your trolley. Are you the only person allowed to pass a judgment?
You know what i am on about. You could apologise. There is nothing negative about suggesting someone join Forest and Bird when they say they want to plant trees.
You didn't read what I had written and was asking. And you won't know what I am talking about because I don't think you do read most of what you reply to.
You said:
So i suggested joining Forest and Bird and you bit my head off without even bothering to go to their website and find out what they do. Local branches already liaise with local councils about where planting should happen. Your council would likely refer you to Forest and Bird or similar group if you were to approach them.
I'm not sure what it is that i might have missed. Perhaps it is that you are a grumpy old man who does not want to work as part of a team. You are so critical of the behaviour of others yet you seem unable to self reflect.
IMHO, this is a great attempt to provide and ask for clarification except for the ‘stingy’ tail. Moving on from this and re-focus on the important topic at hand is what I hope for.
"abysmal… old fool"; "You are so critical of others…" – too critical (imho); let it be?
I don't have a lot of tolerance for holier than thou types.
Me neither
He is conceited, arrogant, self-obsessed and very close to being downright corrupt.
I see him as being a snout-in-the-trougher who expects everyone else to behave the same way. He is not an asset to our Govt.
Greenpeace outraged, and so we all should be.
Friday, September 27th: Greenpeace is calling the Government’s announcement to increase the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) of orange roughy an “insult” to the 30,000 New Zealanders who called for a ban on bottom trawling, and a rejection of the latest ocean science.
Minister for Fisheries Stuart Nash announced on Friday that he would increase commercial catch limits for orange roughy, a fish caught using highly destructive bottom trawling techniques.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/09/27/orange-roughy-catch-increase-rejection-of-lscience/
(There had been comment that Stuart Nash appeared to have a strong RW lean. This confirms it. It takes a strong person to intervene in fishing industry wishes.)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2019/sep/27/chinese-factory-profits-slowdown-bank-of-england-brexit-stock-markets-oil-business-live
Pound slides as Bank of England hints at Brexit interest rate cut – business live
A no-deal Brexit could be very bad news for rural businesses, with fears that one in four could go bust
Charts: Brexit uncertainty hurts economy…
Michael Saunders has also provided two charts for his audience of business leaders in Barnsley, showing how the Brexit crisis is hurting the UK economy.
The first shows that more than 50% of firms say that Brexit is an important source of uncertainty for their business:
Worth a chortle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amOpD2ka2Mw