Daily Review 30/04/2018
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5:30 pm, April 30th, 2018 - 24 comments
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- Govt boosts digital skills for over 30,000 small businesses
More than 30,000 small businesses have participated in Government-funded digital training, which supports businesses to take advantage of digital tools and new opportunities through e-commerce, Minister for Small Business Stuart Nash announced today. “Over the last two years, many business owners had no option but to move to digital platforms ...3 hours ago - Crown accounts reflect Government’s balanced fiscal managementThe latest Crown Accounts show a solid result, despite challenging international conditions – reflecting the Government’s careful management of the books. For the eleven months to the end of May 2022 the Operating Balance before Gains and Losses (OBEGAL) deficit was $7.7 billion, $5.5 billion below that forecast in May’s ...3 hours ago
- Government action to tackle delays in Family CourtNew legislation aimed at tackling delays in the family justice system, will help improve the wellbeing of thousands of children caught up in Family Court disputes every year, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. The Family Court (Family Court Associate) Legislation Bill will see a number of Family Court Associates employed ...3 hours ago
- Minister to meet all rural and provincial councilsNew Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty is today beginning a series of visits to all of the 55 rural and provincial councils across the motu. “Local government plays a crucial role in our democratic system, ensuring people have a voice in the leadership of their community,” Kieran McAnulty ...3 hours ago
- Imports of Russian gold bannedMinister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor have announced that Aotearoa New Zealand will ban the import of Russian gold. “Today’s decision further signals Aotearoa New Zealand’s condemnation of Russia’s flagrant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “It underscores our intention of ensuring ...19 hours ago
- New Public Health services to improve health for all KiwisThe rollout of the new nationwide health system continued today with the launch of the country’s first national public health system to fight disease and promote healthy lives. The Public Health Agency will lead and co-ordinate population and public health policy, strategy and regulation, while the national Public Health ...19 hours ago
- Prime Minister to lead trade mission to AustraliaPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a trade mission including over 30 New Zealand businesses to Melbourne and Sydney this week as part of the Government’s reconnection strategy to support export growth and the return of tourists post COVID-19. While in Sydney, Jacinda Ardern will also give an address to ...23 hours ago
- Applications now open for new work visa holders from offshoreFinal stage of Accredited Employer Work Visa goes live today Offshore migrants can apply to work in New Zealand for an accredited employer Partners and dependents of work visa applicants can also apply for visas from today New Zealand has taken another significant step forward in our Reconnecting plan ...1 day ago
- Better and fairer access to legal assistanceRaising eligibility thresholds will provide a helping hand to more than 90,000 New Zealanders currently denied access to legal aid, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Government is committed to driving through legislative changes to strengthen our legal aid system. “Enshrining changes in legislation and regulations is necessary to give ...1 day ago
- Diplosphere Conference 2022Mihi Manawa maiea te pūtanga o Matariki Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Manawa maiea te mātahi o te tau! Thank you for the invitation to join you today. Unfortunately I can’t be there in person but I'm pleased that this is an opportunity for young Māori and ...1 day ago
- Strengthening NZ-UK people, science and trade connectionsPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London overnight, and together took a number of steps to strengthen the already close ties between our two countries, and promote our common interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. “The UK is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest and closest friends and ...3 days ago
- Joint Statement – Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Boris JohnsonBuilding a more secure, sustainable and prosperous future together: Joint Statement – Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Boris Johnson 1. New Zealand and the United Kingdom are old friends and close partners. Our relationship rests on a bedrock of history, shared values, and deep people-to-people links, extending across almost all ...3 days ago
- PM’s Chatham HouseDirector Sir Robin Niblett, distinguished guests. What an honour it is to be back in London, and to be here at Chatham house. This visit represents much for me. The reopening of borders and resumption of travel after a difficult few years. The chance to bring life to the UK ...3 days ago
- Otago Foreign Policy School, opening addressManawa maiea te pūtanga o Matariki Manawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Manawa maiea te mātahi o te tau! Introduction I’m pleased to join you for my second address at the 56th Annual Otago Foreign Policy School. The topic for this year is Space. Given that we are in ...4 days ago
- Government launches new Ministry of Disabled PeopleNew Ministry will officially be called Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People Public Service Commission have appointed Geraldine Woods as Interim Chief Executive Office for Disability Issues to be folded into the new Ministry In what is a milestone day, the Government has launched Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Whaikaha ...4 days ago
- Further Investment to support rangatahi to overcome barriers to employmentNine new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes have been approved funding. These programmes will provide work-readiness, training and employment initiatives for over 820 rangatahi NEETS (not in education, employment or training), across Aotearoa New Zealand. "He Poutama Rangatahi has proven to be a very successful initiative which supports rangatahi to overcome ...4 days ago
- Crown appointments to Ihumātao Steering CommitteeMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today announced the appointment of Crown representatives, Dr Charlotte Severne and Mr Bernie O’Donnell, to the Steering Committee that will determine the future of the Ihumātao land. “I’m pleased to have made the Crown appointments. Both Dr Severne and Mr O’Donnell have extensive ...4 days ago
- Health Minister Andrew Little's address to first joint meeting of the boards of Te Whatu Ora &#...I begin by thanking each of you for accepting appointment to these boards. You’ve each been on the Ministerial committee that established Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora - the Māori Health Authority and I express my appreciation for the enormous task you collectively ...4 days ago
- Hong Kong National Security LawAotearoa New Zealand has reiterated its concerns over the continued erosion of rights, freedom and autonomy in Hong Kong. On the second anniversary of the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says developments in Hong Kong remain a cause for worry. “Two years ...4 days ago
- Europol Agreement will assist New Zealand law enforcement in tackling serious crimeThe Europol Agreement signed is a significant milestone for New Zealand and the European Union’s relationship, and reflects our shared principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today. The Prime Minister attended a signature ceremony in Brussels, as part of ...4 days ago
- New era for better health in Aotearoa New Zealand· New nationwide public health system · 20 district health boards disestablished and deficits wiped · 82,000 health employees directly employed by Health New Zealand · $24 billion health budget this year – up 43% since Labour took office in 2017 – in addition to separate funding for the new ...4 days ago
- New chairs appointed to the Teaching Council and Te KuraEducation Minister Chris Hipkins has announced appointments to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Board of Trustees of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura). “Robyn Baker ONZM has been appointed as the chair of the Teaching Council. She has considerable governance experience and is a ...4 days ago
- Joint media release on the occasion of the meeting between European Commission President von der Ley...European Commission President von der Leyen and Prime Minister of New Zealand Ardern met in Brussels on 30 June 2022. The encounter provided an opportunity to reaffirm that the European Union and Aotearoa New Zealand are longstanding partners with shared democratic values and interests, aligned positions on key international and ...4 days ago
- New Zealand secures major free trade deal with European UnionExport revenue to the EU to grow by up to $1.8 billion annually on full implementation. Duty-free access on 97% of New Zealand’s current exports to the EU; with over 91% being removed the day the FTA comes into force. NZ exporters set to save approx. $110 million per annum ...5 days ago
- Biggest Year for Clean Cars on Record57,000 EVs and Hybrid registered in first year of clean car scheme, 56% increase on previous year EVs and Non Plug-in Hybrids made up 20% of new passenger car sales in March/April 2022 The Government’s Clean Car Discount Scheme has been a success, with more than 57,000 light-electric and ...5 days ago
- Police Wing 355 includes the highest ever proportion of Wāhine MāoriPolice Minister Chris Hipkins congratulates the newest Police wing – wing 355 – which graduated today in Porirua. “These 70 new constables heading for the frontline bring the total number of new officers since Labour took office to 3,303 and is the latest mark of our commitment to the Police ...5 days ago
- New RBNZ board takes up role from 1 JulyMembers with a range of governance, financial and technical skills have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Board as part of the shift to strengthen the Bank’s decision-making and accountability arrangements. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 comes into force on 1 July 2022, with the establishment of ...5 days ago
- New measures to help manage COVID-19 as country stays at OrangeNew Zealand to remain at Orange as case numbers start to creep up 50 child-size masks made available to every year 4-7 student in New Zealand 20,000-30,000 masks provided a week to all other students and school staff Extra funding to schools and early childhood services to supports better ...5 days ago
- NZ to join International Court of Justice case against RussiaAotearoa New Zealand will join Ukraine’s case against Russia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which challenges Russia’s spurious attempt to justify its invasion under international law. Ukraine filed a case at the ICJ in February arguing Russia has falsely claimed genocide had occurred in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as ...5 days ago
- New advisory group provides enduring Māori expertise for Te Aorerekura deliveryThe Government has taken another step forward in its work to eliminate family violence and sexual violence with the announcement today of a new Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group. A team of 11 experts in whānau Māori wellbeing will provide the Government independent advice on shaping family violence and sexual ...5 days ago
- Making work better for Kiwi womenTe Mahere Whai Mahi Wāhine: Women’s Employment Action Plan was launched today by Minister for Women Jan Tinetti – with the goal of ensuring New Zealand is a great place for women to work. “This Government is committed to improving women’s working lives. The current reality is that women have ...5 days ago
- Good Employer Awards celebrate food and fibre sectorThe food and fibre sector acknowledged its people and leadership at last night’s 2022 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards, a time to celebrate their passion towards supporting employees by putting their health, welfare and wellbeing first,” Acting Minister of Agriculture Meka Whairiti said. “Award winners were selected from an extraordinary ...5 days ago
- PM's comments to NATO sessionKia ora koutou katoa. It is a rare thing to have New Zealand represented at a NATO Summit. While we have worked together in theatres such as Afghanistan, and have been partners for just on a decade, today represents an important moment for our Pacific nation. New Zealand is ...5 days ago
- Veterans Minister announces new focus on mental health for veterans and their whānauTe Arataki mō te Hauora Ngākau mō ngā Mōrehu a Tū me ō rātou Whānau, The Veteran, Family and Whānau Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy Framework “We ask a lot of those who serve in the military – and we ask a lot of the families and whānau who support ...6 days ago
- Minister to advocate for Small Island StatesAssociate Minister of Foreign Affairs Aupito William Sio has been appointed by the United Nations and Commonwealth as Aotearoa New Zealand’s advocacy champion for Small Island States. “Aotearoa New Zealand as a Pacific country is particularly focused on the interests of Pacific Small Island Developing States in our region. “This is a ...6 days ago
- Increased support for households to pay local council ratesAn estimated 100,000 low income households will be eligible for increased support to pay their council rates, with changes to the rates rebate scheme taking effect from 1 July. Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced increases to both the maximum value of the rates rebate, and the income threshold ...6 days ago
- He Oranga Poutama expanded into four new regionsA long-standing physical activity programme that focuses on outcomes for Maori has been expanded to four new regions with Government investment almost doubled to increase its reach. He Oranga Poutama is managed by a combination of hapū, iwi, hauora and regional providers. An increase in funding from $1.8 million ...6 days ago
- Wellington’s rapid transit option progresses to next stageThe Government is progressing a preferred option for LGWM which will see Wellington’s transport links strengthened with light rail from Wellington Station to Island Bay, a new tunnel through Mt Victoria for public transport, and walking and cycling, and upgrades to improve traffic flow at the Basin Reserve. “Where previous ...6 days ago
- Keynote remarks: Tech 4 Democracy Summit, MadridTo Provost Muniz, to the Organisers at the Instituto de Empresa buenas tardes and as we would say in New Zealand, kia ora kotou katoa. To colleagues from the State Department, from Academia, and Civil Society Groups, to all our distinguished guests - kia ora tatou katoa. It’s a pleasure ...6 days ago
- On June 28, 2022, a meeting took place in Madrid between the President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, who was visiting Spain to participate in the Summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as one ...7 days ago
- Players Of The Day – Candidates Agreed To Review Of Sport Facility Costs
Those entering the line-up for 2022 local body elections in the Wellington region must face the issue at the top of mind for sports club members and parents of children playing school sport. Will they allow sport to become more affordable, or will they ...2 hours ago - Financial Statements Of The Government Of New ZealandFinancial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the 11 months ending 31 May 2022 Please note the next Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand to be released will be for the full year ended 30 June 2022. It is anticipated that ...2 hours ago
- Clam Shells And Corals Result In CITES Infringement FinesT wo travellers returning to New Zealand from tropical getaways have been fined for failing to declare protected corals and shells they brought back into the country. C o rals and some shells found in Pacific Island nations are protected by the Convention ...3 hours ago
- The ABS’s notion of the average Australian makes little sense. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Goot, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University What does “the average Australian” look like? After every census, this is one of the questions people like to see answered. Average on one measure or on several? If the ...5 hours ago - Sri Lanka scrambles for aid – but Australia still seems preoccupied by boatsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niro Kandasamy, Lecturer in History, University of Sydney When Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe conceded ten days ago that the Sri Lankan economy has “completely collapsed”, his words would have come as no surprise to the island’s 22 million people. ...5 hours ago
- Australia is heading for its third Omicron wave. Here’s what to expect from BA.4 and BA.5Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia Shutterstock Australia is heading for its third Omicron wave in the coming weeks, as BA.4 and BA.5 become the dominant COVID strains. BA.4 and BA.5 are more infectious than previous ...5 hours ago
- How Australia’s gig workers may remain contractors under Labor’s reformsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Peetz, Professor Emeritus, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Shutterstock, CC BY-SA Uber Australia’s historic agreement with the Transport Workers’ Union, on the need to regulate the gig economy, is the first step in fundamental reform of gig work. It suggests ...5 hours ago
- ‘Satanic worship, sodomy and even murder’: how Stranger Things revived the American satanic pani...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael David Barbezat, Research fellow, Australian Catholic University Netflix From Kate Bush to Russian villainy, Season Four of Stranger Things revives many parts of the 1980s relevant to our times. Some of these blasts from the past provide welcome nostalgia. Others ...5 hours ago
- Papua New Guinea voters head to the polls to choose from 3600 candidatesRNZ Pacific Voting in the Papua New Guinea general election begins today. Voters will elect 118 members of Parliament, including governors of the 22 provinces, from the 3600-plus candidates nominated. There are 6000 polling teams in the 22 provinces. There have also been reports that polling in the capital, Port ...13 hours ago
- PNG security detain man with K1.56m in suitcase as elections beginBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby A man was held by Papua New Guinean security personnel in Hela Province on Saturday after he was found to have in his possession K1.56 million (about NZ$715,000) in cash carried in a suitcase. The man, who police identified as a local, allegedly told ...13 hours ago
- OPM day – celebrating the 1971 Papuan ‘independence proklamasi’COMMENTARY: By Benny Wenda We celebrated the 51st anniversary of the independence declaration of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) at Markas Victoria on July 1, 1971. The declaration, signed by Seth Rumkoren and Jacob Prai — who sadly passed away last month — was a direct rejection of Indonesian colonialism. ...13 hours ago
- Is Jacinda Ardern rethinking her China strategy?
Analysis - Geoffrey Miller poses the question: Is New Zealand suddenly softening its more pro-Western foreign policy - and its tougher line on China? ...16 hours ago - National's Dr Shane Reti: Health reforms won't workThe SOS cries of under-pressure GPs hit close to home for the country's only MP and practicing doctor, Shane Reti, who suggests three vital steps to help. ...17 hours ago
- No more excuses: restoring nature is not a silver bullet for global warming, we must cut emissions o...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Dooley, Research Fellow, Climate & Energy College, The University of Melbourne Nico Smit/Unsplash, CC BY Restoring degraded environments, such as by planting trees, is often touted as a solution to the climate crisis. But our new research shows this, ...19 hours ago
- New Zealand to ban Russia gold importsNew Zealand is banning all imports of Russian gold, after similar bans by G7 countries and Australia. ...19 hours ago
- Jacinda Ardern plays down prospect of quick 501s solutionPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern does not expect a resolution on 501 deportations from her trip to Australia this week, saying it will take time to work through. ...19 hours ago
- Thousands of giant crabs amass off Australia’s coast. Scientists need your help to understand the ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elodie Camprasse, Research fellow in spider crab ecology, Deakin University Julian Finn/Museums Victoria Am I not pretty enough? This article is part of The Conversation’s series introducing you to little-known Australian animals that need our help. Every winter in ...20 hours ago
- Free period care products in Queensland schools is just a first step. Remote communities need access...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nina Lansbury, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland In Australia, most states have introduced initiatives to provide people who menstruate with free period care products in public schools. The Queensland government’s recent announcement of free period care ...20 hours ago
- The lessons NZ can learn from Australia to guide energy policy and keep prices down
As consumers receive their winter power bills, many are puzzled and some are incensed that they are so high. There is a simple answer: wholesale prices are elevated (they have been very high for some time and reached $215 a megawatt/hour last week). And there’s a not-so-simple answer: The latter ...21 hours ago - MBIE Advises Seismically Vulnerable Buildings Can Remain OccupiedNew guidance published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) today advises most seismically vulnerable buildings are not imminently dangerous and can remain occupied while seismic remediation work is planned, funded and undertaken. ...22 hours ago
- Mahuta addresses Diplosphere: ours is a liberal democracy, she says, and other nations can learn fro...
Buzz from the Beehive Measures to raise eligibility thresholds to help more than 90,000 New Zealanders that currently are denied access to legal aid were announced today Changes to the Legal Services Regulations 2011 and the Legal Services Act 2011 will give effect to $148.7 million of funding in Budget 2022. The ...23 hours ago - Why we talk about computers having brains (and why the metaphor is all wrong)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tomas Fitzgerald, Lecturer in Law, Curtin University A brainy machine? Shakey, the world’s first AI-based robot. SRI International It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that the machines are taking over. What is less clear is whether the machines know that. Recent claims ...23 hours ago
- To stop risky developments in floodplains, we have to tackle the profit motive – and our false sen...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brian Robert Cook, Associate professor, The University of Melbourne In the aftermath of destructive floods, we often seek out someone to blame. Common targets are the “negligent local council”, the “greedy developer”, “the builder cutting corners”, and the “foolish home owner.” Unfortunately, ...23 hours ago
- An ever innovative director, Peter Brook reminded us how high the stakes of theatre can beSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Rae, Associate Professor, English and Theatre Studies, The University of Melbourne Julio Donoso/Sygma via Getty Images I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks across this empty space whilst someone else ...24 hours ago
- Crombie Lockwood Announces New Partnership With Trees For SurvivalCrombie Lockwood today announced a new partnership with Trees for Survival. Trees for Survival is a charitable trust which works with over 150 schools and local communities across New Zealand to grow and plant native trees along waterways and on erosion ...1 day ago
- PM's Australian trade mission to focus on business reconnection, climate change progressLabour shortages, supply chain disruption and climate change are expected to be among the topics of discussion on the Prime Minister's Australian trade mission. ...1 day ago
- NZCTU Joins Pay Equity Campaign For #NotAnotherWinterThe New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is pleased to support the #NotAnotherWinter campaign, which calls on the Government to take urgent action on pay transparency. The campaign, which was launched by Mind the Gap this week, calls on the Government ...1 day ago
- The Job Check Process – Is It Really A Trojan Horse?Aaron Martin, Principal immigration lawyer, New Zealand Immigration Law The Job Check has been introduced to ensure that there are no suitable New Zealanders who can do a job before it is offered to a migrant worker. But it comes with a requirement ...1 day ago
- Make Up Your Minds So NZ Competes For Workers Or Lose Out“New Zealand needs to make up its mind if it is open for business and remove any barriers to make it easy for people with the skills we need to come here to keep our schools, hospitals, hospitality and tourism ventures running,” says a frustrated ...1 day ago
- Responsible Campers To Seek Law ChangeResponsible Campers Association has today announced they will seek a change to the law that allows defecation in public if a person believes they would not be observed doing so. Spokesman for the group, Bob Osborne explains; “At the moment section ...1 day ago
- Not if, but when: unless Papua New Guinea prepares now, the next big earthquake could wreak havoc in...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phil R. Cummins, Professor, Geoscience Australia Brendan Esposito/AAP Earthquakes can be especially devastating for developing countries, where competing priorities can stymie resource allocation towards earthquake resilience. Even in tectonically active areas, where tectonic plates meet and scrape against one another, ...1 day ago
- Are we learning the wrong lessons from history?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University ‘Peace for our time’: British prime minister Neville Chamberlain displaying the Anglo-German declaration, known as the Munich Agreement, in September 1938. Wikimedia, CC BY-SA Can historians influence ...1 day ago
- Flu may be back, but COVID is far from over. How do they compare?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Glasziou, Professor of Medicine, Bond University Engin Akyurt/Unsplash Since Australia’s first Omicron wave after borders opened late last year, the pandemic has largely faded from the news and public perception. Gone are the daily briefings with updates on the ...1 day ago
- Research reveals fire is pushing 88% of Australia’s threatened land mammals closer to extinctionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julianna Santos, PhD candidate, The University of Melbourne David Mariuz/AAP About 100 of Australia’s unique land mammals face extinction. Of the many threats contributing to the crisis, certain fire regimes are among the most pervasive. In a new paper, we ...1 day ago
- Recognising Indigenous knowledges is not just culturally sound, it’s good scienceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maryanne Macdonald, Lecturer, Indigenous Education, Edith Cowan University Floods, fires and droughts in Australia devastate lives, destroy wildlife and damage property. These disasters also cost billions of dollars through loss of agricultural and economic productivity, environmental vitality and costs to mental health. ...1 day ago
- If unis stick with online assessment after COVID, they’ll have do more to stop cheatingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meena Jha, Course Coordinator, Information Communications Technology (ICT), CQUniversity Australia Shutterstock While face-to-face classes are back after the COVID disruptions of the past two years, our research suggests at least some Australian universities intend to continue with fully online assessment. ...1 day ago
- Cryptocurrencies are great for gambling – but lousy at liberating our money from big central banksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Shutterstock The dream that decentralised finance – or “DeFi” – can free the monetary system from the clutches of governments and banks has helped launch 20,000 ...1 day ago
- Regional towns are at risk of being wiped out by the move to net-zero. Here’s their best chance fo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Esther Suckling, Research Associate, Grattan Institute Mackay Regional Council Australia’s mining and heavy industry sectors are on the cusp of a revolution as the world shifts to net-zero. Demand for traditional industrial commodities – coal, oil, and gas – is ...1 day ago
- Rediscovering the art of Tracker Nat: ‘the Namatjira of carving’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Jorgensen, Senior lecturer in art history, The University of Western Australia Tracker Nat, holding his hat on the far left, with Paul Hasluck standing next to him, holding Nat’s shield in this picture from 1958. National Archives of Australia. NAA: ...1 day ago
- PM Jacinda Ardern on trade mission in Australia ahead of bilateral talksThe Prime Minister is returning to Australia for a trade mission to complete the third leg of Aotearoa's reconnection strategy. ...1 day ago
- What’s causing Sydney’s monster flood crisis – and 3 ways to stop it from happening againSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dale Dominey-Howes, Honorary Professor of Hazards and Disaster Risk Sciences, University of Sydney Mick Tsikas/AAP Again, thousands of residents in Western Sydney face a life-threatening flood disaster. At the time of writing, evacuation orders spanned southwest and northwest Sydney and ...2 days ago
- Controversial Roe v Wade ruling triggers intense NZ media reactionBy Hayden Donnell, RNZ Mediawatch producer Some said the US Supreme Court’s controversial ruling on abortion was none of our business, because we don’t have the same legal or political set-up, let alone its religious cleavages and cultural conflicts. Opinion leaders in our media didn’t agree — and provoked a ...2 days ago
- ‘Vote wisely – not with cargo cult mentality’ PNG election eve warningBy Theckla Gunga of Inside PNG Papua New Guineans, your future is in your hands, vote wisely. As the campaign trail wound up its last hours at the weekend, voters were being urged to keep their future in mind when choosing and voting this election starting tomorrow. Alvin Gia Huk, ...2 days ago
- Māori authority welcomes NZ health system reform as important first stepBy Stephen Forbes, Local Democracy Reporter Manukau Urban Māori Authority (MUMA) is welcoming the government’s health reforms as an important first step to improving Māori and Pasifika health in south Auckland. But some in the health sector say the jury is still out on what will be achieved in Counties ...2 days ago
- Kiwi author's potato tale gets royal treatmentA New Zealand author says she had no idea in advance that her children's book was being presented to royalty. ...2 days ago
- Agreement over New Zealand's free trade deal with European Union goes down to the wirePower Play - The Prime Minister travelled to Brussels with two speeches prepared - one detailed a historic trade deal, the other why she would leave Brussels without one. ...2 days ago
- Luana Scowcroft Launches Council Bid With Appeal For Future GenerationsGreen Party candidate for Wellington's Motukairangi-Eastern Ward Luana Scowcroft is launching her campaign at Hataitai Centre (the former Hataitai Bowling Club) at 7pm tonight, Saturday July 2nd. Luana says that council's short-term thinking, and ...3 days ago
- EU FTA & Tiriti O Waitangi: “More Of The Same”The government has just announced the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the European Union. One Māori entity operating in the trade space, Ngā Toki Whakarururanga, is not celebrating. “We are aware that New Zealand negotiators genuinely sought ...3 days ago
- Jackson takes another small step towards action at Ihumātao while Mahuta aims for the heavens with ...Buzz from the Beehive Down here on Earth – more particularly, in Ihumātao – progress on doing whatever is going to be done to that disputed patch of land has been glacial. Newsroom drew attention to the dawdling in an article in April which noted that Māori Development Minister Willie ...3 days ago
- Ardern and Johnson agree to visa changes to benefit New Zealanders under 35Young New Zealanders will be able to spend more time living and working in the United Kingdom under changes to a popular visa. ...3 days ago
- Titanic power struggle tipped for PNG’s ‘game changer’ electionPNG Post-Courier Today is officially the last day of campaigning in Papua New Guinea’s 2022 National General Election. Count tomorrow until Monday as rest days, but in politically charged PNG, anything is possible, including illegal last-minute clandestine campaigning. Polling is set to begin Tuesday, July 4, when millions will exercise ...3 days ago
- Greenpeace condemns NZ silence on Pacific deep sea mining risksAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Greenpeace Aotearoa has condemned New Zealand for “standing by” while “deep wounds are inflicted on its Pacific neighbours” by silence over deep sea mining. Greenpeace’s seabed mining campaigner James Hita made the critical statement today after a dramatic shift at the UN Oceans conference in Lisbon ...3 days ago
- Plenty of numbers amplify the Beehive’s braying but farmers find fault with EU trade deal and RBNZ...Buzz from the Beehive
Numbers, quotas and ratios have been high in ministerial considerations over the past 24 hours or so. Export revenue to the EU will grow by up to $1.8 ... 4 days ago - China, Russia and climate change: why Australia’s place at the NATO Summit was so importantSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Harris Rimmer, Professor and Director of the Policy Innovation Hub, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Prime Minister Anthony Albanese admitted at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Public Forum that some Australians may not understand why he’s at a NATO meeting ...4 days ago
- The United States was founded on allegiance to laws, not leaders. The Jan 6 rioters turned that on i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Senior Research Fellow, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney When colonial Americans declared their independence on July 4 1776, they rejected more than British rule. They explicitly denounced the British form of government and the unlegislated norms, traditions and conventions ...4 days ago
- VIDEO: Health Minister Mark Butler’s audit of Australia’s COVID vaccine suppliesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and Emma Larouche, from the University of Canberra’s Media and Communications team discuss the week in politics. They canvass the crossbenchers’ stoush with the Prime Minister over ...4 days ago
- Mahuta criticises China as Hong Kong marks two years under security law"Aotearoa New Zealand remains concerned by the steady erosion of rights, freedoms, and autonomy that has occurred in Hong Kong as a result," the foreign minister said. ...4 days ago
- More Than 200,000 People Apply For Residence Through 2021 Resident VisaWith one month to go until the closure of the 2021 Resident Visa, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) encourages those who are eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa to submit their applications before the category closes at 11:59pm on 31 July 2022. INZ has ...4 days ago
- Week in Politics: Luxon moves National out of a political danger zoneAnalysis - National's Christopher Luxon moves to defuse a potentially vote-losing disaster, the Health Minister's problems keep piling up and the PM speaks at a NATO summit and unveils an historic free trade agreement with the EU. ...4 days ago
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Just seen an item on Prime News with Russel Norman- I prefer not to make comment on the climate, But when I hear Mr Russel commenting on wanting to keep a stable climate I feel inclined to comment. Climate is not stable !! Influences like the Sun play a major part in a ever changing dynamic climate.
It is not stable and it is become increasingly unstable because of man induced effects.
Sun-spots? Does that conversational angle go down well at the RSA or does it provoke laughter there as well?
influences like the sun…
noises like laughter
Yes, climate is unstable at the best of times. It is a chaotic system with many many variables that interact in sometimes odd and non-linear ways. Some of which are yet to be very well understood, such as the influences of clouds and their formation. But we humans have given the system a bunch of almighty kicks to move it well away from where it had been bouncing around the last few thousand years.
Oh, and about the line ‘it’s the sun’, here’s what experts that do actual measurements n’stuff have to say:
“Over the last 35 years the sun has shown a cooling trend. However global temperatures continue to increase. If the sun’s energy is decreasing while the Earth is warming, then the sun can’t be the main control of the temperature.
Figure 1 shows the trend in global temperature compared to changes in the amount of solar energy that hits the Earth. The sun’s energy fluctuates on a cycle that’s about 11 years long. The energy changes by about 0.1% on each cycle. If the Earth’s temperature was controlled mainly by the sun, then it should have cooled between 2000 and 2008. ”
https://www.skepticalscience.com/solar-activity-sunspots-global-warming.htm
Agree, the sun is about energy.
The sun does impact the human body, however, it is not directly responsible for climate change, humans are nailing that coffin.
Every single entity is energy, Cinny…energy comes before all else…
The sun, like all objects in our galaxy that are likey to be having some effect on this planets climate…
Not much humans can do to influence that level of energy…so focussing on human influence and how to lessen the impact, makes sense…
Nicely said One Two, nicely said 🙂
To help you herodotus
It is the same odd thing that the Opposition gets to talk on at least 50% of the issues. Bridges gets wide exposure on everything mostly without being questioned. But surely in the name of fairness he/they should accept that they had 9years to be certain of everything, and therefore the Government should get 97% and Bridge’s raving 3%.
Can’t remember the previous Opposition getting such an open window.
But not as big an effect as we have.
RNZ’s Todd Niall delivers another well-informed, fair story about Auckland local government:
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356286/two-weeks-to-have-a-say-on-auckland-fuel-tax
Yep he is a local treasure.
Labour led coalition have been in govt six months, everything that is not right in NZ is this govts fault. Nothing to do with National, oh no they were on the right path and Mr Bridges is going to reverse everything in 2020. Reinstate oil drilling, cancel Auckland fuel tax, cancel regional fund……..cancel cancel reverse reverse…..
This morning according to the master spin merchant Hooton himself National are unfairly misjudged on the environment. National are in fact “very green” always have been and just don’t get the due media plaudits.
Who says politics is not thee most cynical game in town.
The question is just how gullible are the electorate, how fickle are middle NZ?
They are fickle.
Although a “safe seat” for National the Northcote byelection outcome may give some insight.
New revelations on Skripal.
“UPDATE: Stupidly I had forgotten this vital confirmation from Channel 4 News (serial rebel Alex Thomson) of the D Notice in place on mention of Pablo Miller.
Back then I did not realise what I now know, that the person being protected was Pablo Miller, colleague in both MI6 then Orbis Intelligence of Christopher Steele, author of the fabrications of the Trump/Russia golden shower dossier. That the government’s very first act on the poisoning was to ban all media mention of Pablo Miller makes it extremely probable that this whole incident is related to the Trump dossier and that Skripal had worked on it, as I immediately suspected. The most probable cause is that Skripal – who you should remember had traded the names of Russian agents to Britain for cash – had worked on the dossier with Miller but was threatening to expose its lies for cash.”
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/04/probable-western-responsibility-for-skripal-poisoning/
Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if there is a great deal more known of the Salisbury poison case and the media have been forbidden to reveal it. It’s what we would expect from a British Tory government.
But why should Christopher Steele’s revelations contained in his dossier be a fabrication? He was originally hired to investigate Donald Trump’s links to Russia which we now know is beyond question despite all his lies and denials.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/15/christopher-steele-trump-russia-dossier-accurate
More lies and propaganda from the MSM.
Robin Westenra is an excellent source of news.
“Today’s Sunday Times front page is evidence of foreign interests interfering with UK democracy. Although mostly not ‘Russia bots trying to swing an election for @jeremycorbyn’, but of US media mogul @rupertmurdoch smearing Corbyn to try to swing this week’s elections in UK for @theresa_may”
http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2018/04/propaganda-wars.html
Agree Ed, Seemorerocks is an excellent and interesting blog.
Robin Westenra again.
So much interesting news on his site.
http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2018/04/the-faked-2013-chemical-attacks.html
“What follows is shocking evidence that crisis actors, green screens, CGI, and paid propagandists are being used to fake worldwide events in order to scare people into giving up liberties and sending us into war.
To say this was shocking would be to put it lightly.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcofL8cj8VQ&ebc=ANyPxKpTeEPM7iGF3a_HXuRgrSKPOyaJ-DeecN9O-WlZjJAJZhAa0NuZcYyXsAcH2v_QxfKnm7-LOBx_WSbdPBTB6c_qzLl2CA
Wag the Dog – great movie where satire only just stays ahead of reality……. especially these days!
“Two weeks prior to reelection, the United States president lands in the middle of a sex scandal. In need of outside help to quell the situation, presidential adviser Winifred Ames (Anne Heche) enlists the expertise of spin doctor Conrad Brean (Robert De Niro), who decides a distraction is the best course of action. Brean approaches Hollywood producer Stanley Motss (Dustin Hoffman) to help him fabricate a war in Albania — and once underway, the duo has the media entirely focused on the war.”