Open mike 04/06/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, June 4th, 2025 - 51 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 03/06/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, June 3rd, 2025 - 2 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 03/06/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, June 3rd, 2025 - 32 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Writing in the time of Genocide
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Date published: 11:09 am, June 2nd, 2025 - 29 comments
I want to share a writer’s journey – of living and writing through the Genocide. Because my country provides support to Israel and the US, I feel compelled to support Palestine by doing the one thing I know best: writing.
The existential moment we are in
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Date published: 10:44 am, June 2nd, 2025 - 26 comments
As the world re-entangles and pushes our interdependence to the foreground, we need a new thesis on freedom.
Open mike 02/06/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, June 2nd, 2025 - 26 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Shut up you dickhead
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Date published: 8:26 am, June 1st, 2025 - 13 comments
Chris Bishop has chosen to say loudly and publicly “what a load of crap” during a song celebrating Te Reo Maori performed during the Aotearoa Music Awards ceremony.
Open mike 01/06/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, June 1st, 2025 - 11 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 31/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 31st, 2025 - 23 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 30/05/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 30th, 2025 - 6 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Seeing Is Believing
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Date published: 2:05 pm, May 30th, 2025 - 9 comments
A video post, starring Christopher Luxon, Chris Hipkins, Nicola Willis and Winston Peters. Featuring Debbie Ngarewa-Packer as star prosecutor.
Which animal does Labour resemble?
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Date published: 9:55 am, May 30th, 2025 - 7 comments
In the United States Republicans have been compared to Apex Predators and Democrats to a deer in headlights. Which animal does Labour resemble and which animal should it aspire to resemble?
Open mike 30/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 30th, 2025 - 53 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 29/05/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 29th, 2025 - 3 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 29/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 29th, 2025 - 14 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 28/05/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 28th, 2025 - 8 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Nicola Willis’s Debt Higher Than All 6 Years of Ardern Government
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Date published: 12:31 pm, May 28th, 2025 - 18 comments
Current & planned debt will surpass Labour’s full term debt in less years. Willis also admitted Budget 2024 had a higher deficit than all of Grant Robertson’s bar Covid.
Migration: the spectre at the feast
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Date published: 10:48 am, May 28th, 2025 - 26 comments
The challenge posed by migration pressures is real and often underestimated. They are greater today than ever before in modern history.
The Peoples’ Select Committee on Pay Equity
Written By:
Date published: 8:19 am, May 28th, 2025 - 8 comments
In very bad news for the Government former National MP Marilyn Waring has announced that she will be doing something the Government did not do, organise hearings to consider the Government’s sabotaging of Pay Equity.
Open mike 28/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 28th, 2025 - 43 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 27/05/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 27th, 2025 - 4 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
The weird similarities between the Trump and the Willis budgets
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Date published: 7:05 am, May 27th, 2025 - 25 comments
A comparison of Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Budget and Nicola Willis’s recent budget disclose remarkable similarities.
Open mike 27/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 27th, 2025 - 42 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 26/05/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 26th, 2025 - 14 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 26/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 26th, 2025 - 86 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 25/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 25th, 2025 - 26 comments
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Willis’ Roundup Budget will not grow new shoots of the economy
Written By:
Date published: 12:55 pm, May 24th, 2025 - 11 comments
Nicola Willis’ Budget is bad for growth and a Big throwback unfit for NZ.
Our growing stress is everywhere
Written By:
Date published: 9:38 am, May 24th, 2025 - 22 comments
We don’t know where this country is going and it’s getting worse.
Open mike 24/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 24th, 2025 - 43 comments
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Daily review 23/05/2025
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Date published: 5:30 pm, May 23rd, 2025 - 16 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 23/05/2025
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Date published: 6:00 am, May 23rd, 2025 - 40 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
- Civil War
Opinion and analysisThere’s a lot to cover, as usual, but I’d like to focus mostly on the risks to our democracy today.First -In New Zealand, ACT and National supporter Nick Mowbray1 wins in NZ’s richest stakes.Another ACT/National donor, Graeme Hart, comes second, $8b behind the Mowbrays — landing at $12b. ...6 days ago - These Sordid Scandals Should Have Sunk The Government
The stench of cover-ups from the current coalition Government reveals a grim truth: the right-wing establishment is more invested in protecting its own and saving face than upholding justice. The latest revelations about National MP Hamish Campbell’s deep ties to the Two by Twos cult, Chris Luxon’s disgraced press secretary ...6 days ago - Monday 9 June
Parents of New Zealand citizens and residents will be able to access visas, with the government announcing a programme it says will bring families together. Simeon Brown has announced more investment to strengthen critical infrastructure at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. A Māori business leader says urgent reform ...6 days ago - LA Live #8 – town hall
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...6 days ago - Live in LA #7
Thank you , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...6 days ago
- LA Live #6
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...6 days ago
- LA Live #3
Join me for my next live video in the app.Get more from David Farrier in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app ...6 days ago
- Strategist coverage of ASPI’s The Cost of Defence
On 29 May, ASPI released its annual defence budget briefing, The Cost of Defence. Introducing the report, ASPI executive director Justin Bassi reflected on its aim of ‘strengthening Australia’s long-term security, prosperity and sovereignty’ and its ...6 days ago - The National Guard is in LA
Hi, Tear gas in the air, a lot of coughing. A lot of guns. And anger.But so far, peace.I’ll be going live throughout the day here on Webworm.Thanks to anyone who backs my work. Really. Not here without you.Subscribe nowDavid. ...6 days ago
- A note to subscribers: I’ll be back on June 23
FYI and briefly to all subscribers, I’m going to take a break from daily news updates for a couple of weeks while Lynn and I have a proper holiday.I’ll keep writing, but not so much about the news and I’ll look to publish those pieces from June 23.Sometimes, it’s useful ...6 days ago - Deluded Damien Grant versus Phil Goff Over Gaza
6 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on free speech and anti-Semitism
According to Workplace Health and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden, employers are having to endure a “culture of fear” created by Worksafe, which has the power to prosecute them if if they are operating unsafe workplaces. There seems to be only anecdotal evidence – from employers at a government roadshow ...6 days ago - 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #23
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, June 1, 2025 thru Sat, June 7, 2025. Stories we promoted this week, by category: Climate Policy and Politics (5 articles) Inside EPA`s backdoor bid to stop regulating ...6 days ago - Senior Quam Papa Est: When Presidents and Prime Ministers are older than the Pope
On a dreary Dunedin winter’s day, one’s mind turns to odd things. It happens. Today, it occurred to me that with the election of Pope Leo XIV in May, and with Donald Trump ... 6 days ago - The Regulatory Standards Bill: ACT’s Backdoor to Power
The number one biggest gameIt's when they gain the most fameIt's like a race to the topBecause they wanna be bossThey don't care who they step onAs long as they get alongPoliticians in my eyesSongwriter: Bobby Hackney.Today, I’m very pleased to bring to you this guest newsletter on the Regulatory ...6 days ago - Seymour’s privatisation push
Open to all readersSeymour's privatisation push David Seymour believes privatisation is a good thing. Let me refresh his memory. The BNZ had to be bailed out...twice, and is now in foreign ownership. The railways had to be bought back, having been run into the ground by foreign private ownership. Air ...6 days ago - Can Peaceful Protest Still Shift NZ’s Stubborn Government?
There have been numerous protests in New Zealand, with thousands taking to the streets over policies that undermine Māori rights, dodge climate action, cut wages, fail the people in Gaza and deepen social inequality. From the massive hīkoi against the Treaty Principles Bill to rallies slamming environmental deregulation, Kiwis are ...7 days ago
- Speak Plainly
Speak plainly to meGo with the flowThat's how you show your loveSpeak plainlySpeak plainlyWords by Marlon Williams and Kommi Tamati-Elliffe.Morena all,This morning, I thought we’d have a bit of a kōrero about whatever you like. I’ve skimmed through the headlines, and there wasn’t much I wanted to cover.I did contemplate ...7 days ago - Fact brief – Are CO2 measurements reliable?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are CO2 measurements reliable? Measurements of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are consistent, reliable, and globally verified across multiple independent ...1 week ago
- Germany’s chance in frigate deal rises—potentially at cost to Australia-Japan relationship
German shipbuilder TKMS has significantly increased its chances in Canberra’s frigate competition by partnering with Saab, an entrenched supplier of crucial equipment for Australian warships. This challenges widespread assumptions that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is ...1 week ago
- Government Damaging New Zealand’s International Standing
New Zealand, once a shining example of progressive governance, is faltering under a right-wing Coalition Government determined to drag us back to the colonial dark ages. The “Coalition of Chaos,” as it’s been correctly named, is making Aotearoa an international laughing stock, with Prime Minister Chris Luxon, NZ First leader ...1 week ago
- Homelessness up by 58%
It’s hard to tell what’s worse: the National government persisting in prioritising money and non-existent1 “growth” over lives and well-being, or the many people that believe this is the way to succeed.Homelessness spiked up 53% over a few short months in NZ’s major metropolitan city, Auckland in March. Now it’s ...1 week ago
- Totally Normal #35: This Turned My Brain Into AI
Hi,It occurred to me recently that we don’t feature nearly enough worms here on Webworm, so today I am setting that right: I don’t really know what else to say about this story from two years ago, except that I hope the worms had a good (second) life. As much ...1 week ago - Taking Economics
ACT ‘s neoliberals are still trying to sneak in a change to the constitution.When ACT – the Association of Consumers and Taxpayers – was formed, its then party leader, Roger Douglas, with an optimistic exaggeration which marked his time as Minister of Finance, announced that he was sure it would ...1 week ago - Ukraine’s drone attack offers fearful lesson for a Chinese invasion force
Ukraine’s massive drone strike against Russian air bases on 1 June should reverberate across all theaters of conflict. But there is one Western Pacific scenario where it could be very relevant indeed: a Chinese invasion ...1 week ago
- Just one word, that’s all it takes
1. There is a single word you can utter in New Zealand that will elicit everything from snide putdowns to snarling hatred. What is that word?a. Feijoab. MMPc. Thingy d. Jacinda2. What punishment did TPM get?a. Made to write 1000 times: We must learn to be more like Parmjeet Parmar ...1 week ago - Overshadowed by border dispute, India-Pakistan water security risks grow
A disputed India-Pakistan border in Kashmir isn’t the only threat to stability on the subcontinent. One that’s often overlooked is water security. India and Pakistan should incorporate transboundary watery cooperation into broader security dialogues to ...1 week ago
- Friday 6 June
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi have been suspended from Parliament for 21 days for the Treaty Principles haka. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has been suspended for seven days. A high-powered group of former political leaders have publicly urged Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to restate New Zealand’s commitment to ...1 week ago
- Shared custodianship: Indigenous voices in critical infrastructure
The six-year delay in approving Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf extension reflects a failure to integrate Indigenous Australians as strategic partners in the nation’s development agenda. Policymakers and project proponents should recognise the impasse is ...1 week ago
- Police Failed to Properly Investigate Michael Forbes
The recent revelations about the right-wing sicko Michael Forbes, former press secretary to Chris Luxon, expose a troubling failure by the New Zealand Police to properly investigate allegations of predatory behaviour. Reports confirm that police seized Forbes’ work and personal phones while probing complaints, including allegations of non-consensual audio recordings ...1 week ago
- Suspending Shame
Mighty riverHear that rushin' soundOh, oh, yeahCool, clear waterLay my burden downAwa reareae kuhī anaWai arohaTurakina ki raro rāSongwriter: Don McGlashan.Suppose a group of indigenous politicians in the US or Australia stood in their place of representatives and performed a traditional challenge in the face of present-day injustice being piled ...1 week ago - Runways, fuel, ports and rail: the case for an ADF repair organisation
Without sufficient resilience the Australian Defence Force risks being knocked out of the fight—defanged and disabled—in the opening hours of a future high-intensity war. The ADF must be able to repair damage to mission-critical combat ...1 week ago
- Peter Bale, Cathrine Dyer, Robert Patman, Jamie Shea & Treasa Dunworth ‘Hoon’ around the new...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-host talking with regular guests and about the week’s news in geopolitics and climate. Bernard couldn’t get on because of technical issues.This week’s Hoon featured special guests Jamie Shea from Chatham House ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #23 2025
Open access notables Land-based sensors reveal high frequency of coastal flooding, Hino et al., Communications Earth & Environment: Coastal flooding is occurring more frequently due to global sea-level rise, among other factors. However, current understanding of coastal flood frequency and sea-level rise impacts is predominantly based on tide gauges, which ...1 week ago
- A parliamentary lynching
I have spent the afternoon watching the debate on the outrageous and anti-democratic privileges committee report on Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi. And after three hours, Waititi moved closure to get it over with. The government, which used its majority on the privileges committee to recommend an unprecedented ...1 week ago - Chief of defence: budget under pressure, choices must be made
The Australian Defence Organisation’s budget is under pressure, and Defence must make choices, Admiral David Johnston, the chief of the defence force, said on 4 June when asked whether more money was needed. In preparation ...1 week ago
- Australia still lacks missile defence. Golden Dome can be part of the answer
Australia should support the Trump Administration’s proposed Golden Dome missile defence system. By participating in development, deployment and operation of Golden Dome, Australia could rely on it partly for defence against attack by long-range missiles. ...1 week ago
- David Seymour’s Bill Tramples Democratic Process
With jaw-dropping cynicism, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and his ACT Party have plumbed new depths, trampling democratic values in their rush to ram through the Regulatory Standards Bill.The right-wing government’s rush to force this contentious bill through under urgency, using AI to sift through 23,000 public submissions, isn’t just ...1 week ago
- Join us at 5pm for this week’s Hoon
Photo by Alexas_Fotos on UnsplashKia oraKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat with myself, and regular guests and , plus special guests Jamie ...1 week ago - The audacity
It’s so damn good to have something to fist pump, isn’t it?I mean, that Ukraine drone attack was something else wasn’t it? The future of warfare, delivered by Amazon parts, assembled in garages, guided by Google Maps, hidden in plain sight among pizza drones.You just had to marvel at the ...1 week ago - Thursday 5 June
NZNO members are holding stop work meetings to consider industrial action for better pay and higher staff-to-patient ratios. More than 1000 former international rugby players are taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers. After spending $23m but failing to modernise the ...1 week ago
- On climate, new administration must go beyond South Korea’s borders
Lee Jae-myung’s victory in South Korea’s snap presidential elections have ended six months of political turmoil. The time is ripe for the country to lift its engagement on regional issues, including climate change. Lee’s ...1 week ago
- NZ Government’s Deputy Press Secretary A “Peeping Tom”
Michael Forbes with right wing NZ PM Christopher Luxon (right)For paid subscribers One of the news pieces that frustrates me is National Party Deputy Chief Secretary Michael Forbes illicitly recording sex workers, and women in every day scenarios - at the gym, in their bedrooms at home, at a supermarket, ...1 week ago - Coalition’s Climate Cop-Out Risks $2 Billion Export Hit
New Zealand’s National-led coalition of chaos government has once again proven its inability to tackle the climate crisis with even a shred of competence. The world is watching, and the verdict is damning: Aotearoa is failing to curb CO2 emissions by any meaningful measure and the National-led government's 2025 Budget ...1 week ago
- In a world of entangled threats, the Indo-Pacific turns to resilience
This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue made one thing clear: we are living in a more dangerous decade. From cyberattacks to grey-zone coercion, climate shocks to supply chain sabotage, the global security landscape is more complex and ...1 week ago
- Productivity growth languishing
I hadn’t had a look for a while at the OECD labour productivity (real GDP per hour worked) data, but the release of the latest OECD Economic Outlook the other day prompted me to spend some time in the (less user-friendly than it was) OECD database. It takes a while ...1 week ago - Tell us about it, Janet.
Writing in The Post today was Janet Wilson, Todd Muller’s Press Secretary for the five minutes between Simon Bridges and Judith Collins when the National Party considered a return to being the party of conservative gentlemen farmers, it had long been. As we know, Muller froze in the headlights, and ...1 week ago - One big, beautiful, climate-killing bill
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Samantha Harrington. Dana will do a Livestream with Yale Climate Connections on the subject today, Wednesday 6/4 at 5–6pm ET as well. Tune in here. House Republicans worked to eliminate clean energy tax credits in a massive tax bill that they passed in ...1 week ago
- Looming in the background: Indian Navy’s role in confrontation with Pakistan
Don’t overlook the role of the Indian Navy in Operation Sindoor, New Delhi’s response last month for a terrorist attack from Pakistani territory. Yes, the Indian air force and army undertook all the kinetic action. ...1 week ago
- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Thursday, June 5
Briefly, here’s my ‘Picks ‘n’ Mixes’ of news and other links1 from Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, June 5, including:RNZ/Reid Research’s poll taken straight after the Budget showed the Labour/Green/Te Pāti Māori bloc jumping ahead of National/NZ First/ACT, with PM Christopher Luxon’s personal popularity falling ...1 week ago - Michael Forbes’ Sex Worker Exploitation Shames Government
In a shocking revelation, the National Party's deputy chief press secretary to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has resigned amidst allegations of recording sex workers without their consent. According to numerous reports, Michael Forbes allegedly amassed a large number of audio recordings and photographs of women in compromising situations, including sex ...1 week ago
- Five important ideas from Britain’s defence review
It’s ‘a truly transformational and genuinely strategic review,’ according to the three external reviewers who headed its production. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the document, Britain’s Strategic Defence Review 2025, is a ‘landmark shift in ...1 week ago
- Craig Renney – Locked out – Budget 2025 and the choices of the Coalition Government
Craig Renney will share his insights into Budget 2025, showing exactly what is going on with the government accounts, and what it might mean for the Election next year. Who are the winners and losers from the choices made by the Minister of Finance? How might different choices lead to ...1 week ago - Get on with it, Defence. Counter-drone capability is urgent
After watching videos of flaming Russian bombers on Sunday, Canberra decision makers have no excuse for foot-dragging in fielding counters to small, cheap drones. A similar attack could happen in Australia at any moment and ...1 week ago
- A Roundup Of Right-Wing Propagandists
New Zealand’s political landscape is often full of noise from conservative commentators preaching free speech, family values, and fiscal restraint. Their propaganda criticises progressive policies, while dodging coalition of chaos failures, campaigning that reeks of double standards. This post cuts through their hypocrisy, exposing the cracks in their so-called principles. Ani ...1 week ago
- Giving the finger to democracy
So, the same day Rimmer is insulting the public by claiming everyone who disagrees with him is a bot, the Finance and Expenditure Committee is is insulting by voting - on party lines, of course - to refuse to read submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill. Instead they will be ...1 week ago
- You’re a winner! You’re a grinner! You’re a negotiating genius!
People may have seen David Seymour tossing away about his Treaty bullshit and thought to themselves: Well maybe he really cares about it, even if he couldn’t be more wrong.Others may have seen David Seymour tossing away about his Treaty bullshit and thought: Have you ever seen anything more cynical ...1 week ago - Making Deserts.
Berlin 1945/Gaza 2025“They make a desert, and they call it peace.” - Tacitus 56-117CEUNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER doesn’t leave those demanding it very much in the way of wiggle-room. When President Franklin Roosevelt announced to the world that the Allied Powers would accept nothing less than the Axis Powers’ (Germany, Italy, Japan) unconditional ...1 week ago - As US resists China, some leaders resist making a choice
The struggle between China and the US defines this century. Even close US allies are torn by a choice—not between the two great powers but in choosing whether to back the US against China or ...1 week ago
- Retreating into his far-right bubble
When Rimmer proposed his weirdo libertarian Regulatory Standards Bill, the public reaction was clear and unequivocal. 88% of the 23,000 submissions on the initial consultation rejected it completely. Only 0.3% thought it was a good idea. Faced with this level of public opposition, a sensible, reality-based politician - or at ...2 weeks ago
- Ruth Richardson rewarded for destroying welfare state
For Ruth Richardson to receive the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services as a Member of Parliament and to governance should not sit well with millions of New Zealanders who have been negatively impacted by her 1991 Mother of All Budgets. Richardson slashed benefits by 12.7% and ...2 weeks ago
- The big question over fighter-like drones: expendability may be preferable
We’re still feeling our way with this. The concept of fighter-like drones, called collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), holds much promise to air forces, notably to the US Air Force as it contemplates war with China. ...2 weeks ago
- Picture Day: James Grenon Succeeds In NZME Takeover, Jacinda Ardern’s Barrage of Hate, RSB Hop...
RNZ Poll shows left bloc leading by 3 seats1News Poll shows Coalition leading by 5 seatsThe only outliers in these trends appear to be NZ First reaching a record high in both polls.Trends are relatively consistently, with Labour taking a slight dip.What’s worth noting is the 6.5%-11% of undecided voters. ...2 weeks ago - Majority of Voters Think Budget 2025 is Terrible
2 weeks ago
- Central banks expressing uncertainty
2 weeks ago
- Glory Days!
Glory daysWell, they'll pass you by, glory daysIn the wink of a young girl's eye, glory daysGlory daysSong: Bruce Springsteen.Two news stories this morning, and I’m afraid we’re going to start with the less pleasant one before we gorge ourselves on the most delicious of news. Nom Nom Nom. You ...2 weeks ago - UN Resolution 2758 was never about Taiwan. Beijing just pretends it was
Beijing’s campaign to erase Taiwan from the international system is built on a lie. Beijing routinely claims that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, passed in 1971, settled the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty and confirmed ...2 weeks ago
- One way housing supply growth is strangled
This ongoing and increasing use of development contributions is an essential tool in a multi-decade exercise in magical thinking by both central Government and councils, in which they both believe enough infrastructure can be funded by private borrowers to sustain 1.5% per annum population growth. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The ...2 weeks ago
- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Wednesday, June 4
Briefly, here’s my ‘Picks ‘n’ Mixes’ of news and other links1 from Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, June 4 includes:The gap widening in wages, unemployment rates, pension benefits and growth prospects was emphasised yesterday when Australia hiked its minimum wage by 1.5% more than inflation, ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell On Why The Regulatory Standards Bill Should Be Dumped
If you blinked on a recent Friday afternoon, you might have missed the passing under urgency of the first reading of the Regulatory Standards Bill. The Bill purports to be a kind of legislative WOF test that all of us should welcome, right? Not really. Instead, shouldn’t we all be ...2 weeks ago
- AUKUS is where Australia can work out where it stands on nuclear deterrence
On one hand, Australia strongly opposes acquiring nuclear weapons and backs non-proliferation. On the other hand, it increasingly depends on the US for extended nuclear deterrence. The contradiction is implicit in the AUKUS program, just ...2 weeks ago
- What a load of Chris
In a moment, the conclusion to Sunday’s cliffhanger edition, about our terrible terrible debt problem and OTHER WORSE THINGS, but first, Chris Bishop.Chris Bishop is a loud complainer. For years on Twitter he would make an absolute meal of his indignation that some cretin had failed to read their plane ...2 weeks ago - Bring back arms control
In the Cold War, arms control meant counting missiles and warheads. How does that model work in the cyber century, the drone decades and the AI age? What do you count, and how do you ...2 weeks ago
- Government guts WorkSafe
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety’s announcement today on gutting WorkSafe’s enforcement capability signals a return to a failed approach, that will weaken our health and safety system, said the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi. “A soft approach to poor health and safety was a ...2 weeks ago
- Brooke van Velden’s WorkSafe Cuts Endanger More Kiwi Lives
Even before the 2010 Pike River disaster, where 29 miners perished due to systemic safety failures, we’ve known our workplace safety record in New Zealand is a national disgrace. But instead of increasing protections, this government is slashing WorkSafe’s resources and watering down the Health and Safety at Work Act ...2 weeks ago
- As Antarctic sea ice shrinks, iconic emperor penguins are in more peril than we thought
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dana M Bergstrom, Honorary Senior Fellow in Ecology, University of Wollongong When winter comes to Antarctica, seals and Adélie penguins leave the freezing shores and head for the edge of the forming sea ice. But emperor penguins stay put. The existence of ...2 days ago - Govt Cuts Will Undermine Access To New Zealand’s History
The proposal to cut historians threatens the existence of Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand, which is a vital online resource for New Zealanders and a window to the rest of the world to learn about our rich history. ...2 days ago - Kahungunu Submission Rejects The Regulatory Standards Bill In Its Entirety
The bill's numerous flaws and its potential for far-reaching negative consequences, as highlighted by extensive expert analysis, necessitate its withdrawal. ...2 days ago
- More cuts proposed at Ministry for Culture and Heritage
The axe is hovering over historians and staff who create digital content used by schools and the public. ...2 days ago - Government moves to boost household solar power
Households with solar panels on their roofs will be able to send more power back to the grid - and get faster building consents - under changes announced by the government. ...2 days ago
- Stop conflating being transgender with being sick
This week a tragic death was reported. Media handling of the story has only increased the harm. News broke on Thursday that V, a transgender (trans) teenager, had died alone in emergency accommodation in 2023, in the late stages of an eating disorder. It is always a tragedy when a ...2 days ago - Manufacturing reversal shows economy could ‘come to a grinding halt’ – economist
The recovery in the manufacturing sector has hit a wall, with one economist saying it can't be blamed all on Trump's tariffs. ...2 days ago
- Bougainville legal dept looking towards sorcery violence policy
RNZ Pacific The Department of Justice and Legal Services in Bougainville is aiming to craft a government policy to deal with violence related to sorcery accusations. The Post-Courier reports that a forum, which wrapped up on Wednesday, aimed to dissect the roots of sorcery/witchcraft beliefs and the severe violence stemming ...2 days ago
- What you need to know about the Parent Boost Visa
All the answers to questions you might have about the new parent visa that commences from September. ...2 days ago
- Huge news: Chris Warner has made it to Brokenwood
Michael Galvin kills it in the new season of The Brokenwood Mysteries. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re a fan of murder, small towns and Chris Warner, then the return of The Brokenwood Mysteries is all your dreams come true. ...2 days ago
- Fury of the Small: Buy, sell and swap secrets at the Goblin Market
In episode five, our hero goblins gather with their kinfolk and try to piece together why their home was razed to the ground. Fury of the Small blends radio drama, improv comedy and tabletop roleplaying into a unique audio experience. In our story, four stalwart heroes delve into a ...2 days ago
- NZ has a vast sea territory but lags behind other nations in protecting the ocean
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Conrad Pilditch, Professor of Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images For the past fortnight, the city of Nice in France has been the global epicentre of ocean science and politics. Last week’s One Ocean Science Congress ...2 days ago
- One of Wellington’s most creative kitchens runs on a single charcoal-fired oven
At Supra, chef Thom Millot proves that brilliance doesn’t need endless equipment – just fire, guts and pure creativity. Table Service is a column about food and hospitality in Wellington, by Nick Iles. Ever since the rise of molecular gastronomy and the orchestral slow-mo reverence of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, we’ve ...2 days ago
- Judge Ema Aitken’s behaviour at NZ First event to be reviewed by Judicial Conduct Panel
A Judicial Conduct Panel will look into the behaviour of Acting District Court judge Ema Aitken, after she allegedly accused Winston Peters of lying. ...2 days ago
- New ute owners warned of looming ‘tax grenade’
Farmers and tradies buying utes under the government's Investment Boost initiative may inadvertently end up owing thousands of dollars in fringe benefit taxes. ...2 days ago
- Don’t you know who Neil Quigley is?
Calls for resignation of Reserve Bank chair who championed transparency – but objects to uncomfortable questions about being personally accountable The post Don’t you know who Neil Quigley is? appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago - Why haven’t we noticed our KiwiSaver recovering?
Markets are at record levels, but no one believes it, one fund manager says ...2 days ago
- Christopher Luxon to meet Xi Jinping in visit to China
The Prime Minister will head to China next week - his first visit as prime minister before going on to the NATO summit. ...2 days ago
- US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-t...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Ware, Adjunct Professor of Domestic Terrorism, Georgetown University A recruit participates in the Army’s future soldier prep course at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 25, 2024. AP Photo/Chris Carlson The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on ...2 days ago
- The cost of being: A public servant who took voluntary redundancy
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a public servant describes how gastric bypass surgery, a traumatic brain injury and taking voluntary redundancy have affected their finances. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. ...2 days ago
- It took more than a century, but women are taking charge of Australia’s economy – here’s why i...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duygu Yengin, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Adelaide For the first time in its 124-year history, Treasury will be led by a woman. Jenny Wilkinson’s appointment is historic in its own right. Even more remarkable is the fact she joins Michele ...2 days ago
- With Trump undoing years of progress, can the US salvage its Pacific Islands strategy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Tidwell, Director, Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies, Georgetown University Donald Trump signs a proclamation expanding fishing rights in the Pacific Islands, April 17. Getty Images Since 2018, the United States has worked, albeit often haltingly, to regain its ...2 days ago
- Workers need better tools and tech to boost productivity. Why aren’t companies stepping up to inve...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers turn their attention to improving productivity growth across the economy, it will be interesting to see what the business community brings to a ...2 days ago
- AI overviews have transformed Google search. Here’s how they work – and how to opt out
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University cosma/Shutterstock People turn to the internet to run billions of search queries each year. These range from keeping tabs on world events and celebrities to learning new words and ...2 days ago
- ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in i...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Barrera, PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide Paul Macdonald of Edithburgh Diving South Australian beaches have been awash with foamy, discoloured water and dead marine life for months. The problem hasn’t gone away; it has spread. ...2 days ago
- Sunday Too Far Away at 50: how a story about Aussie shearers launched a local film industry
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Walsh, Associate Professor, Screen and Media, Flinders University Released 50 years ago, Sunday Too Far Away deals episodically with a group of shearers led by Foley (Jack Thompson), and the events leading up to the national shearers’ strike of 1956. ...2 days ago
- Supermarkets wringing billions of dollars a year from suppliers, review finds
A proposed update to the grocery supply code would prohibit major supermarkets from charging suppliers for shelf placement and merchandising, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Supermarket vs supplier The Commerce Commission’s draft review of the grocery ...2 days ago
- Farmers still rushing to convert land to forestry – report
Whole farm-to-forest conversions continue, according to a new report released by Beef and Lamb New Zealand. ...2 days ago
- Experts warn Regulatory Standards Bill threatens future public health laws
One of the experts said it would have a "chilling effect" on public health measures. ...2 days ago
- Geohazard monitoring staff consider voluntary redundancies under cost-cutting drive
The PSA understands the cuts would mean the centre couldn't operate around the clock. ...2 days ago
- Longer contracts for some mental health providers after Health NZ delays
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says it's "not good enough" some providers still don't know if they'll be funded beyond the end of the month. ...2 days ago
- All the novels I studied at high school, ranked
Year 13 student Zara Dollie considers all the books she studied from years 9 to 13, and puts them in their place. From Shakespeare’s tragic love to S.E. Hinton’s street fights, we have all battled with “novel studies” throughout our NCEA careers. A “novel study” consists of closely analysing a ...2 days ago
- When the Facts Change: How big do we want to be?
Infrastructure NZ chief executive Nick Leggett joins Bernard Hickey to discuss the scale of our country’s infrastructure challenges, and the bipartisan approach we’ll need to face them. It’s no secret that Aotearoa is facing a range of monumental infrastructure challenges — much has been made lately of the state ...2 days ago
- ‘Falling short’: New oranga tamariki report finds ‘sobering’ outcomes for Māori in care
Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children’s Monitor’s new oranga tamariki report, looking at outcomes for Māori in state care, provides damning statistics on the inequalities faced by these rangatahi, and their hopes for the future despite it. Barriers to housing and employment, higher mortality rates and a 70% likelihood of continuing ...2 days ago
- Follow the money – it’s enough to buy surgeons tropical cruises
Analysis: By tracing where the funding goes, we’ll see whether Govt health reforms benefit regular doctors, nurses and patients – or private providers The post Follow the money – it’s enough to buy surgeons tropical cruises appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- Chinese-NZ journalist defeats gagging order from ‘Demon King’
Claims of online bullying in debate about Chinese interference are overturned by District Court The post Chinese-NZ journalist defeats gagging order from ‘Demon King’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- Judicial review of EPA’s glyphosate herbicide stance kicking off
The Environmental Protection Authority says there wasn’t enough new evidence to support a review of the controversial herbicide glyphosate – the Environmental Law Initiative disagrees The post Judicial review of EPA’s glyphosate herbicide stance kicking off appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 13 June
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 13 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- 57 years and Fieldays is still a hit with Kiwi farmers
When Fieldays first kicked off in Te Rapa 57 years ago, farmers could get their boots shined. Those days are over, but it is still the place where farmers go to dream. And spend. And watch competitions like the tractor pull. It is the place you can buy a tractor ...2 days ago
- More than a medal: Māia’s comeback a victory over hurt
Returning to the international climbing stage after a year of physical and mental anguish, Rachel Māia experienced emotional whiplash. First came the crushing low of one wrong move on the wall – feeling defeated, doubting her strength, questioning if she was even ready to face the heights of international competition ...2 days ago
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