Guest post: those Euro bright sparks follow us
Written By:
- Date published:
10:45 am, December 10th, 2008 - 10 comments
Categories: climate change, economy -
Tags:
Have you heard the sad news that the EU may be next to join the international communist nanny-state conspiracy against incandescent bulbs? It seems EU bureaucrats have published a “report” which calls for a ban on the freedom-loving inefficient bulbs which have kept our planet warm for almost 130 years.
Thank goodness ordinary decent New Zealanders chose to Vote for a Warmer Future!
– Euro-star
10 comments on “Guest post: those Euro bright sparks follow us ”
- Comments are now closed
- Comments are now closed
CommentsOpinions
Recent Comments
FeedsPartyGovtMedia
- Malcolm McKinnon: Māori and other nationalisms
Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga, mana motuhake, a declaration of independence, partnership under Te Tiriti: these are all staples of Māori political mobilization. A succession of political parties – Ratana, Mana Motuhake, the Māori Party, Te Pati Māori – have upheld the cause, with erratic political success but enduring moral, social ...2 hours ago - Wednesday 27 November 2024
The Reserve Bank will be announcing a change to the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, with most economists expecting a cut of around 50 basis points. The Government is reallocating $30,000 towards more senior doctors and specialist nurses, but some including the NZNO say that this is a “sticking plaster” ...3 hours ago - NZTA pushing for PT fare hikes and service cuts
How does an up to 70 percent hike in public transport fares sound, or maybe a lower increase but a big cut to services? That could be the reality of a new policy from Waka Kotahi outlined in a discussion document last week to public transport authorities (PTAs) like Auckland Transport. ...7 hours ago - Bishop cautious on guaranteeing social housing bonds
Chris Bishop has disappointed Community Housing Providers (CHiPs) by pouring cold water on the idea of Government guarantees for CHiPs’ borrowing from KiwiSaver managers, and by proposing more leasing of social homes. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around ...8 hours ago - These Days
Soon enough it comesHere it is againThe slowly creeping handOf time and its commandSoon enough it comesAnd settles in its placeIt's shadow in my faceUndignified and lameSongwriters: Jon Coghill, John Collins, Bernard Fanning, Ian Haug, Darren Middleton.This morning, I woke to incessant, high-pitched whining, as if someone had turned on ...9 hours ago - What Nicky Kaye’s death means for National
The former Auckland Central National MP Nicky Kaye, 43, who died on Saturday was a critical figure in the recent history of her party. An outpouring of tributes to her from both present and past MPs and leaders of her party and from her political opponents testified to her crucial ...10 hours ago - Government by google
In this year's Budget, cancer Minister Casey Costello gave Philip Morris a $216 million tax cut for their heated tobacco products, on the basis of "independent advice" which contradicted that produced by the Ministry of health. When she finally produced this "independent advice", it did not support her case at ...23 hours ago - Will Luxon let ACT privatise the health system?
The racist piece of shit government is a year old this week, so there's a bunch of retorspectives and looking forwards and so on. Today it was Rimmer's turn - and in addition to gloating about how he's setting the policy agenda and making all the decisions, and about his ...1 day ago
- Our Surgical Waiting List: A Story In Screenshots
...1 day ago - Luxon’s Breakfast
Cover me with kisses, babyCover me with loveRoll me in designer sheetsI'll never get enoughEmotions come, I don't know whyCover up love's alibiSongwriters: Giorgio Moroder / Deborah HarryThis morning, TVNZ realised that they couldn’t credibly put forward Jenny May to interview the Prime Minister again as the possum in the ...1 day ago - Seymour rides high – realising the dreams of Don Brash and Sean Wright – While The Wreck...
1. Seymour rides high David Seymour told RNZ that it wields “disproportionate’ influence in government, claiming credit for “half the ideas” of government, and for helping to lower inflation. "ACT is always there; putting the pressure on.”Seymour also continues to claim "massive support" for the government's Treaty Principles Bill, citing ...1 day ago - ‘Guarantee us and we’ll build thousands of social homes’
Social housing in central Wellington, next to the site of the now-abandoned Arlington redevelopment. To get the building of social housing back on track, a new funding agency has been launched. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy ...1 day ago
- What to do about Auckland Transport?
Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and fans. If you’d like to support our work, you can join our circle of supporters here, or support us on Substack! Last week Mayor Wayne Brown proposed a major shakeup ...1 day ago
- Human-caused ocean warming intensified recent hurricanes, including all 11 Atlantic hurricanes in 20...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters Hurricane Milton approaching landfall in Florida on October 9, 2024. (Image credit: NOAA/CIRA/Colorado State University) Human-caused climate change boosted the wind speeds of recent Atlantic hurricanes, making them more damaging and costly, according to a pair of scientific ...1 day ago - Gordon Campbell on what’s wrong with the Treaty Principles Bill
It has taken until 2024, but even the All Blacks now recognise that Māori are the tangata whenua of this country. There is no consensus however, about what that unique status means in terms of the rights it confers on Māori, and the responsibilities it imposes on the Crown. David ...2 days ago - It’s Time to End Gender-Based Violence at Work
Everyone Deserves Safety and Respect at Work November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day reminds us of the urgent need to take action against gender-based violence in workplaces across Aotearoa and the globe. C190 is the Path to Safer Workplaces ILO Convention ...2 days ago
- PM Luxon is house proud as David Seymour continues to push the edges of social division
Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Luxon Is That Job Interviewee That’s All Sunshine And RainbowsCraig McCulloch (RNZ) has an unbeatable report this morning on Luxon’s reflections of his first year as PM.Allow me to replicate:On ...2 days ago - Monday 25 November 2024
Maritime workers are joining opposition to the government’s plans for resuming live animal exports on the basis that the country “would benefit from being seen as a kind of modern and progressive exporter”. The TEU is slamming a proposal that would end an invaluable timber machining apprenticeship programme, while the ...2 days ago
- PM ‘constructively dissatisfied’ with himself
“Look, I don’t really live with regrets,” Luxon said in one of the interviews marking his first year as PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, November 25: The news: COP29 ...2 days ago - Team of One
Oh, it's a mystery to me We have a greed, with which we have agreed And you think you have to want more than you need Until you have it all, you won't be freeSongwriter: Eddie VedderToday is the last day to subscribe to Nick’s Kōrero at the original price ...2 days ago - A Bad Day
2 days ago - A visitor from the Hawkes Bay rides AT’s buses & trains.
This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, an examination on cruise control and speed limits, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. Greater Auckland is brought to you by a ...2 days ago
- Bridges challenges Luxon’s foreign policy
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last Friday appeared to be starting to moderate his pivot to the United States under the foreign policy reset. Back in August he had told Australia’s Lowy Institute last August that New Zealand’s independent foreign policy was a “nonsense”. But in his latest foreign policy speech, ...2 days ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 17, 2024 thru Sat, November 23, 2024. Story of the week This week, we again asked Gemini to create a topical summary of the articles we shared during ...3 days ago
- End Game
Related articles belowIntroductionRecently, I’ve been having some delays in putting pen to paper.It’s not because I’m short on words -Verbosity seems to be one of the banes of my life. And it’s not because there isn’t enough content: I just whipped up a long list from the past few days.So, ...3 days ago - Rowdy scrappers, beautiful birds
Who doesn't love to watch Tūī? Who doesn't love those colours, almost too good to be true - the deepest, glossiest, most lustrous of deep blue, the iridescent turquoise, the crisp-as-a-vicar's-collar white tuft?Who doesn't love the way they move, swooping as swift as a jet or occasionally bashing the hell ...3 days ago - Fact brief – Has human-caused climate change increased extreme weather?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Has human-caused climate ...4 days ago
- What’s Been Happening? Political Roundup
For paid subscribersI’m currently writing an article in response to a promise to Bill about where everything is heading - and I included a ‘quick’ snapshot of political updates.However, as that list of updates got longer, I thought it made sense to send out as a separate article.So here it ...4 days ago - Bitch
I'm a bitch, I'm a loverI'm a child, I'm a motherI'm a sinner, I'm a saintI do not feel ashamedI'm your Hell, I'm your dreamI'm nothing in betweenYou know you wouldn't want it any other wayWriters: Shelly Peiken, Meredith BrooksGood morning, all you lovely people. 🙂 A newsletter this morning ...4 days ago - Property Rights and the Treaty Principles Bill
Property rights – which enable decisions over tangible and intangible assets – are critical to an economy as Why Nations Fail pointed out. Not just private property rights for, as we shall see, they are more complicated than that. Neoliberals argue that private property rights lead to the maximum economic ...5 days ago - The Hoon around the week to November 22
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with: on the US Presidential elections, Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North Korea and whether NZ now joins AUKUS;Special guest Helen Clark on the issues above, ...5 days ago
- Justice in Brazil
Following the 2022 Brazilian general election, election loser Jair Bolsonaro tried to do a Trump, attempting a coup to overturn the election. It failed. But unlike his American friend, he hasn't been allowed to get away with it: The former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and some of his closest ...5 days ago
- Treasury warns deeper recession worsening Budget deficit
The gift that keeps giving: David Seymour has now opened a split in the coalition over the future of National’s promise to build a new medical school. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and ...5 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 22-November-2024
It’s another Friday and we’re inching closer to the end of the year. Here’s some of the stories that have caught our attention this week. This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and ...5 days ago
- Beyond Question?
Record Numbers: The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, which began at the tip of the North, and the tail of the South, on 11 November, culminated outside Parliament on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, in one of the largest demonstrations in New Zealand’s political history.ACCORDING TO TE ARA, the Ministry of Culture ...5 days ago - The Rush To Blame “The Activists”
Activists are such easy scapegoats. The right and center have been conditioned for decades to roll their eyes at all protests. The left are easily aggravated over students leading movements they see as belonging to grownups, who have more important concerns like the economy and whether the trains come on ...5 days ago - Cutting Through An Inundation of Dipshit Racists
Hi,Watching New Zealand from afar offers a strange perspective. It can be a good thing — distance from Aotearoa helped keep me sane while I reported on abuse at New Zealand’s biggest megachurch over the course of a year. It helps fuel my silly podcast. But it can also be ...5 days ago - This is bad news
The speech yesterday by Treasury’s Chief Economic Advisor warning that the books are in worse shape than forecasted looks like it’s part of a softening-up process for either more cuts or a longer wait to get back into surplus. The speech was a highly unusual public preview of Treasury’s Half-Yearly ...5 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47 2024
Open access notables Projected increase in the frequency of extremely active Atlantic hurricane seasons, Lopez et al., Science Advances: Future changes to the year-to-year swings between active and inactive North Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) seasons have received little attention, yet may have great societal implications in areas prone to hurricane ...6 days ago
- Chicken Kiev
Chatting in the supermarket this morning, I found I needed to lunge for the chicken drumsticks.Coping mechanisms: who hasn’t felt a greater need for them lately?When it all gets too much, I turn to demonstrating handy butchery hacks.It wasn’t that she’d said anything wrong, our friend, not at all. We ...6 days ago - The year is 2024 and it’s 1984
This is written in response to the highly significant open letter from a group of economists that was today addressed to Christopher Luxon. The year is 2024, and it’s 1984. The country is reeling from a record Olympic medal gold haul, while the globe grapples with the choice of the ...6 days ago - Drawn
A ballot for one member's bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: KiwiSaver (Guardian Consent) Amendment Bill (Jan Tinetti) Its a minor bill, which would make it easier for single parents to opt children into Kiwisaver. The question is, will National vote it down ...6 days ago
- The IPCA has failed
Back in 2022, RNZ took an in-depth look at the "Independent" Police Conduct Authority and its handling of killings by police. These are the most serious test of oversight, and you would expect the police's use of lethal force to receive the most severe scrutiny. But despite the police regularly ...6 days ago
- Thursday 21 November 2024
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived at Parliament on Tuesday – the size is being debated but estimates range from 42,000 to 100,000. The Prime Minister is defending not attending due to some of the organisers being affiliated with Te Pāti Māori. The national gang patch ban came into force ...6 days ago
- ‘These budget cuts are counter-productive and make no sense’
I spoke to former Productivity Chair Nana this morning about the letter he and a group of other economists sent to PM Christopher Luxon to urge the Government to urgently suspend cuts to spending and investment for the sake of the economy, struggling businesses and the wellbeing of vulnerable ...6 days ago
- ACT’s Astroturfing & A Co-ordinated Attack on Te Pati Māori
Unity on the Streets / Unity at the TableAfter the Hīkoi, all three right wing Coalition leaders came together to push the idea that the 42,000 - 50,000 + strong Hikoi was somehow less potent and brave, and more illegitimate than the energy and crowd displayed.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon 20-November: ...6 days ago - Durability of carbon dioxide removal is critical for stabilizing temperatures
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink The world is emitting over 40 gigatons of CO2 per year, contributing to an accelerating warming of the planet. The world needs to cut emissions rapidly to be remotely on track to meet our Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to well-below 2C, and we ...6 days ago
- I Love My Leather Jacket
I wear my leather jacket like a great big hugRadiating charm - a living cloak of luckIt's the only concrete link with an absent friendIt's a symbol I can wear 'till we meet againOr it's a weight around my neck while the owner's freeBoth protector and reminder of mortalityIt's a ...6 days ago - Throwback Thursday: Will “Auckland Transport” Survive?
With Auckland Transport’s future up in the air under Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed CCO reform, we’ve dug way back into the archives, to unearth this post originally published in March 2010. As you’ll see, many of the debates that were being had when AT was first proposed continue to ...6 days ago
- Economists call on PM to suspend budget cuts for the sake of the economy
Nicola Willis’ budget cuts are under fire from economists for having no clear rationale and worsening the recession. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 21: The news at ...6 days ago
- The end of policing by consent
National has appointed a new police commissioner. And he explicitly rejects policing by consent: Asked if he subscribed to policing by consent, he said he did not. “I don’t talk about policing by consent. I talk about trust and confidence, and it is fundamentally important that the police have ...7 days ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill: A Who’s Who
David Horatio Waterbed SeymourFringe politician and dweeb transformed successfully by ThinkTank money into a well-oiled soundbite robot.Currently programmed to say: Equal rights for all New Zealanders Equal rights for all New Zealanders Equal rights for all New Zealanders Was previously programmed to say:I am a proud libertarian andI am a ...7 days ago - Kinleith mill closure shows need for industrial strategy
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to deliver an economic and industrial strategy for regional manufacturing, rather than just expressing sympathy for job losses, following the announced closure of Kinleith mill in Tokoroa. “The closure Kinleith mill in Tokoroa is not just devastating for ...1 week ago
- Member’s Day
Today is a Member's Day, and a significant one: it should finally see the passage of Teanau Tuiono's Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill. While the bill is an ugly compromise which is a long way from proper redress for the government's past crimes (oh that's a familiar story), it ...1 week ago
- 27% of kids going hungry, up from 21% in a year
One in four Kiwi children live in households where food runs out often or sometimes. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, November 20: The lead: The official annual Health Survey found sharp ...1 week ago - Transport modelling is an illusion
This guest post by Tim Adriaansen, an advocate for accessibility and sustainable transport, originally published on LinkedIn and cross posted here with permission. People prefer cars, right? Probably not. Here’s why. Granted, most people in English-speaking countries use a car to get around. This simple reality underpins our transport ...1 week ago
- Young Maori take over
Neither Wellington nor Parliament has ever seen anything like it before. The Police said there were more than 40,000 but however many there were, yesterday’s Hikoi to Parliament was a monumental event. It was almost three times the Foreshore and Seabed martch of 2004 and many,many times bigger than ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Aftermath
The euphoria from yesterday’s hikoi may be transitory, but is no less valuable for that. It is pretty rare for the left to feel itself to be in the overwhelming majority, and speaking as the voice of the people. Lest that momentum be lost, the organisers will no doubt be ...1 week ago
- Sabin 33 #3 – Solar panels generate too much waste and will overwhelm landfills
On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia ...1 week ago
- What’s the time Mr Seymour?
Mr David Seymour crawling up to the ceilingThe sun don't shine the sun don't shine the sun don't shine at allMamma Pappa say you should go to school, I don't know what forNow that I've grown up and seen the world and all its liesSong: Southside of Bombay"Ake, ake, ake" ...1 week ago - Submit to defend te Tiriti!
The Justice Committee has called for submissions on National's racist and constitutionally radical Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill. Submissions can be made at the link above or by post, and are due by Tuesday, 7 January 2025. But I'd get in quick, in case National grows a spine ...1 week ago
- We need to talk about Kevin
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family has a Drunk Uncle Kevin in there somewhere. If your Kevin is anything like the ones I know, he was getting along happily enough without having to think too much about the Treaty Principles Bill apart from bloody good job, onya guys ...1 week ago - The hikoi
Like everyone else (everyone who wasn't there, anyway), I've spent the morning watching the hikoi march on Parliament. The pictures are astounding: parliament grounds and the surrounding streets are full, and there are still people backed up along Lambton Quay. The police are estimating 35,000 people, and that's a floor ...1 week ago
- Why Govt & NZ Inc should boycott & regulate Facebook
1 week ago - How should we talk about change?
A better world isn’t just possible, it’s desirable. And that’s how we should frame a lot of our conversations around making a greater Auckland. As an example take urban climate action. A climate friendly Auckland: Is free from congestion Enables people to travel how they choose Is filled with ...1 week ago
- AMA + Holiday Webworm Merch!
1 week ago - Discount Code for Webworm Merch!
Hi,So there’s a bunch of new stuff on the Webworm store (www.webworm.store) — just in time for the Holidays. Read more ...1 week ago - Trying to defuse the tension
There were urgent moves yesterday at Parliament to try and defuse the tension building up over ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill. The Bill’s author, ACT leader David Seymour, told reporters that he understood the Justice Select Committee met yesterday to discuss how long it should take to consider submissions on the ...1 week ago
- An Irritable NZ Pawn – David Seymour Admits Treaty Principles Bill will clear the way for deve...
1 week ago - Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Arrival, And Tyler Childers
Politicians like to bang on all about the need to heal society’s racial/economic divisions, but in their actions they’re more keen on stoking those divisions, with the Treaty Principles Bill being the classic example. The Bill seeks to dilute the Crown’s responsibilities to Māori at the same time as it ...1 week ago
- Socially Backwards and Fiscally Forwards: the False Ideological Divide and the “Conservative” Li...
1 week ago - Kaamos: Accepted
I appreciate that A Phuulish Fellow has been fairly quiet recently. That’s a combination of two things – comparatively little in the way of relevant material to discuss (at least until The War of the Rohirrim comes out next month), and my general work on The Secret Non-Fiction Writing Project. ...1 week ago - Here’s how governments could fix their Paris climate commitment failures
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Governments around the world face a conundrum. Virtually none are on track to meet their Paris climate commitments. That includes the United States, which committed to cut its emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 but is only on track for 32-43% cuts ...1 week ago
- Unstoppable.
1 week ago
- Katherine Trebeck – An Alternative Economic Narrative
The era of neoliberalism has been destructive on so many levels, with a huge growth in wealth and privilege for the one percent. A hollowing out of the state; fraying of the safety net; inadequate government investment in infrastructure; and continued environmental degradation has resulted in damage on a vast ...1 week ago
- Public transport fare hikes a disaster
The Government’s directive to councils to increase bus and train fares substantially over the next few years is a bitter pill to swallow for communities across the country. ...5 hours ago - Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff
Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government. ...1 day ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...5 days ago - NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...6 days ago
- Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...6 days ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...6 days ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...6 days ago
- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...6 days ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...6 days ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...6 days ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...6 days ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...6 days ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...7 days ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...7 days ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...7 days ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...7 days ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...1 week ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...1 week ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...1 week ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...1 week ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...2 weeks ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...3 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...3 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...3 weeks ago
- More relief for Kiwi families
The latest drop in the official cash rate will mean more relief for Kiwis’ backpockets, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The 50 point drop in the rate is the third drop since August, meaning the rate has fallen 125 basis points in that time. “That is good news for families ...2 hours ago - Action on lifesaving immunisations
Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti has praised hauora Māori providers for continuing to lift delivery of life-saving immunisations across all ages and all populations. “In the first 10 months of the Immunising our Tamariki programme, hauora Māori providers have now delivered more than 69,000 vaccinations across all population groups, ...4 hours ago
- Speech to the Community Housing Aotearoa Annual Conference
Introduction Growing together. An apt slogan not only for this year’s CHA conference but also for how good partnerships between the Government, Community Housing Providers, Iwi and others can work to enable better housing outcomes for New Zealanders. It's my pleasure to be here with you this morning as we ...5 hours ago
- Fewer than 1000 Emergency Housing households
A strong focus on supporting people into better homes has seen the number of households still in emergency housing reduce to under 1000 since the Government came into office one year ago, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “The total number of households living in emergency housing motels has been ...5 hours ago
- Māori housing partnership to deliver 198 affordable rental homes
An $82million Government investment into Māori housing providers will benefit many whānau across the country, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. Supported by funding administered by Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, 12 Māori housing providers will create a total of 198 whare in areas ...5 hours ago
- ‘A path less travelled’ – delivered to the French Institute of International Relat...
Before beginning today, we would like to acknowledge the French Institute of International Relations. You have contributed to debates about international affairs over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. Can we also thank the Institute’s founder and Chairman, Thierry de Montbrial, and Deputy ...14 hours ago
- Data set to quantify how business events benefit tourism
Today the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey announced Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) will be the first recipient of the Tourism Data Partnership Fund at the industry body’s annual conference. “Understanding how business events contribute to New Zealand’s economy will help regional tourism organisations to make critical decisions ...1 day ago
- Trade Minister heads to Canada for CPTPP
Trade Minister Todd McClay will travel to Vancouver today for the 8th Commission Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). “CPTPP is a gold-standard free trade agreement. The accession by the United Kingdom and the interest shown by other economies shows the value of the Agreement,” Mr ...1 day ago
- Supporting rural New Zealand: one year of action
Farmers and rural communities are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy. Over the past year, the Government has delivered practical reforms to reduce costs, cut red tape, provide certainty, and get Wellington out of farming. With 80 per cent of all the goods exports coming from the primary sector and ...1 day ago
- Speech to the Community Housing Aotearoa Annual Conference
Introduction Good morning. It’s great to be here at the Community Housing Aotearoa Conference and to see so many people dedicated to fixing New Zealand’s housing crisis. I’d firstly like to congratulate you on celebrating 20 years. Well done, and here’s to 20 more. I’d also like to thank you. ...1 day ago
- Levelling the playing field for Community Housing Providers
The Government has agreed to a series of changes to remove barriers faced by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in delivering social housing, Housing and Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Social housing is an important part of New Zealand’s housing market, providing affordable rental housing for low income tenants. CHPs ...1 day ago
- Statement on Nikki Kaye
Prime Minister and National Party Leader Christopher Luxon and Deputy Leader Nicola Willis are deeply saddened by the passing of Nikki Kaye, a cherished colleague, friend, and former Minister, Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament for Auckland Central. “Nikki’s contribution to our party, her community, and New Zealand has left an ...1 day ago
- Advisory group to focus on organised crime
Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organised crime, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello announced today. “This is an important step to ensuring we have a better cross-government response to fighting the increasing threat posed to New Zealand by international and domestic crime ...1 day ago
- Funding for 50 new senior doctors, more nurses
Frontline funding by the Government will enable the employment of 50 new senior doctors, as well as additional specialist nurses and other health professionals. “This will reduce wait times, enhance patient safety and support vulnerable specialties like dermatology,” says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “Our senior doctors are key to ...1 day ago
- Board of inquiry for Te Awamutu waste-to-energy proposal is appointed
Judge Brian Dwyer has been appointed as chair of the newly established board of inquiry for the Te Awamutu waste-to-energy proposal, alongside a group of high skilled individuals, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “I am pleased to announce Judge Brian Dwyer of the Environment Court as chair,” Ms Simmonds says. “With a ...1 day ago
- PM marks one year in Government
As the Government marks a year in office this Wednesday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is committed to continuing to take bold action on the economy, law and order, health and education. “I’m aspirational for New Zealanders and energised by our ongoing fight to rebuild and grow the economy to reduce ...2 days ago
- New Police station in Auckland CBD
Today, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, alongside newly appointed Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, welcomed the announcement of a new police station in central Auckland. “Public safety is at the heart of this Government’s law-and-order programme, and increasing police visibility across our main CBDs is a key part of that. “Having a ...2 days ago
- Raising awareness of child exploitation
Customs Minister Casey Costello has praised the work of Customs’ Child Exploitation Operations Team (CEOT) for their commitment to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. This specialist team in Customs features in an hour-long documentary, Unmasking the Monsters, which airs tonight on TVNZ 1. “It’s important that Customs has taken this ...2 days ago
- Prime Minister’s scholarships awarded
New Zealand is strengthening its global connections with Asia and Latin America, as 119 individual recipients have been awarded Prime Minister’s Scholarships for education experiences abroad, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Expanding New Zealand’s global engagement through world-class international education is a key government priority,” Ms Simmonds ...2 days ago
- Climate Minister to see Antarctica research first-hand
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Antarctica on Monday to see the impacts of climate change first-hand and see New Zealand’s scientific work on the ice. “Antarctica is under increasing pressure from climate change, with rapid changes to the Antarctic ice sheet, ice shelves, sea ice, and biodiversity now ...2 days ago
- Joint Statement: Singapore-New Zealand Article 6 Negotiations reach consensus
Countries have reached a deal on carbon markets at the annual United Nations climate change meeting (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Co-chaired by Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and New Zealand’s Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts, the negotiations on Article 6 (carbon markets) concluded successfully with ...2 days ago
- Child Protection Investigation Unit established
A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious ...5 days ago
- Speech at United States Business Summit 2024
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Ka mihi ki te mana whenua ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Kia ora and good morning everyone. Thank you Fran and Simon for inviting me here today, and importantly your leadership of this forum over several years now. I want to acknowledge David Gehrenbeck, Deputy ...5 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...5 days ago
- District Court Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Rebecca Guthrie as a District Court Judge. Judge Guthrie was admitted to the bar in 1997 following her graduation from the University of Canterbury in 1996 (LLB, BA). She commenced her legal career in Hastings in 1997 before moving to London in ...5 days ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...5 days ago
- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...5 days ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...5 days ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...6 days ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...6 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...6 days ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...6 days ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...6 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...6 days ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...6 days ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...6 days ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...6 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...6 days ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...6 days ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...6 days ago
- Reserve Bank cuts the Official Cash Rate by 50 points to 4.25%
The cut brings the cash rate to its lowest level since November 2022. ...39 minutes ago - First new charter school will open in Christchurch, David Seymour announces
"This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more," David Seymour says, announcing Mastery Schools New Zealand - Arapaki. ...48 minutes ago
- Without more investment and better leadership, the AFLW risks slipping back into the shadows
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hans Westerbeek, Professor of International Sport Business, Head of Sport Business Insights Group, Victoria University The AFL Women’s (AFLW) league was launched in 2017 as the Australian Football League (AFL) responded to growing demand for a professional platform for women in Australian ...1 hour ago - What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? One contains more air
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia frantic00/Shutterstock As the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time for ice cream or a gelato. Who am I kidding? It’s the perfect time year ...1 hour ago
- From tiny books to ‘brick lit’: Odessa Owens on the scale of her reading habits
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Odessa Owens, senior tutor, Whitireia Graduate Diploma in Publishing. The book I wish I’d written I recently inhaled the novel Sandwich by Catherine Newman and fell in love. ...1 hour ago - Government unveils Smokefree 2025 action plan
Casey Costello says there are no new products or money, but she's planning a "reinvigoration" of the smokefree campaign. ...3 hours ago
- Nearly 1500 more Te Whatu Ora roles face axe, PSA says
It comes on top of more than 500 voluntary redundancies already accepted at Te Whatu Ora, and would be biggest public sector cut to date. ...3 hours ago
- Govt Ignores Health Crisis, Plans To Axe 1500 Public Health Roles
Cuts hit campaigns to keep Kiwi healthy and data support for health care ...3 hours ago - Tagging on with your debit card: Motu Move is (almost) here
You can now pay for public transport in Auckland with your debit card or phone and from next month, the Christchurch airport bus is jumping on board. It’s the beginning of a long-awaited transformation of New Zealand’s public transport. New Zealand’s public transport card collectors have had static collections for ...3 hours ago
- Unmasking hidden online hate: a new tool helps catch nasty comments – even when they’re disguise...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Johnny Chan, Lecturer, Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau People determined to spread toxic messages online have taken to masking their words to bypass automated moderation filters. A user might replace letters with numbers or symbols, for example, writing ...4 hours ago
- The rule change that’s likely to hit property investors harder
Debt-to-income rules are likely to hit investors harder than first-home buyers, as interest rates fall further over the coming year. ...4 hours ago
- Fewer than 1000 families living in emergency accommodation
The government says the drop is positive, but Labour says the need hasn't dropped - just the number of applicants. ...4 hours ago
- Peters Right To Call For More Foreign Investment
Cut anti-competitive red tape, lift the ban on foreign companies owning the plots of land their businesses are based on, and drop one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. That’s how you attract investment, Taxpayers’ Union Policy ...4 hours ago
- Bus and train fares may surge by up to 70% to meet NZTA targets
It comes as the New Zealand Transport Agency tells councils to hit higher revenue targets. ...5 hours ago
- Growing skills, building community: Inside South Auckland’s teaching gardens
From Middlemore to Papatoetoe, seven teaching gardens are empowering communities to produce their own food. Here’s how. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings, a stream of people drag wheeled shoppings bags past the historic school house on the corner of Kirkbride Road and Naylors Drive in Māngere. They continue down ...5 hours ago
- The remarkable story of Willowbank, Christchurch’s first zoo
Alex Casey visits Willowbank and chats to co-director Mark Willis as the iconic wildlife reserve celebrates its 50th birthday. One does not simply walk into Willowbank without encountering its infamous slithering pile of ravenous eels. Kids in dinosaur onesies and Warriors kit cackle from the feeding platform as the slippery ...5 hours ago
- Peters urges France to keep ‘open mind’ on new path for New Caledonia
By Russell Palmer, RNZ News political reporter New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has used a speech in Paris to urge France to keep an open mind about a new path forward for New Caledonia. He also wants to deepen New Zealand’s relationship with France, and wants a stronger focus ...5 hours ago
- Nusra Latif Qureshi’s art invites us to confront colonial histories – and the messy threads that...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ariel Kline, Casual Lecturer in Art History, University of Sydney Nusra Latif Qureshi ‘The room with red tiles’ 2023, mixed media on illustration board, 48 × 34.5 cm, collection of the artist © Nusra Latif Qureshi At the Art Gallery of ...6 hours ago
- Why (and how) I’m not going to be a Christmas grinch this year
Food, drink, shiny things and being merry – Gabi Lardies has decided to enjoy her 34th Christmas. The thing about Christmas is that much of it hurts me. The social obligations, the consumerism, all the eating of things that upset my stomach. It looms over December and November, when devilled ...6 hours ago
- Track your spending, use cash and DIY gifts: how to keep your costs down this Christmas
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes, Academic in Financial Planning, CQUniversity Australia Vitali Stock/Shutterstock Australians are expected to spend more this Christmas than last, with spending projected to rise to A$69.7 billion. This is a 2.7% increase on what we spent last year ...7 hours ago
- Counting people and pay: The ministry with one senior Asian manager
Meanwhile, none of the 600 Asian staff at another 5000-person ministry are managers. ...7 hours ago
- Greenpeace Gives Christopher Luxon An F On Its First Year In Govt Waging A War On Nature
Greenpeace has kept track of this in an article published on the organisation’s website, where the coalition government’s so-called War on Nature is documented in detail. ...7 hours ago
- Who can access abortion in Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erica Millar, Senior Research Fellow, Social Inquiry, La Trobe University Betzy Arosemena/Unsplash Abortion is legal in all Australian states and territories. Women, trans men and gender diverse people with a uterus have the option of taking medication to end a pregnancy, ...7 hours ago
- Live in an apartment and want to charge an electric car at home? Here are 4 ways to help that happen
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Longden, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Shutterstock Being able to charge your car at home is a big drawcard for many electric vehicle buyers. But it’s rare to find chargers installed at apartment complexes in Australia. ...7 hours ago
- KiwiSaver provider suggests saving no less than $1 million for retirement
Here's why one KiwiSaver provider says anything less won't do. ...8 hours ago
- Most NZ dairy farmers put profitability first – but some are planting native trees anyway
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Elliot Noe, Postdoctoral Fellow in Biodiversity, Lincoln University, New Zealand Phil Walter/Getty Images Globally, about 40% of ice-free land is used for agriculture, managed by farmers and herders. In Aotearoa New Zealand, this share is even higher, with 51% ...8 hours ago
- Greens call for bigger rest home subsidy
Rising property prices mean limit for help is out of date, financial adviser says. ...9 hours ago
- Community housing providers calling for a change to no longer rely on private developers
Community Housing Aotearoa says developers could sell the homes at the end of a lease contract, removing them from the social housing pool. ...9 hours ago
- Plans to build rocket launchpads at Kaitorete Spit fail to get off the ground
The government is backing off plans to build rocket launchpads south of Christchurch despite receiving no written advice on the issue. ...9 hours ago
- Treaty Principles Bill: David Seymour’s acknowledgement of rangatiratanga raises ‘a whol...
The ACT leader's position on the South Island shows his bill is "unworkable", says a legal expert. ...9 hours ago
- Foreign Minister Winston Peters urges France to keep open mind on New Caledonia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has urged the French to keep an open mind about a new path forward for New Caledonia. ...10 hours ago
- Health funding changes more a ‘sticking plaster’ than a real cure – doctors
Some doctors say the government's re-allocation of $30 million towards more senior doctors and nurses is welcome, but falls short of the systemic change that is needed. ...10 hours ago
- Chinese ambassador to NZ warns that joining AUKUS could erode China’s trust
Asked about the consequences for NZ-China relations, Wang Xiaolong said: "Trust is one of the most fragile commodities. It may take years to build up; it just might take seconds to be destroyed." ...10 hours ago
- The hidden problem when ‘news’ isn’t popular
Longform current affairs content has an expiry date on TVNZ+. What does that mean for our collective archive? In July, TVNZ released the four-part documentary series Gang Mums on its TVNZ+ platforms and Youtube. Gang Mums explored the lives of women who are family to active gang members, and their ...10 hours ago
- Privatisation lost: How the Wellington Airport saga split the left
An attempt to sell the Wellington City Council’s shares in Wellington Airport divided the city’s political left and created a dramatic showdown between councillors and activists. It led to an unwinding of the council’s 10-year plan and central government intervention. In the first of a three-part series running this week, ...10 hours ago
- Holmes
Many people you write about in television are just passing through on their way to another destination. Then there are the ones you end up writing about for decades. Like Paul Holmes. I hadn’t long been reviewing when, in 1989, he started remaking local television in his own image. He’d ...10 hours ago - Fears for university independence – who decides what is taught
Opinion: Earlier this month, the University of Wollongong announced the potential disestablishment of multiple teaching programmes. Faced with a $35 million drop in revenue for 2024, it is looking to save A$15-20m annually by cutting the equivalent of 90 full-time jobs.Interviewed by the ABC, interim Vice Chancellor John Dewar referred ...10 hours ago
- Official concerns about haste and dearth of evidence in Govt’s first year
Analysis of official advice to ministers shows that fast, ambitious lawmaking comes at a cost The post Official concerns about haste and dearth of evidence in Govt’s first year appeared first on Newsroom. ...10 hours ago
- How rough sex and strangulation entered the nation’s conversations, and bedrooms
On Friday, experts from fields across medical, justice and psychology will meet in Wellington to discuss a rising concern: the normalisation of strangulation and rough sex in New Zealand.“Rough sex seems to be experiencing a bit of a cultural moment,” says Dr Samantha Keene, a senior lecturer at the Institute ...10 hours ago
- Kmart NZ nears billion dollar revenue as Warehouse flounders
Growing competition with Kmart and online retailers puts pressure on already thin margins at The Warehouse The post Kmart NZ nears billion dollar revenue as Warehouse flounders appeared first on Newsroom. ...10 hours ago
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
Meh, incandescent bulbs have their value in certain situations. Rather than a ban, something akin to special tariffs or taxes on them to made them a more expensive alternative to CFLs and L.E.D. arrays.
Next thing they’ll be considering different shower heads in their building codes! Outrageous… we must invade asap to prevent them falling into the clutches of the invisible Nanny State-communist-HelenGrad-PC gone mad-red tape axis of evil.
From this point on incandescent light bulbs are to be known as freedom bulbs.
All jurisdictions who ban freedom bulbs either outright or through so called energy rationing measures are to be known as jurisdictions who do not love freedom.
The non-freedom loving jurisdictions are condemned for lowering the concentration of the life giving nutrient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
A government committee consisting of the renowned ecological scientist Rodney Hide will be tasked with the formation and execution of a plan to overthrow those non-freedom loving jurisdictions, restoring the supply of life giving carbon dioxide to our starving grasses and restoring the rights of the freedom loving people of the world to use freedom bulbs.
mmmm. .. this is the same EU with rules on bendy bananas (no it’s not a myth), won’t let you sell (or give away) kiwifruit if they are too small and generally ignores their own constituents.
The issue was still one of banning the old incandescent lights (better not smack them either!), particularly as there are cases where you still need to use them – we have low energy lamps around the house by the way – it’s economic sense – but in a couple of spots the low energy lamps aren’t suitable eg where we use a dimmer. It didn’t need a law passed frankly.
I also had to laugh about the advice to leave the room when you break one of the low energy lamps (you would need to close all the doors, break 5 or 6 and have a good sniff of the lamps to have any problems and even then ….)
So they are “proposing” to do it three years after NZ had planned to do it. And here is us regularly being told that our exports are in danger if we don’t embrace yet the Euros haven’t even got there yet.
Oh dear I think the world might have just fallen apart.
PK THe classic comment on safety I saw was that you were in more danger by eating the broken glass of a bulb than from the mercury.
Electricity commission needs their head read on this.
PK,
“bandy bananas”—bah! You gotta problem with telegraphs, bud. Tellya what— the farmers’ markets.. the one round here has no problem with the local grocer bcos he does the bendy cucumbers that the so-called markets-oriented T&G jokers don’t supply. But of course, exclusive means they aint cheap. and the guy grins, adding: hey you, look who ever said monopolies were cheap..
point: too much choice makes for delinquent market forces..
ps: the blog was a good gag, guys.
A ban here will not be necessary as, if Europe does ban then we are most likely will too due to most NZ major suppliers are European own and our level of consumption is a drop in the bucket and will not warrant manufacture runs.
There is a major push to energy savers in the US as well, so we will have little choice anyway
Most people missed the point. This light bulb nonsense from the Nats could have only been interpreted one of two ways:
1. They really were ill-informed and stupid enough to believe that light technology was not changing world-wide and that this was not going to flow onto NZ.
OR.
2. They knew this, but were happy to cynically exploit what was really a simple, routine matter of implementing improved efficiency standards as an emotive political attack against the govt.
There are no other options. You now understand the caliber of the people running this country.