How To Get There 26/5/19

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 26th, 2019 - 36 comments
Categories: Deep stuff - Tags:

 

This post is a place for positive discussion of the future.

An Open Mike for ideas, solutions and the discussion of the possible.

The Big Picture, rather than a snapshot of the day’s goings on. Topics rather than topical.

We’d like to think it’s success will be measured in the quality of comments rather than the quantity.

So have at it!

Let us know what you think …

36 comments on “How To Get There 26/5/19 ”

  1. Robert Guyton 1

    We can change.

    Mia Sutherland is a student and the secretary of the School Strike 4 Climate NZ chapter. She is Stuff's guest editor during the student-led strike on May 24, 2019. This piece was commissioned for Stuff's Quick! Save the Planet project.

    Describe your feelings towards climate change in three words…

    SUTHERLAND: We can change.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/112939594/climate-change-using-poetry-to-shine-a-light-on-the-environment

    Walpert explained, by studying poetry, people are taught to think ecologically as opposed to linearly.

    "As much as we need information about climate change, I think we desperately need models for thinking like ecologists – in systems," he told Stuff.

    Here is Walpert's poem titled Spotless Crake:

    Consider

    a life of

    introversion:

    A raised word

    at dawn

    or dusk.

    Easy to remain in shadow.

    Some of us

    might not be known at all

    if not for voice

    and our small hungers.

    • greywarshark 1.1

      I was looking at this poem last night!

      If by Rudyard Kipling. (If is a powerful tiny word, with possibilities and hope contained in two little letters. If only is a combination full of regret, let's get behind 'if'!)

      IF – Rudyard Kipling – 1st verse

      If you can keep your head when all about you

      Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

      If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

      But make allowance for their doubting too;

      If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

      Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

      Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

      And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

      https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46473/if—

      (I would like to put up the whole poem but I can't change the line setting which seems set on double spacing. Can someone advise how this can be changed at will. The setting should not be for double spacing on the use of the enter button. The posts are not good for reading with white space occurring where it is not wanted and taking up too much space for paragraphed or short-line comments. lprent can we alter that instruction of the program?)

      • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.1

        Hi Grey, I don't know how to paste text as single spaced, but if I hold the 'Shift' key down before I press 'Return/Enter', then that forces the new line to in without any (extra) space between lines. If that works for you, then you would still have to delete the space (bringing both lines onto the same line), and then press'Shift'-'Return/Enter' to regenerate the new line without a space. Sorry if this description comes across as a bit garbled!

  2. Robert Guyton 2

    Nick Hunt

    "A central strand of the Dark Mountain Project is seeking writing and art that recognises, or perhaps remembers, that humans are not the centre of the universe, not the most important thing, but merely a small part of the whole – work that attempts to decentre itself from the human experience. The Overstory achieves this better than almost anything else I’ve read, and certainly anything that would normally find its way to the Man Booker shortlist. Is that what you saw yourself as doing when you started writing it? Decentring yourself from the human experience, and writing from outside that bubble?

    Richard Powers

    Yes, that’s a marvellous place to start. At the heart of this book is a very simple idea, and it’s one that has been explored for some time by environmentalists and philosophers and scientists and political activists, and yet hasn’t quite seeped into the arts – and certainly not this most human-centric of arts, the commercial novel. The idea, quite plainly put, is that there is no separate thing called humanity, any more than there is a separate thing called nature."

    https://dark-mountain.net/older-than-writing/

  3. Robert Guyton 3

    Google employees on acid.

    "Michael Pollan has written 5 New York Times best sellers including Food Rules; In Defense of Food; and The Omnivore’s Dilemma. In this talk, he shares insights and answer questions about psychedelics based on research done for his book "How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence"."

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuhmZSFvhL0

    • vto 3.1

      I dont think we know much about the act of death… like the beauty of a wilting rose at the end of its bloom,..

      but so much more than that alone….

    • RedLogix 3.2

      Yes the potential for psychedelics to heal brain injury and trauma is intriguing. Quite a few people, even the unloved Mr Peterson, have been speaking to their potential recently.

      They may even work to reverse or alter the course of age related brain dysfunction, strokes, dementia or even just the loss of memory and confusion that so often accompanies old age.

      In general I'm not a fan of drugs, especially when they have addictive and destructive outcomes, but these seem to be in a different category.

      • Robert Guyton 3.2.1

        I think so, RedLogix. Terrence McKenna takes the ideas a whole lot further and amongst his (self-described) rants, there are precious jewels.

        • RedLogix 3.2.1.1

          I recall a local study over a decade ago (sorry I've no idea how to link to it now) which concluded that in excess of 85% of our prison population had some form of brain injury, often resulting from concussion.

          Imagine the potential role psychedelics could play in rehabilitation. Imagine if we could halve recividism rates even.

      • Incognito 3.2.2

        Is this tapping into, assisting, enhancing self-healing or is it replacing it?

  4. Robert Guyton 4

    How to get there;

    "Instructions" by Neil Gaiman

    Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never

    saw before.

    Say "please" before you open the latch,

    go through,

    walk down the path.

    A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted

    front door,

    as a knocker,

    do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.

    Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eat

    nothing.

    However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,

    feed it.

    If it tells you that it is dirty,

    clean it.

    If it cries to you that it hurts,

    if you can,

    ease its pain.

    From the back garden you will be able to see the

    wild wood.

    The deep well you walk past leads to Winter's

    realm;

    there is another land at the bottom of it.

    If you turn around here,

    you can walk back, safely;

    you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.

    Once through the garden you will be in the

    wood.

    The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-

    growth.

    Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. She

    may ask for something;

    give it to her. She

    will point the way to the castle.

    Inside it are three princesses.

    Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.

    In the clearing beyond the castle the twelve

    months sit about a fire,

    warming their feet, exchanging tales.

    They may do favors for you, if you are polite.

    You may pick strawberries in December's frost.

    Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where

    you are going.

    The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-

    man will take you.

    (The answer to his question is this:

    If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free to

    leave the boat.

    Only tell him this from a safe distance.)

    If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.

    Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; that

    witches are often betrayed by their appetites;

    dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;

    hearts can be well-hidden,

    and you betray them with your tongue.

    Do not be jealous of your sister.

    Know that diamonds and roses

    are as uncomfortable when they tumble from

    one's lips as toads and frogs:

    colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

    Remember your name.

    Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.

    Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped

    to help you in their turn.

    Trust dreams.

    Trust your heart, and trust your story.

    When you come back, return the way you came.

    Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.

    Do not forget your manners.

    Do not look back.

    Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).

    Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).

    Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).

    There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is

    why it will not stand.

    When you reach the little house, the place your

    journey started,

    you will recognize it, although it will seem

    much smaller than you remember.

    Walk up the path, and through the garden gate

    you never saw before but once.

    And then go home. Or make a home.

    And rest.

  5. I watched the introduction of the Zero Carbon bill into parliament on Tuesday. It received cross-party support, even from the National Party, but . . .!

    The ‘but’ meant that National, if ever in power again (God forbid) will do nothing.

    The best speaker by a country mile was Cloe Swarbrick, but even she was restrained by the limitations of the legislation. As Russel Norman pointed out, the bill lacks any compulsion, it is merely ‘aspirational.’

    The whole issue is beyond tinkering; if we want to curb radical climate change, which could or would lead to human extinction, we have to be equally radical.

    • we have to recognise the capitalist model will just not deliver the goods. When I hear politicians talking about 2 or 3 per cent growth in this or that, I cringe. You simply cannot have infinite growth in a finite world. Even the term ‘sustainable growth’ is an oxymoron. So, we have to face it, the economy will suffer, will have to change, but as Cloe pointed out, you can’t view the economy in isolation, it is part of society and the environment.
    • the world probably has 4 or 5 billion people too many. We have to limit the birth rate – one woman, one child. The best way to do this is to turn reproduction entirely over to women (Mike Pence and Alfred Ngaro will have a fit). Male chastity and FLRs (Female Led Relationships) should be the future if we humans are to have any hope of avoiding a catastrophe. After all, males got us into this mess!

    Now that I’ve got the wishy-wishy ideas off my chest, more practical steps.

    • a) a ban, becoming effective say in 2022 to allow businesses some time to adjust, on the import of second hand fossil fuel cars and heavy subsidies for electric vehicles. After all, if Norway, an oil producing country, can have 44% of new car sales electric, we should be able to do as well or better.
    • b) all public transport free and frequent, and as soon as possible, electric. Upgrade the rail network and penalise those who still choose to use their petrol or diesel cars.
    • c) impose severe limits on air travel. Perhaps endow every NZer with one (1) flight a year and set up a market for unwanted flights, so the poorer sections of society can trade their rights. Yes, Air New Zealand’s profits would nose dive but . . . (the bloody economy again!)
    • d) there shouldn’t be a house or dwelling built in this country that isn’t carbon neutral and which doesn’t contribute to the national electricity grid. Also have heavy government subsidies on solar panels as incentives to cut electricity bills.
    • e) impose severe limits on immigration. This would happen naturally as the economy shifts to a more subsistence model, but we have to recognise this country will be an attractive bolt-hole when ‘wet-bulb’ temperatures render the tropics uninhabitable.
    • f) I’m sorry, but it is patently ludicrous to exempt agriculture from any attempt to limit greenhouse gases. Agriculture will have to change, and will need assistance to make the necessary changes, but change will have to happen.

    We can no longer shrug our shoulders and point the finger at the USA or China.

    A lot of the more effective (and symbolic) things we could do would have little effect on the ‘economy.’ We (the human species, and every other species on earth) are in a race against time, a race we are currently in danger of losing. Then all the National ‘buts’ in the world will be of no use.

    • greywarshark 5.1

      Capitalists will not help, they will do things that will result in contracts, and to make sales, and they will encourage growth in those areas. In the newspaper a well set-up chap called Kirk-Hope (great name!) who represents business in some way, announces that we need more foreign capital. And so it goes as Kurt Vonnegut would say.

      He was good at irony. May we be able to see things as he did, and carry on with a faint smile as to our ridiculous quest, but keep trying because in that there is honour and value and respect for others. And may we be more successful than Monty Python's Black Knight refusing to acknowledge reality with 'It's just a scratch, a flesh wound'.

    • Janet 5.2

      AAH some nuts n bolts for a change.. and add to that … the government could act right now and regulate to stop the importation of poor quality products – the "planned obsolence" products and the $2 shop rubbish ……but no they pursue Free Trade agreements instead.

  6. greywarshark 6

    On Radionz – https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018696790/dr-oliver-scott-curry-kindness-causing-happiness

    Dr Oliver Scott Curry: Kindness causing happiness

    From Sunday Morning, 9:45 am today Listen duration 10′ :10″

    Dr Oliver Scott Curry is the research director for Kindlab, at kindness.org online. He's also with the School of Anthropology at Oxford University where he led a team researching the impact of kindness, not just in terms of helping people but for the person being kind's overall well-being.

    They were asking whether being kinder could be a way to solve personal problems; how helping someone deal with their problems could in turn work for the person offering help. They analysed 27 experiments to come up with their final conclusions, and it's a fascinating read. Dr Curry speaks to Jim about the kindness and happiness links they uncovered, and why the little things can go a long way.

  7. greywarshark 7

    Things getting better.

    In the Defence Forces for people who are different – transgender, homosexual, or not willing to attack other people in a violent homosexual way! They have changed the way they treat their men; and women too?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018696447/has-the-nz-military-shaken-off-its-anti-lgbtqi-history

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018696520/i-just-shut-up-man-says-he-was-raped-in-nz-army-in-1970s

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018696447/has-the-nz-military-shaken-off-its-anti-lgbtqi-history

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018696789/jimmy-barnes-the-best-is-yet-to-come
    An individual who had a sad childhood and been able to resolve the worst of his memories and seen musician friends commit suicide because they couldn't.

    Jimmy Barnes: "The best is yet to come."

    From Sunday Morning, 10:06 am today Listen duration 42′ :33″

    Legendary Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes is back with another new album, My Criminal Record due out on May 31st. He's also going to be on this side of the Tasman in September performing three dates of his Shutting Down Your Town tour. He joins Jim in the studio to talk about his career, his demons, his talent and why he believes after four decades of making music he believes the best of Jimmy Barnes is yet to come.

  8. greywarshark 8

    26 May 2019 at 11:44 am

    What it's like to take 14 days there and 14 days back when choosing to not fly from UK to China and back.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018696783/dr-roger-tyers-the-no-fly-journey-from-england-to-china

    Dr Roger Tyers: The no-fly journey from England to China From Sunday Morning, 8:38 am today Listen duration 17′ :18″

    Dr Roger Tyers is an environmental sociologist at the University of Southampton who's just made a remarkable no-fly journey from Southampton to Beijing. Dr Tyers speaks to Jim about why he has shunned air travel and what he's hoping to achieve along the way.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday Dr Roger Tyers is an environmental sociologist at the University of Southampton who's in China to research attitudes to the environment, the climate emergency and personal responsibility. He felt that given the subject matter he would be a bit of a hypocrite to be flying to Beijing so instead undertook the journey overland by train. It's took him months to plan the trip, but he is part of a world-wide growing movement of people shunning air travel to reduce their carbon footprint. Some campaigners say no flying is as important as reducing plastic and eating less meat. Dr Tyers speaks to Jim about his journey and the challenges he's faced.

  9. Observer Tokoroa 9

    The Future of Travel

    I can see no need for people to travel from one country to another. Nor from one place to another.

    The Digital Camera will give a far better view of what is where, at better depth, and with greater closeups. The world will be held within our mind. Any one part of it available instanly, via our digital scans.

    We will know Criminal from Saint. The former being vaporised and disposed of, The Latter being part of a universal School of Wisdom.

    The Weather will declared Safe or not Safe. The Population numbers suited or not suited.

    Health Services will be given to all those who practice good living. For Obesity, Gluttony, and Narcissims, Alcoholism will be unaccepted, Drugs, Oils and such appalimg things as Diesel which are deadly Carcinogens, will be eradicted.

    Violence, even at a low level, will be Vaporised instantly. Dishonesty and Laziness will be treated the same way.

    All of this because our wonderful Planet is too valuable to be destroyed by Idiots of any kind.

    The wealthy and the aristocracy, and the War Mongrels (such as Donald Trump) will be vaporised. Everyone will be obliged to live as wonderful Humans – not as the savages they currently are. There is no space for Gluttons on Planet Earth.

    The NOW young Gerneration is Global – they will get to see the real New World.

    • greywarshark 9.1

      You seem to have lost it Observer Tokoroa. But then did you ever have it?

    • Robert Guyton 9.2

      Those are fascinating predictions, Observer Tokoroa! You've certainly identified some areas we humans need to address and change our behaviour around; I especially liked your "there is no space for Gluttons on Planet Earth."; gluttony, gastronomic and materially acquisitive, is at the core of our problem; Mammon's in the driver's seat presently and not slowing noticeably. I'd modify your: "Health Services will be given to all those who practice good living" to "Health will be given to all those who practice good living" and I do question your promotion of "vaporising" as a method for changing human behavioursmiley

  10. Observer Tokoroa 10

    Dear Mr Greywarshark

    Do you think you could try and get a bit up to date- and put your little homilies away.

    You are drenched in the past good man. Clearly you do not want any change in our suffering Planet.

    Well, you are not alone in that, But I have to tell you the new Generation is sick of your wars Mr Warshark. They are also sick of your little fairy tales.

    They want their Planet – Earth – cared for by persons who treasure it. Not by war mongerers such as yourself Mr GreyWARshark.

    For once, you must abuse yourself – and not me! old man.

  11. Observer Tokoroa 11

    To: Robert Guyton

    Thank you for your comments on my bare bone piece concerning the Future of Planet Earth.

    Not all that long ago, a genius named Marconi rigged up an extensive and patterned Antenna, thereby making communication between Ireland and New York a reality.

    Digital Technology now is more than capable of beaming all the neccessary binaries and factors world wide – to establish present day visual Communication. With great clarity and fidelity and at relatively low cost.

    As to my Vaporise vagabonds. The Leaders of the World appear to be of very low IQ. And whereas some of them are not fully corrupt, quite a number are totally willing to start and cause wars of all kinds, as well as nuclear destruction. Damage that lasts Thousands upon Thousands of Years.

    War is their God. Threat is their Lust. They have to be withdrawn into places where they can no longer function as idiots.

    Each school Day – and each Corporate Day – should begin and end with a Statement such as " I am a Living Being on Planet Earth. I Promise to Protect every Living Thing that I can. So that Earth may Prosper. I will treat Health and Safety as personal responsibilities. I will treat my neighbour as myself. For the sake of Earth."

    Addendum

    May I add, the Soap Opera "Coronation Street" is beamed endlessly. As best I know, it requires no Aeroplanes to fly the Sky to deliver itself. I do not know what the Program is about. but it must be pretty good. It has been running 58 odd years. It's a Reality.

  12. Robert Guyton 12

    Observer Tokoroa; if Coronation Street represents our culture accurately, then we are in dire straits indeed! Weighed down by stupid is a poor place to be and extracting ourselves from that our greatest challenge; how to get there, how to get there?

    I suspect that fighting the worshippers of the god of war will not end well, fighting being their area of expertise.; planning to vaporise seems a ploy from their play-book rather than ours. What have we got, us peace-lovers, that's effective in changing minds?

  13. Stuart Munro. 13

    Quail, brief mortals!

    Now you're probably thinking that should be 'Cower', and you'd be right if I were Pratchett writing about Death. Unaddressed climactic events are certainly coming for us, and some of the palliatives for it are small steps we can reasonably take at the household level. Quail are one of these.

    Of the early domestications of food species, the chicken is probably number three after emmer wheat and the dairy culture that characterised the Beaker Folk. They recognised they'd found something extraordinary over 2000 years ago, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/egypt-egg-ovens, a bird that reliably laid eggs pretty much every day, so long as they were not allowed to brood them.

    Quail, it turns out, are another species that do this, there's a relation to daylight length which in electric times presents no difficulty. So why do quail represent an improvement on chickens? Well, they're smaller. They're quiet (roosters being one reason bylaws forbade keeping chooks in Christchurch). And they don't require a great deal of space – something the size of a large rabbit cage is not, for half a dozen quail, an oppression of battery chook proportions.

    Government have, of course, failed to recognise and foster the potential of backyard aquaculture, but thus far at least quail have evaded their pernicious and perennially inept control. They might suit you.

  14. greywarshark 14

    George Washington Carver (1860s–1943) was an American agricultural scientist and inventor. Born into slavery in Diamond, Missouri, he was raised by his master Moses Carver after being emancipated, having been separated from his parents as an infant during a kidnapping incident. After college, Carver became a professor at Tuskegee Institute, where he developed techniques to improve soils depleted by repeated plantings of cotton. He wanted poor farmers to grow alternative crops, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes, as a source of their own food and to improve their quality of life.

    Carver spent years developing and promoting products made from peanuts, although none became commercially successful. Apart from his work to improve the lives of farmers, he was also a leader in promoting environmentalism. Carver received numerous honors for his work…

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver

  15. greywarshark 15

    On Trade Me: Start price $25 auction finishes Sun 2/6.

    Wetland Restoration Handbook for NZ Freshwater Systems
    https://www.trademe.co.nz/books/nonfiction/flora-fauna/listing-2164331245.htm?rsqid=ca55f01c5c9c4b50982bbf8c58a4c1cd-001
    Edited by Monica Peters and Beverley Clarkson

  16. greywarshark 16

    Thinking of the way forward with employment and how many people are underemployed and in multiple jobs that have to be juggled and so on. It seems that a responsible government needs to set up a PersonPower work force that trains people who are available to work in teams for certain periods on certain projects, perhaps through local Councils, and on orchards and seasonal jobs etc.

    I found a report drawn up for MSD in 1995 which did some thinking and would be worth studying for learnings!

    TACKLING UNEMPLOYMENT; THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO

    https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/…work/…/spj6-tackling-unemployment.doc

    Any moves to help young people obtain skills and training and giving work on projects should be done well, with responsibility to a high standard, with a long-term effect in mind and a very adequate budget. The experience of the Cave Creek disaster is an awful example of how careless government causes lives.

    National in 1995 was well into its neo liberal agenda with business boasting about its skill and experience and not needing endless government regulation checks. It was the early innocent days of the new economic approach of Jim Bolger's government. The Cave Creek disaster arose from a project that was a half-hearted attempt by government to boost training and employment and do projects. It put students onto some seemingly straightforward work to someone at a desk. But the job was far too demanding and skilled and responsible workers were needed and apparently in short supply.

    There was a sad result of 14 people killed when it later collapsed. Fourteen young people who deserved a good start in life, and a long one. This is about it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Creek_disaster

    A survivor felt guilty and had to seek help to recover years later. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10115932
    The commission of inquiry into the cause of the April 1995 tragedy found that the platform was poorly designed and built by unqualified staff but that no individual DoC officers should be blamed.

    The tragedy resulted from combined systemic failure against a background of underfunding.

    Aucklander Graeme Hunt, who wrote a book about the disaster, said he had not heard any allegation that the platform fell due to students shaking the structure.

    "It's a misplaced guilt – the platform could have fallen at any time.

    "There was no question in my mind that it was unstable from the day it was built, whether someone had shaken it or not."

    https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/cave-creek-disaster

    https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/cave-creek-1998

    https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/633

  17. greywarshark 17

    I remembered the Mayors' Task Force for Jobs to help with youth employment.

    This is something being done at the moment.

    http://www.mayorstaskforceforjobs.co.nz/ Waitaki & Waimate Work Ready Passport

    The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs is supportive of the Work Ready Passport and would love to see more Council’s throughout New Zealand supported to create their own local Passports, in support with their local community.

  18. greywarshark 18

    Sea level rises. A map showing coast lines at different levels. The scientist says that the rate of the melting of ice is faster than anticipated and it could be considerable.

    http://hot-topic.co.nz/the-encroaching-sea-new-nz-sea-level-rise-maps/

  19. greywarshark 19

    Climate change effects – Being smoked out of your home area.

    https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-31-05-2019/#comment-1623245
    31 May 2019 at 10:52 am #7.1

    See Sacha

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    Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General, John Ryan, has joined the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago
  • India makes a big bet on electric buses
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Spengeman People wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
    16 hours ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 6:36am on Tuesday, April 23
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 6:36am on Tuesday, April 22:Scoop & Deep Dive: How Sir Peter Jackson got to have his billion-dollar exit cake and eat Hollywood too NZ Herald-$$$ Matt NippertFast Track Approval Bill: Watchdogs seek substantial curbs on ministers' powers ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago
  • What is really holding up infrastructure
    The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    20 hours ago
  • “Pure Unadulterated Charge”
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    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    20 hours ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks for Monday, April 22
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: writes via his substack that’s he’s sceptical about the IPSOS poll last week suggesting a slide into authoritarianism here, writing: Kiwis seem to want their cake and eat it too Tal Aster writes for about How Israel turned homeowners into YIMBYs. writes via his ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The media were given a little list and hastened to pick out Fast Track prospects – but the Treaty ...
     Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Just trying to stay upright
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • “Unprecedented”
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    1 day ago
  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    2 days ago
  • Maori push for parallel government structures
    Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An announcement about an announcement
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Western Express Success
    In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
    Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    3 days ago
  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
    Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
    3 days ago
  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    3 days ago
  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    3 days ago
  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    3 days ago
  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
    Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
    3 days ago
  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    3 days ago
  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    3 days ago
  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    3 days ago
  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    3 days ago
  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    3 days ago
  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
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    3 days ago
  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
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    3 days ago
  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
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    3 days ago
  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
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    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
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    3 days ago
  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    You talking about me?  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    4 days ago
  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    4 days ago
  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    4 days ago
  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    4 days ago
  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    4 days ago
  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
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    4 days ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
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    4 days ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
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    4 days ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
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    4 days ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
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    5 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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