Iran really non-gay?
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1:14 pm, September 27th, 2007 - Comments Off on Iran really non-gay?
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At Columbia University on Monday, the President of Iran, Mr Ahmadinejad said homosexuality did not exist in his country: “In Iran we don’t have homosexuals”.
His response was to a questioner who accused his government of executing gay people. A special report in the Guardian suggests an alternative explanation.
Iran has between 15,000 and 20,000 transsexuals, according to official statistics, although unofficial estimates put the figure at up to 150,000. Iran carries out more gender change operations than any country in the world besides Thailand.
In Iran, homosexuality is illegal but transsexuality and sex changes are tolerated and encouraged.
Here’s the full article.
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Further temporary changes to NCEA and University Entrance (UE) will support senior secondary school students whose teaching and learning have been disrupted by COVID-19. “The wellbeing of students and teachers is a priority. As we are all aware, COVID-19 has created massive disruption to the school system, and the Government ...1 hour ago - Extended terms for the directors of the Racing Industry Transition AgencyMinister for Racing Winston Peters today announced that the terms for the directors of the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) have been extended to 30 June 2021. Due to the COVID-19 crisis the transition period has been extended to ensure that the Racing Industry Bill can complete its progress through ...3 hours ago
- Healthy Homes Standards statement of compliance deadline extendedThe deadline for landlords to include detailed information in their tenancy agreements about how their property meets the Healthy Homes Standards, so tenants can see the home they are renting is compliant, has been extended from 1 July 2020 to 1 December 2020. The Healthy Homes Standards became law on 1 July 2019. The Standards are ...20 hours ago
- Criminal Cases Review Commission board appointments announcedJustice Minister Andrew Little today announced details of further appointments to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. “I am pleased to announce Paula Rose QSO OStJ as Deputy Chief Commissioner for a term of five years commencing on 15 June 2020,” said Andrew Little. “I am also pleased to announce the ...20 hours ago
- Release of initial list of supported training to aid COVID-19 recoveryThe Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) will pay costs of learners of all ages to undertake vocational education and training The fund will target support for areas of study and training that will give learners better employment prospects as New Zealand recovers from COVID-19 Apprentices working in all industries ...22 hours ago
- Emission trading reforms another step to meeting climate targetsThe Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will finally start to cut New Zealand’s greenhouse gas pollution as it was originally intended to, because of changes announced today by the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw. The changes include a limit on the total emissions allowed within the ETS, rules to ensure ...1 day ago
- Queen’s Birthday Honours highlights Pacific leadership capability in AotearoaMinister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List provides an abundance of examples that Pacific people’s leadership capability is unquestionable in Aotearoa. “The work and the individuals we acknowledge this year highlights the kind of visionary examples and dedicated community leadership that we need ...2 days ago
- Govt backing horticulture to succeedThe Government is backing a new $27 million project aimed at boosting sustainable horticulture production and New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Our horticulture sector has long been one of New Zealand’s export star performers, contributing around $6 billion a year to our economy. During and ...2 days ago
- Applications open for forestry scholarshipsApplications have opened for 2021 Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships, which will support more Māori and women to pursue careers in forestry science, says Forestry Minister Shane Jones. “I’m delighted Te Uru Rākau is offering Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarships for the third year running. These ...2 days ago
- Excellent service to nature recognisedThe Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List once again highlights the dedication by many to looking after our native plants and wildlife, including incredible work to restore the populations of critically endangered birds says Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. Anne Richardson of Hororata has been made an Officer of the New ...2 days ago
- Wetlands and waterways gain from 1BT fundingThe Government will invest $10 million from the One Billion Trees Fund for large-scale planting to provide jobs in communities and improve the environment, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Forestry Minister Shane Jones have announced. New, more flexible funding criteria for applications will help up to 10 catchment groups plant ...3 days ago
- New fund for women now openOrganisations that support women are invited to apply to a new $1,000,000 fund as part of the Government’s COVID-19 response. “We know women, and organisations that support women, have been affected by COVID-19. This new money will ensure funding for groups that support women and women’s rights,” said Minister for ...3 days ago
- Govt supports King Country farmers to lift freshwater qualityHealthier waterways are front and centre in a new project involving more than 300 King Country sheep, beef and dairy farmers. The Government is investing $844,000 in King Country River Care, a group that helps farmers to lift freshwater quality and farming practice, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “Yesterday ...5 days ago
- Libraries to help with jobs and community recoveryA major funding package for libraries will allow them to play a far greater role in supporting their communities and people seeking jobs as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19. “Budget 2020 contains over $60 million of funding to protect library services and to protect jobs,” says Internal Affairs ...5 days ago
- Support for arts and music sector recoveryA jobseekers programme for the creative sector and four new funds have been set up by the Government to help our arts and music industry recover from the blow of COVID-19. Thousands of jobs will be supported through today’s $175 million package in a crucial economic boost to support the ...5 days ago
- Legislative changes to support the wellbeing of veterans and their familiesMinister for Veterans Ron Mark has welcomed the First Reading of a Bill that will make legislative changes to further improve the veterans’ support system. The Veterans’ Support Amendment Bill No 2, which will amend the Veterans’ Support Act 2014, passed First Reading today. The bill addresses a number of ...5 days ago
- Christ Church Cathedral – Order in CouncilViews sought on Order in Council to help fast track the reinstatement of the Christ Church Cathedral The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Hon Poto Williams, will be seeking public written comment, following Cabinet approving the drafting of an Order in Council aimed at fast-tracking the reinstatement of the ...5 days ago
- New Zealanders’ human rights better protected in new BillThe law setting out New Zealanders’ basic civil and human rights is today one step towards being strengthened following the first reading of a Bill that requires Parliament to take action if a court says a statute undermines those rights. At present, a senior court can issue a ‘declaration of ...6 days ago
- Deep concern at Hong Kong national security legislationForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today reiterated the deep concern of the New Zealand Government following confirmation by China’s National People’s Congress of national security legislation relating to Hong Kong. “New Zealand shares the international community’s significant and long-standing stake in Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” Mr Peters said. “New Zealand ...6 days ago
- Government invests in New Zealand’s cultural recoveryThousands of artists and creatives at hundreds of cultural and heritage organisations have been given much-needed support to recover from the impact of COVID-19, Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Jacinda Ardern announced today. “The cultural sector was amongst the worst hit by the global pandemic,” Jacinda ...6 days ago
- Better protection for New Zealand assets during COVID-19 crisisKey New Zealand assets will be better protected from being sold to overseas owners in a way contrary to the national interest, with the passage of the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Bill. The Bill, which passed its third reading in Parliament today, also cuts unnecessary red tape to help attract ...6 days ago
- Cleaning up our rivers and lakesSetting higher health standards at swimming spots Requiring urban waterways to be cleaned up and new protections for urban streams Putting controls on higher-risk farm practices such as winter grazing and feed lots Setting stricter controls on nitrogen pollution and new bottom lines on other measures of waterway health Ensuring ...6 days ago
- Record year for diversity on Govt boardsThe Government is on the verge of reaching its target of state sector boards and committees made up of at least 50 percent women, says Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter and Minister for Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa. For the first time, the Government stocktake measures the number of Māori, ...6 days ago
- New appointments to the Commerce CommissionThe Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister and Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister, Kris Faafoi, has today announced the appointment of Tristan Gilbertson as the new Telecommunications Commissioner and member of the Commerce Commission. “Mr Gilbertson has considerable experience in the telecommunications industry and a strong reputation amongst his peers,” ...6 days ago
- Historic pay equity settlement imminent for teacher aidesThe Ministry of Education and NZEI Te Riu Roa have agreed to settle the pay equity claim for teacher aides, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. This will see more than 22,000 teacher aides, mostly women, being valued and paid fairly for the work they do. “Teacher aides are frontline ...7 days ago
- Govt delivers security for construction subcontractorsSubcontractors will have greater certainty, more cashflow support and job security with new changes to retention payments under the Construction Contracts Act says Minister for Building and Construction, Jenny Salesa. A recent review of the retentions money regime showed that most of the building and construction sector is complying with ...7 days ago
- New Zealand and Singapore reaffirm tiesPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have marked the first anniversary of the New Zealand-Singapore Enhanced Partnership with a virtual Leaders’ Meeting today. The Enhanced Partnership, signed on 17 May 2019, provides the framework for cooperation across the four main areas of trade, defence and ...7 days ago
- JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE ON THE FIRST AN...On 17 May 2019, New Zealand and Singapore established an Enhanced Partnership to elevate our relations. The Enhanced Partnership – based on the four pillars of trade and economics, security and defence, science, technology and innovation, and people-to-people links – has seen the long-standing relationship between our countries strengthen over the ...7 days ago
- Government investment supports the acquisition of new Interislander ferriesState-Owned Enterprises Minister Winston Peters has welcomed KiwiRail’s announcement that it is seeking a preferred shipyard to build two new rail-enabled ferries for the Cook Strait crossing. “This Government is committed to restoring rail to its rightful place in New Zealand. Bigger, better ships, with new technology are yet another ...7 days ago
- Better protection for seabirdsBetter protection for seabirds is being put in place with a new National Plan of Action to reduce fishing-related captures, Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced today. The National Plan of Action for Seabirds 2020 outlines our commitment to reduce fishing-related captures and associated seabird ...1 week ago
- Milestone in cash flow support to SMEsAlmost $1 billion in interest-free loans for small businesses More than 55,000 businesses have applied; 95% approved Average loan approx. $17,300 90% of applications from firms with ten or fewer staff A wide cross-section of businesses have applied, the most common are the construction industry, accommodation providers, professional firms, and ...1 week ago
- Government protects kids as smoking in cars ban becomes lawThousands of children will have healthier lungs after the Government’s ban on smoking in cars with kids becomes law, says Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa. This comes after the third reading of Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Bill earlier today. “This law makes it ...1 week ago
- Parliament returns to a safe normalThe special Epidemic Response Committee (ERC) has successfully concluded its role, Leader of the House Chris Hipkins said today. The committee was set up on 25 March by the agreement of Parliament to scrutinise the Government and its actions while keeping people safe during levels 4 and 3 of lockdown. ...1 week ago
- Foreign Minister makes four diplomatic appointmentsForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced four diplomatic appointments: New Zealand’s Ambassador to Belgium, High Commissioners to Nauru and Niue, and Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism. “As the world seeks to manage and then recover from COVID-19, our diplomatic and trade networks are more important than ever,” Mr Peters said. “The ...1 week ago
- New Bill to counter violent extremism onlineNew Zealanders will be better protected from online harm through a Bill introduced to Parliament today, says Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin. “The internet brings many benefits to society but can also be used as a weapon to spread harmful and illegal content and that is what this legislation targets,” ...1 week ago
- Mycoplasma bovis eradication reaches two year milestone in good shapeNew Zealand’s world-first plan to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is on track the latest technical data shows, says Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor. “Two years ago the Government, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand and industry partners made a bold decision to go hard and commit ...1 week ago
- New payment to support Kiwis through COVIDFurther support for New Zealanders affected by 1-in-100 year global economic shock 12-week payment will support people searching for new work or retraining Work programme on employment insurance to support workers and businesses The Government today announced a new temporary payment to support New Zealanders who lose their jobs due ...1 week ago
- PGF reset helps regional economiesThe Provincial Growth Fund will play a vital role in New Zealand’s post-COVID-19 recovery by creating jobs in shorter timeframes through at least $600 million being refocused on projects with more immediate economic benefits, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The funding is comprised of repurposed Provincial Growth ...1 week ago
- Government exempts some home improvements from costly consentsGovernment exempts some home improvements from costly consents Homeowners, builders and DIYers will soon have an easier time making basic home improvements as the Government scraps the need for consents for low-risk building work such as sleep-outs, sheds and carports – allowing the construction sector to fire back up quicker ...1 week ago
- Concern at introduction of national security legislation for Hong KongForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the New Zealand Government has reacted with concern at the introduction of legislation in China’s National People’s Congress relating to national security in Hong Kong. “We have a strong interest in seeing confidence maintained in the ‘one country, two systems’ principle under which Hong ...2 weeks ago
- Government Digging In On Vaping Bill Only Helps Smoking
“The Government’s bill to regulate vaping won’t bring New Zealand any closer to its smokefree ambition, unless MPs now get in behind the many submitters and intervene to drive down the country’s smoking rates,” says Jonathan Devery, spokesperson ...28 mins ago - COLFO Dossier: Police Claim Firearms Sport Memorabilia Does Not Meet “historic” Definiti......33 mins ago
- Pandemic Strengthens Iwi Resolve For 2020 SettlementCovid-19 has not stopped a North Island Iwi from continuing to ready itself for a vote this year, that if ratified will be one of the largest Treaty settlement to date. Whakatōhea is located in the eastern Bay of Plenty region centred around ...1 hour ago
- New Zealand Tops Savills Global Food Security IndexNew Zealand ranks first in a new global food security index produced by multinational real estate company Savills. The company has compiled its Food Security Index as part of its latest global Impacts research, which looks at the factors shaping the ...1 hour ago
- Govt Misses Huge Opportunity To Achieve Smokefree 2025“A huge opportunity has been missed to make risk-reduced vaping products more accessible to smokers in order to reach the SmokeFree 2025 goal set by government,” says Nancy Loucas, Director of the Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA). Her ...1 hour ago
- Noel Edmonds on his new life in NZ: ‘I’m not bringing Mr Blobby over’
Noel Edmonds is a British TV legend with a 50 year career in broadcasting. So why did he move to Matakana and launch a radio station? Like an over-excited Mr Blobby, Tara Ward gave him a call to find out. When Noel Edmonds answers the phone from his home north ...2 hours ago - Māori over-represented in lockdown police proceedings
New statistics released by the New Zealand Police show Māori were disproportionately subject to police proceedings - including court proceedings and receiving warnings - during March and April, Marc Daalder reports As a debate heats up over racial bias in New Zealand policing, new statistics show that Māori were more ...2 hours ago - Learning to live by the maramataka: Piripi, Matariki and PuangaThe Matariki and Puanga stars are due to rise this month, signalling the Māori New Year. Rehua will set in the west at the exact time Puanga rises. So how do we see them and what are the best dates? With thanks to Matua Rereata Mākiha for We often hear about Matariki ...2 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – June 3 2020
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Mixed messages over social distancing Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): George Floyd protest crowds show Beehive’s lost control on gathering Audrey Young and Claire Trevett (Herald): National leader Todd ...2 hours ago - The week in Covid-19 data: False finishes across the globeHere’s The Spinoff’s weekly round-up of data tracking the effects and response of Covid-19 around the world – and how New Zealand stacks up.Our weekly summaries of data and visualisations use Our World in Data’s work on the Covid-19 pandemic, which is freely available for re-use. Not all data is ...3 hours ago
- Covid, cyclone force Vanuatu to postpone Pacific Islands ForumPacific Media Centre The Vanuatu Council of Ministers has agreed at its meeting held in Luganville, Santo, to postpone the hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting due in August 2020, reports the Vanuatu Daily Post. The decision followed the recommendations of the National Task Force based on ...3 hours ago
- Muller says NZ Black Lives Matter protests made mockery of Covid-19 rules
The National Party leader says the Black Lives Matter protests were a mockery of Covid-19 alert levels, but thinks the country should move to alert level 1 now. ...4 hours ago - Crisis, disintegration and hope: only urgent intervention can save New Zealand’s mediaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wayne Hope, Professor of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology How many media analysts predicted it? In 2018 Australia’s Nine Entertainment absorbed Fairfax Media and its New Zealand subsidiary Stuff. Just under two years later chief executive Sinead Boucher bought Stuff from ...4 hours ago
- Why does crowd noise matter?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Russell, Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, CQUniversity Australia Sporting codes are restarting as part of easing restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. In Australia, the NRL season has just restarted, the AFL will resume on June 11, and Super Netball will return on August ...4 hours ago
- Plates, cups and takeaway containers shape what (and how) we eatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abby Mellick Lopes, Associate Professor, Design Studies, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney Home cooks have been trying out their skills during isolation. But the way food tastes depends on more than your ability to follow a recipe. ...4 hours ago
- Matt Canavan says Australia doesn’t subsidise the fossil fuel industry, an expert says it doesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeremy Moss, Professor of Political Philosophy, UNSW Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan on Monday night denied suggestions the government subsidises Australia’s fossil fuel industry. The comments prompted a swift response from some social media users, who cited evidence to the contrary. Canavan ...4 hours ago
- Climate explained: could the world stop using fossils fuels today?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ralph Sims, Professor, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University CC BY-ND Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d ...4 hours ago
- COVID-19: what Australian universities can do to recover from the loss of international student feesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Marshman, Honorary Principal Fellow, Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne Most of Australia’s universities have adequate cash and investment reserves to deal with the immediate impact of a downturn in international student revenue in 2020. But ...4 hours ago
- Smart cities can help us manage post-COVID life, but they’ll need trust as well as techSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sameer Hasija, Associate Professor of Technology and Operations Management, INSEAD “This virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities and this virus may never go away.” – WHO executive director Mike Ryan, May 13 Vaccine or not, we have to ...4 hours ago
- Our needlessly-precise definition of a recession is causing us needless troubleSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Assistant Professor, School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Later today we’ll know what the bushfires and the coronavirus did to the economy in the three months to March: whether gross domestic product grew (as is usual) or ...4 hours ago
- 40 years of Laibach – is this Slovenian avant-garde band the most controversial in rock history?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dawson, Professor and Chair of Anthropology, University of Melbourne June, 1980, Laibach was formed. Soon, they became the musical wing of the Slovenian arts collective Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK), or New Slovenian Art. Comprising visual artists, theatre companies and a unit ...4 hours ago
- Against Police Brutality, Against Racism, Against Fascism"George Floyd was not the first, nor will he be the last, to have been denied his human rights as the police officers murdered him. Their names, overseas and in New Zealand are so many, over so many years, and their stories are all so different ...5 hours ago
- National Party ‘deeply suspicious’ of refugee Behrouz Boochani’s visaThe National Party is surprised New Zealand immigration officials didn't consult their Australian counterparts before granting a visa to refugee author Behrouz Boochani. ...5 hours ago
- A 515 million-year-old freeloader: this nutrient-stealing marine worm is the oldest known parasiteSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Strotz, Professor, Northwest University, Xi’an The COVID-19 outbreak has put into stark relief the disruption parasites can cause, both in human society and ecosystems. Researchers have long sought to better understand the evolutionary importance of parasites, to help lessen their impact. ...5 hours ago
- Govt’s emergency welfare fund depletes with foreigners still strandedMore than half of a $30 million emergency welfare fund has been spent in just over a month, and many of those in need are foreigners and migrant workers who can't get a home. ...5 hours ago
- Live updates, June 3: Another night of unrest in USFor all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level two – read The Spinoff’s giant explainer about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is made possible thanks to donations from Spinoff Members. ...5 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Apprenticeships to be free, skills shortages targetedGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Significant new support announced for trainees and apprenticeships, more level one detail coming, and long-delayed changes made to ETS.Significant new support has been announced for trainees and apprentices, with thousands of dollars worth of costs being removed for each student. The ...6 hours ago
- Business Wrap: Finally, ANZ sells UDC
After dodging HNA's bullet from China thanks to an OIO block, ANZ finally sells UDC for $762m to Japan's BBB+-rated Shinsei Bank ...6 hours ago - Border tipped to open for America’s Cup sailors
A Government okay for foreign crews to come here to train is likely shortly, Auckland's Mayor says America's Cup teams' hopes of winning border exemptions to get their crews to Auckland to prepare for next summer's big event should be met soon - with applications under consideration by officials and ...6 hours ago - Auckland’s budget cuts: a half billion too far
Can anything stave off 'highly undesirable' cuts to services and projects in Auckland caused by the economic crisis? Will Wellington step in? Tim Murphy reports. For the second time in a year, Auckland Council needs to find half a billion dollars in a hurry to meet its financial commitments. After ...6 hours ago - Dairy company seeks to double its river discharge
Sewage fungus, bad smells and insinuations of ignored good faith clauses swirl in a dairy processing wastewater consent application heard in Hamilton last week New Zealand’s second largest dairy processor wants to discharge wastewater into the polluted Waitoa River, including during summer when flows are low. Open Country Dairy’s application for ...7 hours ago - The PM’s metaphorical view of Covid-19
Bubbles, tails, embers, mountains: The PM's deft use of metaphors has helped guide us in the battle to eradicate Covid-19 New Zealand’s success at containing the coronavirus has benefitted from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s clear communication during her daily media briefings. One aspect of what made this effective was her ...7 hours ago - New badminton league keeps Pak’s Olympic dream alive
Medical scientist Anona Pak won't let coronavirus wipe out her chances of playing badminton at the Tokyo Olympics, and an innovative national league will keep her on her toes. Two years ago, Anona Pak was playing badminton purely for the love of the game. The thought of representing New Zealand at ...7 hours ago - Sleeping beauty: the dear old Woman’s Weekly
Former Woman’s Weekly editor Jenny Lynch on the Bauer-exterminated magazine that may yet rise again. It was born in 1932 at the height of the Depression and laid to rest in 2020 the middle of a global pandemic. In the intervening years the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly became a national ...7 hours ago - Goodbye social distancing, hello the ‘new normal’: NZ prepares for level oneThe country’s coronavirus restrictions might be coming to an end sooner than you think. Justin Giovannetti looks at what level one rules mean for you.Crowded stadiums and restaurants filled to capacity could be reality in New Zealand as soon as next Wednesday as the government eyes an early move to ...8 hours ago
- Keeping the lights on: Can Waitomo and its worms survive a post-Covid world?Waitomo is a town built on tourism. But as overseas visitors, who have been flocking to its spectacular network of glow-worm caves for over a century, dry up, the future looks uncertain.More than 130 years ago, the eruption of Mount Tarawera killed an estimated 153 people and buried Te Otukapuarangi ...8 hours ago
- Our compassionate PM’s mean policies
Our Prime Minister is lauded overseas for her compassion, but her Cabinet is refusing to properly support tens of thousands of jobless migrants and beneficiaries struggling through the Covid-19 crisis, Bernard Hickey argues Over the last year since the March 15 attacks, our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has become a paragon of virtue for many ...8 hours ago - The Kiwi icon keeping your cash
There's the law; then there's what's right. Our national carrier has been battered with complaints that it's hanging on to customer cash for flights it grounded. Jon Duffy's first week as head of Consumer New Zealand is a memorable one - the consumer watchdog was swamped with complaints from Air ...8 hours ago - Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Todd Muller’s torrid start as National leaderAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards The latest opinion poll is out, and it’s more bad news for the National Party, with Roy Morgan putting them on only 26.5% support, against Labour’s 56.5%. You can see the details here: Roy Morgan May opinion poll. Roy Morgan is regarded as less accurate than ...16 hours ago
- Can you socially distance at a Black Lives Matter rally in Australia and New Zealand? How to protest...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philip Russo, Associate Professor, Director Cabrini Monash University Department of Nursing Research, Monash University The death of African-American man George Floyd at the hands of police has sparked protests across the United States and inspired many people to reflect on our own ...16 hours ago
- ‘I can’t breathe!’ Australia must look in the mirror to see our own deaths in custodySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney I can’t breathe, please! Let me up, please! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! These words are not the words of George Floyd or Eric Garner. They weren’t uttered on the ...17 hours ago
- Is your super money safe? Here’s how you can dodge cyber fraudSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roberto Musotto, Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre Postdoctoral Fellow, Edith Cowan University Alongside growing concerns over a possible resurgence of the coronavirus during winter, the pandemic is now creating even more victims as cybercriminals aim to capitalise on the economic upheaval. According ...17 hours ago
- Scott Morrison intervenes over Washington police assault of Australian TV crewSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison has asked the Australian embassy to investigate the assault by police of an Australian Channel 7 news crew during the Washington demonstrations. The embassy, which is headed by ambassador Arthur Sinodinos, is to ...17 hours ago
- Women are drinking more during the pandemic, and it’s probably got a lot to do with their mental h...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shalini Arunogiri, Addiction Psychiatrist, Senior Lecturer, Monash University COVID-19 has significantly affected our collective mental health. For many people, social disconnection, financial strain, increased obligations in the home and ongoing uncertainty have created distress – and with it, a need for new ...18 hours ago
- RSF condemns attacks on US protest journalists fueled by Trump slursAfter the arrest on live television of a CNN crew covering protests in Minneapolis on May 29, tensions erupted further against media reporting on protests taking place in at least 30 cities across the US, which were continuing as of May 31. The protests were triggered by the killing by Minneapolis ...18 hours ago
- Media companies can now be held responsible for your dodgy comments on social mediaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Douglas, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Western Australia Part of growing up is learning to take responsibility for the hurtful things you say. As a person who often says stupid things, I often need reminding. Defamation law reflects that lesson. ...19 hours ago
- PM Jacinda Ardern rejects Todd Muller claim government ‘fractured’ over level 1Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is pushing back at accusations from the opposition that the government is "completely fractured and entirely divergent" in its response to Covid-19. ...19 hours ago
- Freshwater reforms to lead to massive emissions reductions
The Government's newly-announced freshwater reforms will lead to tens of millions of tonnes of emissions reductions. ...19 hours ago - Cap finally added to NZ’s cap-and-trade scheme
The decade-in-the-making strengthening of the ETS is finally upon us, but now questions are being raised over whether the scheme will actually make a difference, Marc Daalder reports The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), New Zealand's take on a cap-and-trade carbon market, will finally have the eponymous cap on the number ...20 hours ago - The next global health pandemic could easily erupt in your backyardSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penny van Oosterzee, Adjunct Associate Professor James Cook University and University Fellow Charles Darwin University, James Cook University We know the virus that causes COVID-19 is linked to very similar viruses in bats, possibly passed to humans via an intermediate species such ...20 hours ago
- Could corporations control territory in space? Under new US rules, it might be possibleSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cait Storr, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney Last weekend, NASA launched US astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time in a decade, in a rocket designed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Under President Donald Trump, the US ...20 hours ago
- Destruction of Juukan Gorge: we need to know the history of artefacts, but it is more important to k...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacinta Koolmatrie, Lecturer in Archaeology, Flinders University A day before Reconciliation Week and the day Australia was meant to be acknowledging and remembering the Stolen Generations, news came of something that seemed to put Australia back a few decades in their journey ...20 hours ago
- Move To Level 1 – With Confidence And CertaintyA move to Level 1 is important for businesses currently either still closed or running at less than optimum levels because of space restrictions. “With no new cases it is understandable that a sense of fear prevails that the businesses may end up going ...20 hours ago
- Nothing stops the march of European integration
A proposed new fund marks the first step towards a different kind of European Union ...21 hours ago - Maori can’t be found on Muller’s front-bench list but they are getting priority treatment on a r...
Claims and counter-claims about racism have been triggered by two lists in the past week. Elective surgery was at issue with one list. Election prospects were at issue with the other. Let’s sharpen our scalpels and start with the surgery. Changes are being made in the Wellington region to a ...21 hours ago - Review: Netflix’s Space Force crashes and burns with a laughless first seasonGreg Daniels (The Office US) and Steve Carell’s successful return to TV? If only. Sam Brooks reviews the abysmal first season of Netflix’s Space Force.It’s pretty much indisputable: The Office is one of the most beloved television shows of its generation, and perhaps one of the most beloved shows of ...22 hours ago
- A dog and its human taste-test Aotearoa’s poshest canine cuisineWith the help of her faithful four-legged assistant, Jean Teng disregards commonsense and ‘only for pet consumption’ labelling to review dog food fit for a king (or at least a cavalier king charles spaniel).Three months ago, I was reviewing fine-dining restaurant The Grove. Today, I’m reviewing vacuum-sealed frozen dog pizza. ...22 hours ago
- Government reveals free trades training for next 2.5 yearsCourses and training in construction, agriculture and community work will be free for the next two-and-a-half years, Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins have announced. ...23 hours ago
- In pictures: The Black Lives Matter solidarity march, AucklandThousands of New Zealanders took to the streets on the Queen’s Birthday holiday yesterday to express solidarity with the US response to the killing of George Floyd. Here’s what went down. Despite it being announced with less than 24 hours’ notice, huge crowds gathered at Auckland’s Aotea Square on Queen’s Birthday ...23 hours ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives an updatePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is giving an update on Covid-19 after today's Cabinet meeting. Watch the media conference here. ...23 hours ago
- NZ Black Lives Matter march distancing breaches ‘irresponsible’ – Police MinisterPolice Minister Stuart Nash is describing the weekend's Black Lives Matter protests as "irresponsible", but any prosecutions appear unlikely. ...23 hours ago
- Violent demonstrations in US show revulsion at police racism is widespread through the community
Is the US inching towards the horrifying race riots of the 1960s? Yes, but with a significant and important qualification. Back then, with real justification, it was African-Americans versus the white establishment represented by crude and unreconstructed police forces whose administrations had barely moved past the civil war era. For ...24 hours ago - Trump just threatened to deploy the US military against Americans. Is he serious?The US president has warned he could to send thousands of ‘heavily armed soldiers’ into the streets. Can he do that, and what will it mean if it happens?What’s all this then? Protests have been raging across the US for almost a week now, after the suffocation of Minneapolis man George ...24 hours ago
- Fury in US comes from long history of racism
The fury in US cities is rooted in a long history of racist policing, violence and inequality The protests that have engulfed American cities in the past week are rooted in decades of frustrations. Racist policing, legal and extra-legal discrimination, exclusion from the major avenues of wealth creation and vicious stereotyping ...1 day ago - Muller should examine the first few names on the Honours list if he needs further lessons in the pla...Showing National’s new leader what his front bench should look like, if only he shared Labour’s ideas of a politically agreeable gender and ethnic mix, wouldn’t have been the objective of the Queen’s Birthday honours list. The list would have been prepared long before the place of Maori in Todd ...1 day ago
- A review of Fake Baby, a satire stuffed with tragedies and small kindnessesAmy McDaid works as a neonatal intensive care nurse at Starship. Her first novel is about loss that erodes and the kindness that – eventually – comes after. The accumulation of daily disappointments is a tragedy in itself; a series of pleasures consistently denied, joy deferred and kindness deflected. All the ...1 day ago
- First CouncilMARK™ Case Study Finds Excellence In Humble Local AuthorityHow does a small provincial and rural council, understated in demeanour, conservative in many areas including financial risk and investment, and humble in its dealings internally and externally, deliver industry best practice in key areas of leadership ...1 day ago
- Labour switches up strategy for Māori seatsLabour's Māori electorate MPs are returning to the party list this year after a bold play in 2017 saw them sweep all seven seats. ...1 day ago
- Thousands march in NZ solidarity rallies with Black Lives MatterBy RNZ News Thousands of New Zealanders have joined large numbers of Americans in protesting following the killing of Minneapolis man George Floyd. In Auckland, Aotea Square overflowed yesterday with people before thousands marched down Queen Street towards the US consulate building. Organisers said the aim was simple,”we want to ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – June 2 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content National Party Tim Watkin (Pundit): Todd Muller: National’s new Dad who forgot to build the cot Andrea Vance (Stuff): Could middle-of-the road Muller come out a winner? Martin ...1 day ago
- Elder Abuse Hits Close To HomeAge Concern New Zealand is raising awareness of elder abuse during Elder Abuse Awareness Week from 15-22 June 2020 which begins on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2020. FACT: 81% of alleged abusers are family members. "We need to face the ...1 day ago
- Leadership Needed On Climate Change ConsensusKiwis need the same kind of unified, non-partisan leadership for climate change that we achieved dealing the pandemic, says Aotearoa Climate Emergency (ACE) network. “Zero new cases today is excellent,” says Phil Saxby. “We need the same kind ...1 day ago
- Labour Selects Nursing Leader For East Coast BaysMonina Hernandez Monina Hernandez has been selected to contest East Coast Bays for the Labour Party in the 2020 general election. “I am an infection control nurse specialist and have been an advocate for the general public and health workers during ...1 day ago
- How New Zealand learned to stop worrying and love government debtDebt has been a bad word in Wellington for decades. All of a sudden the government is planning to spend billions of dollars we don’t have because of Covid-19. Justin Giovannetti on the new appetite for debt, and how it compares with the rest of the world.New Zealand is about ...1 day ago
- Cabinet to consider alert level 1 move on 8 JunePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Cabinet will consider moving to alert level 1 on 8 June. ...1 day ago
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