Media bias

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:41 am, January 31st, 2014 - 168 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, labour, newspapers, spin - Tags: media bias, nz herald, Recess monkey, Sam Durbin

Media bias has been a topic of conversation for lefties this week. TV3 has shown, shall we say, questionable judgment, Karol has set out the divergence of treatment shown by the Herald to National’s and Labour’s state of the Nation speeches and the media in general have jumped on National’s framing of issues. Sam Durbin at Recess Monkey documents recent events well in this post.

He concludes as follows:

Now I’m not going to defend some of the poor communications from Labour, particularly around the Facebook stuff, and they certainly have provided the avenue for attack through some carelessness in crafting. Let me be frank – Labour absolutely must get its act together immediately.

But the fact remains that key members of the media have been shirking their responsibilities to report in an unbiased fashion. The claims that Cunliffe has mislead New Zealand are a John Key media line that they are running for him, without even questioning that they could perhaps have got it wrong. Gower’s story that really started it all off is nothing more than a delusional flight of fancy, accusing Cunliffe and Labour of deliberately doing something terrible, and then chewing them out on every platform he can stick his face, voice, and words onto. Perhaps he’s the malicious one here? Did he deliberately forget to read the section labelled QUESTIONS in the material?

Bad press comes in a number of forms. It can occur through the use of framing of issues offered by your opponent, the repetition of statements as fact when they are not, and down to something as simple as the choice of photographs for articles.

A comment from Olwyn yesterday rasied the issue of the choice of photographs by the New Zealand Herald. Because the photos of David Cunliffe that they have used recently make him look, well, a bit naff.

Exhibit A is this photo from Monday’s state of the nation speech which has been used in at least two articles.

It makes David look somewhat grumpy whereas I was there and he looked really happy all afternoon. In fact this is my impression of him from that day:

Exhibit B is this photo:

3001CUNLIFFE1_300x200

Exhibit C

You would think that with all of the Herald’s resources they would have slightly better photos of David.

It is not that hard to get really awful photos of someone. With the benefit of a digital camera multiple shots can be taken quickly. You just set it to take photos continuously and no doubt one of them will look really bad.

As an example of this following is a photo I took of John Key. It was by far the worst one that I took so of course I released it.

This behaviour can be expected of me. After all I am a partisan hack that thinks that Key and National are causing irreparable damage to my country and that they need to be removed from office.

But the Herald is part of the main stream media and is meant to report on the news, not distort it. It is not meant to take political positions, just inform the population what is happening.

Of course the alternative is to bypass the media and talk to people face to face to engage them in politics. This may represent the best chance that Labour and the Greens have of succeeding this year.

168 comments on “Media bias ”

Comments are now closed

MaxFletcher 1

31 January 2014 at 10:45 am

Exhibit B isn’t all that bad
- Lanthanide 1.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:07 pm
  
  Agreed.
  
  C isn’t great, however by itself without the influence of A I think it would be acceptable.
- Richard Christie 1.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:38 pm
  
  It’s an appalling photograph from a technical standpoint. Bad lighting, contrast etc.
  Any decent editor would recognise this, and the decision to use it reinforces the article’s argument.
- dave 1.3
  
  31 January 2014 at 4:40 pm
  
  the herald offered six weeks free papers i told them to f -off why would i want read there lies boycott MSM
  - TightyRighty 1.3.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 11:18 am
    
    you might learn some grammar if you read a bit more?
    - red blooded 1.3.1.1
      
      1 February 2014 at 3:26 pm
      
      Well, you may be tight, but you’re certainly not right about correct standards of written English. For starters, there is nothing grammatically wrong with dave’s comment. It lacks standard punctuation and there’s a misused word (based on a confusion between “their” and “there”), but the flow of meaning is perfectly fine and the syntax is reasonable.
      
      Perhaps you should look a bit more closely at your own errors:
      1) You have punctuated a statement as a question. If you wanted it to be read as a hypothetical you needed a conjunction like “perhaps” then the question mark could be justified.
      2) How about starting a sentence with a capital letter? (Especially a sentence criticising someone else’s writing mechanics.)
      
      I wouldn’t usually comment on these technicalities, but your choice to do so opens you up to a bit of targeted feedback.
      - Tim 1.3.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2014 at 8:18 am
        
        …. as Soimun Brudjiss woud say …. “there are some ‘learnings’ in that for Tighty Righty”
- swordfish 1.4
  
  1 February 2014 at 7:45 pm
  
  Unflattering Photographs of Cunliffe:
  
  Yep, the Dom Post did the same thing to Cunliffe during Labour’s leadership Primaries. Consistently used a highly unflattering shot of Cunliffe – not only did he look highly confused but the shot was also quite distorted, like an extreme close-up taken with an ultra-wide-angled (or fisheye) lens. Very odd indeed. As you say, Mickey, these sorts of photos are not just chosen by accident.
  
  It’s always intriguing to see just how utterly brazen the MSM can be in its partisanship. Bless their little cotton socks.
BM 2

31 January 2014 at 10:49 am

That’s how the media operates.

They’ve been like it for years, Key spent most of last year defending himself from media stories and exaggeration.

It’s Cunliffes turn now, be interesting to see how he handles it because I get the feeling the media can smell blood and where there’s blood there’s stories.

Good opportunity to see how Cunliffe operates under pressure, see if he’s got the goods or not.
- Whatever next? 2.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 11:17 am
  
  It is the ” shark ” like behaviour of the media that is being questioned, not how DC responds to it
  - TightyRighty 2.1.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 11:20 am
    
    you mean how they pick up on discrepancies between whats said and what is actually the truth? yeah, what a pack of dicks for not just publishing labours press release as labour wanted it published.
    - KJT 2.1.1.1
      
      1 February 2014 at 1:48 pm
      
      Grammar? TR!
    - well I never 2.1.1.2
      
      1 February 2014 at 4:34 pm
      
      like they do for National you mean TR?
      - One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.1.1.2.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 4:46 pm
        
        National never release detail and are challenged to provide any when asked. The offending reporter or network (cf. the National Party’s de-facto boycott of National Radio) is then cut off from all access to ministers and are told they will have to go through Matthew Hooton.
        
        well I never 2.1.1.2.1.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 4:56 pm
        
        well oiled machine, and it seems to work well for them
marty mars 3

31 January 2014 at 11:03 am

I saw that first photo of Cunliffe and couldn’t really believe that they’d used it. Your photo of key is a classic – nice one.

Seems the phoney war is over and the gnats and their supporters have started seriously toward their objective – make or break time now because not too many more chances before voting day, whenever it is.
- Sosoo 3.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 6:13 pm
  
  They’re not even trying to hide it anymore. It’s pretty obvious that most of the media people (who are after all “rich pricks”) would prefer a John Key led government. To that end they will avoid any serious political discussion unless it is to the detriment of the opposition, and will spend most of their time trolling and talking about things like Metiria Turei’s clothes.
  
  It’s also pretty obvious that they can and will get their way. It’s why I stopped thinking freedom of the press was worth anything a while back.
  - TightyRighty 3.1.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 11:23 am
    
    it’s not possible to have serious political discussion when one side is managing the economy like a boss and one side is throwing round bribes that don’t actually exist.
    
    The press is free to report how they see things. that they see national as being on message and in control and labour / greens way off message and out of control is more labour / greens fault, rather than the media.
    - Crunchtime 3.1.1.1
      
      3 February 2014 at 4:44 pm
      
      the previous Labour Government managed the economy far better without having to sell the family silver (in fact, they bought some of it back) so you have no ground to stand on when it comes to National “managing the economy”.
      
      The press isn’t free, it’s bought and paid for, this is made crystal clear by how they parrot Key’s every brainfart as if it’s gospel. They see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear. Much like you, TightyRighty.
phil 4

31 January 2014 at 11:06 am

Who polices the police?
Who ensures that the MSM are fair and unbiased?
It’s a rigged game and the MSM in NZ are untouchable.
A change of Government must introduce a quality, independent, non commercial Public Broadcaster. If we can’t afford that we can’t afford a Democracy. Sad and deeply concerning …
- Anne 4.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 11:25 am
  
  +1 phil.
  
  The Herald and TV3 partisan behaviour in particular has gone so far from being acceptable that I think it is time a group of people tested it in court – or somewhere. There are limits to the decimation of democratic governance in a country like NZ, and when the MSM so often deliberately and provocatively aid and abet in that decimation then surely they should be able to be brought to account.
  
  I know almost nothing about the legal system, but there must be some way to counteract their abominable partisan behaviour.
  
  edit: and its no use relying on the BSA because I know from personal experience they have become a bunch of toothless tigers peopled mainly by ex-Nat Party supporters.
  - Sosoo 4.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 6:19 pm
    
    There’s no way. Sorry.
- Sosoo 4.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 6:41 pm
  
  It’s not as worrying as it used to be. Broadcasting is less important these days, since people prefer “narrowcasting” available to them via the internet. After all, when was the last time you learned about something you were interested in from the TV news first?
  
  Many, including more and more younger people, get their news either direct from the source (e.g. someone’s Twitter feed) or from their social contacts (e.g. Twitter, Facebook).
  
  I guess a few people do get their opinions from sources like the Herald, but I have no idea why they would. Bob Jones is about the only regular columnist who isn’t thick.
  
  The good thing about the internet is that you aren’t subject to the rules of media politeness, so it’s possible to openly and honestly refer to conservatives as the disgusting authoritarians they actually are.
  - greywarbler 4.2.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 9:15 pm
    
    It can’t be true that the vast majority don’t listen to radio otherwise they wouldn’t be able to stay in business. They can’t all go to Joyce for subsidies. Do young people actually care about the facts of a matter, or is it the general story that’s of interest and then what emotions are building around it? People who check with what their friends know don’t seem to be interested in the facts, just what is the socially acceptable response at the time.
    
    Perhaps someone who is in touch with the latest feelings on anything could give us an update with what the word is on the apps or whatever?
Colonial Viper 5

31 January 2014 at 11:13 am

The old labour movement never expected the Tory papers to be sympathetic.

That’s why they created their own mass media outlets, e.g. The Standard 1.0, and in the USA, Appeal to Reason.
- swordfish 5.1
  
  1 February 2014 at 8:04 pm
  
  Absolutely, CV. Always known as “The Tory Press” and for very good reason.
  
  The morning papers (THE HERALD, THE DOMINION, THE PRESS, THE ODT) were all staunch supporters of Massey’s very Right-Wing Reform Party (indeed, THE DOMINION was generally considered the semi-official mouthpiece of the Party), while the evening papers (AUCK STAR, EVENING POST, CHCH STAR etc) were Liberal supporters. All became Tory aligned after the 1936 formation of the Nats (albeit with the evening papers remaining a little more even-handed).
  
  And let’s not forget the SOUTHERN CROSS – the Wellington equivalent of THE STANDARD. Published c1946-1954.
Tania 6

31 January 2014 at 11:15 am

I love it how the media go on about Cunliffe but the truth is it is promoting our policy about new born babies yay. It is the longest the policy has been airing while we dont hear about nationals policy anymore and its all labour you hear in the news be it negative. The people are not as stupid as the media may like to think.
tricledrown 7

31 January 2014 at 11:21 am

Keys pathetic responses make Key look a lot worse his demeanor was the look of worry while Cunliffe fronted and admitted his muck ups and looked genuine.
While Keys integrity has been damaged permanently .
After Key has been caught lying so many times and refusing to admit anything.
Its refreshing to see Cunliffe front .
- chris73 7.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 11:29 am
  
  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/john-armstrong-on-politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502865&objectid=11193367
  
  – Really? Is that what its called?
Tiger Mountain 8

31 January 2014 at 11:25 am

The Herald in particular is filth, and people need reminding of this now and then. If they ever ran a flattering pic of Helen Clark in nine years I missed it. Fairfax is filth too, all msm outlets are dirty filthy tory supporters when their track records over time are examined. http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=48735398-FC90-8334-7A51-09FCFDB95B7D

They are staffed by up themselves yet under pressure cub reporters and aging boofheads, print versions subbed and typeset sometimes offshore, edited by the invisible man and part of the capitalist superstructure. The few individual exceptions such as Campbell Live are surely a most endangered species in election year with the “the Three Tory Amigos” Espiner, Hosking and Henry ensconced at radio and TV.

The way to beat these pricks is not to buy the sausage wrappers, dry retch entering the pay zone or provide clicks or eyeballs to them apart from absolutely necessary research.

Politicians need to get out and about like Hone from Mana does and even the unloved here Winston. And use the internet.
David Cunliffe has https://www.facebook.com/david.cunliffe.labour which includes his ”I”m in” initiative which will be encouraging people that want the Key gang gone to sign up and do something at neighbourhood level. Labour and Greens need to do an Obama to get elected (and then stop and not do too much more Obama!)
- Olwyn 8.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 2:27 pm
  
  Politicians need to get out and about like Hone from Mana does and even the unloved here Winston. And use the internet.
  
  I agree Tiger Mountain. That is the way to go – where possible, bypass the messenger and talk to people directly. Every one of the people who were at Cunliffe’s State of the Nation speech has their own impressions, and are not reliant on the NZ Herald’s or Patrick Gower’s.
- alwyn 8.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 3:37 pm
  
  There were lots of flattering shots of Helen Clark in the Herald during her time in office.
  Most of them were in the period just before an election of course and were paid for.
  That photo-shopped one that was in the Labour Party ad’s was so flattering that is was unrecognisable.
chris73 9

31 January 2014 at 11:27 am

1. Boo hoo, the media run unflattering pictures of politicians all the time

2. Cunliffe, as the leader of the Labour party, now has to face the same scrutiny as John Key (and it looks like Cunliffes not handling the pressure)

3. Cunliffe being caught out making a “policy error” again (yeah I’m suggesting it wasn’t an error) isn’t the fault of the media or John Key its simply the Labour party doing what the Labour party does best and thats being sloppy and amateurish

4. If the Labour party want better coverage and don’t want to look like they’re trying to undermine Cunliffe (probably the next best thing Labour is good at is underming its leaders) then all they need to do is stop blaming others for their own misfortunes and start acting professional

But then they woud require some honest self-reflection so don’t hold your breath
- Hayden 9.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 11:36 am
  
  (yeah I’m suggesting it wasn’t an error)
  
  You’re suggesting it was a deliberate lie, and they didn’t expect the army of keyboard warriors to jump all over it? I’m suggesting that that’s a fucking stupid suggestion.
  
  …stop blaming others for their own misfortunes…
  
  When did he do that? Here he is taking responsibility:
  
  http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9667593/Cunliffe-takes-rap-but-fumbles-again
  - chris73 9.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 11:47 am
    
    I’m suggesting the Labour party were hoping to sneak it through without anyone noticing, don’t underestimate the Labour partys talent for shooting itself in the foot.
    
    And as to taking responsibility thats more to do with the Left in general blaming everything and everyone under the sun rather then looking at themselves.
    
    For example its: the MSMs fault, John Keys popularity, big business, Whaleoil, peoples greed etc etc as to why Cunliffes as popular as Shearer or why Labours stagnating or why Nationals still popular
    - Hayden 9.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2014 at 11:49 am
      
      I’m suggesting the Labour party were hoping to sneak it through without anyone noticing
      
      Yes, that’s the stupid bit.
      - chris73 9.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2014 at 11:56 am
        
        I agree, you’d think Labour would have learned by now but apparently not
        
        Hayden 9.1.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2014 at 12:03 pm
        
        Are you being deliberately obtuse?
        
        Were I forced to choose the more intelligent of you and David Cunliffe, I’m afraid you’d come, shall we say, not first.
        
        chris73 …
        
        31 January 2014 at 12:18 pm
        
        I agree Cunliffes a smart guy but I suspect those around him are as thick as two short planks…or most likely haven’t got their heads around new technology
        
        What I mean is the days where a politician could say something and it’d go out in the newspaper and (maybe if you’re lucky) in the nightly news and people (even if they knew it was wrong) couldn’t do much more then write a letter to the editor and by then people have moved on
        
        Mass communication is now a two way street, the left think its like the old days but now a politician says something wrong theres a lot of people (with blogs) willing to tell everyone about it
        
        framu …
        
        31 January 2014 at 12:35 pm
        
        i love this deep insight of yours into how the left thinks chris – its like your a mind reader or something
        
        mickysavage …
        
        31 January 2014 at 12:49 pm
        
        You obviously have no idea what you are talking about Chris. Tell me why don’t you think that knowing what you are talking about is important?
        
        chris73 …
        
        31 January 2014 at 12:59 pm
        
        So why have Labour been performing so poorly, apart from general incompetence, under Goff then Shearer and now Cunliffe?
        
        The last couple of years whenever National got into a bit of trouble all you’d have to do is wait for someone from Labour to open their mouths take the heat off.
        
        Why is that and why has it happened again for Cunliffes big speech?
        
        Incompetence or arrogance?
        
        TightyRighty …
        
        1 February 2014 at 11:29 am
        
        so you say it was an honest mistake and we all have to bow down and just accept it? we can’t be at all sceptical of the labour leaders version of what happened? is cunliffe jesus or something now?
        
        The worst thing isn’t that the policy is different from how is was delivered. it’s that so many of the cheerleaders (MS?) have spent so long denigrating everybody who questioned that it may have been a deliberate misinterpretation, when they are so close to the truth that it looks orchestrated.
        
        Francis …
        
        1 February 2014 at 11:55 am
        
        “so you say it was an honest mistake and we all have to bow down and just accept it?”
        
        The media themselves makes mistakes similar to the one made in the speech, all the time. Frequently you see short apology notices in papers or in bulletins where they have to correct a previous factual error.
        
        Are you implying that every time the media makes a mistake of fact, they’re deliberately trying to deceive the public?
        
        How about when National gets their facts wrong (which they frequently do, since a lot of them are made up on the spot). Heck, when National gets it’s facts wrong, we (the public) don’t even get notified about it, most of the time . The media doesn’t even bother to fact check most of them…
        
        The problem isn’t so much that Labour isn’t willing to admit to the mistake (which they did right from the start). It’s that the whole thing is being turned into a conspiracy theory about how Labour was deliberately trying to deceive the public, even though the correct information was easily accessible on the Labour Party website.
        
        TightyRighty …
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:01 pm
        
        Yes, I do believe that sometimes the media make deliberate mistakes in reporting knowing that they only have to publish a 3rd to last page retraction.
        
        When has national got it’s facts wrong? economy is looking pretty good to me right now. unemployment is down, wages are up, rates are holding.
        
        Take a break National government, give yourself a big pat on the back and have a beer. you’ve earned it.
        
        red blooded …
        
        1 February 2014 at 3:43 pm
        
        “When has national got it’s facts wrong?”
        
        How about the scores of times I’ve heard senior National politicians claiming that they have rescued the economy from the disaster of the previous (Labour) administration?
        
        Labour were very careful economic guardians. they ran surpluses and paid down debt (which has ballooned again under this government). And yes, I know there has been a GFC and yes, I know about the costs caused by the Christchurch earthquakes. However, I don’t see how the government can step away from responsibility for debt while also taking credit for the supposed ‘upturn’ caused largely by the beginnings of the ChCh rebuild. If the earthquakes weren’t their fault (and they weren’t), well hey the rebuild is a response to that huge series of events, not a construction of this government.
        
        And let’s not forget that these guys were determined to cut taxes for the reasonably well-heeled, even in the face of the GFC. So much for being our economic saviours!
        
        Hayden …
        
        1 February 2014 at 11:58 am
        
        I’m saying they’d have to be really fucking stupid to think they were going to get away with it, and you’d have to be pretty fucking stupid to think that they were really that fucking stupid. Clear?
        
        TightyRighty …
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:02 pm
        
        So Cunliffe and his office, speech writer et al, are really fucking stupid. cool. about time someone admitted it.
        
        Hayden …
        
        1 February 2014 at 2:54 pm
        
        QED
- Francis 9.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 11:24 pm
  
  So…it’s a grand conspiracy that the fact of not being able to receive Paid Parental Leave and the Best Start payment at the same time wasn’t mentioned in a 40 minute speech, even though it’s clearly mentioned in the full policy outline located on the Labour Party website?
  
  Though I don’t see how anyone can possibly outline every single detail about a policy in a 40 minute speech (where only about 5 minutes was dedicated to the policy), in hindsight, it would have been better if it was mentioned. Having said that, I can almost guarantee that the media would find something else to pick on…
  
  Even so, I can’t see any reason why those kinds of questions haven’t been raised of the National Party education policy. Aspects such as how people for the positions will be selected are very vague (probably intentionally so), and I’m certain it would be in the public interest to know these sorts of things before they cast their votes.
  - TightyRighty 9.2.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 11:31 am
    
    when i listen to someone trying to sell me something on the spot, with no smartphone, i tend to believe what they are saying. then if they get caught out because of fine print, i cancel. there is a law against misrepresentation of the deal if the fine print isn’t made explicitly clear on the spot.
    - Hayden 9.2.1.1
      
      1 February 2014 at 12:00 pm
      
      Well then, you’re fully within your rights to not vote Labour this election.
      - TightyRighty 9.2.1.1.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:03 pm
        
        me and the other 70% of the voting population. but if they keep this up, 79% again. feeling lonely?
appleboy 10

31 January 2014 at 11:38 am

How apt that the photographer’s name is Phibbs for this work.
Rosie 11

31 January 2014 at 11:49 am

Exhibit A. They couldn’t get a more unflattering photo if they tried. The happy looking smiling people on the left of the photo are at complete odds with Cunliffe’s image who snapped in a fraction of moment, looks like he going to deck that guy he is facing. So even then they are failing to capture the true mood of the occasion.

Given that about a third of the photo is taken up with a close up of a part of a man’s face and his neck, and looks like a really bad drunk party shot just, instead of a professionally shot “candid” press photo shows HOW desperate the Herald were to get the single most unflattering photo they could.

Looks like a deliberate attempt to set an anti Cunliffe, anti Labour Party agenda and that’s without the “commentary”!

And Gower and co over at TV3 I reallllly hope you’re getting all this down, the fact that folks know what you’re up to – you’re looking like desparado’s yourselves.
- Tiger Mountain 11.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:10 pm
  
  Gower has a face on him like a half chewed mintie rolled in dog hair, which adds to the desperado look. Not that I am any oil painting, but luckily do not have to be “my masters voice” in front of viewers of his crappola.
  - Rosie 11.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 12:33 pm
    
    “Gower has a face on him like a half chewed mintie rolled in dog hair,”
    
    That’s gold. You’ve bettered Dai Henwood’s observation that Gower looked like a teenage undertaker.
  - Murray Olsen 11.1.2
    
    31 January 2014 at 1:31 pm
    
    Good description. He has a face made for radio and a voice made for mime.
    - amirite 11.1.2.1
      
      31 January 2014 at 7:04 pm
      
      Gower the News Goblin aka Paddy the Handsome
      - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 11.1.2.1.1
        
        31 January 2014 at 7:13 pm
        
        ‘News Goblin’ – might have to make use of that one 🙂
- Stuart Munro 11.2
  
  1 February 2014 at 2:09 am
  
  It’s quite true. Luckily, David Cunliffe seems to be that generational thing, a sincere leader. Just try to make sure as many people as possible see some of his speeches or better yet meet him in person.
  
  Key’s dishonesty turns people away. Let people see Cunliffe in action and they’ll savage these wretched media hacks…
Paul 12

31 January 2014 at 12:20 pm

Time for the Greens and Labour to challenge the media face to face.
- chris73 12.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:33 pm
  
  I agree, Cunliffe and Norman should definitely challenge the media over this
  - BM 12.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 12:54 pm
    
    +1
    
    Cunliffe needs to call the media out on this, especially Patrick Gower.
    
    He needs to show him who’s boss.
    - chris73 12.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2014 at 1:04 pm
      
      Yeah if Cunliffe doesn’t do this then he must be chicken
      - marty mars 12.1.1.1.1
        
        31 January 2014 at 1:25 pm
        
        lol you two are funny
      - Stuart Munro 12.1.1.1.2
        
        1 February 2014 at 2:19 am
        
        Cunliffe doesn’t need to call the media out – it is their professionalism that’s on the line, not his. It’s like Key’s brain fades – You can’t answer the public’s questions? really? – every time he does it soft supporters leave him in droves.
        
        But it’s surprising the Herald hasn’t sacked their political reporters – they are rubbish. Cunliffe is a genuinely good speaker, much better than Key, and with fresh policy – you wouldn’t think so reading Armstrong et al. Armstrong had to backpeddle furiously after the conference speech, which he did not report – probably the best political speech of 2013.
        
        TightyRighty 12.1.1.1.2.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 11:32 am
        
        where are these “droves” you talk about?
        
        Paul …
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:29 pm
        
        Watch this film and come back and talk afterwards about the impartiality of the corporate media.
        
        TightyRighty …
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:38 pm
        
        if john key was to attack the media it would be an attack on the freedom of speech. when cunliffe does we would have a valid point as it’s biased against him.
        
        claims of bias against “mainstream”, lets not forget that term either, media are largely unfounded. individual publications, sure. The ABC, left like useless whinger. the spectator, slightly to the right of George Bush. the whole “mainstream” media? you are fucking retarded.
        
        the reason it’s mainstream is because the masses to choose to watch it and make their choices on the information provided as a result of their choice to watch it. that the mainstream media reflects the values of it’s viewers is not the media’s fault. if the masses didn’t like it they wouldn’t watch it. therefore mainstream is representative of population due to it’s extremely large sample size, therefore mainstream hates labour.
        
        Not the media’s fault. not the populations fault. labours fault.
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbhNgOyGyPA
        
        Paul …
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:42 pm
        
        Simple question tr, do you accept the corporate media is biased in favour of the National party above either the Greens or Labour?
Tanz 13

31 January 2014 at 12:24 pm

Ther Herald fawn over Key all the time. Does he pay them? The bias is blatant and sickening.
Still, Key’s days are numbered, the public are finally seeing through him it seems.
- chris73 13.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:39 pm
  
  Because Keys popularity as PM is falling (oops its not) and Cunliffes is rising? (has he overtaken Shearer yet?) or is it because Nationals numbers are dropping (oops a daisey they ain’t) and Labours are rising (well you get the picture by now)
  - ghostwhowalksnz 13.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 2:56 pm
    
    Funny you should say that, the Labour -Green group is overhauling the National-XXXXX group
    
    But of course , we then have the idea that the ‘largest’ party should govern because even though they havent won the election, is the latest version of divine rule
  - Bearded Git 13.1.2
    
    31 January 2014 at 4:38 pm
    
    Helen was still popular when Labour got voted out. Key’s problem (apart from the fact he is an extremely poor public speaker) is Brownlee, Bennet, Collins, Parata, Smith, Ryall, Finlayson, McCully, English etc etc etc
    
    oh and Dunne, Banks..
    - Paw prick 13.1.2.1
      
      1 February 2014 at 10:57 am
      
      Poor public speaker?? Just ask John Campbell about that
      - Francis 13.1.2.1.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 2:51 pm
        
        Interview != public speech…
        
        Also, if you define being “good at an interview” as bypassing the questions and talking over the interviewer, then he’s great at it…
    - phillip ure 13.1.2.2
      
      1 February 2014 at 2:22 pm
      
      @ b.g..
      
      ..and don’t forget chem-trails col…
      
      ..phillip ure..
  - Paul 13.1.3
    
    1 February 2014 at 12:33 pm
    
    If you seriously don’t think the corporate media is not inherently biased, then you need to educate yourself.
    
    http://canterbury.cyberplace.org.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Miscellaneous/mediaown.pdf
    
    However, I think you know the fundamentals of this already and just spinning for the 1%.
    If they’re paying you, you are contemptible.
    If they’re not paying you, you are quite deluded.
    
    Or of course you are one of the 1%.
- ghostwhowalksnz 13.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:41 pm
  
  He doesnt pay them. But he has some very nasty dogs in his media office that will bite if they see something they dont like.
  As we have seen with the ‘reducing wages’ interview some time back, if they dont get the bad press changed by the editors they will get the company board of directors to intervene.
- The Pink Postman 13.3
  
  1 February 2014 at 3:48 pm
  
  Just note that on nearly every page of the Herald there in bold print
  is “National.”
  Then on radio every day we have “radio NZ’ ” NATIONAL” Its too clever to be coincidental ,don’t you think??.
blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 14

31 January 2014 at 12:37 pm

What is becoming patently clear is that the right-wing are unable to criticise the substance of the policies that Labour have proposed because these policies are good – and are having to resort to pernickety criticisms, fabrications and bad photos.

It is truly shocking to see our mainstream media doing the Nat party electioneering for them.

Just have to remind ourselves of the weakness of the right-wing. They are clueless about how to act in the interests of the greatest number of people and playing below-the-belt tactics is the only way they get into power.

Sadly these tactics are based on knowledge on how to influence people against their best interests and hopefully there are people in the appropriate circles (media & political) looking into the connections between the media/Gower & others and the Nat party pay roll.

We need a whistle-blower here & if anyone is considering it – please remind yourself of how this behaviour of the media is degenerating our democracy.
- McFlock 14.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:41 pm
  
  it’ll get dirtier as the year progresses.
  But the dirtier it gets it means the more desperate they’re becoming
  - chris73 14.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 12:46 pm
    
    I agree Labour love the dirt but hopefully they won’t go as far as they’ve done in previous elections
    - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 14.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2014 at 2:03 pm
      
      No Labour doesn’t like ‘the dirt’ – they get others to do it for them, for example like that time in 2005 when they made secret agreements with that Christian group to write up large adverts condemning the Government of the day – thereby working their way around the election funding rules – and how they feed dirt to dirty blogsites that write with no scruples – in this way they get their dirty messages across to the public without having the dirt emanating from them connected directly with their ‘brand’
      
      No, wait! Hang about! – It is the National Party that did those things not Labour!
      
      +1 McFlock – The dirtier it gets it means the more desperate National are becoming
- chris73 14.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:43 pm
  
  Well theres this:
  
  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11194409
  
  Maybe labours policies arn’t good and how they’ve been announced has been a dogs breakfast
  - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 14.2.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 2:21 pm
    
    The way that Best Start has been formulated is that it allows those on no & low income to get a relatively large boost to their flailing incomes – $ 60 for those in the upper bracket may well be considered a pittance – or it may encourage a longer time off work for one of the parents – which is a good thing for the baby.
    
    Some here on the Standard have mentioned that those on higher income don’t need to accept the payment – I am unclear whether this is true or not.
    
    I agree that it could have been targeted more specifically toward those on lower household incomes however the benefit of targeting those from $150 000 household income and under is that it fairly well lumps 95% of New Zealanders in the same category – as they should be – and counteracts the divisive politics of the right of picking sections of us off and pitting us against one another – but then I guess the right-wing have realised that already and that is why they are spewing.
    - TightyRighty 14.2.1.1
      
      1 February 2014 at 11:34 am
      
      take $60pw in exchange for cancelling the family tax credit of $150pw. labour giveth, labour taketh away. BS, that’s a targeted poverty policy all right
      - Francis 14.2.1.1.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:15 pm
        
        From what I can tell, the Parental tax credit is an alternative for Paid Parental Leave currently. You cannot receive both at once. It’s also not available to anyone on many benefits.
        
        People can only claim it for up to 8 weeks after the birth of the child too, compared to the 1-3 years of the Best Start payment.
        
        So, if you’re in the rare case of it making sense to claim this tax credit (ie not on paid parental leave, not on a benefit, earning less than $20,000 per year), then you’ll only receive up to $1200. Keep in mind that Parental tax credit is means-tested, so $150 is the maximum rather than a fixed amount.
        
        Compare that to the Best Start payment fixed at $60 per week, which is available to anyone earning less than $150,000, which gives $3120 all up for those not receiving parental leave for the first year (and, as said above, anyone who may have received the Parental tax credit would not be receiving parental leave).
        
        In addition, anyone who was likely to want to receive the tax credit rather than leave would probably be earning well under $50,000, and thus would receive the extra $6240 for the next two years. Overall, that’s $9360 compared to $1200, which is nearly 8 times as much.
        
        Plus, it doesn’t have the added administrative and bureaucratic costs of means testing, as the Parental tax credit does…
Rosie 15

31 January 2014 at 12:40 pm

Can I ask, what is TV1 news like these days? I boycotted them about ten years ago but it looks like I might be boycotting TV3 some day soon, apart from Campbell Live. Not that either of them are necessary as a source of “News”, it’s more like a shameful case of 6pm junk news addiction that I suffer.

If this was on offer however:

“A change of Government must introduce a quality, independent, non commercial Public Broadcaster. If we can’t afford that we can’t afford a Democracy. Sad and deeply concerning …”

You’re so right phil
- blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 15.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 12:58 pm
  
  My opinion is that TV One news are more supportive of the left – or at the very least more ‘balanced’. They are not perfect, however TV3 news appears to be very captured by the right. I do not watch this news for information – only occasionally switch over to see the framing they are choosing to convey to the public.
  
  It is sad because TV3 cover New Zealand news stories in more detail than TV1 – however their bias is right-wing and they compromise information for that bias.
  
  I recall a Pike River Mine item on TV3 news – where John Key was letting the miners down severely – they did a series of quick shots of John Key – one of which where he was holding a baby and showing it a toy of some type. This picture was flashed on the screen quickly and had no relevance to the information being discussed – considering Key was reneging on some level of support that he’d promised and that it was a very negative piece of news – I consider the choice to show this shot as being motivated to connect Key with something good while bad news was being delivered – this approach targets peoples’ unconscious brains & has been proven to be effective at influencing people without their conscious knowing. You have to ask yourself what are news sources applying such techniques for?
  - Rosie 15.1.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 2:02 pm
    
    Hi Blue Leopard. That is an interesting observation about the “positive Key image” inserted into the negative but true Key story re his abandonment of the Pike River Families. I don’t really recall Key ever being shown in a negative light on 3News.
    
    I might experiment and watch 1News for a week and see if there is a difference in reporting the same story and how it is framed. I might also watch as new legislation comes up too. Soon we will have Bridge’s Victorian Era -Workhouse-Union Busting ERA amendments and Hone’s Feed The Kids bill which has already been delayed. Will be interesting to see how this come across on TV1 as opposed to TV3
    - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 15.1.1.1
      
      31 January 2014 at 2:08 pm
      
      I find comparing the framing between the two stations very interesting and I thoroughly recommend others doing it too – this activity has been made all the more easier with the TV1 plus and TV3 plus channels (playing the same programmes and hour later).
      
      Would be interested in your impressions after doing that, Rosie [& anyone else].
  - floyd 15.1.2
    
    1 February 2014 at 8:23 pm
    
    It is subliminal indoctrination. Not helped by the amount of times the word *key* is used in everday communications.
    - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 15.1.2.1
      
      1 February 2014 at 8:30 pm
      
      …yeah that point you make about the common nature of the word ‘key’ is a good point and another bloody annoying factor in all this.
- Tanz 15.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 1:05 pm
  
  Mark Sainsbury was refrreshingly unbiased. Really miss him. TV One News is a bit light these days, too many presenters.
- Naki Man 15.3
  
  31 January 2014 at 11:40 pm
  
  Campbell live as I have said before Tv3’s hard left infomercial. And you don’t like media that is biased. You must be f#%king joking
Tanz 16

31 January 2014 at 12:45 pm

And as for the flag change, why has Key put that on the table now? It hasn;t been mentioned for some time. What a power monger he is, an opportunist to the last.
- PapaMike 16.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 2:25 pm
  
  It is being said in Wellington that the Flag change proposal was to be put to the next Labour Party Conference remit, but a HO staff member leaked it to the media, and National, and Key was asked the question by the reporter,to which he already knew the answer.
- Lanthanide 16.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 6:39 pm
  
  The Listener had a cover story about changing the flag for their first issue of this year, IIRC. Which was before Key mentioned anything. This year, anyway.
  
  Back in September when he had the junket trip to see the Queen, he was quoted as saying he loved the royals and didn’t want to become a republic, “but that wouldn’t stop me from changing the flag”.
Sybok 17

31 January 2014 at 2:52 pm

So, the only place this has been a topic of discussion is The Standard and maybe some other random left-wing blogs.

It’s a pointless argument because the Left always thinks the media is right-leaning and the Right always think the media is left-leaning. Meaning, both sides are as stupid as each other on this one and only raise it because their dude (or dudette) hasn’t had a good week and throw a tanty.

Seriously, get back to substantive stuff and how in future not to screw up a major policy release.
- blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 17.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 4:34 pm
  
  @ Sybok
  
  How information is conveyed is extremely substantive stuff. How accurately and non-biased information is conveyed to the general public will affect how well a democracy will function.
captain hook 18

31 January 2014 at 3:34 pm

The thing is the media in New Zealand is staffed by kids who think they are cute. They have no integrity and dont know anything about anything.
A prime example is the Grammys. There was never a mention of who won any other award except the one the kiwi sheila was in.
Solipsistic narcissistic head up your ass kiss the bosses arse style journalism.
Daniel 19

31 January 2014 at 5:43 pm

All pictures of politicians in all media outlets should be replaced with Ron Mark flipping the bird in Parliament.
Whatever next? 20

31 January 2014 at 6:00 pm

Happens on radio too, last election year, constantly used phrases like “commanding lead for National” ” desperate Labour” sort of subliminal messages……yes, I know sounds paranoid, except it worked!
- blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 20.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 6:19 pm
  
  Would only sound paranoid if we all hadn’t heard it
- corokia 20.2
  
  31 January 2014 at 7:18 pm
  
  RadioNZ news this afternoon quoted Key…
  “Ms Turei said their behaviour amounts to bullying, but Prime Minister John Key said that’s not the case.
  “Go back and play the file footage and see who says the hardest, often nastiest comments. Almost always comes from the Greens – they go really hard.”
  
  This is crap, the Greens are quite polite, when was the last time they called other politicians ‘devil beasts” or ‘Taliban’?
  What pisses me off is that journalists let Key away with made up shit like this without challenging him. It might be laziness, but it comes across as bias.
  - KJT 20.2.1
    
    31 January 2014 at 8:24 pm
    
    An example of bias/spin is when the first headline is “Key says” ………”Cunliffe”.
    
    The next is. “Cunliff denies”.
    
    A variation on the “when did you stop beating your wife”, gambit.
    
    When a newspaper wants to insinuate something and stay on the right side of the defamation laws, the headline is “(so and so) denies”.
  - SHG (not Colonial Viper) 20.2.2
    
    31 January 2014 at 8:59 pm
    
    Dear Turei, boo fucking hoo. Harden up princess, you’re in Parliament – not playing tiddlywinks (Andre).
    - hamish 20.2.2.1
      
      31 January 2014 at 9:13 pm
      
      Just think, in a few months you’ll be able to say Harden up princess, you’re in Government
      - One Anonymous Knucklehead 20.2.2.1.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 2:49 pm
        
        😆
    - Murray Olsen 20.2.2.2
      
      1 February 2014 at 1:15 am
      
      Metiria drew attention to ongoing racism coming from NAct. She didn’t cry. She is hard enough. A weak, soft woman would ignore it.
      - SHG (not Colonial Viper) 20.2.2.2.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 3:31 am
        
        Meh, a panicky playing of the race card IMHO. If this was a coded racist attack on Turei for being Maori, then every comment about John Key being a rich banker is coded antisemitism.
        
        Pasupial 20.2.2.2.1.1
        
        1 February 2014 at 9:02 am
        
        SHG
        
        Your opinion is not humble, nor does it have any validity. Key is a self-confessed admirer of Muldoon, a multi-millionaire who made his cash getting inflated bonuses for dubious dealings for an overseas (now defunct) corporation, and proud of his nickname; the Smiling Assassin (bestowed for his skill at firing employees).
        
        The sooner we kick that sociopathic manipulator back to Hawaii the better for what remains of the country.
        
        SHG (not Colonial Viper) …
        
        1 February 2014 at 12:02 pm
        
        Pasupial, your references to Key’s wealth (greed) and having worked overseas (allegiance to foreign interests) are quite clearly antisemitic attacks.
        
        HEY GUYS LOOK OVER HERE PASUPIAL HATES JEWS
        
        Paupial …
        
        2 February 2014 at 7:57 am
        
        HEY GUYS LOOK OVER HERE; SHG IS UTTERLY UNABLE TO COMPREHEND WRITTEN ENGLISH AND IS REDUCED TO SHOUTING IMBECILIC SLURS UNFOUNDED IN EVIDENCE.
        
        I do regard John Key as a sociopathic crytofascist stooge of foreign interests. Yes, he is Jewish on his maternal (Lazar) side, although it doesn’t seem to be a large part of his self image. Really that is irrelevant – except possibly when it comes to his relationship as NZ PM with the state of Israel.
        
        felix …
        
        2 February 2014 at 2:16 pm
        
        “your references to Key’s wealth (greed) and having worked overseas (allegiance to foreign interests) are quite clearly antisemitic attacks.”
        
        Hey SHG, why do you automatically associate greed with jewishness?
        
        Bit weird mate.
        
        felix 20.2.2.2.1.2
        
        1 February 2014 at 9:43 am
        
        Bollocks SHG.
        
        Key is a Christian and an atheist. He said so himself.
        
        TightyRighty …
        
        1 February 2014 at 11:37 am
        
        and his mother is jewish, which makes him jewish. practicing or not.
        
        The Pink Postman …
        
        1 February 2014 at 3:57 pm
        
        It makes him Yiddish .However I understand most Jewish people disown him..
        
        SHG (not Colonial Viper) …
        
        1 February 2014 at 4:56 pm
        
        It makes him Yiddish
        
        Spoken with such ignorance. You must be an anti-semite.
        
        When did you start hiding your hatred of the Jewish people and the state of Israel?
        
        Paupial …
        
        2 February 2014 at 7:59 am
        
        SHG
        
        When did you stop beating your wife?
        
        felix …
        
        2 February 2014 at 2:12 pm
        
        “and his mother is jewish”
        
        Yes Tighty, he has also mentioned that he is jewish. And a christian, and an atheist, depending who he’s talking to at the time.
        
        That was the point. Thanks for reinforcing it.
        
        red blooded …
        
        1 February 2014 at 4:08 pm
        
        Yet another mangled comment from Key. One can be an Christian OR an atheist, but not both (or not at once, anyway). An oxymoron that makes him sound like..? (Hint; it’s not an ox.)
        
        One Anonymous Knucklehead 20.2.2.2.1.3
        
        1 February 2014 at 3:04 pm
        
        Tolley’s stupid remark is stupid. Who cares how she feels about being questioned on poverty by Turei? It’s their fucking job for Christ’s sake. Launching a personal attack is her way of showing weakness and irrelevance, like Simon Bridges attacking union reps while forestry workers die.
        
        Key’s money is germane to most political and economic debates because of how he came by it.
        
        I can see why Turei thinks Tolley’s remark is racist as well as inane, but you’re drawing a long bow to connect Key to that.
        
        QoT 20.2.2.2.1.4
        
        1 February 2014 at 5:43 pm
        
        “panicky”
        
        Nice spin. Evidence of Turei sounding at all “panicked”? Oh wait, she’s a woman stating a firm opinion, so it’s open season on the emotive labelling.
greywarbler 21

31 January 2014 at 6:37 pm

Photo A with a lovely short of some guy’s adam’s apple in profile, and David C in the background, is taken by Brett Phibbs. Two questions – Why would the Herald accept that? Did they pay him for it? Is his name really Phibbs? Don’t they have their own photographers any more? Wait that’s three.
fisiani 22

31 January 2014 at 8:09 pm

I can see that the natives are getting restless and looking for someone to blame for the election loss later this year. The main suspects touted are John Key, The Herald, The media in general, Crosby Textor, the Stuff polls, The Royal visit and the gullibility of the public.
There is a complete failure to realise that there is absolutely no mood for change in the country. There might be with your mates but that is so myopic. People are happy and realise that everything is on song. The economy is booming, employment is rising, crime is down, benefit numbers are falling and more money is spent on education and health than at any time in history. John Key is really popular. Perhaps the most popular PM ever. He is trusted. The Cunliffe is not even trusted or wanted by his caucus for goodness sake. Not only that but a vote for Labour would mean a Labour/Greens government and the Greens would put all the last five years progress into reverse. The problem for Labour is that they will be saddled with all the nutty policies of the Greens.they are linked at the hip.
This is all great news for the lazy Grant Robertson who will inherit the leadership he craves by Christmas.
Follow the money. Cui bono. Who benefits from a Labour disaster? He who “polished up the handles so carefully that now he is the leader of the King’s navy.”
- KJT 22.1
  
  31 January 2014 at 8:20 pm
  
  See what I mean about satire…………….?
  - Psycho Milt 22.1.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 11:24 am
    
    I do. That’s top stuff.
- Paul 22.2
  
  1 February 2014 at 12:27 pm
  
  So you don’t see any bias in the media.
  Educate yourself.
- PapaMike 22.3
  
  1 February 2014 at 1:42 pm
  
  You have left out Len Brown who is openly seen in front of the Labour Banner at Election time, declaring he was standing as an Independent.
  It does not help the perceptive eye and will be used by NACTS later in the election without a doubt.
- appleboy 22.4
  
  1 February 2014 at 1:57 pm
  
  Oh what scintillating analysis. Just the utterly predictable and boring piece of old toss you always give us Phissearney.
- floyd 22.5
  
  1 February 2014 at 8:31 pm
  
  Fitsiani. Wow! You got it all in. You can rest easy now. Sweet dreams.
xtasy 23

31 January 2014 at 8:48 pm

Yep, I have been on about this very issue again and again, that the MSM are largely biased, do not deliver balanced, informative and well researched reports, and thus misinform the public. Investigative journalism is hard to find these days. Some of what the media do may be intentional, the rest may be due to journos also following the “herd instinct”, and not wanting to be different to their colleagues and mates.

Most media staff come from middle or upper middle class backgrounds, who follow this career out of some interest in having a “vibrant”, exciting work place. I suspect only few are experts on what they report on.

And of course, the ownership of the media is another issue that needs to be raised, as we have very poor, under-resourced and overly “commercial looking” public media (public broadcasting). Generally the media is dominated by private, even corporate owned media, with a strong commercial focus, and dependent on advertising, which is their bread and butter.

The latter fact compromises the freedom to report, although the media will mostly deny this being the case in public.

Thanks to mickysavage, Blue and others to write on all this, as the election later this year is in danger to be won again by the same forces, who won the last two general elections. It is certainly time to remind the media of their duties, and to rethink their conduct, as allowing themselves to be used by the well resourced political forces that run the show now, that is totally unacceptable.

Lastly, we need a re-establishment of truly balanced, well resourced, good quality and robust public broadcasting, with online services also, to restore the balance to the presently dominant private media players, that set the tone and direction for the rest to follow. The private media does not deserve to dominate the media-landscape, so the next Labour led and Green supported government will need to be taken to task on this, to create true competition for the private sector part of the whole media.

I expect to be well informed, not to be “infotained”, and thus treated like an immature or simple minded, consumerist idiot, which seems to be how too many in the media view the general public.
SHG (not Colonial Viper) 24

31 January 2014 at 8:56 pm

Labour communications, episode 68307: Cunliffe responds to criticism of his policy-launch fiasco.

“There are some collective learnings, and I am absolutely undertaking that we will be spot-on in future.”

There are some collective learnings, ahhhh the language of responsibility avoidance that comes so naturally to a Boston Consulting Group “strategy consultant”.
- Tim 24.1
  
  2 February 2014 at 8:44 am
  
  …. agreed Cunliffe would do himself a favour if he didn’t buy into corporate-BS-speak: i.e. “collective learnings” ffs!
Peter 25

31 January 2014 at 9:22 pm

The MSM essentially back Key so we would be naive to expect objective reporting. NZ as a fair and reasonable country is a myth. Power and money are talking loud and clear! The Key accusation of Cunliffe misleading NZ is a prime case. People remember the accusation not the defence. Finding the truth is not the purpose of the story. The success of this little bit of manipulation is a National triumph.
Hanswurst 26

31 January 2014 at 10:37 pm

Don’t know if this has been mentioned, but there was also a VOD clip on TV3’s site titled “Key Dissects Labour’s Plans”. It Paul Henry interviewing John Key, and Labour’s plans or policy weren’t even mentioned. It was basically about Key’s holiday home in Hawaii and golf with the US president. This sort of thing happens quite often; I doubt that whoever writes the headlines has even watched the clip half the time. They probably just see key’s face, slap something vaguely political and extremely flattering to Key on it and move to the next clip. Is a headline as blatantly false as that a breach of standards of any kind?
- Stuart Munro 26.1
  
  1 February 2014 at 3:26 am
  
  Their media strategy guy is on the ball – unfortunately (for them neither) Key nor their hapless media frontmen could dissect anything more complicated than bacon and eggs to save themselves. Such hard work making stupid people look clever – and so frustrating.
- SHG (not Colonial Viper) 26.2
  
  1 February 2014 at 3:34 am
  
  Where you see the headline writer deliberately placing a title that is flattering to Key, I see a cynical bit of search-engine manipulation by some junior SEO nerd. “Key Dissects Labour’s Plans” is better click bait than “Key Plays Golf in Hawaii” this week. Gotta sell those eyeballs.
  - Hanswurst 26.2.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 8:31 am
    
    It amounts to the same thing, IMO. If they were impartially chasing hits and Key were too boring/too much of a dick, they’d just neglect to invite him onto the show. Besides, the fact that it is “Key Dissects Labour’s Plans” and not “Key flummoxed by Labour Policy” or “DotCom not trustworthy – Key” speaks volumes.
floyd 27

1 February 2014 at 10:41 am

Having just read john armstrong’s column I actually feel quite sick. Is he for real? Is he on meds? Is he on a promise? I cannot believe that the herald publishes such negative one sided views of an obviously doddery old man who has forgotten how to think clearly and impartially. A load of regurgitation about Cunliffe’s Best Start policy (so last week) la la la and then ENTER JOHN KEY!!!! waving a flag or some such thing. How very Boy’s Own. I noticed about last November the little, feel good puff pieces about key leaching into the media. Yes I do mean leaching. It is now ramping up to disturbing proportions. How can it be stopped. Surely there is a way to get across to the real people of NZ what is truly happening. There are ALWAYS two sides to a debate but we are only being fed the slops of old retainers who need to be put out to pasture. Preferably during a drought. The main problem here is that key is thick enoughtt o actually believe implicitly every wonderful, positive thing that is written about him and therefore feeds his narcissistic ego driven personality.
- Psycho Milt 27.1
  
  1 February 2014 at 11:20 am
  
  Armstrong has some kind of hero worship thing going on for John Key. I do try to cut him a bit of slack on this, on the basis that if I were a newspaper columnist and PJ Harvey or Lemmy was the PM, I’d probably run no end of fawningly sycophantic pieces myself. On the other hand, at least PJ Harvey and Lemmy are actually cool…
captain hook 28

1 February 2014 at 11:25 am

I dont think armstrong writes the stuff that comes out under his name.
Lsas time I saw him he was being supported by a gaggle of females whose function was not altogether clear at that time but now I presume that they actually do the writing for him.
RedBaronCV 29

1 February 2014 at 12:02 pm

Put a little fear into them. In the foreign ownership deba te mention “foreign media ownership rules”
Paul 30

1 February 2014 at 12:25 pm

Further proof the corporate media is biased.
The Herald follows Key’s instructions to discuss the flag.
John Roughan
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11195040
Sam Clements
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11194511

They are doing everything in their power to prevent a mature discussion about the state of New Zealand.
Distract, divert.
Their plans for the future…..TPP, privatisation of health and education and the sale of NZ to international corporations would not be something they’s want NZers to be talking about.
- blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 30.1
  
  1 February 2014 at 12:48 pm
  
  +1 Well said
  
  Judging by right-wing comments on this thread & elsewhere on this matter it is becoming very clear why they are doing the distraction thing – the right-wing have no decent points to argue in a mature discussion.
  
  Divisive, distracting, petty attacks is all they can do.
- blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 30.2
  
  1 February 2014 at 12:48 pm
  
  +1 Well said
  
  Judging by right-wing comments on this thread & elsewhere, it is becoming very clear why they are doing the distraction thing – the right-wing have no decent points to argue in a mature discussion.
  
  Divisive, distracting, petty attacks is all they can do – they have no reasoned or decent arguments for the policies and ideology that they blindly follow.
fisiani 31

1 February 2014 at 2:41 pm

Of course the media are biased. Why did none of them challenge The Cunliffe ridiculous claim that 20% of New Zealand children do not have two pairs of shoes. A totally made up figure about 400 times the actual rate. So not a mistake just another attempt to be tricky and hope that no one questions.
- One Anonymous Knucklehead 31.1
  
  1 February 2014 at 2:45 pm
  
  …about 400 times the actual rate…
  
  [citation needed]
  
  Why are Kidscan making such a big deal about shoes? Because they’re lying, or because you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about?
  - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 31.1.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 2:50 pm
    
    The arguments that the right-wing are putting forward seem to be getting even more pathetic than usual…..
  - fisiani 31.1.2
    
    1 February 2014 at 6:27 pm
    
    citation required for the Cunliffe crap
    
    the latest NZ Living Standards Report which does ask if everyone in a household has two pairs of good or sturdy shoes. And 92% said they did, and only 5% said they did not because they couldn’t afford it.
    
    Now 20% is four times greater than 5%, so that is some exaggeration
    
    apology -I wrote 400 times but meant 400%.
    - One Anonymous Knucklehead 31.1.2.1
      
      2 February 2014 at 9:58 am
      
      Ah, you misspoke.
      
      The Living Standards Survey was conducted in 2008. You may have heard that inequality has increased since then. You may also have heard predictions that this would be exactly the effect of legislation introduced by this government.
      
      I’m sure you’d rather nitpick than do something about it, especially since, in doing so, you are merely toeing the party line like a good party member.
      
      Paediatricians, on the other hand, live in nice houses and wear nice clothes, so god forbid they should lecture you about it, but they’ve been trying, tin ears.
well I never 32

1 February 2014 at 6:50 pm

Would the media be interested in:

“The United Nations has issued New Zealand with 155 recommendations to improve its human rights record” …..which is apparently up from 64 in 2009.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9675262/NZ-needs-to-work-on-human-rights

Seems to have vanished from front page already, despite being pretty important, if you care that is
- floyd 32.1
  
  1 February 2014 at 8:38 pm
  
  WEL But,but, I heard just after that announcement that Bag Lady collins said that we are getting very good recommendations from overseas. Don’t know where from and no actual evidence to back that claim up. Must have been a relly from Nania. Delivered by a unicorn.
  - blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 32.1.1
    
    1 February 2014 at 8:45 pm
    
    snigger
newsense 33

1 February 2014 at 10:30 pm

Armstrong: should just list him as the Herald National Party correspondent.

After that weird thing about Peters:

“There seems to be no mood in the electorate for a change of government. Without such a mood, Labour – which anyway does not look ready to govern – and the Greens – who do have their act together – have to manufacture one.

The trouble is the rhetoric simply does not wash.

Enter Key. He intends making things even harder for his opponents. Don’t be fooled into thinking his advocacy for a change of flag is some innocent diversion.

He is doing it on the back of a rapidly strengthening economy and much healthier levels of national confidence. Arguing for a new flag is an opportunity for him to display leadership and make people feel good about themselves and the country.

It is all about nationhood. It is all about patriotism. It is all about gathering more votes for National.”

Or just get Farrar to write the collumns directly and save the charade.
Whatever next 34

1 February 2014 at 11:54 pm

I can almost see them saluting as the new flag is hoisted up
floyd 35

2 February 2014 at 9:30 am

When armstrong writes ‘key drapes a flag over his rival’ it sounds very much like a burial. Flags are draped over coffins. How come he didn’t get any comments on this piece of trash he wrote?
Matthew 36

2 February 2014 at 3:27 pm

It’s been a shocking week for Labour and the media is reflecting that in the photo’s they use. Whoop de do.

If you want to talk about media bias perhaps you could start a discussion on the Herald constantly filling it’s opinion section with left wing drivel.
- mickysavage 36.1
  
  2 February 2014 at 4:02 pm
  
  Obviously you think that the Herald should only be filled with right wing drivel.
  - Whatever next 36.1.1
    
    2 February 2014 at 4:47 pm
    
    Obviously
  - Matthew 36.1.2
    
    2 February 2014 at 7:38 pm
    
    Not at all.
    
    I expect a range of views from all parts of the political spectrum.
    
    I don’t believe the Herald provides this.
    - felix 36.1.2.1
      
      2 February 2014 at 8:00 pm
      
      If you genuinely mean what you say – and I don’t for a moment believe that you do – then your views must be so far to the right that you may as well give up on the right-wing rag The Herald and instead subscribe to Kyle Chapman’s newsletter.
- Crunchtime 36.2
  
  3 February 2014 at 5:02 pm
  
  Its readers fill the opinion section with “left wing drivel”. Which is an indicator of the REAL mainstream view of New Zealand.
  
  Quite different to the insanely corporatised extreme nutjob right-wing pro-rich anti-poor claptrap passed off as “journalism” and published by the Herald and its contemporaries.
Blossom 37

18 February 2014 at 12:52 pm

Someone should take the time and investigate the Bias and influence of the present Government on media . Look at the fluff floating around at the moment with TVNZ – Key for a substantial period interviewed politely and nursed by Roydon Christie for months and months with no counter to the views of the master, at least now we have some balance with DC on a Tuesday morning, but you can see the different approach in the tones of the interviews and the questioning.

Make use the OIA act while we still can. It is very easy to “paint a picture” a certain way and easy to mislead the flock. The media as we all know have the power, they can make the innocent quilty, and vice versa. How many advisers (media) does Key rely on, they know how to manipulate and play on a situation to gain traction/support or to make it all go away… Just in the same way the comments under articles can be “cultured” to lead a certain bias and any opinions that do not go with the flow for example big business paper from Auckland it appears – just don’t post them even when they are not defamatory and just voice an opinion that does not gel with the flow of the articles bias. I heard from a very prominent NZ Journalist that they felt certain media had their own people commenting and leading the comment thread regards a high profile issue a few years back….. and if you look it fits… what is the reality is not really the actual…..the truth can be distorted and politics plays a sad part of that…Key and National will lead by “advantage” not by an having an honest equal battle field- just my observations and opinion….

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National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

So much of what was there remains
The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
6 days ago

2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
Buzz from the Beehive The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
6 days ago

Things that make you go Hmmmm.
Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

The hoon for the week that was to March 19
By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
The KakaBy Peter Bale
7 days ago

Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
PunditBy Tim Watkin
7 days ago

Radical Uncertainty
Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
PunditBy Brian Easton
1 week ago

Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
1 week ago

The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
1 week ago

Snakes and leaders
And so this is Friday, and what have we learned?It was a week with all the usual luggage: minister brags and then he quits, Hollywood red carpet is full of twits. And all the while, hanging over the trivial stuff: existential dread, and portents of doom.Depending on who you read ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
1 week ago

This station is Karanga-a-Hape, Chur!
When I changed the name of this newsletter from The Daily Read to Nick’s Kōrero I was a bit worried whether people would know what Kōrero meant or not. I added a definition when I announced the change and kind of assumed people who weren’t familiar with it would get ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
1 week ago

Greens don’t shy from promoting a candidate’s queerness but are quiet about govt announcement on...
There was a time when a political party’s publicity people would counsel against promoting a candidate as queer. No matter which of two dictionary meanings the voting public might choose to apply – the old meaning of odd, strange, weird, or aberrant, or the more recent meaning of gay, homosexual ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
1 week ago

Ask Me Anything about the week to March 17
Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:PM Chris Hipkins announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but which blew up ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
1 week ago

Slow consenting could create $16b climate liability by 2050
Even though concern over the climate change threat is becoming more mainstream, our governments continue to opt out of the difficult decisions at the expense of time, and cost for future generations. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTLDR: Now we have a climate liability number to measure the potential failure of the ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
1 week ago

THOMAS CRANMER: Challenging progressivism in New Zealand’s culture wars
Thomas Cranmer writes Like it or not, the culture wars have entered New Zealand politics and look set to broaden and intensify. The culture wars are often viewed as an exclusively American phenomenon, but the reality is that they are becoming increasingly prominent in countries around the world, ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
1 week ago

‘The Real State of the Nation’
Good afternoon. Thank you for the invitation to speak with you today and in your busy lives turning up to this meeting. Forty five years ago, in Howick, often described as racist, and where few Maori lived because it had been a ‘Fencible’ settlement at the time of the Anglo-Maori ...
NZ First Press Release
6 hours ago

National’s education policy gets an F
The Green Party has marked the National Party’s new education policy and given it a fail, especially for its failure to address the underlying drivers of school performance. ...
Greens
1 day ago

Child poverty stats show need for action
The Green Party is calling on the Government to immediately provide more support to families doing it toughest. ...
Greens
1 day ago

Greens ask Auckland MPs across party lines to speak up on Council budget proposals
Auckland Central Green MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to all Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland based Members of Parliament requesting their urgent attention to Auckland Council’s unprecedented slash-and-burn proposals. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Enough slow progress, 2023 is a fight for our future
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised in their State of the Planet speech today. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Greens call time on slow progress
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party after the election must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised today. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Green Party co-leader James Shaw's State of the Planet speech, 2023
You will never truly understand, from the pictures you’ve seen in the newspapers or on the six o-clock news, the sheer scale of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle. ...
Greens
5 days ago

More cost of living support for Kiwis
We’re boosting incomes and helping ease cost of living pressures on Kiwis through a range of bread and butter support measures that will see pensioners, students, families, and those on main benefits better off from the start of next month. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Greens back teachers’ demands
The Green Party backs the demands of the teachers’ strikers. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Greens will waste no time with Minister for Zero Waste
The error Labour Ministers made by stopping work on a beverage container return scheme will be reversed by the Greens at the earliest opportunity as part of the next Government. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Greens secure win for clean transport
The Green Party has made it easier for commuters to access e-bikes thanks to an amendment to tax rules. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Greens will always prioritise action on climate and inequality
“Cabinet needs to do better - and today has shown exactly why we need Green Ministers in cabinet, so we can prioritise action to cut climate pollution and support people to make ends meet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Bold action needed to help people eat
Biggest increase in food prices for over three decades shows the need for an excess profit tax on corporations to help people put food on the table. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Another Green transport idea gets the green light
The Government’s announcement today that it will improve Christchurch’s bus system comes after Green and NGO pressure. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens back teachers’ strike
The Green Party stands with teachers in their request for fair pay and decision to strike. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens launch submission guide for Auckland Council budget
The Green Party has today launched a submission guide to help Aucklanders give crucial input and prevent potentially disastrous Auckland Council budget proposals. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

When even the Nats agree bank profits are out of control, it’s time for an excess profits tax
With calls growing for inquiries and action on bank profits, the Greens say the Government has all the information it needs to act now and put a levy on banks. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Climate action must remain priority in transport investment
As large parts of Aotearoa recover from two of the worst climate disasters we have ever experienced, it would be a huge mistake for the Government to deprioritise climate action from future transport investments, the Green Party says. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Historic oceans treaty a wake-up call for Aotearoa
The Green Party is celebrating the signing of a historic United Nations Ocean Treaty, and calls on the new Oceans and Fisheries Minister to urgently step up protection for Aotearoa’s oceans. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

National would make life harder for people
Christopher Luxon and the National Party are not telling the full story when it comes to childcare, the Green Party says. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

District Court Judges appointed
Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges. Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 hours ago

New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment. “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
$2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government future-proofs EV charging
Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Community voice to help shape immigration policy
Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Government confirms vital roading reconnections
Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Western Ring Route Complete
Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Briefings to Incoming Ministers
This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Next steps developing clean energy for NZ
The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart Nash
This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to Auckland
The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses
$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

A new review into how teachers are educated should acknowledge they learn throughout their careers (...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Beryl Exley, Professor, Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Griffith University Shutterstock Last August, the federal government set up an expert panel to look at the continuous improvement agenda in teacher education in Australia. The panel, led by ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Analysis: Teachers need a lot of things, another curriculum 'rewrite' isn't one
We all clearly want the best learning outcomes for our nation's children, but there are deep ideological divisions, writes Cathy Buntting. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

The Winston Peters greatest hits hour
The New Zealand First leader took to the altar of an East Auckland church today to set out his 2023 election agenda. It was, as Stewart Sowman-Lund found out, pretty much what you’d expect. Winston Peters rolled into Howick today with a state of the nation speech that, he claimed ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
3 hours ago

Woolworths is getting into telehealth – but patients need to be treated as more than customers
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Wardle, Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University Shutterstock Earlier this week, Australian retail giant Woolworths announced a move into health-care delivery via development of its subsidiary HealthyLife’s online portal. Through this portal, Australians can book a same-day ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Winston Peters rails against secret 'woke agenda' in campaign speech
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters - eyeing a political comeback - has used a scene-setting speech in Auckland warning against a "conceited, conniving, cultural cabal". ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

At the 2023 Adelaide Festival, the best works shimmer with a brutal honesty on incarceration, exile ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Peterson, Adjunct Associate Professor, Auckland University of Technology The Sheep Song. Tim Standing/Daylight Breaks/Adelaide Festival Few Adelaideans remember a time before the Adelaide Festival. Formed in 1960 as a civic enterprise and financed against loss by prominent Adelaide businessmen, the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
5 hours ago

Week in Politics: Minor parties could hold unprecedented influence post-election
Analysis - The Greens lay down a challenge as the minor parties approach an election in which both National and Labour are going to need coalition partners to form a government, writes Peter Wilson. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

Repeal Fiji’s media law and start with ‘clean slate’, says CFL chief
By Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva Communications Fiji Ltd (CFL) chair William Parkinson has called for a repeal of Fiji’s Media Industry Development Act 2010 and more discussion on the proposed Media Ownership and Registration Bill 2023. He said this during a public consultation on the review of MIDA Act 2010 ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
5 hours ago

Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument
High Court Justice David Gendall regretfully allows anti-trans activist to enter New Zealand, but warns the expression of her views may be harmful to our vulnerable rainbow community. Jonathan Milne does his best to be civil. Opinion: Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull calls herself Posie Parker. And that's what I'm going to call her. Because she is ...
Newsroom
5 hours ago

Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee is an absolute joy
It’s about time somebody made a wacky TV show about how bonkers spelling is. Enter comedian Guy Montgomery and his Guy Mont Spelling Bee. The three years since Covid-19 began have been pretty rocky, but one of the best things to come out of the chaos was Guy Montgomery’s Guy ...
The SpinoffBy Tara Ward
6 hours ago

Psychologists Condemn Anti-trans Hate Speech And Urge The Government To Put Hate Speech Laws Back On...
Te Rōpū Mātai Hinengaro o Aotearoa, The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) stands beside LGBTQIA+ and Takatāpui communities rallying against anti-trans rhetoric in light of the impending visit of Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (Posie Parker). We are ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

Shocking and controversial: MAFS Australia has outrated 1News
Earlier this month, everybody’s favourite Monster of the Week series Married at First Sight Australia toppled 1News to become the highest rating television show for New Zealand viewers aged 25-54. The controversial reality series garnered an average audience of 137,000, or 6.7% audience share from March 5 until March 11. ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
6 hours ago

Ingredient of the week: Feijoas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for feijoa lovers – here’s how to make the most of it. Fragrant and sweet, with a delicate jelly centre surrounded by gritty, tangy flesh, all encased in a green sour skin. My parents’ feijoa tree has just dropped its first fruit, ...
The SpinoffBy Wyoming Paul
6 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘Bang a Drum’ by Maggie Rainey-Smith
A new poem by poet and novelist Maggie Rainey-Smith. Bang a Drum We’ve hit Gentle Annie passed the pub at Okaramio and on the left, at Wakapuaka there’s Sunnybank where parents left their children An oddly named orphanage manned (ha) by Nuns childless women in black habits, scapula, cowls and ...
The SpinoffBy Maggie Rainey-Smith
6 hours ago

Teachers need a lot of things right now, but another curriculum ‘rewrite’ isn’t one of them
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cathy Buntting, Director, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, University of Waikato Getty Images Less than a fortnight after teachers staged a national strike, education was back in the headlines with the National Party’s release of its curriculum policy – ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 24
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) Number one in both ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
7 hours ago

High Court Decision The Only Right Result For Nation That Values Free Speech
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision of the High Court to reject the application to overrule the decision of the Minister of Immigration to allow Kellie-Jay entry into New Zealand. This was the only right result for a nation that ...
Scoop politics
7 hours ago

AI chatbots with Chinese characteristics: why Baidu’s ChatGPT rival may never measure up
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fan Yang, Research Associate at RMIT and Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University Baidu’s ERNIE Bot was launched to considerable disappointment. Ng Han Guan / AP On March 16, Baidu unveiled China’s latest rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT – ERNIE Bot (short for “Enhanced ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Ask Fiji military about ‘guns on plane’ claims, says Sayed-Khaiyum
By Meri Radinibaravi in Suva Former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told The Fiji Times to ask the Republic of Fiji Military Forces about claims that his bodyguards were allowed to take guns on to Fiji Link flights without proper authorisation. “I understand that there’s some enquiries going on regarding that ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
7 hours ago

Melbourne Now: a vast, sprawling and inspiring exhibition that seems to burst out of its architectur...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sasha Grishin, Adjunct Professor of Art History, Australian National University Installation view of Troy Emery’s work Mountain climber 2022 on display as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Melbourne from 24 March – 20 August ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

KPIs are for businesses and boardrooms, not children and schools
National’s education policy reinforces an old-fashioned and hierarchical curriculum that does lasting harm to many students, writes educational specialist Dr Sarah Aiono. Announcing the National Party’s new education policy this week, leader Christopher Luxon cited a recent NCEA pilot in which two-thirds of students were unable to meet the minimum ...
The SpinoffBy Sarah Aiono
8 hours ago

Last ditch attempt to stop anti-trans speaker from entering NZ fails
Attempts by rainbow groups to stop an anti-trans campaigner entering the country have failed. The High Court has dismissed a judicial review application from Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT Kōara and Auckland Pride, aimed at the immigration minister for allowing Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull into New Zealand. As part of the application, the ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
8 hours ago

Urgent hearing under way to determine if anti-trans speaker can enter NZ
The High Court is this morning considering an interim order that would prevent an anti-trans campaigner from making it into New Zealand. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull is expected to arrive on our shores today ahead of two planned rallies in Auckland and Wellington over the weekend. After immigration officials deemed her safe ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
9 hours ago

Statement From Mayor Paula Southgate: Hamilton’s LGNZ Membership
I was disappointed to see yesterday afternoon’s announcement that Auckland has chosen to leave Local Government NZ (LGNZ). Hamilton’s membership of LGNZ is one of collaboration and sharing. Being a member gives us important views from other ...
Scoop politics
9 hours ago

Review: The Unruly Tourists is fun, but facile
It’s the most talked about local opera production in years – but does it live up to the chatter? The lowdown You’ve probably heard of the “unruly tourists”, the British family who created a media firestorm as they toured around the country leaving trash and turmoil in their wake. You’ve ...
The SpinoffBy Sam Brooks
9 hours ago

Ministry of Health removed trans advice after pressure from activists
As reported by Newsroom’s Marc Daalder this morning, correspondence released under the Official Information Act shows advice about puberty blockers was removed from the Ministry of Health website “in the hopes it creates fewer queries” from anti-trans campaigners. The line that was removed from the site said puberty blockers “are ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
10 hours ago

Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucle...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The ...
Evening ReportBy Bryce Edwards
10 hours ago

Secondary teachers confirm next strike
Secondary teachers will strike again next week after an agreement on improved pay and working conditions was not reached. The strike will take place on Wednesday, less than two weeks after thousands of educators took to the streets across the country. “PPTA Te Wehengarua members have shown they are serious ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
10 hours ago

Share Your Views On Human Rights Progress In Aotearoa New Zealand
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission is encouraging organisations and individuals to share their views on human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand for the government’s upcoming report to the United Nations. The report informs a process ...
Scoop politics
10 hours ago

Secondary And Area School Teachers Plan More Industrial Action
Secondary and area school teachers around the country have voted overwhelmingly in favour of more industrial action, including a one day national strike next Wednesday, in support of their collective agreement negotiations. “PPTA Te Wehengarua members ...
Scoop politics
10 hours ago

Aaron Hawkins: Auckland Council has turned its back on the rest of the country
At a time when our need for collective action is stronger than ever, Auckland Council has opted out to save each of its residents just 25c a year, writes former Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins. I grew up in rural Southland, in the shadows of the Cut The Cable movement. In ...
The SpinoffBy Aaron Hawkins
11 hours ago

Fishing for data: commercial fishers help monitor rising temperatures in coastal seas
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Jakoboski, Oceanographic Data Scientist, Moana Project’s Te Tiro Moana Team Lead, MetService — Te Ratonga Tirorangi Moana project, CC BY-ND The world’s oceans are buffering us from the worst climate impacts by taking up more than 90% of the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Political editors panel: Schools, lobbying, and trans rights
Morning Report - RNZ and Newsroom's political editors consider National's education pitch, and the political responses to lobbying revelations and Posie Parker. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

Free Speech Union Granted Intervening Status In Posie Parker Judicial Review
The Free Speech Union will be an intervener this morning as the High Court considers whether Immigration New Zealand's decision to allow Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull) entry into New Zealand was legal, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Why is this Auckland club clinging to a ‘discriminatory’ dress-code rule?
For over a decade, Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club has come under fire for denying entry to people wearing religious headwear. Despite the Human Rights Commission getting involved, it seems the rule remains unchanged. One of the definitions given by the Oxford dictionary for the word cosmopolitan is: “including people from many ...
The SpinoffBy Charlotte Muru-Lanning
12 hours ago

Listen: How Labour just hurt the Emissions Trading Scheme
Chris Hipkins’ dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government’s climate change response. In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff
12 hours ago

LGNZ head confused by Wayne Brown’s claim about drunken conference
The head of Local Government NZ, the group representing councils across the country, has hit back at claims made by Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. It was his casting vote that saw Auckland Council leave the representative group yesterday evening, with councillors divided on whether or not it was the right ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
12 hours ago

A new study on Australian volcanoes has changed what we know about explosive ‘hotspot’ volcanism
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Al-Tamini Tapu, Geoscientist, The University of Queensland Warrumbungle national park. colinslack/Shutterstock Our new study published in Nature Geoscience on an ancient chain of Australian volcanoes is helping to change our understanding of “hotspot” volcanism. You may be surprised to learn eastern ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Time to grow up: Australia’s national security dilemma demands a mature debate
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University There’s been a lot of recent shouting about Australia’s national security policy. It began with the Nine newspapers’ “Red Alert” extravaganza, spread over multiple articles. Featuring a graphic of warplanes ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Want an easy $400 a year? Ditch the gas heater in your home for an electric split system
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Goldlust, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University Shutterstock Earlier this month, regulators flagged electricity price rises in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Like many people, you’re probably wondering how you can ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

4-day work week trials have been labelled a ‘resounding success’. But 4 big questions need answe...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Veal, Adjunct Professor, Business School, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock A little more than a century ago, most people in industrialised countries worked 60 hours a week – six ten-hour days. A 40-hour work week of five eight-hour days ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

The gaming audience is ‘queerer than ever’ – so how are game creators responding?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xavier Ho, Lecturer in Interaction Design, Monash University Sony Entertainment Mainstream games are embracing openly queer characters – and so are many of their players and fans. The Last of Us, the prestige HBO adaptation of the critically lauded ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

The Bulletin: Let’s Get Wellington Moving consultant costs in the crosshairs
The capital’s transport overhaul will have spent $130 million on consultant fees by the end of next year, Stuff reports. Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) expects to spend $60 million on outside experts in the coming year, after already spending $38.5m in the past three years and $35m this year. Greater ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
13 hours ago

How Labour just hurt the Emissions Trading Scheme
Chris Hipkins’ dump of Ardern-era policy has potentially jeopardised a major part of the government’s climate change response. Bernard Hickey talks to climate policy expert Christina Hood from Climate Compass to find out why this month’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction failed and how she feels cabinet have destroyed confidence in ...
The SpinoffBy Calum Henderson
13 hours ago

National’s ‘back to basics’ plan to address the literacy crisis
Christopher Luxon says the policy is what’s needed to address serious issues with reading, writing and maths in primary schools. Others aren’t so sure, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Back ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
13 hours ago

Flood-affected Aucklanders breathe a sigh of rates relief
Although Auckland Council’s big cleanup following this year’s extreme weather events continues, “things are getting more difficult at this point”. Five weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle, some 7,000 Aucklanders remain impacted by the aftermath of the floods, slips and heavy winds that battered the region in January and February. Auckland Council’s ...
Newsroom
15 hours ago

A new motorway took all the traffic away – but don’t write Huntly off just yet
A traffic bypass stole 20,000 potential daily visitors from its main streets and local businesses. Three years on, how are the Waikato town’s 9,000 residents coping? The tourism centre is closed – “permanently”, says the sign. The cafe next door, once called River Haven, now with two missing letters making ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
16 hours ago

A year on from the death of Levi James, what’s changed for Auckland cyclists?
After a 19-year-old was killed while riding his bike on a dangerous stretch of Auckland road, the tragedy became a rallying call to make the city safer for cyclists. Tommy de Silva looks at what’s been achieved in the 12 months since. On March 5, 2022, 19-year-old Levi James was ...
The SpinoffBy Tommy de Silva
16 hours ago

One small step towards banning ‘forever chemicals’
PFAS in cosmetics enter the environment through the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe Opinion: New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has proposed a ban on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics as part of its update to the Cosmetic ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

Health advice scrubbed due to anti-trans pressure
Pressure from anti-transgender activists led the Ministry of Health to remove health advice regarding puberty blockers from its website. ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

Bring back the Ministry of Works
The now defunct ministry is the kind of agency needed to fix our current infrastructure disaster - not Civil Defence and independent sub-contracting and consulting firms. ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

Twinkle toes teen runs riot in world sevens
Jorja Miller has quickly become one of the key players in the successful Black Ferns Sevens in her first season on the world series circuit, and it's a unique combination of sports that's helped her reach the top, Merryn Anderson discovers. Jorja Miller’s life has always been a balancing act between her ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

A storm in a lolly jar? The pineapple chew controversy
Can you really call a mass-produced lolly dipped in chocolate "handmade"? The Detail finds out why it's important that products are what they say on the tin. The Potter Brothers saga In 2020, Courtnay Adele - who went on to be a contestant in The Great Kiwi Bake Off - posted a video ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

Risk of political violence this election still high – Shaw
Someone could be injured, or worse, during this year’s election campaign, warns James Shaw ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

Airport share sales fraught with difficulty – but retaining ownership is costly
The council's proposal to sell Auckland Airport shares is an uncanny throwback ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

Daily crossword, Friday 24 March
...
Newsroom
17 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 24 March
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...
Newsroom
17 hours ago

We used DNA from Beethoven’s hair to shed light on his poor health – and stumbled upon a family ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Attenborough, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Bioanthropology, Australian National University Kevin Brown, Author provided Many astonishingly creative people have lived lives cut tragically short by illness. Johannes Vermeer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jane Austen, Franz Schubert and Emily Brontë are some ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Grattan on Friday: A ‘No’ vote in the Voice referendum would put a serious dent in Australia’s...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra At the end of the emotional news conference in which he unveiled the wording for the Voice referendum, Anthony Albanese touched on a central reason why a “yes” result is vital. Australia would be ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Why bioplastics won’t solve our plastic problems
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elsa Dominish, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock Last month, Victoria banned plastic straws, crockery and polystyrene containers, following similar bans in South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and the ACT. All states and ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Union and Labour criticise National's new curriculum policy
Education union NZEI's president says National's new education policy is "like asking the All Blacks to have their goalposts painted a different colour of white and thinking you've made a change". ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

China’s only now revealed crucial COVID-19 origins data. Earlier disclosure may have saved us 3 ye...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic Dwyer, Director of Public Health Pathology, NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, University of Sydney Once more, we’re talking about the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. First the US Department of Energy’s review gave more ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Vanuatu minister says harvests will take time to recover after cyclones
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change warns “there’s going to be a lot of hardship” for people waiting for their crops to grow back as dry rations are distributed to communities. Minister Ralph Regenvanu said the main food push started in the middle of last ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

As Pacific islanders, we bear the brunt of the climate crisis. The time to end fossil fuel dependenc...
Monday’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has given a “final warning” to avert global catastrophe. Pacific cabinet ministers call on all world leaders to urgently transition to renewables. COMMENT: By Ralph Regenvanu and Seve Paeniu The cycle is repeating itself. A tropical cyclone of frightening strength strikes a ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Michael Brennan on Australia’s parlous productivity growth
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Productivity Commission’s nine-volume report has a tough central message. It says productivity policy has to focus on the areas that have proven the hardest in the past, rather than those where previously progress has ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Child poverty reduction stalls ahead of cost-of-living crisis
The latest child poverty stats show there was no statistically significant improvement in the year to June 2022. But Child Poverty Reduction Minister Jan Tinetti says even one child living in poverty is "too many". ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Wellington mayor decries ‘Auxit’ as Wayne Brown leads Auckland out of local government group
The Auckland mayor’s casting vote to take the Super City out of Local Government NZ shows a lack of team play, says Tory Whanau, while LGNZ’s president insists it will cost everyone, including Auckland ratepayers. The Auckland Council withdrawal from Local Government NZ, a national association of local, regional and ...
The SpinoffBy Toby Manhire
1 day ago

‘We’re all in’, declares an emotional Albanese as he launches the wording for the Voice refere...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra An emotional Anthony Albanese, flanked by members of the referendum working group, has released the final proposed wording of the question to be put to Australians to incorporate an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Rainbow groups launch legal action over decision on Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull
A group of rainbow and human rights organisations has filed for judicial review in the High Court, following the lack of intervention by the immigration minister, Michael Wood, over the decision to allow Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, an anti-trans-rights activist, to enter the country. Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT Kōaro, and Auckland Pride ...
The SpinoffBy Toby Manhire
1 day ago

Rainbow groups take Immigration Minister to court over Posie Parker decision
A coalition of rainbow community groups are taking Immigration Minister Michael Wood to court over a decision to allow a controversial anti-transgender activist into the country. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Immigration Minister’s Failure To Act Challenged In High Court By Rainbow Organisations
Today human rights organisations Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT Kōaro, and Auckland Pride filed for judicial review in the High Court. Our case follows the Immigration Minister's decision to allow Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, a known anti-transgender ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Amazon group's web services signs cooperation deal with New Zealand government
The US tech giant is building large data centres here and has been courting senior ministers for months. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Auckland pulls a Brexit – on the mayor's casting vote
The great southern joke that New Zealand does indeed end at the Bombay Hills, but that it starts at Bluff, takes on a new hue now with Auckland Council breaking away from the sector organisation Local Government NZ Auckland Council has suddenly pulled its own version of Brexit. At the ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Auckland Council to leave LGNZ, Wayne Brown casts deciding vote
Auckland Council will leave Local Government NZ, the group that represents councils acorss the country. It’s part of mayor Wayne Brown’s attempts to curb spending in the face of a multimillion dollar budget hole. About $400,000 could be saved from the decision to leave the group. According to tweets, the ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
1 day ago

Ratepayer Victory: Auckland Council Resigns From Unaccountable Pressure Group Lgnz
The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is welcoming Auckland Council’s decision to resign from Local Government New Zealand. On Thursday, the Governing Body voted 11-10 for Auckland Council to resign its membership of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Media bias

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