Newspapers/govt seed scientific ignorance

Written By: - Date published: 9:12 am, March 16th, 2010 - 46 comments
Categories: climate change, Media, science - Tags:

Yesterday, the Dompost had this to say about public perceptions of science:

Science might be finally emerging from the shadows, its non-sexy status having long been reinforced by an often scientifically ignorant public, suspicious of the work many scientists do… How will the May Budget tackle the tyranny of distance and New Zealand’s lack of cash let alone the suspicion of science that permeates a sometimes ill-informed community?

Yes, why would the public be so unwilling to accept valid science, what could be causing that? Maybe we should look at this op-ed published in the Dompost today for clues:

“Now that the heat has gone out of the global warming scare,…the global warming alarmists were in full cry…won’t make a blind bit of difference to global warming, assuming such a phenomenon exists…”

Maybe, just maybe, the fact that our major newspapers print anti-science climate change denialist propaganda nearly every day has something to do with the public’s perceptions of science.

Or maybe we should be looking at the government. Despite John Key’s rhetoric about investing in innovation and his pledge to lead the world in agricultural emissions reduction research, things are going backwards in the real world. Just last week 43 jobs were lost at government agricultural science research organisation Agresearch due to budget cuts and the Government’s anti-science policies.

After all, our Prime Minister did say: “This is a complete and utter hoax, if I may say so. The impact of the Kyoto Protocol, even if one believes in global warming—and I am somewhat suspicious of it—is that we will see billions and billions of dollars poured into fixing something that we are not even sure is a problem”

46 comments on “Newspapers/govt seed scientific ignorance ”

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  1. tc 1
    16 March 2010 at 9:20 am

    Scientists, academics, teachers anyone with intelligence and/or a view contrary to the idelolgy of the Nats……watch your back. Once again the msm plays their part in assisting the Nat’s dumbing down of our research/academia etc

  2. TightyRighty 2
    16 March 2010 at 9:28 am

    could you please clear up marty, once and for all, the fact that a sizeable portion of the scientific community don’t think AGW to be true? and that because our newspapers choose to print both sides of the debate, how does that make them anti-science. i would have thought the knowledge that leading pro-agw’ers were withholding info and not properly engaging in peer review was anti-science?

    • Lanthanide 2.1
      16 March 2010 at 10:04 am

      Depends on your definition of ‘sizable’, doesn’t it?

      • TightyRighty 2.1.1
        16 March 2010 at 10:11 am

        more than a few, less than many. i.e between 10-40%

        • mickysavage 2.1.1.1
          16 March 2010 at 10:12 am

          Do you have any reputable data to match that up?

          • TightyRighty 2.1.1.1.1
            16 March 2010 at 10:38 am

            did marty have any reputable data to back up his “fact that our major newspapers print anti-science climate change denialist propaganda nearly every day”? no, but you believed it like a shill.

            here we are

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_scientists_opposing_the_mainstream_scientific_assessment_of_global_warming

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_consensus

            http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/11/15/reference-450-skeptical-peer-reviewed-papers/

            http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/07/30/american-chemical-society-members-revolting-against-their-editor-for-pro-agw-views/#more-9680

            while not all of the points referenced explicity state numbers, there is a enough dissent to make it a sizeable portion. I have discarded the oregon petition, as too many signatories can’t be attributed to people who have scientific backgrounds.

            now proof that the science is settled please, and also proof of the “fact that our major newspapers print anti-science climate change denialist propaganda nearly every day” and how it is anti-science.

            [lprent: These ‘lists’ have been long discredited.

            You notice that there are FEW working earth scientists listed. In fact it seems to mainly be chemists and engineers who have about as much idea about earth sciences as a newspaper editor (ie nothing much)…

            People have been tossed in the lists because they published a paper with a single disagreement about a facet of the IPCC report based on new data. They then find it impossible to get off the lists. For instance your third list is exactly that. But of course you don’t understand enough science to understand what the point of difference is.

            In fact I think I’ll start a list called ‘scientific idiots I’ve seen’ and add you at the top of list….. If you want to troll, then please don’t use crap links… ]

            • mickysavage 2.1.1.1.1.1
              16 March 2010 at 10:52 am

              Same old same old. Another climate debate another troll.

              • TightyRighty …
                16 March 2010 at 11:02 am

                same old same old. another climate change propogandist who can’t stand to be challenged.

                again, where is the evidence of the “fact that our major newspapers print anti-science climate change denialist propaganda nearly every day’ and how it is anti-science?

                • lprent …
                  16 March 2010 at 11:30 am

                  For that you need to talk to Marty or r0b, or better still go and have a look at a site that looks at the articles and public statements. For instance http://www.hot-topic.co.nz

                  I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the news media on this topic. They really know jackshit from any side…

            • NickS 2.1.1.1.1.2
              16 March 2010 at 11:02 am

              Ah, What’s up with Watts, the perfect example of a pseudo-science blog if ever there was one, since Watts can’t science to save his life, let alone not fail epically at basic statistics or time-series analyses. Per all the stuff on Open Mind et al.

              But hey, who needs to be right, when you have rabid fanbois instead?

              • TightyRighty …
                16 March 2010 at 11:14 am

                whose a rabid fanboy? just qouting from his blog. he’s not the only voice on climate change to get things wrong, on both sides of the debate.

                why will no one answer this question?

                again, where is the evidence of the “fact that our major newspapers print anti-science climate change denialist propaganda nearly every day’ and how it is anti-science?

                it’s not that hard. so where the hell is the answer?

                i probably shouldn’t hold my breath. this site is not one to tolerate, let alone answer, dissenting questions

              • NickS …
                16 March 2010 at 11:28 am

                Except of course, Watt’s gets it constantly wrong, and when someone fraks up that much, it’s highly rational to ignore them as a source of information, unless you’re wanting to observe/debunk the stupidity.

                Also, since I’m sick, I can’t do philosophy of science due to cotton-wool-head, and thus can’t get my brain to kick out a good enough piece on what anti-science is, though I will state that one of teh skills involved in science is the ability to pick out empirically false truth claims, and to actually check out the validity of a scientific claim before pushing it as truth.

                Which the author of the Dominion Post op-ed fails to do, instead pushing long-debunked points refuted a thousand times as a truthful opinion.

                Pretty simple stuff really, and fairly easy to note it as “anti-science”, due to it rejecting scientific norms, although I’d more call it pseudo-scepticism, however the terms are interchangeable somewhat.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                16 March 2010 at 11:29 am

                and how it is anti-science?

                It’s anti-science because they’re printing stuff that is completely the opposite of what the science says, marty provided a good example:
                “Now that the heat has gone out of the global warming scare, the global warming alarmists were in full cry won’t make a blind bit of difference to global warming, assuming such a phenomenon exists ‘

                They should be taken to court for lying.

            • Poptech 2.1.1.1.1.3
              17 March 2010 at 1:30 pm

              Do not disregard the Oregon petition, every signatory has a degree in science,

              The qualifications of the signers are here,

              http://www.petitionproject.org/qualifications_of_signers.php

              “All of the listed signers have formal educations in fields of specialization that suitably qualify them to evaluate the research data related to the petition statement. Many of the signers currently work in climatological, meteorological, atmospheric, environmental, geophysical, astronomical, and biological fields directly involved in the climate change controversy.”

              The petition has never been discredited.

              • lprent …
                17 March 2010 at 2:43 pm

                When I read the list I don’t see those. What I see are people with marginal backgrounds in earth sciences…

                Frankly your claim is bullshit.

              • NickS …
                18 March 2010 at 10:26 am

                /facepalm

                Ah, got tired of getting shown to be a complete fool over on Open Parachute did we? Too bad you’re going to get further mocked and shown how utter incompetent you are here as well.

                Funny thing is, when others have gone through the petition they find arts, economics, dentists and other etc who aren’t even close to being involved in the core science of climate change, and then there’s the joke entries + the dead people and those entered into it without their permeation. All of which is nicely documented and argued over on the relevant wikipedia page.

                i.e. enough issues have been raised with it, that trusting the petition appears such a level of stupidity, that one has to wonder how those who embrace it as truth manage to even use the internet.

                So please, burn your computer and stick to writing pointless letters to your local news-rag.

            • Poptech 2.1.1.1.1.4
              17 March 2010 at 1:33 pm

              The third list has not been discredited either. It is currently over 500 papers,

              http://www.populartechnology.net/2009/10/peer-reviewed-papers-supporting.html

              All the papers on the list support skepticism of AGW or the environmental or economic effects of it.

              • lprent …
                17 March 2010 at 2:36 pm

                Only if you take the most extreme view of what ‘skepticism’ is.

                If you look at the reputable authors in earth sciences looking at the physical issue (as opposed to the papers by earth science illiterates), what you find is that you have almost entirely papers that disagree with an aspect of the IPCC models. In other words trying to get the models changed because they have found proof or have a theory about how the IPCC models could be improved.

                That does NOT mean that those papers disagree with the concept of anthropogenic climate change despite what the dickhead author of this list thinks.

                Now point me to 10 earth sciences papers in that list by people with an earth sciences background that do not conform to what I just described. You will be hard pushed to find 10. But I’ll review them for you to explain why you made an error, or the background of the paper.

                The ones you find will all be by the handful of actual earth scientist skeptics, most of whom will either be in the employ of skeptic company or institute, or will be past retirement age supplementing their pensions.

              • NickS …
                18 March 2010 at 10:40 am

                Ah, that list, btw, any and all biology papers are off the cards as they’re generally dealing with separating out other drivers of biodiversity change from climate change, which due to ecology being messy, is a pain in teh butt sometimes. Or are looking at impacts on a given species, of separating drivers of change may be on the difficult side. And then there’s future predictions, which of course are going to have serious, critical discussion over them. Though, given all the lovely evidence about shifts in species ranges and emergence/flowering times over the last 50 years+ that’s explained by climate change, one has to wonder how you missed this…

                Also, any paper from Energy and Environment is out due to considerable issues with the journal’s peer review process, + a few other journals renowned for being utterly useless and/or non peer-reviewed. But I’m sure you can dig them up.

                Anyhow, one is mostly repeating what’s already been said over at Open Parachute…

        • Bright Red 2.1.1.2
          16 March 2010 at 10:33 am

          Any source on that? And by “scientific community” who are you including? I’m not particularly interested in the opinions of sociologists on the science, not compared to the opinions of climatologists.

        • NickS 2.1.1.3
          16 March 2010 at 10:56 am

          /facepalm

          For frak’s sake, the only opinions that matter from surveys are from the ones who are grounded in the literature, i.e. those active in climatology research/publishing, for they’re the ones with the actual training and knowledge to understand the state of the field. Much like how, the only opinions that matter on evolution when doing such surveys come from frakking evolutionary biologists, not physicists, not dentists, not BA graduates, nor information theorist’s and sure as hell not theologians.

          And when you look at surveys of climatology researchers, much like surveys of evolutionary biologists, there’s only a small percentage of scientists who don’t agree with the consensus. But this is besides the point, for such information is not that helpful, for what matters in science is evidence from the research done, and that’s pretty clear that climate change is occurring, and it’s being driven by human releases of greenhouse gases.

          Of course, just like other forms of denialism, “sceptics” like making use of blogs, discredited scientists, dodgy/refuted journal articles in non-climatology journals, opinion pieces and other resources like Wishart’s moronic book to claim there’s “debate”, when there’s not in the literature…

          /sigh

          Which makes the entire “debate” defence as giant load of steaming sh*t, since we don’t (currently, outside of Jesus/Allah-stan) see Op-Ed’s about who there’s debate over HIV causing AIDS, nor evolution, nor mainstream astronomy and the causes of autism spectrum disorders.

          And thinking a bit, this whole debate meme over climate change is very similar to the Discovery Institutes “Teach the Controversy” bullsh*t.

    • lprent 2.2
      16 March 2010 at 10:47 am

      You are completely incorrect. But then we know your science isn’t up to much so perhaps you’re merely listening to the shrillest voices.

      My first degree was in earth sciences and I’ve kept an eye on it subsequently…

      Quite simply the accumulated data is overwhelming that the anthropogenic greenhouse warming is happening. The only thing that is in contention is how soon and how severe because there are no examples in the geological record that are similar for the speed and sustained duration of the event (natural events are far more punctuated). The only real issue with scientists outside of earth sciences is that there is a hell of a lot of new data that they haven’t had time to catch up on.

      If you look inside earth sciences the level of agreement is as high as it is possible to get agreement amongst scientists (you’ll find more physicists that disagree with the quantum theories that underlay how your computer operates). Amongst the climatologists – well they can see it going on.

      If you look outside the earth sciences than you’ll find a minority that don’t want to believe the evidence. The further away their disciplines are from earth sciences the more skeptical they are. You also find that the older they are the more skeptical they are as well – but that is to be expected – they’re running on passed over theoretical models from another discipline.

      Generally when I look at the ‘skeptic scientists’, there are very few I’d accept as having much credibility in this field. Like that geographer at auckland uni who has never said anything much that I can aggree with based on evidence. Outside of science, there are just the nutters like the looney lord who looks as if he’d have problems tying his shoelaces. Then of course there are idiot journos who really couldn’t give a shit about the subject, but can get a cheap headline out of it.

      Have a look at this post. Remember that this in the US where the majority of earth science grads wind up in the mining industries that frequently have a vested interest in continuing to exploit fossil carbon.

      • TightyRighty 2.2.1
        16 March 2010 at 11:00 am

        ok, and how does that disagree with what i said here

        “a sizeable portion of the scientific community don’t think AGW to be true?”

        I acknowledge what you say that it is impossible to gain absolute consensus on such an issue. i don’t think that 18% disagreeing with the idea that it is Human induced can be written off however. i’m not quoting from the lord monckton, as i don’t think he is all there. for the same reason i write off al gore as he is just an attention whore with vested financial interest in seeing AGW proved right. nor do i care what ian wishart thinks on AGW, as he is not a scientist, like the majority of greenpeace, WWF, Keisha Castle Hughes, Lucy lawless and Rhys Darby.

        • lprent 2.2.1.1
          16 March 2010 at 11:12 am

          If you said that “a sizeable portion of the earth sciences community don’t think AGW to be true?” then it might be relevant. As it is, your statement is perfectly meaningless.

          However, what does a chemist (for instance) like Peter Johns know about earth sciences? Bugger all. If you’re lucky then in their undergraduate degree 20 years ago they did a first year course. Most ‘scientists’ have very little understanding of science areas outside their primary fields of interest.

          The same thing happens if you’re someone like a oil geologist. You don’t have time to keep up on what is happening in an area like climatology (apart from having a vested interest in ignoring it).

          Hell, a friend of mine is a working astronomer with degrees and a track record as long as your arm. His knowledge about an area that I covered 30 years ago is pitiful. He thinks of everything in terms of orbits…

          The only people that are really interesting on the physical aspects are earth scientists, and the particular sub-group of climatologists and paleo-climatologists.

          If you raise others as scientists who could have an opinion, I know you’re just bullshitting.

          • TightyRighty 2.2.1.1.1
            16 March 2010 at 11:16 am

            ok, so how about 18% of said chosen earth sciences participants disagreeing?

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.1.1.1
              16 March 2010 at 11:38 am

              http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/01/19/eco.globalwarmingsurvey/index.html

              # Story Highlights
              # Most earth scientists believe humans cause of global warming, according to survey
              # 97 percent of climatologists canvassed believe humans play a role
              # Petroleum geologists and meteorologists were among the biggest doubters

              I think I’ll do the rational thing and go with the climatologists.

            • lprent 2.2.1.1.1.2
              16 March 2010 at 11:43 am

              Oil geologist? Geologist working for a mining company? You’d need more of a breakdown of data.

              Fact is that a *lot* of earth science graduates go and work for extraction companies especially in the US, canada, and aussie. That survey picked up them as well. Scientists are just as human as the rest of us. It is usually considered that the percentage going into extraction industries to be at least 20-30% in those countries.

              What is surprising in the sciences is that only small percentages disagreed. If you asked the question of physicists “do you think that the speed of light is the final limiting factor on speed”, I suspect that less than 50% would answer yes.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                16 March 2010 at 2:05 pm

                It wasn’t a great article but it did have TRs 18% in it, a breakdown showing that most of that 18% would have, at best, a limited understanding of climate and that the people who do understand climate are near unanimous about the cause – us.

  3. mickysavage 3
    16 March 2010 at 9:34 am

    This phenomenon is appalling.

    I have been following the development of the science of climate change for many years, albeit as a layperson. As time goes by IMHO the science becomes more and more compelling and our poor world is actually showing the exact symptoms that were predicted.

    Yet the deniers become more and more shrill and take delight in the slightest failings of individuals around the world and hold up these failings as proof that the whole thing is a hoax.

    I read recently a comparison being drawn between the debate and the OJ Simpson trial in the US. The evidence of guilt in that case was overwhelming and all that the defence team could do was spend more and more times analysing in detail the smallest of cracks in the case. Eventually the jury became overwhelmed with the volume of evidence and harboured doubt, partially through prejudice, partly in response to the hysteria that had been whipped up.

    Unfortunately a fair proportion of our population is now behaving like the OJ Simpson jury. Just as the oil companies wanted …

  4. Bill 4
    16 March 2010 at 10:10 am

    It’s been said before, but can’t be said too often.

    By extrapolation, science is concluding that neither regulated, central nor free market capitalist economies will survive climate change. Neither will we if we hang on to them.

    But business leaders and political leaders are the people with both the greatest influence in the present and the greatest amount to lose should we discontinue to produce, distribute and consume as we do.

    And we’ve successfully conditioned ourselves to rely on these ‘great leader/saviour’ to take of things for us.

    Hell, we even support and fight their oil wars and meekly allow ourselves to be plunged into situations of long term insecurity and poverty so that they can get their money back and continue to exercise and enjoy inordinate amounts power and immense privileges.

    Our fealty even extends to joining the mob involved in the rounding up and executing of these messengers from science. People accused, death threats received, careers destroyed…it’s like a bigger, madder and badder McCarthyism.

    Wonder how long before school kids have to stand up in assemblies to loudly denounce scientific enquiry and swear allegiance to mumbo jumbo and mysticism?

    • pollywog 4.1
      16 March 2010 at 10:26 am

      “Wonder how long before school kids have to stand up in assemblies and swear allegiance to mumbo jumbo and mysticism?’

      Maori schools are built on that very principle…oops

      *grab’s coat and hides under it*

      To be fair, its all about defining terms of reference and sadly the terms for polynesian mysticism were lost in translation.

      But I’m still holding out for the Einstein of this century to reveal himself and his free energy inspiring theories, leading to open source devices that will eliminate the energy barons control of mankind.

      The hope is to evolve and handle the responsibility that comes with free unlimited power because the ‘aliens’ wont reveal themselves again til we do 🙂

  5. tc 5
    16 March 2010 at 10:32 am

    Nice analogy MS and your point about ‘slightest failings’ is pertinent as the science attempts to predict/based on evidence/reworks the models….it’s an iterative process that’s seeing more and more fringe scientists become convinced as the detailed data in now enetering it’s third decade.

    Gwyn Dyers Climate Wars is essential reading IMHO he outlines US gov’t action plans setup awhile back which anticipate the massive shift in populations as food becomes scarce and people go in search of it…..so here’s a gov’t who is planning for what it’s own scientists are predicting.

    It’s that old marketing ploy of chuck someone in a labcoat and they’ll be believed, so my authoritative bloke in a labcoat denies GWC, your scruffy professor is pro GWC…..style over substance yet again with a complaint msm enforcing the gov’t line.

    Science requires intelligence and rarely delivers certainties as there’s always a margin of error and in this 10sec soundbite, small attention span, game console world it’s losing rather badly without intelligent media to assist it.

  6. freedom 6
    16 March 2010 at 11:19 am

    guys and gals, when the solar radiation storms from massive sunspot activity begin to attack Earth’s atmosphere in 18 months your ‘climate change’ arguments will mean nothing. just concentrate on food, water and power for your families’ survival.

    no i am not on medication, and yes i already own a ‘the end is nigh’ sign

  7. pollywog 7
    16 March 2010 at 11:21 am

    Argue all you like but does anyone believe that voluntary reductions and cap and trade schemes are the answer ?… NO ?

    …then i guess we’ll just have to go full on into hoping a scientific/technological breakthrough will solve the clean energy crisis and that won’t happen unless a next level genius figures out how to get E from MC squared without using it to boil water and drive turbines or mindlessly blow shit up.

    Somewhere out there are some technologically advanced aliens looking at us on earth like it’s some bad reality show and pissing themselves laughing…frankly, i’m embarrassed

  8. PK 8
    16 March 2010 at 11:23 am

    ***Maybe, just maybe, the fact that our major newspapers print anti-science climate change denialist propaganda nearly every day has something to do with the public’s perceptions of science.***

    I thought the mainstream media generally accepted the ‘consensus’?

    “Journalists are wont to moan that the slow death of newspapers will mean a disastrous loss of investigative reporting. The web is all very well, they say, but who will pay for the tenacious sniffing newshounds to flush out the real story? ‘Climategate’ proves the opposite to be true. It was amateur bloggers who scented the exaggerations, distortions and corruptions in the climate establishment; whereas newspaper reporters, even after the scandal broke, played poodle to their sources…

    Of course, reporters have been going native for decades. The difference is that they cannot now get away with it. When acid rain was all the rage in the 1980s, I was a science editor and I relayed all sorts of cataclysmic predictions from scientists and greens about its effect on forests. (Stern magazine said in 1984 that a third of Germany’s forests were already dead or dying and that experts believed all — all! — its conifers would be gone by 1990.) Today, we know that these predictions were wildly wrong and that far from dying out, forests in Germany, Sweden and North America actually thrived during that decade. I should have been more sceptical.

    Yet, this time round, despite 20 years of being told they were not just factually but morally wrong, of being compared to Holocaust deniers, of being told they deserved to be tried for crimes against humanity, of being avoided at parties, climate sceptics seem to be growing in number and confidence by the day. What is the difference?

    In a word, the internet. The Climate Consensus may hold the establishment — the universities, the media, big business, government — but it is losing the jungles of the web. After all, getting research grants, doing pieces to cameras and advising boards takes time. The very ostracism the sceptics suffered has left them free to do their digging untroubled by grant applications and invitations to Stockholm. The main blog used by the Consensus, realclimate.org, exemplifies this problem, because it was set up by a PR company and is run by an employee of Nasa, who ties himself in knots trying to show that he does the blog in his spare time. It is also characterised by a tone of weary condescension and censoring of dissent that you do not find on most sceptic sites.”

    http://www.spectator.co.uk/essays/all/5749853/the-global-warming-guerrillas.thtml

    • lprent 8.1
      16 March 2010 at 11:40 am

      Yeah, I was a climate change skeptic, 30 years ago, when the theory was pretty unproven. If I’d gone on to do the PhD and start working in the field, I’d have been doing my damnedest to chop holes in it. After all that is how you get a reputation, especially if you can chop holes in scientific media whores ideas. I’d have probably wound up on one of wattsup’s lists as a skeptic…..

      The difference is that this area has kept accumulating evidence. Some of it has disproved the earlier predictions. Some has shown that people weren’t thinking wide enough on their predictions. The overall effect is that the bulk of earth scientists now consider that the ideas from decades ago were far too conservative about probable effects.

      The problem is that the media really have no idea how to handle decade long efforts by many people to disprove a theory. There is no easy meme, so they usually drop into personalities..

  9. Kiwi Poll Guy 9
    16 March 2010 at 4:09 pm

    I think newspapers/govt do a lot to seed scientific ignorance, but the implication that it is a right-wing problem I think are over-simplistic. The ability of Hide et. al. to completely disregard the evidence on climate change is an embarrassment, but you could say the same for the “left” in some countries on the topics of nuclear power, whaling, genetic engineering, alternative therapies and many others. Broadening the survey to include statistical analysis and the topics of the gender wage gap, the effect of the minimum wage on unemployment, and the effect of poverty on crime rates also come to mind.

    Newspapers, governments and activists all do their bit to see scientific and statistical ignorance, and they all have a knack for ignoring evidence when it doesn’t work in their favour. But it’s not a problem confined to any one corner of the political spectrum.

  10. Anne 10
    16 March 2010 at 9:00 pm

    As a former Meteorological Service employee, Climate Change first came to our full attention in the 1970s. It was known as the Greenhouse Gas Effect in those days and the main cause was considered to be massive deforestation of the planet which had gone on for centuries. It was during the 1980s that the other human components began to emerge and that is when the trouble started. Margaret Thatcher should be given full credit for bringing the matter to the attention of world leaders at that time. I guess her background in the sciences was a factor in her recognition of the problem.

    I still don’t understand why so many people are in denial over climate change. It’s as though they fear their entire belief system will be turned on it’s head if they acknowledge it. I regard them as the modern day equivalents of the flat earthers of a few centuries ago who charged the scientists of the day with heresy for daring to proclaim that the Earth was round… Every time they looked up to the night sky and saw the full moon you would think something might have clicked, but apparently it didn’t. We have exactly the same problem with CC Deniers today but this time the future of life as we know it hangs in the balance!

  11. Anne 11
    16 March 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Further to my comment…

    It is something of an irony that Rodney Hide et al should be such vocifereous opponents when one of their political heroes, Maggie Thatcher, was such a strong proponent of Global Warming.

    • Bill 11.1
      16 March 2010 at 9:51 pm

      No. There is no irony ( Thatcher aside…unsure abut where you get the ‘climatically aware’ Thatcher line from, not that it matters much).

      Flat earthers stood to lose a view of the world that had zero impact on their day to day lives one way or another.

      Climate change denialists stand to lose everything. As do we all. But, thumbs up liberals contend that as long as we change light bulbs and take part in earth hour and switch off stand by functions and drive a wee bit less then we will be A okay!

      Where is the fundamental difference? Seems to me that the denial is simply one of degrees.

      edit the link above sets out some reasons. Ideology. The state should NEVER interfere or intervene..that’s a motive for denial, or at least being obstructive.

  12. Anne 12
    16 March 2010 at 10:14 pm

    @ Bill
    I can’t recall the precise time, but Margaret Thatcher was prominent in expressing her concerns in the 1980s. I recall at least one TV interview and a speech to an international forum. She had a back-ground in medical science (I think it was) before becoming a politician. I was never a supporter of Thatcher, but I do give her credit for helping to bring international attention to global warming.

    “Flat earthers stood to have a view of the world which had zero impact… Climate change denialists stand to lose everything”. Yes, I touched on that in my last sentence.

    Btw thanks for the link. I’ll listen to Naomi Oreskes tomorrow.

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    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
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    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
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    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
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    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
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    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
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    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
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    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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