Not the Dunne thing…

Written By: - Date published: 7:07 am, December 13th, 2011 - 46 comments
Categories: alcohol - Tags:

Peter Dunne, holder of the critical asset sales vote, has – according to Alcohol Action NZ spokesperson Professor Doug Sellman – “deliberately suppressed” the biggest and best survey on Kiwi attitudes to drink legislation this country has (not) seen.

82% want strong restrictions on alcohol advertising (half want it banned altogether).  56% want to see the price of cheap booze increased.

And no wonder – research shows that by far the biggest lever on reducing drinking (and in particular problem drinking) is price.  And National refuse to pull that lever.

The second most effective thing?  Reducing advertising.  National are doing nothing there either.

Lianne Dalziel is unimpressed:

“John Key’s approach to alcohol law reform has been driven by a desire not to offend the vast majority of responsible drinkers rather than trying to deal to and minimise the harm alcohol causes in society.”

“That’s why suppression of the Health Sponsorship Council’s research — showing the public are on the side of major reform — is so appalling.

“Quite clearly Kiwis are not in tune with the John Key-Peter Dunne softly, softly, weak-kneed approach. They want decisive action to curb alcohol abuse, but, for reasons best known only to itself, the Government decided to conceal this research at the time when it could have done most good.”

So why was the report shelved?  According to Dunne it was to save $10,000 that it would need to be peer-reviewed.  Quite why it was commissioned if they weren’t willing to pay the final cost is unclear.  Or why they couldn’t have sent it to MPs un-peer-reviewed if cost was such a problem in the $12,500,000,000 health budget.

Dunne’s other excuse was that it just agreed with other things in the public domain.  But there’s never been a survey like this, so it is important extra evidence of Kiwi attitudes.

It’s a poor show.  But then, Ohariu will realise Dunne’s responsibility for the loss of our assets, so we only need put up with the hair for 3 more years.  Just a shame how much damage he’ll let National do in that time.

46 comments on “Not the Dunne thing… ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. vto 1
    13 December 2011 at 7:30 am

    How does putting the price of alcohol up affect those for whom price is not a factor? Putting the price up only affects the poor. Typical.

    Just like fags.

    • Ben Clark 1.1
      13 December 2011 at 8:37 am

      It affects the drinking habits of the young (who are poor) and alcoholics (who buy greatest volume) more than anyone else. Yes it will affect the poor more, but it also reduces the drinking of most across society. Alcohol is far cheaper compared to income than it ever has been in history, so its not too great a surprise that we’re drinking far more as a society…

      Of course changing societal attitudes is the ultimate in fixing drinking problems, but that’s a whole lot harder. And while John Key regularly makes comments about having a few beers and organises photo ops of him drinking (with Prince William etc), he only perpetuates the drinking culture he was telling us during the election that he wants to change. Not that I don’t like the odd drink myself, but just saying: actions speak louder than words John.

      • Puddleglum 1.1.1
        13 December 2011 at 10:31 am

        “Of course changing societal attitudes is the ultimate in fixing drinking problems, but that’s a whole lot harder.”

        There’s nothing hard about changing attitudes. Attitudes follow, they do not lead.

        This needs to be more widely understood. Note that in the 1980s radical structural changes occurred in the economy – over the intervening decades, New Zealanders’ attitudes have conformed to this new reality, as anyone should expect (much as I regret those attitudinal changes).

        Humans are ‘adaptable’ – far too adaptable for their own good, at times. The aim should be to produce structures which ‘socially engineer’ outcomes that are favourable for human beings (as opposed to the 1980s ‘reforms’).

        I should add that collective social engineering is much to be preferred to its alternative; engineering individuals (e.g, through policing, prisons, therapy, pills, etc.). Social engineering is much less coercive and should be proudly promoted by all humane people.

        ‘Collective social engineering’ is also called ‘democracy’ – not that you’d notice, given the former term’s bad press.

      • Rich 1.1.2
        14 December 2011 at 3:12 pm

        Alcoholics and the poor can deal with more expensive booze in a range of ways other than by cutting drinking:
        – spend less on essentials
        – drink at home or in the street rather than in bars
        – drink cheaper product
        – drink homebrewed or bootlegged product

        Alcohol is far cheaper compared to income than it ever has been in history

        Have a look at the “Gin Craze” of 18th century London. It was fairly cheap then, maybe 1/3000 of annual earnings for enough to get drunk on.

    • Ianupnorth 1.2
      13 December 2011 at 10:01 am

      The only really effective way of achieving behavioural change (not only in the poor, but in the rich too) is via price.
       
      You can limit availability of purchase, e.g. put out of view, reduce hours, etc, helps short term, but the change in behaviour is minimal.
       
      You can ‘educate’, ‘scare’, ‘publicise’ as much as you want – just remember the alcohol industry (and food, pharmaceutical and similar industries) have at least 200 times the advertising spend of the whole of the Ministry of Health has, example Coke spend 200 times the amount of the ministry on advertising per annum, and that is just one company.
       
      Only making dangerous things hard to afford is the only way to reduce its usage (NB I like a beer and a wine too, but I am happy for the price to go up if it stops kids being killed)
       

      • Ben 1.2.1
        13 December 2011 at 2:19 pm

        “The only really effective way of achieving behavioural change (not only in the poor, but in the rich too) is via price.”

        You only mean that in relation to this particular issue, surely?

        To say that the only road to behavioural change is by manipulating prices is to suggest that the effect of economics supersedes the effect of everything else. Economists like to believe that – they like to feel important – but in the real world, that’s not even close to true.

        • Ianupnorth 1.2.1.1
          13 December 2011 at 3:37 pm

          It works with tobacco, it works with unhealthy food, it works with alcohol.
           
          When petrol prices go up people are more likely to seek alternative measures. What I was getting at is that education and publicity/scare tactics don’t work, prices rises do.

          • Vicky32 1.2.1.1.1
            13 December 2011 at 7:00 pm

            It works with tobacco, it works with unhealthy food, it works with alcohol.

            I assure you that it doesn’t work with tobacco! That being said, I think it would with alcohol… it’s physically impossible to smoke more than  a certain (small) amount – but it is sadly, perfectly possible to drink enough alcohol to kill oneself or others.
            No one ever went berserk under the effect of a pack of cigarettes and killed their spouse, or crashed a car, or burnt a house down. These things and other bits of ghastliness happen all the time with alcohol. Drinking is socially acceptable, smoking isn’t – a colleague confessed today, that after a Christmas party last week, at which I had explained why I drinking a Mango Lassi and not alcohol (because to quote Suzanne Paul, “once (I) start, I don’t want to stop”) she went home, poured herself into bed and realised that she didn’t even remember getting home. I refrained from smoking through out the party (except for the time I went out on to the wharf!) but almost everyone drank happily. Double standard, what?

  2. tc 2
    13 December 2011 at 7:43 am

    Key has alcohol interests and dunne has nat party interests to keep his baubles of power…..end of story.

    Geez labour sure has spawned a bunch of rat bags over the years, dunne, the act party, tamaheri etc……whereas with the Nats they rise to the top.

  3. Sanctuary 3
    13 December 2011 at 7:50 am

    Right wing disingenuousness reaches new heights of hypocrisy over this issue. One the one hand, we must punish the undeserving poor with food stamps and demeaning micro-management of their social security cheque so they don’t waste it on booze and baccy. On the other hand, when the profits of corporate drug dealers are threatened, we must fanatically die in a ditch to protect the right of the poor to be able to afford to buy large amounts of cheap booze and tobacco.

    Right wing middle class “responsible” drinkers complaining about putting up the price of booze is the ultimate expression of neo-liberal selfishness in my view. heavy drinkers and young binge drinkers are the most price sensitive drinkers of all. All research tells us this. Stopping supermarket sales and higher prices would have a dramatic impact on crime and health statistics. But no. We can’t do that. Because if we did, some booze baron wouldn’t make as much money and some arsehole in Remuera or Fendalton doesn’t want to pay $5 more for their cleanskin sav – and to hell with everyone else.

  4. Tom Gould 4
    13 December 2011 at 7:50 am

    It is just plain ‘common sense’ to legislate in favour of the booze barons while lying to the public, isn’t it? After 27 years in the trough, that’s just how he rolls.

  5. Pete George 5
    13 December 2011 at 8:00 am

    If alcohol law was to be reformed by popular opinion what would we end up with?

    How much would the price of alcohol go up?
    How much would the sale of alcohol be restricted?
    What would be the purchase age? The drinking age?

    Isn’t the lower socio-economic demographic over represented in smoking statistics after heavy regulation?

    • rosy 5.1
      13 December 2011 at 8:05 am

      Who knows? How about we get all the research out in the open so we can have the conversation that’s sorely needed?

      Btw how much does alcohol affect the violence against children you’re so passionate about preventing? How about we have that conversation included in the mix as well?

      • Pete George 5.1.1
        13 December 2011 at 8:52 am

        I agree rosy.

        Alcohol is a major adverse influence in all violence – and quite involved in poverty (along with other drugs).

        Personally it wouldn’t bother me if the price of alcohol was doubled, but I have no idea if the positive effects would outweigh the adverse effects.

        It would reduce consumption, but by how much? And with the target (problem) drinkers would it make make much difference? It’s possible it would add more financial stress to alcohol stress.

        Whatever we try the aim needs to be to change our binge drinking culture, our escapism culture, our blame-something-else culture.

        But we need to maintain some degree of socialisation – if it were possible to ban alcohol altogether would that push us more into our bubble living?

        • mickysavage 5.1.1.1
          13 December 2011 at 8:56 am

          Personally it wouldn’t bother me if the price of alcohol was doubled, but I have no idea if the positive effects would outweigh the adverse effects.
           
          Well educate yourself Petey.  Go and talk to Jenny Connor at Otago University and find out from her.  Until you do know something, with the utmost respect, you are not qualified to comment.

          • Pete George 5.1.1.1.1
            13 December 2011 at 9:08 am

            I’d like to talk to Jenny about it, and a lot of other people locally. But on the basis of your claim that I’m not qualified to comment that would rule out most blog comments wouldn’t it? Does your blog have a ‘must be qualified to comment’ rule?

            No one knows what would happen if the price of alcohol doubled. There would be predictable consequences and unintended consequences. History has shown what can happen if it is banned altogether, and that didn’t seem to reduce violence.

        • rosy 5.1.1.2
          13 December 2011 at 9:19 am

          PG – you clearly see the need for information on alcohol to be available for proper policy and decision-making. So what is your opinion on some relevant information about what NZers think about alcohol being with-held for, it seems, political purposes?

          • Pete George 5.1.1.2.1
            13 December 2011 at 9:27 am

            Has it been withheld? For political purposes?

            Peter Dunne says he never tried to deliberately suppress a survey about attitudes towards alcohol.

            “That’s simply a lie. I have covered up nothing because I’m in no position to cover it up,” he says. “I’m not responsible for the report. I don’t have responsibility for the Health Sponsorship Council. I can’t tell them what to do or what not to do.”

            “Why they didn’t produce it publicly on their website, as I had anticipated they would, is something they need to answer not me.”

            While the Health Sponsorship Council declined to be interviewed, a spokesman told 3 News it was not the council’s responsibility to publish the survey.

            http://www.3news.co.nz/Peter-Dunne-responds-to-cover-up-claims/tabid/419/articleID/236274/Default.aspx#ixzz1gM0frWDn

            Who is responsible for releasing the survey results?

            • The Voice of Reason 5.1.1.2.1.1
              13 December 2011 at 9:33 am

              Dunne is responsible, Pete. He’s the one who stopped it being released by turning off the funding tap. Muldoon used to do the same sort of shit; play ball or no money for your organisation. What a creep Peter Dunne turns out to be and how very very far away his is from your ideals of openness and transparency. You must be gutted to be so badly let down.

              • Pete George …
                13 December 2011 at 9:43 am

                Dunne says he expected it to be released anyway. It appears as if it’s been released, Stuff are quoting from it. Someone must be responsible for that.

                • McFlock …
                  13 December 2011 at 1:42 pm

                  If he really expected it to be released unedited, unproofed, and unreviewed, then he’s a moron.
                  Otherwise he’s just a liar.

            • rosy 5.1.1.2.1.2
              13 December 2011 at 9:36 am

              My guess is the Board reports to the Minister and the Minister approves, or doesn’t approve the report/recommendation. What’s yours?

              • Pete George …
                13 December 2011 at 9:46 am

                I don’t know who is responsible for it. Tony Ryall? Why isn’t he being asked about it?

                • rosy …
                  13 December 2011 at 10:08 am

                  Maybe because it didn’t get that far because the necessary funding wasn’t there? Which brings me back to the original point…..what’s your opinion about this potentially valuable information being with-held?

                  • Pete George …
                    13 December 2011 at 10:31 am

                    I’d prefer as much information as possible was made public.

                    From what I’ve seen of the survey it doesn’t tell us anything much new, but it does add weight to what is already known.

                    • The Voice of Reason …
                      13 December 2011 at 10:37 am

                      So why do you think Dunne suppressed it? And what are you going to do about it? It would be a terrific blow for democracy if you, the senior leader of UF in the south, called for his resignation on a point of principle. Though I imagine you’d have to explain to him exactly what principle means, because it’s not a concept that Dunne appears to be familiar with.

                    • rosy …
                      13 December 2011 at 10:38 am

                      I’d prefer as much information as possible was made public.

                      Exactly. Now… as for Peter Dunne, he seems to have a different view.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      13 December 2011 at 12:40 pm

                      From what I’ve seen of the survey it doesn’t tell us anything much new…

                      Really? See, I read it and it told me a hell of a lot that I never knew. For example I was thoroughly surprised to find that most people supported raising the price of alcohol.

                      It appears as if it’s been released…

                      Yes, but after the enquiry was finished rather than it being available before. Timing is everything as they say.

                      BTW, I’m also pretty sure that what you said was word for word what Dunne said when he got caught suppressing the report.

    • Vicky32 5.2
      13 December 2011 at 7:04 pm

      Isn’t the lower socio-economic demographic over represented in smoking statistics after heavy regulation?

      Are you being a wee bit precious here? Snobbery? I have observed that a lot of anti-smoking hysteria is simply snobbery. “We” drink “nice wines”, the “Lower orders smoke and drink DB”…
       

  6. Tigger 6
    13 December 2011 at 8:35 am

    Hmmm, Dunne did mention how much he likes wine at a public meeting…

    Seriously though, this is creepy and disgusting. Dunne, resign.

    • Jackal 6.1
      13 December 2011 at 1:02 pm

      Approximately 1000 New Zealander’s die each year from alcohol-related causes… Dunnes despicable decision to hide relevant information has contributed to these deaths and he should resign.

  7. Campbell Larsen 7
    13 December 2011 at 8:50 am

    The Nats are desperate to maintain alcohols status as the only legal recreational drug in NZ – despite the fact that hands off nothing to see here approach means that people will continue to be needlessly harmed. The hipocracy of the war on drugs being pushed by a party that is knee deep in booze and tied up with links to the barons is astounding. When we grow up and adopt a rational and reasonable approach to these issues? No time soon with these clowns at the helm.

  8. Pete 8
    13 December 2011 at 9:01 am

    National will never do anything that might adversely affect the profits of Lion, Dominion Breweries or any other part of the hospitality industry. The only measure of any success in reducing alcohol harm in NZ will be the downward trend of the share prices of these companies.

    • Pete George 8.1
      13 December 2011 at 9:16 am

      What about Labour? Did they raise the purchase age? Did they restrict supermarket sales? Did they ban alcopops?

      It’s not a single party problem, it’s a wide ranging political and social issue.

      • RedLogix 8.1.1
        13 December 2011 at 9:22 am

        It’s not a single party problem, it’s a wide ranging political and social issue.

        Yes, but it was Dunne who had responsibility to see that this specific report was published in a timely fashion. He chose to withhold the funds.

        That’s his responsibility and you really can’t duck that.

        • Pete George 8.1.1.1
          13 December 2011 at 9:31 am

          He’s saying it’s not his responsibility.

          “I’m not responsible for the report. I don’t have responsibility for the Health Sponsorship Council. I can’t tell them what to do or what not to do.”

          “Why they didn’t produce it publicly on their website, as I had anticipated they would, is something they need to answer not me.”

          While the Health Sponsorship Council declined to be interviewed, a spokesman told 3 News it was not the council’s responsibility to publish the survey.

          http://www.3news.co.nz/Peter-Dunne-responds-to-cover-up-claims/tabid/419/articleID/236274/Default.aspx#ixzz1gM0frWDn

          Who is responsible for releasing the survey results?

          • RedLogix 8.1.1.1.1
            13 December 2011 at 9:36 am

            As has been repeatedly pointed out to you Dunne withheld the necessary $10k funding to ensure the report was properly published.

            Just banging it up on a website is not the same thing.

            Or do you think the Health Council… having paid to produce this highly significant report, was content just to idly sit on it?

            • McFlock 8.1.1.1.1.1
              13 December 2011 at 2:05 pm

              Just banging it up on a website is not the same thing.

              lol

              Maybe pete believes that his web-jizz carries the same weight as a large-scale, peer-reviewed piece of research.

      • Ianupnorth 8.1.2
        13 December 2011 at 10:05 am

        See 1.2 – no party wants to be seen as nanny state – a label used (incorrectly) against Labour, as they actually wanted to improve health and well-being, not just fix ill health like the Nats.

  9. randal 9
    13 December 2011 at 10:51 am

    the big reform is that alcohol will not be sold between the hours of 4am and 7am.
    whipty friggin doo.
    thats really making a difference to the all pervasive climate of violence and loose behaviour in noo zillun.

    • Bored 9.1
      13 December 2011 at 10:58 am

      To think he was head of ALAC years back when he lost his “job” as Pres at Canterbury Uni Student Assoc. Back then his modus operandi was to get the clubs to vote for him by promising them funding from the student association fees for club purposes. Remember it well. Seems nothing has changed, he is still for sale. That means that the assets Shonkey wants to sell will be weighed up against the job and benefits to Peter.

  10. Augustus 10
    13 December 2011 at 11:48 am

    How anyone can regard Doug Selman as a voice of reason is beyond me. The man is a zealot in the truest sense. A bit like the Sensible Sentencing Trust in that he has one simple solution for a very complex problem.
    It seems that there is broad agreement in these comments about price increases, but I don’t believe that the divide in opinion is political, ie Labour vs National or Left vs Right, beyond the majority position each party has arrived at within itself (not a problem in one-man bands of course). I would be very surprised if there was a 100% majority in Labour for price increases and similarly 100% against them in National, hence alcohol affairs usually being subject to a consience vote in parliament.
    Instead, alcohol and its abuse are cultural and societal phenomenons and need to be approached on this level, bearing in mind that we have descendents of cultures other than protestant presbitereans here. “Price signals” might influence behaviour, but in more than one way. They would cause a rise in home brewing (lower quality alcohol – more health problems), and they would, in my case at least, make me consider to vote for a party campaigning against them (so long as its not National).
    As for advertising, one could think that ALAC has never heard of the old meme that there is no such thing as bad publicity, with its constant ridiculous preaching on TV every night. It just follows the “cater to the biggest idiot” approach politics, too, seems to take every time.

    Having said so, Dunne should have released the report.

  11. ropata 11
    13 December 2011 at 1:00 pm

    all you naughty kiwis out there

    tobacco, cannabis, and bzp are bad

    booze, hookers, and casinos are fine though

  12. fmacskasy 12
    13 December 2011 at 11:25 pm

    A BERL report on the cost of alcohol-caused harm to our society; http://www.berl.co.nz/874a1.page

    Guess who picks up the tab for it all?

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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