The tourism thing is good. I was in New York last year. Chatting to this dude at a bar told mr how he’s coming to nz this Feb yo check out all the hobbit spots. Blew my mind.
The Brit bruiser wanted to go and see the Hobbit spots. Probably they wanted to unload some of their litter there. We have to watch what sort of tourist gets attracted here by the films.
No, I don’t think we can. Key’s failure to protect local interests can be seen in everything he touched, from SCF to Christchurch – his influence has been an irredeemable blight on our country in every instance.
The Hobbit was a disgrace – it took one of the most popular works in English fiction and made it into unrecognizable soup. Certainly the fans paid plenty of money, but Jackson destroyed his reputation with it.
The studios may well have made the movies here without the Hobbit law, the scenery had become part of the LOTR franchise – their attack of the vapors was strategic, designed to squeeze as much as possible out of weak and credulous governments – which was Key in a nutshell. He rolled over because he never gave a toss about New Zealanders anyway.
I think you give him too much credit – that was only one of his changes. Radagast was a mess. The elf love interest was not unforgiveable but the crudity of it was. Orcs with Morghul arrows though? Right up there with bringing the undead to Pelenor fields – playing fast and loose with stuff he clearly didn’t understand. The gold trap, and the battle of five armies – pitiful chaotic nonsense. Had as much collapsing masonry in it as 2012 (the film) I gave my Korean friends rings about D War – I had to apologize to them – the Hobbit was as bad or worse.
Three (films) for LOTR and one to rule them all, The Hobbit. A lot more integrity and probably much less Peter Jackson would have helped all these films. It was a lot of people bowing to the (strong) wind of money. Not least the government. If we had a better 4th estate , less a promotional device and more an arm of understanding, we’d know about the side deals.
‘If I were in government’ I’d fund investigative journalism, because democracy needs it. And, by the way, also ban caterwauling, sorry, opera, from Concert FM.
If you like to scratch about online there is a “Tolkien Edit” of the Hobbit, which removes many of the more egregious changes – and brings viewing time down to a mere 41/2 hours. One would expect, in this multimedia age, that such things would become de rigueur somewhat after the theatrical releases, for those who want the authorial vision of the original story as far as possible.
The Lord of the Rings was made in the early 2000s. What hitherto-unknown contribution did John Key make to it that we should thank him for? Was he one of the orcs?
The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003), was nominated for 30 Academy awards, and won 17. Most of the filming for the first movie, and all of the filming for the second and third movies, took place in NZ during the term of the fifth Labour government (1999-2008).
No, your post waz about tge proposed changes to industry wide fair pay bargaining. Mine was related to the review of the Hobbit law changes. They are different things.
“The idea of fairness has been promoted in our schools for a very long time”
The idea of fairness is actually innate in humans – especially children. It takes a pretty massive propaganda effort to drive the idea of fairness out of people’s heads. Or to distort it into its opposite. And to be fair – that propaganda has been wildly successful for the past 35 years or so. But it is an uphill battle and eventually ideas of fairness re-surface in some form or another. The interesting thing is how elites respond when the propaganda fails – do they concede some ground, or go full repressive/fascist in response?
This article was re-published from Elizabeth White’s blog Love, Elizabeth
Welcome to the little space I call my blog. It’s a place I come to write about my experiences in a context that others can also relate to. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason
I really don’t think that there are many people who are dying because of a co-payment on prescriptions.
It is limited to a total of $100/year/family, no matter how large the family.
There is no charge at all for children under 13.
It can be totally avoided if you live in Auckland and go to the Chemist Warehouse, or some Countdown shops.
It is nothing at all like the $60,000/year that the linked article talks about.
You are, frankly, talking utter rubbish.
you are right, they did not die because of co-payments.
they died because they got kicked of waiting lists, because surgery was not available, because the budget for public healthcare was gutted, because on their min wage tey could not afford private healthcare, because NZ health care staff is underpaid compared to elsehwer thus once educated they leave, or because the nurses, doctors and other health care staff can’t actually afford rent/buying a house where their hospital is located.
and all that happened under National, the party without mates, conscience and morals.
Oh dear.
Where were you living during the period 2009 – 2017?
If you experienced the things you listed it clearly wasn’t New Zealand where you resided.
I don’t think that I can be bothered trying to explain all the things that are wrong with your statements. You are clearly delusional and probably wouldn’t be able to read my responses anyway.
It is irrelevant anyway. Still, at least you agree that millsy was talking rubbish in his claim about people dying because there was a $5 charge on some prescriptions. That is better than nothing I suppose.
And it isn’t what I said.
I know someone who was taken of the waiting list for a knee replacement.
They had a major heart attack and it wasn’t safe to do the knee Op.
That doesn’t mean it was the normal thing.
Under the Clark Government everyone was put on the waiting list for Ops such as hip or knee replacement. They promised that no-one would be on the list for more than 6 months. If you got to the 6 months they simply removed you from the list and sent you back to your GP where the whole thing started again.
Under National you would get the Op if you were on the waiting list. However if you didn’t qualify they wouldn’t put you on the waiting list. At least you knew whether or not the Op would happen within 6 months and you weren’t just treated like a yo-yo.
I know which system was better.
I have little internal bets sometimes and so I saw on the side-bar James had commented. Having swept the news sites and having seen the Elizabeth White letter I bet myself that James’ comment this morning would be about this letter.
That’s how easy James is to read.
Elizabeth cites other developed countries such as Australia and Britain as having much better outcomes for these types of cancer but both countries have a top tax rate of 45%. Britain is 40% above 70K sterling and Australia 37% above $80K. Both countries also have a CGT.
Would James and the other RWNJs like to make a correlation between the two?
“Dear Jacinda Ardern, my mother could die because of you”
Your mother’s dying of cancer. Jacinda Ardern didn’t cause it and can’t cure it, so that’s the most unfair headline I’ve seen in a well-contested field of anti-Ardern headlines. If you weren’t upset because your mother’s dying of an Ardern-unrelated cancer, I’d offer some thoughts on your character while I’m at it.
I agree PM, but sadly grief is often not rational. I feel for this mother and family and understand the daughter writing what she did in the grips of grief. What is not acceptable IMO is media (looking at Newshub) picking this up and running it in the way they have.
Thanks for pressing me to read the blog. I missed the link you posted earlier. Uuummm. What crossed my mind after doing so is best left unsaid.
I found the little bits of revelation re her way of thinking and ambitions in her Twenty-one or a death sentence? post re her 21st birthday in Sept 2017 interesting.
At the very least, it would be appropriate to add an editor’s note explaining the role Pharmac has in working out how best to allocate the finite dollars we have for pharmaceuticals.
I agree with that Newsroom should have provided some appropriate notes on such things as the differences in the systems between the countries’ medical systems that have been compared in the letter.
Having read this young woman’s blog, I decided to google her as she has been upfront on the blog and in the Newshub article as to her real identity.
Well, well, well. Having expected that there would lots of people in NZ with the same name, the very first entry that came up was to Linked In with a photo identifying it was for the same person and it turns out that she appears to be none other than:
“Summary
Foreign News Producer for TVNZ’s Breakfast show. Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Management, Broadcasting, Customer Service, and Television.
Strong professional with a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications focused in Broadcast Journalism from New Zealand Broadcasting School.
—————-
News Reporter
MediaWorks NZ
November 2018 – Present 4 months
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland reporter for the AM Show on TV3
TVNZ – 2 years 2 months
Foreign News Producer TVNZ
October 2017 – Present 1 year 5 months
Auckland, New Zealand
Assignments Desk Coordinator TVNZ
January 2017 – September 2017 9 months
Auckland, New Zealand … “
So, as well as not providing anything re the differences in systems between the various countries etc, Newshub also failed to provide any disclosure that the writer is in fact one of their employees, a news reporter.
Now, just to be clear, I still feel very sorry for her and her family having been through the same with my own mother who died of incurable cancer; but I find the tone of the letter (ie the blame) and the above information that was not disclosed questionable to say the least.
I’m trying to decide whether Mediaworks’ failure to disclose the opinion piece was by one of its employees is worse than its failure to provide an editor’s note that Pharmac rather than the PM makes decisions about what treatments to fund. On reflection, the failure to disclose the employee status is worse, because it effectively makes the OP an attack on the government by Mediaworks.
Pharmac rather than the PM makes decisions about what treatments to fund.
I hope someone on behalf of PM, Jacinda Ardern replies to her and corrects her assumptions. To imagine it was Ardern’s job to make such decisions is evidence she has a lot to learn.
Dear Jacinda Ardern, my mother could die because of you
Assuming this young woman was writing the letter to JA in her capacity as Prime Minister and she doesn’t even have the courtesy to address her as such is ignorant and lacking the courtesy usually accorded the position. She blames Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern for the health woes when much of the blame lies on the shoulders of the previous govt. That is her level of rationality?
She’s just turned 21 and Newshub have employed her as a reporter? The standard of reporting has reached an all time low on that TV net-work and I no longer waste time watching it.
A typically shrewish comment from an old never was directed at any female younger than Anne who is even slightly critical of The Prime Minister.
Get off your high horse you old wind bag. Plenty of crappy articles directed at politicians on both sides have appeared in both the herald and the awful stuff user generated sections.
[Righto. Your next comment needs to include an apology and a commitment to refraining from pointless abuse. No discussion, no other warning. TRP]
It seems you have no argument whatsoever and are resorting to an ad hominem attack. Shame on yo1 The description seems to say a lot more about you, you cheap, sickly biscuit.
Anne demanding people bow and scrape to the prime ministers position? In New Zealand? I stand by my comment.
I’ve watched for too long as Anne denegrates any female who dares not be in adoration of any labour leader. First it was Cunliffe, then Little and now Adern.
Women should only speak up if they are on the same side as Anne, otherwise she thinks they should know their place. It’s so offensive and puerile
TS every post you abuse some one
Last time I was in la la land.
I don’t know you, I do know Jacinda.
She is everything you are not.
To make out Anne attacks others compared to your history of personal attacks lays a path of pain for yourself.
Anne makes thoughtful contributions, and her comments are pertinent and considered . Quote right back at you “You old wind bag”.
What generalisations you use Tuppence as an excuse to have a go at Anne in a particularly vulgar way. Psychopathic really. And we have been watching you for a long time too.
Tuppenny bit… he not like strong women who speak their minds. He think strong women scary. He think only men – like him – are allowed to speak minds. Woomen should stay in kitchen and cook da meals.
Hilarious! Your privileged silencing of a young women for not showing deference to those in power shows how little respect you have strong women speaking out.
The standard of reporting has reached an all time low on that TV net-work and I no longer waste time watching it.
You did your usual didn’t you Tupenny bit. You thought I was referring to the “very young woman”. That was a generalisation about the standard of reporting on Newshub. Its abysmal.
Once upon a time it was by far the better of the two main TV channels, TV1 and TV3. Now its just third rate clickbait stuff and on occasion so inaccurate I’m surprised they haven’t been taken to court for defamation or slander. They come perilously close to it sometimes.
The personal emotive tone casts a biased shadow over the whole item. The RW cast themselves as being in the light and thinking right, but in fact they are self-centred, with wizened minds, and authoritarian controlling in nature.
As for the Prof. he has obviously led a right wing household. A comment below the article contradicts someone who says that being part of the Maxim Institute shows his bias, and quite rightly. His son is said to be in that right wing think tank, but his upbringing connects him to the father.
It is known that the dedicated groups of people against euthanasia unite to flood letters and submissions into the authority canvassing citizens’ wishes which in theory is a democratic process. This professor is just using an aspect of that technique. It is unheard of for people to have freedom of choice over their own lives and bodies.
The Climate Change deniers did it too. Even though 97% of the world’s scientists (it’s probably 100% now with a handful of ideological nutbars on the side) knew it was happening… the media for years, here and overseas, gave the deniers equal billing. They did untold damage in the process and have to take their share of the blame for the many delays which could turn out to be catastrophic for the planet.
Then there are the anti-fluoride and anti-vaccination campaigners… both of whom rely on pseudo scientific nonsense just like the CC deniers.
All of them come from often irrational ideological perspectives, and I suspect you would find if they’re part of one anti group, they’re also part of all the others.
We already do – It is those middle classes with a few $ pay medical insurance. Until they find out, as in many insurance policies. What cover they thought they had was limited and requires top ups to complete any treatment.
Those at the top end have comprehensive cover as part of their remuneration packages.
Those not covered “roll” the dice, and are at the mercy of our health system 🤧
And our govts continue to increase the stress on our infrastructure/health system by increasing the demand/pop.
Only from YOUR experience, which is not the same as everyone else.
And once you have any medical history it is almost impossible to change coys and still be covered with existing or past conditions-and that is were we the public are then captured by an insurance coy. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10352802
I hope you don’t think that people wanting euthanasia are just being neglected by our health system. This is about people who want to decide when to die, and not having to wait for death with increasing stress, boredom or pain. Committing suicide is a poor quality death and is problematical.
Good to see the Trolls haven’t succumbed to devastating fires or floods yet. I too am deeply concerned about the economy:
Can I perform comedy shows in blackened ruins? A man deserves to make a living. Under Labour there’d probably be some ninny workplace safety issues; but under National, I could be a private contractor, fully responsible for death and misadventure like the rest of them.
What happens during a rebuild? If I score some corrugated iron and masonry to build a shanty out of, Labour would stop me with pesky regulations and rules of construction; but National would let it fly no worries.
National have a plan. Predator Free NZ. They made the words so we know they care. As food chains break down, we can all eat dead rats.
WtB
Thinking factually. Are there trees that we could plant instead of pinus radiata that would be less flammable? Pinus R are very resiny aren’t they? Could we have less of them, and grow some longer maturing trees that might be exotics, plus natives as well. Perhaps we could grow greener natives that would be less flammable in amongst the pinus R which of course are good for longs being very fast growing here.
Suggesting what should have been done might seem a bit off considering the circumstances. The above post was in response to about 8 trolling comments in a row starting the day, I just forgot to link it to the rot posts so it’s kinda out of context.
Was just me firing back.
The forestry service would be the people to ask the questions re: flammability of their crops and any alternatives in the pipeline.
While some plants are a lot less flammable than others, there comes a point where plants lose so much water they’re all tinder, though burn rate and heat will differ.
There are a few things we might consider. Soil carbon (organic matter) holds on to soil water increasing the water holding capacity of soils. Retention and increasing of soil carbon in forestry will hold off the point at which trees become highly volatile. Ploughing, fertilisers and fungicides are all processes/products that may severely impact soil life and deplete soil carbon. Mulching of prunings on the spot (lay litter out in contact with the ground – not in piles), inoculation of stumps with fungi (crops and animal food), productive crop diversity, and biochar application are all practices that can increase soil carbon in forestry.
Retaining water in the soil using earthworks is the most important thing that can be done. We’ve looked at how those systems work. Swale systems, keyline systems, small dams, plantings, retain not drain… When one farm has plenty of water, surrounded by neighbors in drought, you know something special has occurred. Not paying attention may lose the farm as weather gets worse and folk are denied water.
What is what so far as these systems go: Swales vs Yeomans??
When all the land is rehydrating via earthworks and plantings, rain becomes more steady for the local climate. I can’t recall offhand but x amount of contiguous forest is sufficient to make rain. The trees take excess and siphon it back to the atmosphere so less flood issues too, not to mention the land covered in earthworks will catch rather than dispatch (to the poor bastards below) most water.
It’s not about rainfall, so much as rain penetration.
The maple family (including sycamores and plane trees) are hard to set ablaze – they will make decent firewood if dried though. They’re popular for decorative flooring in some countries,.
On the upside… if there is one, at least the weather is so much cooler today, hopefully making it easier for crews on the ground.
And… there is a block where the forest had been cleared a little while back, hoping that will slow it down. Marty, you’ll know where I mean, the big forestry block on the inland highway between Redwoods Valley and Upper Moutere, where you can turn off to Mahana.
Open Letter by Over 70 Scholars and Experts Condemns US-Backed Coup Attempt in Venezuela
-chomsky/open-letter-by-over-70-scholars-and-experts-condemns-us-backed-coup-a
Thanks Adrian, reality and the mainstream media at odds again as they attempt to manufacture consent, summed up by the great Glenn Greenwald: ‘I’d have more respect for the foreign policy decrees of US officials if they’d just admit what everyone knows – “we want to change this country’s government to make it better serve our interests” – rather than pretending they give the slightest shit about Freedom & Democracy.’
@ TootingPopularFront, yes the manufacture consent doctrine has really been operating at 110% over the past few years…the only up side is that the more overt it gets, the more obvious it becomes..even to the casual observer.
You would have to say that anyone who is interested in politics and/or global news, and pretend not to see the actual mechanics of the manufacture consent doctrine operating in pretty much full view, are in fact purposely not acknowledging it only to suit their own world view.
Did you catch The Listening Post on Al Jazeera in the weekend?
“The (media) coverage also mostly stayed away from the role successive American administrations – through economic sanctions – have played in handicapping the Venezuelan economy.
As Iraqis, Iranians, Libyans and others would tell you, this isn’t the first time the US has taken a disproportionate interest in the governance of a country loaded with oil.
Washington has a playbook for this kind of thing. And so, apparently, do the US media.
@cinny, yes I did catch that Listening Post piece, it is really quite depressing watching a full scale illegal international capitalist intervention, (purely for resources of course) happening in real time, right out in the open…while all our media, and so many (supposedly) good people either support it or say nothing.
Also interesting watching Liberal media like the Guardian etc attack Trump relentlessly for months on end, but suddenly support his position over this…shows you who their paymasters really are.
I had the jarring experience of hearing that weasel Justin “Blair” Trudeau parroting Mike Pompeo’s anti-Venezuela rhetoric on the radio yesterday. Nearly drove the Breenmobile into a tree.
11 months ago, the PM and Civil Defence minister were roundly critised for their apathy and sluggish response to the damage caused by cyclone Gita in Golden Bay.
I’ll be interested to see what lessons have been learnt in the response to the wildfire state of emergency in rural Nelson.
It’ll be a really interesting exercise to see if a rural mainly white South Island farming community is afforded similar priority and attention as a rural north island mainly Maori community has enjoyed from this government over the past few days.
It will be interesting to see if the rural mainly white community in Nelson Marlborough receive the same massive financial subsidies all white dairy, sheep + fruit farmers have received from the Government these past 150 years.
Kris Fafoi has been brilliant. He has declared a Civil Emergency, which gives extra powers. This is a large fire which is very dangerous in high winds.
At this very moment, a small army of White House aides is scrambling, circled around a computer in an office in the West Wing pecking out a State of the Shitshow speech they hope will “capture the voice” of a president more given to grunts and verbal excrescences than the lofty rhetoric of presidents. Here’s a spoiler; their work won’t matter.
That’s not merely because when the Trump administration sends us their speechwriters, they’re not sending their best. They are sending the indifferently educated, culturally buffoonish, shiftier dregs of authoritarian nationalist fanboys Donald Trump manages to recruit from random bus stations, hobo squats, and TPUSA Trump Young Pioneers camps.
Some, I assume are good people, but I’m almost certainly wrong.
“With potentially three referendums proposed for New Zealand in 2020 – on cannabis, euthanasia, and MMP thresholds – the Brexit referendum offers crucial lessons on how not to run a modern referendum.”
He reckons Brexit’s lead-time of four months was too short. People just can’t figure stuff out that fast. Should I stay or should I go? Questions that hard take six months to suss out, apparently. “Post-truth politics is the idea that arguments are not won on the basis of objective facts but on emotional appeal and by reinforcing pre-existing beliefs.”
“The cannabis and euthanasia referendums provide fertile ground for post-truth politics. The debates for both easily lend themselves to personal anecdotes and emotional appeal. This is not to say that such appeals are a new or a bad thing. People often vote with their hearts rather than their heads. The difference is that in the past it was much easier to sift the truth from the lies.”
What’s changed? Social media has everyone enmeshed in such a toxic stew they can no longer think straight. And “this toxic dialogue has emerged into the real world and is increasingly apparent in political discourse. Likewise, it’s becoming a cliché that we are living in a polarised world where one must stick to his or her party line, where compromise is a dirty word, and where the opposition’s views are not only wrong but morally repugnant.”
You see that banality & polarisation here often enough to agree with the diagnosis. But must we allow inadequate commentators to spoil it for everyone? No. He advises “let’s try to keep it civil… because there are valid points on both sides. One of the sad facts about Brexit was that people were so quick to decry and brand those who disagreed with them that they didn’t take the time to understand the reasons behind their point of view.”
He thinks having the other two referenda simultaneously with the cannabis referendum “would be absurd. The suggestion that in the lead up to the general election next year we will also be able to have a thorough, engaged debate about what are three relatively serious issues is ridiculous. It’s never been done before in New Zealand.”
Kiwis just cannot multitask. Too thick, apparently. Is he right? The question is really about the extent. What percentage of voters can form their opinions on three or more social issues over a six-month time frame? Most, I reckon.
Whereas Christian is currently only at #49 in popularity, it was in the mid to low 20s about 20+ years ago. Always been a very popular name in Catholic Europe – eg France, Germany etc. https://www.babycenter.com/baby-names-christian-1008.htm
[With the latter site, would have to provide links to a whole range of spellings of Mohammed, Muhammed etc.]
Those names just give me a feeling of scraping a bit below the surface and coming up with a religious illiberal type. Having met someone like that who had a persona of a friendly guy then finding he had a ‘sting’ now I watch out.
Perhaps they just named him after Christian Cullen?
If this chap is still a student he may have been born about the time Cullen came to the fore and they got the idea there.
Who knows why parents pick names. Or perhaps you think that Cullen’s parents had an agenda as well?
And possibly you think Israel Dagg has strongly Zionist parents?
What fun we could have with our wild suppositions. Is there anyone else you have suspicions about?
Most of the commentary I have read implies that the question will be about legalising weed – handing the whole shooting box to the corporations.
I am keen on the law changing, as I believe the most damaging aspect of pot is its status in law.
I would prefer decriminilising as it allows help to be sought if a habit causes issues.
It would also take money away from gangs and other n’erdowells.
I will most probably vote no if the question is around legalisation.
Stuff’s Editorial: Let’s go back to the future considers “the New Zealand Curriculum. It’s the blueprint for how we teach our children and future leaders, from year 1 all the way to year 13. On the contents page you’ll find references to “learning areas”. The usual subjects are there: English, maths and science; there’s also mention of the arts, physical education and technology. But not one reference to history.”
Interesting, I thought. History was one of the five standard subjects when I went to school. When was it eliminated?? Whodunnit? National or Labour? Both??
“Further on, each learning area is explored in a little more depth; there’s even a reference to social sciences. But again, not one mention of history. As expected, there are plenty of pedagogical nods to the Treaty of Waitangi, our founding document, but nothing in the framework – “important for a broad, general education” – that would provide context to the historic meeting of two great cultures on February 6, 179 years ago.”
Ah, that would be because ritualised acknowledgement of the ToW is politically-correct. If there’s one thing teachers and bureaucrats know they must do, it’s exhibit a convincing performance of being a pc-drone. Actually teaching students about it would be a can of worms. Students might start thinking for themselves! That would create an intolerable situation.
Looks like a cabal of bureaucrats and teachers are entrenched in the citadel of the education establishment, cowering under their desks with hands over their ears to block out the baying of the barbarians at the gate. Leader of those barbarians: “Graeme Ball, who chairs the History Teachers’ Association, is a passionate educator”. His grievance is “the national curriculum. The ministry describes it as a flexible “framework” in which teachers are given resources to teach some elements of history but are not necessarily required to do so. History as a subject does not even make an appearance until year 11, when it is merely an option.”
Stuff warns that the establishment cabal may “find itself on the wrong side of history.” That won’t scare them! They’ll all be safely retired on a pension.
My recollection of schooling in NZ was that ‘History; per se was never a subject until the fifth form (year 11 in contemporary schooling) and was generally covered under projects and social studies (60s and 70s)…so if the deed was done it was before then
My memory is dim with age, but I suspect you are right, and history was included under the label social studies rather than separately. Probably blurred for me due to reading my grandad’s 500-page History of the British Empire at age 7 as a formative experience (I still own it).
I noticed Barry Soper in the Herald writing that kids ought to be educated about the ToW – perhaps evidence that it could get bipartisan support. However I doubt teachers have sufficient intellectual capacity to teach it. The concept of sovereignty is hard enough for most adults. Trying to explain the additional dimension of local sovereignty, which Te Tiriti grants to chiefs, would be harder still. Evasion of the topic by all other commentators here proves that!
If there was some form of civics taught in schopol, perhaps from around year 8/9 then it may well be a suitable area to include NZ history….then the only problem would be which version
I’d apply both/and logic: include both sides. Students then get the opportunity to integrate. All a teacher need to do is explain that zero-sum thinking suggests that one side is right and the other wrong. Holism requires acknowledging merit in both perspectives. Ask the kids to brainstorm what seems worthwhile nowadays, so they can form a view of how relevant the history actually is.
Absolutely vital, NZ history, and how democracy works and critical thinking and evolutionary biology, especially male/female relations . The people are the leaders in a democracy, we’ve tried different since 84 so we know.
Better real teachers than stand-in ones. There are a mixed group of older people who would teach their version of everything historical, all their pet theories, and the kids would be worse off. It seems that sex eduation and religion might be the same. It is amazing what the school board decision-makers can think is satisfactory. I find that opinionated confident figures from the neighbourhood come a poor second to a more informed and objective figure in the Education Department setting reasonable standards that schools must apply for these specialist teaching roles.
Xi Jinping “who, at age 65, remains healthy and vigorous – could remain president for perhaps another 20 years. His eponymous doctrine will therefore shape China’s development and global engagement for decades to come, and perhaps longer.” Thus opines Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. https://www.interest.co.nz/business/97995/xis-goal-shore-authority-party-state-within-his-country-including-ensuring-chinese
“Xi sees no place for political experimentation or liberal values in China, and regards democratisation, civil society, and universal human rights as anathema. Deepening reform means solidifying control over the CPC, via his “anti-corruption campaign,” and over the population, including through the use of advanced technologies enabled by artificial intelligence. Such digital authoritarianism will, Xi hopes, prevent liberal or democratic ideas from taking root and spreading, even as China remains connected to the rest of the world. Chinese citizens may enjoy freedom as consumers and investors, but not as participants in civil society or civic discourse.”
This exercise of social control by the regime will succeed if the Chinese hive mind permits. Has evolution really made them a different type of human? Can freedom of choice as consumers operate concurrently with none as citizens? Too much of a paradox? Communist theory suggests not, if culture is sufficiently conformist. A matrix is formed in the psyche, in which the official version of social reality shapes the perception of participants. As long as all evidence of the surrounding world is filtered out, the scenario in the movie Matrix plays out – only a few dissidents see through the sham. When their behaviour becomes evident they can be eliminated.
So it seems. I like the hive mind theory though, and wonder how long I have to wait until someone calls it racist. Nothing lasts forever, and perhaps Xi will prosper only until the critical mass of those become affluent in China is overwhelmed by the increasing resentment of those who haven’t. Slowing growth will increase a general perception of missing out, so their me-too expectations will evaporate…
It seems to me that this concept can be applied to the USA. They are not thought of as authoritarian, motions are gone through to give the appearance of a democracy. The dropping of this or that precept is excused, there is a line in the sand but it gets washed away, and then it is democracy in tatters. USA has used propaganda for ages, the hand on heart when the USA is invoked in public meetings.
Yes, I’ve long felt that way. I did hope that Jimmy Carter would be a good president, but he had merely good intentions – no competence as a political leader.
I do see a qualitative difference in regard to China however. The American sham isn’t blatant enough to be a valid comparison. It’s sufficiently sophisticated to ensure that most Americans believe they live in a democracy.
There should be no surprise that the elitist New Zealand cricket organisation treats Waitangi day like a token exercise. I mean really your best effort is to print “Aotearoa” on the bottom of the existing players shirts where it’s barely visible.
“Put that another way, there’s a fan base for Collins out there, but it’s not nearly a majority and there’s nobody in the middle. You love her or hate her, and that’s that.”
You either worship her or you’re a big, dumb stupid head is what I think he meant to say
Get over yourself newshub played the same game on national govt re Keytruda and labour was happy to play along, take your eye patches off Newsub are equal opportunity trolls
Did John Key or Dr Coleman receive letters similar to the one James linked to @3?
I can’t recall any – or at least none that made it into the media. Now why might that be – after all Key was PM for 8 years whereas Ardern has been PM barely 15 months.
A daughter’s grief/anger is understandable, but any ‘Tory’ trying to make political capital out of the situation deserves the ‘sick and filthy Tory scum‘ epithet.
To be clear, I’m not calling James and Bewildered ‘sick and filthy Tory scum’, at least not by name. And neither did OT or ‘rod’.
You mean, he’s got her number. This little show aside, she’s caved in and endorsed his aggression against the democratically elected government of Venezuela.
She can screw her face up in a gesture of distaste, and mockingly clap her hands together like in that picture, but it’s worse than nothing when she’s already conceded on the really important stuff.
I have watched the whole thing. I recommend everyone do the same.
It is extremely well crafted. Hidden behind calls for unity are thinly veiled threats against the Democrats and the Mueller Investigation. Donald Trump demands that the Democrats give up their “resistance” to him, claiming that it is fueled by, “the politics of revenge”, and “retribution.”
Painting the Democrats this way, will play well to his support base.
In the same vein the President labeled the Mueller investigation “ridiculous” and “partisan”.
Under his call for unity the President gives his version of George Bush’s maxim, “If you are not with us, you are against us.”
“If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation,”
I believe that the choice of the word “war” is not an accident, neither is conflating war with the investigation into his affairs.
With this statement Donald Trump has virtually declared war against the Democrats, the Mueller Investigation, and even the rule of law itself.
Newshub ran a British report on 3News tonight, but haven’t put it on their website. The Maduro regime’s death squads are still just doing selective targeting of protestors. I saw the video of the young guy recorded yesterday as he danced in the street wrapped in a Venezuelan flag before heading off to the protest.
The video went viral, according to the reporter. He was recognised by regime supporters and someone told the death squad where he lived. Later they showed up at his home. The reporter did not give further details about what happened after that, but the report showed his body lying in a street, covered with a blood-stained cloth.
“Faes – the special action force – has earned notoriety since the uprising against Maduro began last month. Graffiti artists have daubed Caracas’ walls with messages denouncing its operatives as “murderers of the people”… Venezuelan human rights group Provea said Faes was created by Maduro in 2017 to fight “organized crime and terrorism” and was part of Venezuela’s national police force, although some stories in state-run media outlets describe it as being under the command of the Venezuelan military. By last year it boasted almost 1,300 agents.”
Further plausible deniability is provided to the regime by use of other “pro-government paramilitary groups known as colectivos.” Practical stalinism: operate the sham as long as possible to defer mass rebellion. “Asked about alleged killings by the group on Venezuelan television last week, the attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said the criminal responsibility for such acts was “individual. Those who commit violations … will be prosecuted, whichever part of the police they are from.”
I doubt the stalinist expects any viewer to believe him, but the method requires continued use of the charade regardless. Sad to see some commentators here still try to blame Trump instead of the perpetrators. Such delusional thinking need not become a permanent affliction.
Sorry Dennis, but I think you may be placing an awful lot of confidence in the impartiality of Western news media. I remain unconvinced by the Guardian and Newshub. I remember how we were similarly conned over the Tonkin Gulf Incident.
Yeah, LBJ got away with that easily. Different world now tho. Folks are less easily conned by a sham. I take your point that it is still possible, but doubt that attempts will succeed. Think the Newshub story came from ITV but was unable to confirm.
I share scepticism re Guardian, but only in respect of their editorialising and spin. I believe the journalistic ethos still prevails in regard to reporting the facts. The Venezuelan human rights group Provea told them 43 protestors had been selectively eliminated. We can’t verify that, obviously. I choose to believe them.
Maduro’s behaviour could be compared to that of Sisi in Egypt, especially in regards to media or anyone that speaks out. Or Erdogan in Turkey for that matter.
USA appears to pay a disproportionate amount of attention to any country that has oil reserves, especially when such countries governments become unstable.
Will the USA military intervene and if they do will they ever leave once peace has been restored? If USA send military….. will China and Russia come to the aid of Maduro?
Must be terrifying for those living there at present.
And with Maduro shutting down the net whenever it suits him to try and curb the uprising, it makes it hard for the real stories from the people on the ground to reach the rest of the world.
Edit…
Maduro has said he would be happy to go to elections early (next election was supposed to be in 2020). Will the USA support a new election, or will they send in their military to assist the opposition instead ?
Just by the way, is Ahmet Ertegun, godfather of much bloody good Black music in America, a relative of Tayib Recife Erdogan, dictatorish type in Turkey ?
The third world is a hell, more distinguishable by goodish or baddish warlords. Though Turkey is better than that. Having Read a bio of Duterte of the 100,000,000 of The Phillippines. 70-80 % approval rating of a crass, murderous git, yet Filipinos strangely sometimes still do the right thing.
Yes Cinny, I agree re Sisi & Erdogan. Trump’s grandstanding need not be a basis for concern. Any direct military intervention by the USA would need a Security Council mandate, eh? The problem with regard to another election is that it would not be credible while Maduro’s agents still control the electoral commission. They’d just do the same thing they did when he got defeated – declare sufficient opposition winners invalid to overturn his defeat.
Droughts and fear of wildfires would have a killing effect on activity on farms and on outdoor sports. We can’t afford to have people haring around tinder dry areas and end up with emergencies as in Nelson region.
I found it a bit hard to see how old mate ploughing a field could start the fire? But if he was using slasher I would understand, but also I’ll be saying WTF was he thinking as well.
More likely it the firies would have been old mate to plough in fire break as they are the next best thing to dozer or graders for putting in a emergency fire break especially in cases like the fire in Pigeon Valley.
Does anyone know the vintage steam and engine museum in Pigeon Valley coped with the fire?
As far as I know Exkiwiforces, the Steam Museum is ok, hope it is because it’s a fantastic place to visit.
Re the contractor ploughing, disc plough on stoney/rocky land can create sparks. All the grass around here is brown, wouldn’t have taken much for it to go up.
If that’s what happened, I really feel for the person who was ploughing, they will be devastated.
Kia ora The AM Show its about time the topic is on one that is in reality the most important topic of OUR TIME . Climate change is the biggest challenge this generation and the rest of humanity will ever face.
That
Of course it is logical to support the regions I wonder why the last government did not support all the rural regions. The rural economy is what Aotearoa was built on. Drive around NZ and see all the big flash cars and boats in some suburbs and in the rural East Coast and North land one see 20 years old cars and rundown house. Transport is the most important tool to produce $$$$ in any civilisation that’s a fact Its good to see that the fools that have been running our NZTA New Zealand transport agency have been sacked as there has been some sculldugery going on in that agency and who was in charge of it.
Lloyd Tusk is correct with his words brexit is a big mess and a big distraction from the EUROPEAN UNION and the World from combating the real threat to humanity Green House Warming.
The education reform are a big topic to we need to grasp the new technologies and train our tamariki on how to get the best out of the technology. We also need to use the information technology to teach the tamariki about our true historical facts and not just the facts that suit the 00.1 %. A computer and projector does not cost much. You know what they say a picture is worth more than a thousand so video is a very good teaching tool and one can choose the factual one off the 21 century communications device and you have 30 tamariki learning OUR HISTORY or any topic with minimal cost and management needs to be streamlined .
duncan promoting alcohol and gambling at this time of day gome on.
There you go it’s cool to be a nice person Chris that is. neanderthal are uncool.
No one can not turn climate change around but we can minimise the bad effects that green house warming has on our future generations by cutting the use of green gas producing fuels off as soon as possible.
That was a good move investergating the hotel booking sites on the Internet and finding the ways that they are cheating and booking the hotels that give them the biggest commissions instead of giving one the cheaper options like the sites are sold on. I say all Internet sites need to be regulated so they are fair and provide a un minupulated service. I seen a good opinion on the speach ACTION COUNTs words don’t and the rules that have been put in place to protect OUR future generations
well-being have been scrapped all for $$$$$$$$$$ by that administration . That’s all I’m saying because nothing nice will come from my next words while I get our Mokopunas ready for school. Ka kite ano P.S what’s the poll at climbing I guess
Here you go te tangata te tangata te tangata rings true hundreds of years after our tipuna made this GREAT statement. The tipping point on Green House warming human caused climate change is now. The truth is getting out passed the oil barrons cloak of $$$$ that flogges there lies about climate change. Just a couple of years ago ALOT in the media were deniers.
It gives ECO MAORI A sore face to see we have reached the tipping point on this subject. But that doesn’t mean that we can relax. I no the oil barron won’t give up so easily and we need to push REAL hard to get all the change in the World society so everything can have a healthy happy life KIA KAHA.
A leader in climate change action needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed, says Z Energy boss Mike Bennetts.
DAVID WHITE/STUFF
A leader in climate change action needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed, says Z Energy boss Mike Bennetts.
OPINION: There’s an old TED Talk from 2010 about how to start a movement, illustrated by a video of a “lone nut” dancing at a music festival.
It stuck with me, not just because of the lone nut’s unique sense of rhythm, but because it’s much the same way I view the movement of business leaders taking voluntary action on climate change.
Like the lone nut, a leader needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed. And a lone nut remains a lone nut unless there are other leaders who show how to follow. Those first followers are also showing guts and are at risk of being ridiculed.
I recognise that as a chief executive of a company that sells fossil fuels, taking a public stand on climate change invokes scepticism about greenwashing and PR stunts.
I welcome that, but six months on from the launch of the Climate Leaders Coalition – now a group of 76 organisations that contribute about half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions – it’s clear that momentum is growing around business taking climate change seriously.
* The year in which climate change gained momentum
* KiwiRail: We can’t be complacent on climate change
* Businesses band together to tackle climate change
There are a few different reasons behind this.
First, there is growing recognition that the consequences of climate change are one of the biggest long-term risks facing business.
Secondly, businesses are increasingly seeing the opportunities associated with climate action. Mitigating and adapting to climate change doesn’t automatically mean costing jobs and money. There are genuine opportunities for businesses to respond to changing consumer preferences, at the same time as making their businesses run more efficiently. There will be challenges, especially at the start, but the risk of inaction is greater risk because the old saying is if one doesn’t keep up with the new times AGE you will go broke. Ka kite ano P.S The new age also includes being respectful to mother nature and all humans link below.
Kia ora the Am Show You full of —– whom ever made that statement capital gains tax is need so wealth people like you 2 who use your accountants to cheat out of paying .
Will be paying your fare shear of taxes that you have made from NZ.
Most other country’s have a capital gains tax.
So what brilliance policy did national implement in the last 9 years that made Aotearoa great was it I WILL NOT RAISE GST was it billions splashed on bills M8.
I think the refugees being sent to the small towns is a good move to help the small community’s grow.
I wonder who advised Laim Neeson to tell that stupid story .
How did yesterday’s poll go on climate change I see you did not give the final results. The only green thing you like is money flowing into your pockets the bribes from the wealthy manipulators of our society to try and Conn us into believing that’s it ok for the 00.1 % to have more money than they need.
Let hope the fire in Nelson is not going to get to big .
Hope just said that the majority wants a capital gains tax .
judy that’s what your lot did funnel all the money wealthy and starved the poor.
It was the land stolen off maori that made the wealthy in this country so rich that’s a fact follow the money and these wealthy family’s money will go back to huge land holders of the past. That’s all ways you’re way kick Maori anytime you can duncan the land has heaps of value just fools like you and your rich M8 can not see it the land will be easy to turn into a organics farming operations with no poisons been poured on it in the last few years .
I could give a analysis of your last pat on the back but this is not personal you would turn red again Ka kite ano P.S I have figure out another phenomenon I will use it to my advantage. Don,t bring God into this Mark who is coaching you
Here you go tangata this is what some of the greedy people did to Maori .
The lieing stealing and cheating the minuplation of the public still is going on TODAY
For well over 25 years, Vincent O’Malley, a Pākehā historian, has been uncovering and recounting many of the rich and often discomforting stories about how Māori and Pākehā have got along since they began sharing Aotearoa 200 or so years ago.
His most substantial book has been The Great War for New Zealand, where he explains what went on in the Waikato, especially in the wake of the New Zealand Settlements Act in 1863.
But here he focuses on the significance of that legislation — and the need for us to understand and remember it.
When dates were being considered for the first Rā Maumahara commemorating the New Zealand Wars, one suggestion was December 3. That day doesn’t mark the anniversary of any particular battle or conflict. Instead, it’s the day in 1863 that Governor George Grey signed into law the New Zealand Settlements Act.
It’s an innocuous-sounding piece of legislation but it had devastating consequences for many Māori communities. The Settlements Act provided the primary legislative mechanism for raupatu — sweeping land confiscations that were supposedly intended to punish acts of “rebellion” while also recouping the costs of fighting the wars.
{It declared that where “any Native Tribe or Section of a Tribe or any considerable number thereof” had committed acts of “rebellion against Her Majesty’s authority” since January 1, 1863, their lands could be declared subject to the Act and seized for the purposes of settlement.
It was part of a package of measures passed by the all-Pākehā parliament to crush Māori independence.}
Governor George Grey
Grey and his ministers had drawn up these confiscation plans before invading Waikato in July 1863 and, by August, had begun recruiting military settlers who were to be offered a portion of the seized lands in return for their services.
Confiscation wasn’t an afterthought or a response to Māori actions, but an integral part of the overall invasion plans
{The presence of military settlers on a portion of the seized lands would ensure the conquest of these was made permanent, while the sale of the remainder on the open market would pay for the whole scheme. Māori would effectively underwrite the costs of their own suppression.}
Victims of imperialism in this way became its perpetrators.
Former Chief Justice Sir William Martin also pointed to the example of Ireland in predicting that “a brooding sense of wrong” passed down from one generation to the next would be exactly the same outcome if confiscation was employed in New Zealand.
That,{ Henry Sewell privately thought, was exactly what the architects of the policy wanted. It was to drive even more Māori to offer resistance so that their lands could also be seized and sold as punishment for these acts of “rebellion”.}
Within parliament itself, James FitzGerald was one of few MPs to offer anything like unequivocal opposition to the Settlements Act, which he described as an “enormous crime” and “contrary to the Treaty of Waitangi”.
As Native Minister two years later, FitzGerald was personally responsible for some of the largest land confiscations under the Act. In another case of poacher turned gamekeeper, Sewell underwent a similar conversion. Few Pākehā in positions of power came out of the story unsullied.
{In all, more than 3.4 million acres of land was confiscated under the Settlements Act across many districts — in Waikato, Taranaki, Tauranga, eastern Bay of Plenty, and Mohaka-Waikare.}
Further lands were “ceded” to the Crown at Tūranga, Wairoa, and Waikaremoana under a distinct confiscation regime covering the East Coast region.
Despite repeated and unambiguous promises that Māori who didn’t take up arms against the Crown would have their lands guaranteed to them in full, confiscation was applied
{indiscriminately. And it even took in areas owned by those who had fought on the government side}.
The New Zealand Settlements Act 1863.
“Loyal” Māori could apply for compensation for their losses — initially in money but later including lands. But the Compensation Court process that followed returned only a fraction of what was lost, often in completely different areas and always under a new legal form of title that meant many of these lands were quickly lost to their owners.
Māori deemed to have rebelled, or even to have aided or abetted others who had done so, were ineligible to receive compensation at all. In one case, officials tried (but failed) to block compensation being given to an Anglican priest of Tainui ancestry who had conducted burial services for those slain during the Waikato invasion.
Fearing that sweeping and excessive confiscations would prolong Māori resistance and thereby increase the military and financial burdens on British taxpayers, the British government sought to impose a range of restrictions on how the Settlements Act would be implemented.
Most of these were ignored. Rather than intervening to stop what they knew was a gross injustice, ministers in London washed their hands of the matter, concerned only with how soon they could withdraw their troops from New Zealand.
Many of those soldiers, including their commander, Lieutenant-General Duncan Cameron, had become increasingly disillusioned with what they were being asked to do, and began to query why they should fight a war of conquest and dispossession for the exclusive benefit of New Zealand
{A few Pākehā got very rich and many of the lands later became lynchpins of New Zealand’s booming pastoral economy. But, for Māori on the receiving end, the results were shattering.}
{Through the two decades after 1840, Māori were in many ways the leading drivers of New Zealand’s economy, producing much of its export income, while also feeding hungry settlers in Auckland and other towns.}
{{{{{{That economic infrastructure was destroyed almost literally overnight as cattle and crops were seized or destroyed, flour mills and homes in many cases torched, and the lands that had been key to this wealth confiscated. The Māori economy was delivered a near fatal blow.}}}}}}}
That was not something that could be easily or quickly overcome. Generations of Māori were condemned to lives of landlessness and poverty. In many ways, we still live with the legacy of the New Zealand Settlements Act today. It is there in the negative socio-economic statistics of many Māori communities in those regions subject to raupatu.
Treaty settlements have helped to recapitalise many iwi, and allowed them to again become major players in the New Zealand economy. But, given that these settlements typically represent no more than about one or two percent of the unimproved value of the lands that were taken, they are never going to fully compensate for all that was lost.
Many Pākehā have little idea of this history or how it continues to reverberate. That’s hardly surprising, given how few people learn anything about it at school.
It’s time to do something about that. It’s time we as a nation owned up to our past. Ka kite ano links below
I see some is using this person tech to attack other people names .
Thats the STONE number one rule book Lie Lie ATTACK
Peter Thiel’s secretive spook outfit Palantir has financials leaked
A rare light has been shone on the finances of Peter Thiel’s secretive data-mining firm Palantir – which makes software used by US intelligence agencies and corporates trying to sniff out threats.
The German-born, US entrepreneur received a fast-tracked NZ citizenship in 2011, despite spending just 11 days in the country.
A 2018 Herald investigation uncovered that the NZ Defence Force has spent around $7.2m with Palantir since 2012.
There are also strong indications that the GCSB and SIS (who won’t officially comment) are customers.
Citing sources familiar with the figures, the Wall Street Journal says the privately-held Palantir’s revenue jumped from US$600 million to US$880m ($1.3 billion) last year, well ahead of the US$750m that investors had been told to expect.
Central to the revenue lift was a US$42m contract signed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the controversial US government border protection agency.
Thiel has been a financial supporter and advisor to President Trump and, the Journal reports, “Some Palantir staffers and civil rights advocates have criticised Palantir’s ICE ties.” Links below
Kia ora Newshub if a billionaire like Jeff Bazo can have his personal data mined well known ones privacy is safe.
There you go national dirty tactics leaks about their planed attack on The Hounreable Winston Peters. They are crying in their big box of tissue blaming Winston for there loss not the dumb moves they had made before the election Ana to kai I say simon is just trying the cast nationals hurting and focus off him and onto Winston.
I Back 100 % The Green Party for advocateing sugary drinks to be banned from SCHOOLS. I have read reviews that sugar is one of the most addictive substance on Papatuanukue its in the top 5 Substances for addiction. Put it in the gas tanks.
I read it was a one and 2000 years event the flooding in Queensland Townsville.
When you have neanderthals in charge that are denying climate change we’ll a lot of people believe them and don’t have the correct plans in place to minimise and mitergate the extreme weather conditions that have been forecast by our scientists. I also read that 350000 cattle have died as well condolences to the poor farmers and other who have been badly affected by the flooding in Australia.
Restrictions are need for the Ngaruroro river the farmers and the council don’t care about the AWA river they just want to bleed all the money they can get from the river even if they stuff it up turn to organic farming and the soil will hold the water longer that is dropped from Tawhirirmate Eco has had many good times swimming in that river in Hawkesbay. Ka kite ano
Traffic going to and from Napier Port is set to increase 187 per cent over the next eight years, prompting residents to threaten to take it to the Environment Court….
“We asked them [Napier Port] what are you doing to mitigate for all the people who live on affected roads.
“The port said, in their report, they don’t have to care, it’s not their responsibility.
Who said that we don’t need a working, decision-making Government providing
‘governance’?
Actually isn’t that a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi? It was agreed that NZ Government should be in governance with Maori, not sub-contract their role to some KPMG, ABCD or XYZ. I seem to remember kawanatanga being referred to.
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Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 - ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
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Interestingly there has been little attention on this.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rnz.co.nz/article/93c93fe3-9cdf-4d7e-baf7-bb7c0454fe20
I wonder why?😁
Just like the tppa and loads of other shit.
The tourism thing is good. I was in New York last year. Chatting to this dude at a bar told mr how he’s coming to nz this Feb yo check out all the hobbit spots. Blew my mind.
You can thank Key and Jackson for that.
The movies would never have been made under this government. Perhaps in another country
‘ Chatting to this dude at a bar told mr how he’s coming to nz this Feb yo check out all the hobbit spots.
Thank you John Key and Peter Jackson for inspiring one dude James met at a bar to come to NZ.
They both should be …knighted for..that. 🤦♂️
The Brit bruiser wanted to go and see the Hobbit spots. Probably they wanted to unload some of their litter there. We have to watch what sort of tourist gets attracted here by the films.
No, I don’t think we can. Key’s failure to protect local interests can be seen in everything he touched, from SCF to Christchurch – his influence has been an irredeemable blight on our country in every instance.
The Hobbit was a disgrace – it took one of the most popular works in English fiction and made it into unrecognizable soup. Certainly the fans paid plenty of money, but Jackson destroyed his reputation with it.
The studios may well have made the movies here without the Hobbit law, the scenery had become part of the LOTR franchise – their attack of the vapors was strategic, designed to squeeze as much as possible out of weak and credulous governments – which was Key in a nutshell. He rolled over because he never gave a toss about New Zealanders anyway.
I think Jackson was more focused on trying to link the Hobbit into LOTR and it distracted from the plot.
Those 6 movies make good background noise to fall asleep to though.
I think you give him too much credit – that was only one of his changes. Radagast was a mess. The elf love interest was not unforgiveable but the crudity of it was. Orcs with Morghul arrows though? Right up there with bringing the undead to Pelenor fields – playing fast and loose with stuff he clearly didn’t understand. The gold trap, and the battle of five armies – pitiful chaotic nonsense. Had as much collapsing masonry in it as 2012 (the film) I gave my Korean friends rings about D War – I had to apologize to them – the Hobbit was as bad or worse.
Three (films) for LOTR and one to rule them all, The Hobbit. A lot more integrity and probably much less Peter Jackson would have helped all these films. It was a lot of people bowing to the (strong) wind of money. Not least the government. If we had a better 4th estate , less a promotional device and more an arm of understanding, we’d know about the side deals.
‘If I were in government’ I’d fund investigative journalism, because democracy needs it. And, by the way, also ban caterwauling, sorry, opera, from Concert FM.
If you like to scratch about online there is a “Tolkien Edit” of the Hobbit, which removes many of the more egregious changes – and brings viewing time down to a mere 41/2 hours. One would expect, in this multimedia age, that such things would become de rigueur somewhat after the theatrical releases, for those who want the authorial vision of the original story as far as possible.
You can thank Key and Jackson for that.
The Lord of the Rings was made in the early 2000s. What hitherto-unknown contribution did John Key make to it that we should thank him for? Was he one of the orcs?
Yes, apparently we must thank Key, because the movies were ALL made while Clark’s Labour (99-2008) were in government.. 😆
He was hair length checker for the elf maidens milty.
!!
Bullshit. they got underway during a Labour government.
It’s about keeping movies here and the tourism going
I think there was a sarc somewhere there Adrian. I like the bit about the hair length checker. The beautiful elf maiden’s hair would be a turn-on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_(film_series)
The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003), was nominated for 30 Academy awards, and won 17. Most of the filming for the first movie, and all of the filming for the second and third movies, took place in NZ during the term of the fifth Labour government (1999-2008).
https://www.vox.com/2015/9/10/9188517/political-bias
“The first step is simply acknowledging the possibility that you might not be as objective as you’d like to think“
Had a bit to drink yo?
Seems like the last government had it right.
Nah it was definitely an Aussie union supporting only the most highly paid cast members that had it right
Hey Gossy, that link was from 2017.
Do you need an update?
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/381350/businesses-and-unions-clash-over-new-fair-pay-guidelines
Parliament is back soon…..
No. That link was from October 2018.
Did you even read what it stated?
Why yes, yes I did read it. My bad was looking at the date wrong, 17 Oct 2018
No solution has been found as of yet, recommendations sure, but nothing in concrete.
Not sure what the issue about this is today, is there new news about it?
Because I couldn’t find any, apart from the link I posted, which appeared to be a condensed version of the one you first posted.
No, your post waz about tge proposed changes to industry wide fair pay bargaining. Mine was related to the review of the Hobbit law changes. They are different things.
Apologies.
Aww…
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1092821403072638981
“The idea of fairness has been promoted in our schools for a very long time”
The idea of fairness is actually innate in humans – especially children. It takes a pretty massive propaganda effort to drive the idea of fairness out of people’s heads. Or to distort it into its opposite. And to be fair – that propaganda has been wildly successful for the past 35 years or so. But it is an uphill battle and eventually ideas of fairness re-surface in some form or another. The interesting thing is how elites respond when the propaganda fails – do they concede some ground, or go full repressive/fascist in response?
An extremely sobering read.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/02/opinion-dear-jacinda-ardern-my-mother-could-die-because-of-you.html
“Dear Jacinda Ardern, my mother could die because of you”
Posted without further comment so you can debate the link not my initial comments.
https://lizziewhite96.wixsite.com/loveelizabeth/about
Dang
Good God, have I strayed onto Kiwiblog or WhaleOil by mistake – or is this a trolls-only day on The Standard?
All the community minded people are only getting back from the Waitangi Day celebrations now. Had a great time at the Manukau ones.
I wonder how many people died because they couldn’t afford their meds when National hiked prescription charges to $5.
But you seem more concerned about middle class National voting cancer sufferers.
I really don’t think that there are many people who are dying because of a co-payment on prescriptions.
It is limited to a total of $100/year/family, no matter how large the family.
There is no charge at all for children under 13.
It can be totally avoided if you live in Auckland and go to the Chemist Warehouse, or some Countdown shops.
It is nothing at all like the $60,000/year that the linked article talks about.
You are, frankly, talking utter rubbish.
you are right, they did not die because of co-payments.
they died because they got kicked of waiting lists, because surgery was not available, because the budget for public healthcare was gutted, because on their min wage tey could not afford private healthcare, because NZ health care staff is underpaid compared to elsehwer thus once educated they leave, or because the nurses, doctors and other health care staff can’t actually afford rent/buying a house where their hospital is located.
and all that happened under National, the party without mates, conscience and morals.
Oh dear.
Where were you living during the period 2009 – 2017?
If you experienced the things you listed it clearly wasn’t New Zealand where you resided.
I don’t think that I can be bothered trying to explain all the things that are wrong with your statements. You are clearly delusional and probably wouldn’t be able to read my responses anyway.
It is irrelevant anyway. Still, at least you agree that millsy was talking rubbish in his claim about people dying because there was a $5 charge on some prescriptions. That is better than nothing I suppose.
You saying nobody was moved off a waiting list between 09 and 17 wally? That’s a mighty bold claim there.
And it isn’t what I said.
I know someone who was taken of the waiting list for a knee replacement.
They had a major heart attack and it wasn’t safe to do the knee Op.
That doesn’t mean it was the normal thing.
Under the Clark Government everyone was put on the waiting list for Ops such as hip or knee replacement. They promised that no-one would be on the list for more than 6 months. If you got to the 6 months they simply removed you from the list and sent you back to your GP where the whole thing started again.
Under National you would get the Op if you were on the waiting list. However if you didn’t qualify they wouldn’t put you on the waiting list. At least you knew whether or not the Op would happen within 6 months and you weren’t just treated like a yo-yo.
I know which system was better.
I made a comment about this a few years ago regarding Intrasurgery Cancer treatment as an alternative. Form the patients/family perspective the experience and reduced stress of this treatment was far superior that the weeks of radiotherapy and what that entails.
If nothing else think of the “thru put” of patients 1 surgery vs 3-5 weeks of radiotherapy ??
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/305412/fund-alternative-breast-cancer-treatment,-surgeon-urges
https://www.breastcancer.org.nz/news/bcac-news-intrabeam-public
I have little internal bets sometimes and so I saw on the side-bar James had commented. Having swept the news sites and having seen the Elizabeth White letter I bet myself that James’ comment this morning would be about this letter.
That’s how easy James is to read.
Elizabeth cites other developed countries such as Australia and Britain as having much better outcomes for these types of cancer but both countries have a top tax rate of 45%. Britain is 40% above 70K sterling and Australia 37% above $80K. Both countries also have a CGT.
Would James and the other RWNJs like to make a correlation between the two?
Sounds like the cancer might beat Jacinda to it jimbo.
“Dear Jacinda Ardern, my mother could die because of you”
Your mother’s dying of cancer. Jacinda Ardern didn’t cause it and can’t cure it, so that’s the most unfair headline I’ve seen in a well-contested field of anti-Ardern headlines. If you weren’t upset because your mother’s dying of an Ardern-unrelated cancer, I’d offer some thoughts on your character while I’m at it.
I agree PM, but sadly grief is often not rational. I feel for this mother and family and understand the daughter writing what she did in the grips of grief. What is not acceptable IMO is media (looking at Newshub) picking this up and running it in the way they have.
https://lizziewhite96.wixsite.com/loveelizabeth/about
Thanks for pressing me to read the blog. I missed the link you posted earlier. Uuummm. What crossed my mind after doing so is best left unsaid.
I found the little bits of revelation re her way of thinking and ambitions in her Twenty-one or a death sentence? post re her 21st birthday in Sept 2017 interesting.
At least she had the good sense to purge her blog of any controversial posts before posting the open letter.
At the very least, it would be appropriate to add an editor’s note explaining the role Pharmac has in working out how best to allocate the finite dollars we have for pharmaceuticals.
I agree with that Newsroom should have provided some appropriate notes on such things as the differences in the systems between the countries’ medical systems that have been compared in the letter.
Having read this young woman’s blog, I decided to google her as she has been upfront on the blog and in the Newshub article as to her real identity.
Well, well, well. Having expected that there would lots of people in NZ with the same name, the very first entry that came up was to Linked In with a photo identifying it was for the same person and it turns out that she appears to be none other than:
“Summary
Foreign News Producer for TVNZ’s Breakfast show. Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Management, Broadcasting, Customer Service, and Television.
Strong professional with a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications focused in Broadcast Journalism from New Zealand Broadcasting School.
—————-
News Reporter
MediaWorks NZ
November 2018 – Present 4 months
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland reporter for the AM Show on TV3
TVNZ – 2 years 2 months
Foreign News Producer TVNZ
October 2017 – Present 1 year 5 months
Auckland, New Zealand
Assignments Desk Coordinator TVNZ
January 2017 – September 2017 9 months
Auckland, New Zealand … “
So, as well as not providing anything re the differences in systems between the various countries etc, Newshub also failed to provide any disclosure that the writer is in fact one of their employees, a news reporter.
Now, just to be clear, I still feel very sorry for her and her family having been through the same with my own mother who died of incurable cancer; but I find the tone of the letter (ie the blame) and the above information that was not disclosed questionable to say the least.
I’m trying to decide whether Mediaworks’ failure to disclose the opinion piece was by one of its employees is worse than its failure to provide an editor’s note that Pharmac rather than the PM makes decisions about what treatments to fund. On reflection, the failure to disclose the employee status is worse, because it effectively makes the OP an attack on the government by Mediaworks.
Exactly. I really don’t want to think about it today on Waitangi Day, but might check out the journalist ethics etc of this later today or tomorrow.
Pharmac rather than the PM makes decisions about what treatments to fund.
I hope someone on behalf of PM, Jacinda Ardern replies to her and corrects her assumptions. To imagine it was Ardern’s job to make such decisions is evidence she has a lot to learn.
Forgot link
https://nz.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-white-643212123
And here is the link for the generic google search for “Elizabeth White NZ” showing the above as the first entry.
https://www.google.com/search?q=elizabeth+white+nz&rlz=1C1LDJZ_enNZ499&oq=Elisabeth+White+NZ&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.11049j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Did Mediaworks/Newshub really think someone would not check out who this person is?
Some don’t even think about full disclosure of name, background and/or affiliation while others justify partial or non-disclosure.
Seen this?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/euthanasia-debate/110351661/university-of-auckland-professor-caught-using-false-name-to-publicly-lobby-against-euthanasia-bill
WOW!!!!!!!!
This needs to be given headline news. Rushing out right now, but perhaps a headliner comment etc for OM tomorrow? Or a post?
Dear Jacinda Ardern, my mother could die because of you
Assuming this young woman was writing the letter to JA in her capacity as Prime Minister and she doesn’t even have the courtesy to address her as such is ignorant and lacking the courtesy usually accorded the position. She blames Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern for the health woes when much of the blame lies on the shoulders of the previous govt. That is her level of rationality?
She’s just turned 21 and Newshub have employed her as a reporter? The standard of reporting has reached an all time low on that TV net-work and I no longer waste time watching it.
A typically shrewish comment from an old never was directed at any female younger than Anne who is even slightly critical of The Prime Minister.
Get off your high horse you old wind bag. Plenty of crappy articles directed at politicians on both sides have appeared in both the herald and the awful stuff user generated sections.
[Righto. Your next comment needs to include an apology and a commitment to refraining from pointless abuse. No discussion, no other warning. TRP]
that should get you banned
A nasty, pointless abusive comment that adds nothing
But fun to read. TS knows this which is why they left it in. Back to the Daily Mail ….
It seems you have no argument whatsoever and are resorting to an ad hominem attack. Shame on yo1 The description seems to say a lot more about you, you cheap, sickly biscuit.
Anne demanding people bow and scrape to the prime ministers position? In New Zealand? I stand by my comment.
I’ve watched for too long as Anne denegrates any female who dares not be in adoration of any labour leader. First it was Cunliffe, then Little and now Adern.
Women should only speak up if they are on the same side as Anne, otherwise she thinks they should know their place. It’s so offensive and puerile
TS every post you abuse some one
Last time I was in la la land.
I don’t know you, I do know Jacinda.
She is everything you are not.
To make out Anne attacks others compared to your history of personal attacks lays a path of pain for yourself.
Anne makes thoughtful contributions, and her comments are pertinent and considered . Quote right back at you “You old wind bag”.
What generalisations you use Tuppence as an excuse to have a go at Anne in a particularly vulgar way. Psychopathic really. And we have been watching you for a long time too.
Typical tuppy strewthberry griping about how wethers don’t get no fun no more. That’s not your knackers you’re sitting on tuppee, they’re long gone.
Tuppenny bit… he not like strong women who speak their minds. He think strong women scary. He think only men – like him – are allowed to speak minds. Woomen should stay in kitchen and cook da meals.
Btw, TB its Ardern not Adern.
Hilarious! Your privileged silencing of a young women for not showing deference to those in power shows how little respect you have strong women speaking out.
From my comment @ 3.8.2:
The standard of reporting has reached an all time low on that TV net-work and I no longer waste time watching it.
You did your usual didn’t you Tupenny bit. You thought I was referring to the “very young woman”. That was a generalisation about the standard of reporting on Newshub. Its abysmal.
Once upon a time it was by far the better of the two main TV channels, TV1 and TV3. Now its just third rate clickbait stuff and on occasion so inaccurate I’m surprised they haven’t been taken to court for defamation or slander. They come perilously close to it sometimes.
Apologies for the abuse.
Apologies for the abusive tone. It raises my hackles when journalists get abused for doing their job speaking truth, but that’s no excuse
The personal emotive tone casts a biased shadow over the whole item. The RW cast themselves as being in the light and thinking right, but in fact they are self-centred, with wizened minds, and authoritarian controlling in nature.
As for the Prof. he has obviously led a right wing household. A comment below the article contradicts someone who says that being part of the Maxim Institute shows his bias, and quite rightly. His son is said to be in that right wing think tank, but his upbringing connects him to the father.
It is known that the dedicated groups of people against euthanasia unite to flood letters and submissions into the authority canvassing citizens’ wishes which in theory is a democratic process. This professor is just using an aspect of that technique. It is unheard of for people to have freedom of choice over their own lives and bodies.
The Climate Change deniers did it too. Even though 97% of the world’s scientists (it’s probably 100% now with a handful of ideological nutbars on the side) knew it was happening… the media for years, here and overseas, gave the deniers equal billing. They did untold damage in the process and have to take their share of the blame for the many delays which could turn out to be catastrophic for the planet.
Then there are the anti-fluoride and anti-vaccination campaigners… both of whom rely on pseudo scientific nonsense just like the CC deniers.
All of them come from often irrational ideological perspectives, and I suspect you would find if they’re part of one anti group, they’re also part of all the others.
We obviously need to gather more tax so we can afford a medical system that can supply everyone’s needs.
We already do – It is those middle classes with a few $ pay medical insurance. Until they find out, as in many insurance policies. What cover they thought they had was limited and requires top ups to complete any treatment.
Those at the top end have comprehensive cover as part of their remuneration packages.
Those not covered “roll” the dice, and are at the mercy of our health system 🤧
And our govts continue to increase the stress on our infrastructure/health system by increasing the demand/pop.
As someone who has claimed alot on medical you’re very wrong
Only from YOUR experience, which is not the same as everyone else.
And once you have any medical history it is almost impossible to change coys and still be covered with existing or past conditions-and that is were we the public are then captured by an insurance coy.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10352802
I hope you don’t think that people wanting euthanasia are just being neglected by our health system. This is about people who want to decide when to die, and not having to wait for death with increasing stress, boredom or pain. Committing suicide is a poor quality death and is problematical.
Time to put immigration controls on Australians?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brutal-australian-summer-heat-spurs-climate-research/
Time to watch (and participate with) the Australian research. Think about Mulloon Natural Farms too.
Happy Waitangi Day everyone…
https://youtu.be/dBej8cZj43Q
Rod Derrett I haven’t forgotten you. Thanks millsy.
The video from 1968.
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/puha-and-pakeha-1968
https://www.discogs.com/Rod-Derrett-Puha-And-Pakeha/release/982555
More on Rod Derrett.
https://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/rod-derrett
Good to see the Trolls haven’t succumbed to devastating fires or floods yet. I too am deeply concerned about the economy:
Can I perform comedy shows in blackened ruins? A man deserves to make a living. Under Labour there’d probably be some ninny workplace safety issues; but under National, I could be a private contractor, fully responsible for death and misadventure like the rest of them.
What happens during a rebuild? If I score some corrugated iron and masonry to build a shanty out of, Labour would stop me with pesky regulations and rules of construction; but National would let it fly no worries.
National have a plan. Predator Free NZ. They made the words so we know they care. As food chains break down, we can all eat dead rats.
WtB
Thinking factually. Are there trees that we could plant instead of pinus radiata that would be less flammable? Pinus R are very resiny aren’t they? Could we have less of them, and grow some longer maturing trees that might be exotics, plus natives as well. Perhaps we could grow greener natives that would be less flammable in amongst the pinus R which of course are good for longs being very fast growing here.
Suggesting what should have been done might seem a bit off considering the circumstances. The above post was in response to about 8 trolling comments in a row starting the day, I just forgot to link it to the rot posts so it’s kinda out of context.
Was just me firing back.
The forestry service would be the people to ask the questions re: flammability of their crops and any alternatives in the pipeline.
While some plants are a lot less flammable than others, there comes a point where plants lose so much water they’re all tinder, though burn rate and heat will differ.
There are a few things we might consider. Soil carbon (organic matter) holds on to soil water increasing the water holding capacity of soils. Retention and increasing of soil carbon in forestry will hold off the point at which trees become highly volatile. Ploughing, fertilisers and fungicides are all processes/products that may severely impact soil life and deplete soil carbon. Mulching of prunings on the spot (lay litter out in contact with the ground – not in piles), inoculation of stumps with fungi (crops and animal food), productive crop diversity, and biochar application are all practices that can increase soil carbon in forestry.
Retaining water in the soil using earthworks is the most important thing that can be done. We’ve looked at how those systems work. Swale systems, keyline systems, small dams, plantings, retain not drain… When one farm has plenty of water, surrounded by neighbors in drought, you know something special has occurred. Not paying attention may lose the farm as weather gets worse and folk are denied water.
What is what so far as these systems go: Swales vs Yeomans??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15sngvR38Po
When all the land is rehydrating via earthworks and plantings, rain becomes more steady for the local climate. I can’t recall offhand but x amount of contiguous forest is sufficient to make rain. The trees take excess and siphon it back to the atmosphere so less flood issues too, not to mention the land covered in earthworks will catch rather than dispatch (to the poor bastards below) most water.
It’s not about rainfall, so much as rain penetration.
The maple family (including sycamores and plane trees) are hard to set ablaze – they will make decent firewood if dried though. They’re popular for decorative flooring in some countries,.
This thread off to How to get there for archiving.
Kia kaha to all affected by this fire near wakefield. Stay safe.
Lots of massive pine forests around Nelson and boy it hasn’t rained for ages and very high temps.
Still got lots to go on this one…
+1 Marty.
On the upside… if there is one, at least the weather is so much cooler today, hopefully making it easier for crews on the ground.
And… there is a block where the forest had been cleared a little while back, hoping that will slow it down. Marty, you’ll know where I mean, the big forestry block on the inland highway between Redwoods Valley and Upper Moutere, where you can turn off to Mahana.
Yep I do. It is cooler today and the wind has moved i think .
Hope you guys are all good. That smoke probably not the best.
Not too smokey here. Take care Marty.
While we celebrate Waitangi an unrelenting propaganda war on the national sovereignty of Venezuela is being waged.
Here is a little balance to the imperialist media..
Venezuela Blitz – Part 1: Tyrants Don’t Have Free Elections
http://medialens.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=892:venezuela-blitz-part-1-tyrants-don-t-have-free-elections&catid=57:alerts-2019&Itemid=252
Open Letter by Over 70 Scholars and Experts Condemns US-Backed Coup Attempt in Venezuela
-chomsky/open-letter-by-over-70-scholars-and-experts-condemns-us-backed-coup-a
Thanks Adrian, reality and the mainstream media at odds again as they attempt to manufacture consent, summed up by the great Glenn Greenwald: ‘I’d have more respect for the foreign policy decrees of US officials if they’d just admit what everyone knows – “we want to change this country’s government to make it better serve our interests” – rather than pretending they give the slightest shit about Freedom & Democracy.’
@ TootingPopularFront, yes the manufacture consent doctrine has really been operating at 110% over the past few years…the only up side is that the more overt it gets, the more obvious it becomes..even to the casual observer.
You would have to say that anyone who is interested in politics and/or global news, and pretend not to see the actual mechanics of the manufacture consent doctrine operating in pretty much full view, are in fact purposely not acknowledging it only to suit their own world view.
Excellent link, thanks for sharing Adrian.
Did you catch The Listening Post on Al Jazeera in the weekend?
“The (media) coverage also mostly stayed away from the role successive American administrations – through economic sanctions – have played in handicapping the Venezuelan economy.
As Iraqis, Iranians, Libyans and others would tell you, this isn’t the first time the US has taken a disproportionate interest in the governance of a country loaded with oil.
Washington has a playbook for this kind of thing. And so, apparently, do the US media.
https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2019/02/venezuela-crisis-geopolitics-news-narratives-190202064958794.html
@cinny, yes I did catch that Listening Post piece, it is really quite depressing watching a full scale illegal international capitalist intervention, (purely for resources of course) happening in real time, right out in the open…while all our media, and so many (supposedly) good people either support it or say nothing.
Also interesting watching Liberal media like the Guardian etc attack Trump relentlessly for months on end, but suddenly support his position over this…shows you who their paymasters really are.
‘I won’t be remembered as a traitor’: Maduro to RT (EXCLUSIVE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiUef5_V3mw
Cheers Adrian, for the RT link, will have a watch later on.
Am very pleased that NZ isn’t buying in to it, considering everyone else is picking sides.
Thanks Adrian appreciated.
Thanks Adrian.
I had the jarring experience of hearing that weasel Justin “Blair” Trudeau parroting Mike Pompeo’s anti-Venezuela rhetoric on the radio yesterday. Nearly drove the Breenmobile into a tree.
11 months ago, the PM and Civil Defence minister were roundly critised for their apathy and sluggish response to the damage caused by cyclone Gita in Golden Bay.
I’ll be interested to see what lessons have been learnt in the response to the wildfire state of emergency in rural Nelson.
It’ll be a really interesting exercise to see if a rural mainly white South Island farming community is afforded similar priority and attention as a rural north island mainly Maori community has enjoyed from this government over the past few days.
Wtf ? Are you attempting to inject racism into an emergency?
If you are that’s fucken low.
Which group do you think would have insurance and an sympathetic ear on the Council Rutalguy?
It will be interesting to see if the rural mainly white community in Nelson Marlborough receive the same massive financial subsidies all white dairy, sheep + fruit farmers have received from the Government these past 150 years.
I see what your doing .your fighting stupidity with stupidity.
Fighting fire with fire. Works though as your answer proves.
Kris Fafoi has been brilliant. He has declared a Civil Emergency, which gives extra powers. This is a large fire which is very dangerous in high winds.
Fafoi came across well on the news. A good speaker who seems to have his eye on what’s needed.
Don’t worry. No rich people’s houses were damaged.
Dude has a way with words.
At this very moment, a small army of White House aides is scrambling, circled around a computer in an office in the West Wing pecking out a State of the Shitshow speech they hope will “capture the voice” of a president more given to grunts and verbal excrescences than the lofty rhetoric of presidents. Here’s a spoiler; their work won’t matter.
That’s not merely because when the Trump administration sends us their speechwriters, they’re not sending their best. They are sending the indifferently educated, culturally buffoonish, shiftier dregs of authoritarian nationalist fanboys Donald Trump manages to recruit from random bus stations, hobo squats, and TPUSA Trump Young Pioneers camps.
Some, I assume are good people, but I’m almost certainly wrong.
https://thebulwark.com/your-guide-to-tonights-trumpian-word-vomit/
Progressive politics can only proceed at a snail’s pace because multi-tasking is too hard. That seems to be the premise advanced by this clever young man: “Christian Smith is a New Zealand lawyer, student radio host and graduate student in International Relations at King’s College London.” https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-02-2019/what-can-new-zealand-learn-from-the-brexit-omnishambles/
“With potentially three referendums proposed for New Zealand in 2020 – on cannabis, euthanasia, and MMP thresholds – the Brexit referendum offers crucial lessons on how not to run a modern referendum.”
He reckons Brexit’s lead-time of four months was too short. People just can’t figure stuff out that fast. Should I stay or should I go? Questions that hard take six months to suss out, apparently. “Post-truth politics is the idea that arguments are not won on the basis of objective facts but on emotional appeal and by reinforcing pre-existing beliefs.”
“The cannabis and euthanasia referendums provide fertile ground for post-truth politics. The debates for both easily lend themselves to personal anecdotes and emotional appeal. This is not to say that such appeals are a new or a bad thing. People often vote with their hearts rather than their heads. The difference is that in the past it was much easier to sift the truth from the lies.”
What’s changed? Social media has everyone enmeshed in such a toxic stew they can no longer think straight. And “this toxic dialogue has emerged into the real world and is increasingly apparent in political discourse. Likewise, it’s becoming a cliché that we are living in a polarised world where one must stick to his or her party line, where compromise is a dirty word, and where the opposition’s views are not only wrong but morally repugnant.”
You see that banality & polarisation here often enough to agree with the diagnosis. But must we allow inadequate commentators to spoil it for everyone? No. He advises “let’s try to keep it civil… because there are valid points on both sides. One of the sad facts about Brexit was that people were so quick to decry and brand those who disagreed with them that they didn’t take the time to understand the reasons behind their point of view.”
He thinks having the other two referenda simultaneously with the cannabis referendum “would be absurd. The suggestion that in the lead up to the general election next year we will also be able to have a thorough, engaged debate about what are three relatively serious issues is ridiculous. It’s never been done before in New Zealand.”
Kiwis just cannot multitask. Too thick, apparently. Is he right? The question is really about the extent. What percentage of voters can form their opinions on three or more social issues over a six-month time frame? Most, I reckon.
the problem with referenda (as they are usually presented) is the lack of detail…whence the devil is.
And on buses driving round the country spouting bullshit.
Christian Smith – that’s heavily-laden name to give to a baby? The parents had a definite agenda.
Mohammed would’ve been less labelly greysy.
Exactly, Gabby. LOL.
For example:
https://qz.com/1082778/popular-baby-names-muhammad-is-actually-the-most-boys-name-in-england-and-wales-not-oliver/
Whereas Christian is currently only at #49 in popularity, it was in the mid to low 20s about 20+ years ago. Always been a very popular name in Catholic Europe – eg France, Germany etc.
https://www.babycenter.com/baby-names-christian-1008.htm
[With the latter site, would have to provide links to a whole range of spellings of Mohammed, Muhammed etc.]
Those names just give me a feeling of scraping a bit below the surface and coming up with a religious illiberal type. Having met someone like that who had a persona of a friendly guy then finding he had a ‘sting’ now I watch out.
Perhaps they just named him after Christian Cullen?
If this chap is still a student he may have been born about the time Cullen came to the fore and they got the idea there.
Who knows why parents pick names. Or perhaps you think that Cullen’s parents had an agenda as well?
And possibly you think Israel Dagg has strongly Zionist parents?
What fun we could have with our wild suppositions. Is there anyone else you have suspicions about?
What were Clarke Gaylord’s parents thinking? Perhaps they were part of some evil shoe cult!
I agree Pat, the lack of detail is a bugger.
Most of the commentary I have read implies that the question will be about legalising weed – handing the whole shooting box to the corporations.
I am keen on the law changing, as I believe the most damaging aspect of pot is its status in law.
I would prefer decriminilising as it allows help to be sought if a habit causes issues.
It would also take money away from gangs and other n’erdowells.
I will most probably vote no if the question is around legalisation.
Compressed Air Foam Fire Protection System could be the go in future perhaps to keep in mind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QgofeIbRNU
Now that’s very cool, I heard there are aircraft at the fire today using a fire suppressant, wonder if it’s the same stuff as in the clip you posted.
Stuff’s Editorial: Let’s go back to the future considers “the New Zealand Curriculum. It’s the blueprint for how we teach our children and future leaders, from year 1 all the way to year 13. On the contents page you’ll find references to “learning areas”. The usual subjects are there: English, maths and science; there’s also mention of the arts, physical education and technology. But not one reference to history.”
Interesting, I thought. History was one of the five standard subjects when I went to school. When was it eliminated?? Whodunnit? National or Labour? Both??
“Further on, each learning area is explored in a little more depth; there’s even a reference to social sciences. But again, not one mention of history. As expected, there are plenty of pedagogical nods to the Treaty of Waitangi, our founding document, but nothing in the framework – “important for a broad, general education” – that would provide context to the historic meeting of two great cultures on February 6, 179 years ago.”
Ah, that would be because ritualised acknowledgement of the ToW is politically-correct. If there’s one thing teachers and bureaucrats know they must do, it’s exhibit a convincing performance of being a pc-drone. Actually teaching students about it would be a can of worms. Students might start thinking for themselves! That would create an intolerable situation.
Looks like a cabal of bureaucrats and teachers are entrenched in the citadel of the education establishment, cowering under their desks with hands over their ears to block out the baying of the barbarians at the gate. Leader of those barbarians: “Graeme Ball, who chairs the History Teachers’ Association, is a passionate educator”. His grievance is “the national curriculum. The ministry describes it as a flexible “framework” in which teachers are given resources to teach some elements of history but are not necessarily required to do so. History as a subject does not even make an appearance until year 11, when it is merely an option.”
Stuff warns that the establishment cabal may “find itself on the wrong side of history.” That won’t scare them! They’ll all be safely retired on a pension.
My recollection of schooling in NZ was that ‘History; per se was never a subject until the fifth form (year 11 in contemporary schooling) and was generally covered under projects and social studies (60s and 70s)…so if the deed was done it was before then
My memory is dim with age, but I suspect you are right, and history was included under the label social studies rather than separately. Probably blurred for me due to reading my grandad’s 500-page History of the British Empire at age 7 as a formative experience (I still own it).
I noticed Barry Soper in the Herald writing that kids ought to be educated about the ToW – perhaps evidence that it could get bipartisan support. However I doubt teachers have sufficient intellectual capacity to teach it. The concept of sovereignty is hard enough for most adults. Trying to explain the additional dimension of local sovereignty, which Te Tiriti grants to chiefs, would be harder still. Evasion of the topic by all other commentators here proves that!
If there was some form of civics taught in schopol, perhaps from around year 8/9 then it may well be a suitable area to include NZ history….then the only problem would be which version
I’d apply both/and logic: include both sides. Students then get the opportunity to integrate. All a teacher need to do is explain that zero-sum thinking suggests that one side is right and the other wrong. Holism requires acknowledging merit in both perspectives. Ask the kids to brainstorm what seems worthwhile nowadays, so they can form a view of how relevant the history actually is.
except there are more than two versions …and differ by time and place
Minds are flexible, particularly kids’.
yes they are….but it wont be kids deciding which is the appropriate version….nor call out the correctness of that which selected.
It should be taught but be prepared for a moveable feast….and dissent
Absolutely vital, NZ history, and how democracy works and critical thinking and evolutionary biology, especially male/female relations . The people are the leaders in a democracy, we’ve tried different since 84 so we know.
Better real teachers than stand-in ones. There are a mixed group of older people who would teach their version of everything historical, all their pet theories, and the kids would be worse off. It seems that sex eduation and religion might be the same. It is amazing what the school board decision-makers can think is satisfactory. I find that opinionated confident figures from the neighbourhood come a poor second to a more informed and objective figure in the Education Department setting reasonable standards that schools must apply for these specialist teaching roles.
Xi Jinping “who, at age 65, remains healthy and vigorous – could remain president for perhaps another 20 years. His eponymous doctrine will therefore shape China’s development and global engagement for decades to come, and perhaps longer.” Thus opines Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
https://www.interest.co.nz/business/97995/xis-goal-shore-authority-party-state-within-his-country-including-ensuring-chinese
“Xi sees no place for political experimentation or liberal values in China, and regards democratisation, civil society, and universal human rights as anathema. Deepening reform means solidifying control over the CPC, via his “anti-corruption campaign,” and over the population, including through the use of advanced technologies enabled by artificial intelligence. Such digital authoritarianism will, Xi hopes, prevent liberal or democratic ideas from taking root and spreading, even as China remains connected to the rest of the world. Chinese citizens may enjoy freedom as consumers and investors, but not as participants in civil society or civic discourse.”
This exercise of social control by the regime will succeed if the Chinese hive mind permits. Has evolution really made them a different type of human? Can freedom of choice as consumers operate concurrently with none as citizens? Too much of a paradox? Communist theory suggests not, if culture is sufficiently conformist. A matrix is formed in the psyche, in which the official version of social reality shapes the perception of participants. As long as all evidence of the surrounding world is filtered out, the scenario in the movie Matrix plays out – only a few dissidents see through the sham. When their behaviour becomes evident they can be eliminated.
They’ve been beaten into submission by the praxis of totalitarian government franxie.
So it seems. I like the hive mind theory though, and wonder how long I have to wait until someone calls it racist. Nothing lasts forever, and perhaps Xi will prosper only until the critical mass of those become affluent in China is overwhelmed by the increasing resentment of those who haven’t. Slowing growth will increase a general perception of missing out, so their me-too expectations will evaporate…
XI is working on the idea that Praxis makes Perfix and that His ideological cleanliness is nexus to Godliness
It seems to me that this concept can be applied to the USA. They are not thought of as authoritarian, motions are gone through to give the appearance of a democracy. The dropping of this or that precept is excused, there is a line in the sand but it gets washed away, and then it is democracy in tatters. USA has used propaganda for ages, the hand on heart when the USA is invoked in public meetings.
Yes, I’ve long felt that way. I did hope that Jimmy Carter would be a good president, but he had merely good intentions – no competence as a political leader.
I do see a qualitative difference in regard to China however. The American sham isn’t blatant enough to be a valid comparison. It’s sufficiently sophisticated to ensure that most Americans believe they live in a democracy.
The Chinese have no dogma, just energetic disbelief. If Xi Jinpeng wants to try to build something on that good luck to him. Super-observe all, y’tit.
He’s basing it on Singapore. If he doesn’t produce like Lee Kuan Yew he’ll fall. No one is going to worship his carbuncled arse like Mao ever again.
There should be no surprise that the elitist New Zealand cricket organisation treats Waitangi day like a token exercise. I mean really your best effort is to print “Aotearoa” on the bottom of the existing players shirts where it’s barely visible.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/110389159/black-caps-white-ferns-to-wear-aotearoa-shirts-for-t20s
No pleasing some !!!!
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12180373
‘He says he now also enjoys “working with a high-performing team who have each other’s backs”.’
Wonder what that’s a reference to… 😉
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178750
“Put that another way, there’s a fan base for Collins out there, but it’s not nearly a majority and there’s nobody in the middle. You love her or hate her, and that’s that.”
You either worship her or you’re a big, dumb stupid head is what I think he meant to say
Oddly enough, I ran it through my between-the-lines translator and got: You worship her and you’re a big, dumb stupid head.
Hope you kept the receipt because it sounds like it’s a bit defective
You could be right. It is a bit anodyne and wishy-washy in the wording it chooses. Definitely needs to express itself more strongly and clearly.
The fix is in.
https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1092535475066290176
Troll Incitement
I notice that one of our sick and filthy Trolls has been promoting the idea that our Prime Minister is causing a particular person death by Cancer.
I feel that is allowing Right Wing pro National media far too much leeway.
It is true that Australia has some Cancer Radiation treatments that may ease but do not cure Cancer. The Treatments are expensive.
It is also true that Cancer may at times go into remission, whether here in New Zealand or in Australia.
But for Radio Programs via dodgy TV3 personnel to blame the Prime Minister for a Cancer death that has not occurred is not credible or excusable.
Spot on OT. 100%. they are utter tory scum.
Says the leftie scum.
See – not nice is it ?
Get over yourself newshub played the same game on national govt re Keytruda and labour was happy to play along, take your eye patches off Newsub are equal opportunity trolls
Oh really? Who and where.
Or is your comprehension so limited that we need to explain it to you ?
Did John Key or Dr Coleman receive letters similar to the one James linked to @3?
I can’t recall any – or at least none that made it into the media. Now why might that be – after all Key was PM for 8 years whereas Ardern has been PM barely 15 months.
A daughter’s grief/anger is understandable, but any ‘Tory’ trying to make political capital out of the situation deserves the ‘sick and filthy Tory scum‘ epithet.
To be clear, I’m not calling James and Bewildered ‘sick and filthy Tory scum’, at least not by name. And neither did OT or ‘rod’.
SOTU tl:dr version.
https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1092999594835886082
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2019/02/05/trump-squabbles-with-democrats-before-state-of-the-union-speech-on-unity.html
#SOTU.
Nancy’s got your number, sport.
https://twitter.com/middleageriot/status/1092993805505175552
https://twitter.com/1PatriciaMurphy/status/1092991488223596544
You mean, he’s got her number. This little show aside, she’s caved in and endorsed his aggression against the democratically elected government of Venezuela.
She can screw her face up in a gesture of distaste, and mockingly clap her hands together like in that picture, but it’s worse than nothing when she’s already conceded on the really important stuff.
🙄
she got an idea from Dimitry
https://twitter.com/MedvedevRussiaE/status/1088452852345794563
Germany, Germany, Germany…..
Now you know how it was done.
I can’t believe that I spent a good part of my Waitangi day listening to Donald Trump….
So what was my take-away?
Donald Trump will not allow an investigation into his affairs that (according to him), will derail his (alleged) economic miracle.
Donald Trump will get his wall built.
The Democrats will buckle and agree to fund his wall.
The Democrats will call off the investigations into the President’s links to Russia.
Or Else….
The President will declare a State o National Emergency
still waiting on the last time he did declare his emergency.
Oh, yeah, right, he did not.
President Trump’s State Of The Union address.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt17VX6qm6E
I have watched the whole thing. I recommend everyone do the same.
It is extremely well crafted. Hidden behind calls for unity are thinly veiled threats against the Democrats and the Mueller Investigation. Donald Trump demands that the Democrats give up their “resistance” to him, claiming that it is fueled by, “the politics of revenge”, and “retribution.”
Painting the Democrats this way, will play well to his support base.
In the same vein the President labeled the Mueller investigation “ridiculous” and “partisan”.
Under his call for unity the President gives his version of George Bush’s maxim, “If you are not with us, you are against us.”
“If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation,”
I believe that the choice of the word “war” is not an accident, neither is conflating war with the investigation into his affairs.
With this statement Donald Trump has virtually declared war against the Democrats, the Mueller Investigation, and even the rule of law itself.
Newshub ran a British report on 3News tonight, but haven’t put it on their website. The Maduro regime’s death squads are still just doing selective targeting of protestors. I saw the video of the young guy recorded yesterday as he danced in the street wrapped in a Venezuelan flag before heading off to the protest.
The video went viral, according to the reporter. He was recognised by regime supporters and someone told the death squad where he lived. Later they showed up at his home. The reporter did not give further details about what happened after that, but the report showed his body lying in a street, covered with a blood-stained cloth.
This Guardian report describes another selective targeting of a protestor, and a local group has counted 43 such instances thus far: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/06/venezuela-faes-special-forces-nicolas-maduro-barrios
“Faes – the special action force – has earned notoriety since the uprising against Maduro began last month. Graffiti artists have daubed Caracas’ walls with messages denouncing its operatives as “murderers of the people”… Venezuelan human rights group Provea said Faes was created by Maduro in 2017 to fight “organized crime and terrorism” and was part of Venezuela’s national police force, although some stories in state-run media outlets describe it as being under the command of the Venezuelan military. By last year it boasted almost 1,300 agents.”
Further plausible deniability is provided to the regime by use of other “pro-government paramilitary groups known as colectivos.” Practical stalinism: operate the sham as long as possible to defer mass rebellion. “Asked about alleged killings by the group on Venezuelan television last week, the attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said the criminal responsibility for such acts was “individual. Those who commit violations … will be prosecuted, whichever part of the police they are from.”
I doubt the stalinist expects any viewer to believe him, but the method requires continued use of the charade regardless. Sad to see some commentators here still try to blame Trump instead of the perpetrators. Such delusional thinking need not become a permanent affliction.
Sorry Dennis, but I think you may be placing an awful lot of confidence in the impartiality of Western news media. I remain unconvinced by the Guardian and Newshub. I remember how we were similarly conned over the Tonkin Gulf Incident.
Yeah, LBJ got away with that easily. Different world now tho. Folks are less easily conned by a sham. I take your point that it is still possible, but doubt that attempts will succeed. Think the Newshub story came from ITV but was unable to confirm.
I share scepticism re Guardian, but only in respect of their editorialising and spin. I believe the journalistic ethos still prevails in regard to reporting the facts. The Venezuelan human rights group Provea told them 43 protestors had been selectively eliminated. We can’t verify that, obviously. I choose to believe them.
Thanks for that info Dennis.
Maduro’s behaviour could be compared to that of Sisi in Egypt, especially in regards to media or anyone that speaks out. Or Erdogan in Turkey for that matter.
USA appears to pay a disproportionate amount of attention to any country that has oil reserves, especially when such countries governments become unstable.
Will the USA military intervene and if they do will they ever leave once peace has been restored? If USA send military….. will China and Russia come to the aid of Maduro?
Must be terrifying for those living there at present.
And with Maduro shutting down the net whenever it suits him to try and curb the uprising, it makes it hard for the real stories from the people on the ground to reach the rest of the world.
Edit…
Maduro has said he would be happy to go to elections early (next election was supposed to be in 2020). Will the USA support a new election, or will they send in their military to assist the opposition instead ?
Just by the way, is Ahmet Ertegun, godfather of much bloody good Black music in America, a relative of Tayib Recife Erdogan, dictatorish type in Turkey ?
The third world is a hell, more distinguishable by goodish or baddish warlords. Though Turkey is better than that. Having Read a bio of Duterte of the 100,000,000 of The Phillippines. 70-80 % approval rating of a crass, murderous git, yet Filipinos strangely sometimes still do the right thing.
Yes Cinny, I agree re Sisi & Erdogan. Trump’s grandstanding need not be a basis for concern. Any direct military intervention by the USA would need a Security Council mandate, eh? The problem with regard to another election is that it would not be credible while Maduro’s agents still control the electoral commission. They’d just do the same thing they did when he got defeated – declare sufficient opposition winners invalid to overturn his defeat.
Droughts and fear of wildfires would have a killing effect on activity on farms and on outdoor sports. We can’t afford to have people haring around tinder dry areas and end up with emergencies as in Nelson region.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/110411175/nelson-bush-fire-farming-equipment-believed-to-have-sparked-fire
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/110408577/international-mountainbike-race-called-due-nelson-bush-fire?rm=a
And other stuff headlines.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110402408/never-mind-don-brashs-views-on-maoridom-here-are-5-maori-thinkers-to-listen-to-this-waitangi-day
stuff has chosen:
Dr David Tipene-Leach
Myles Ferriss
Katie Paul
Sir Kim Workman
Khylee Quince
This seems malicious poke at Ardern:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110405894/jacinda-ardern-has-pulled-off-a-second-successful-waitangi-a-third-will-be-much-harder
(Henry Cooke)
They’re malicious about females in Australia too:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/110405911/working-70-hours-a-week-australian-surgeon-was-called-emotional-female
I found it a bit hard to see how old mate ploughing a field could start the fire? But if he was using slasher I would understand, but also I’ll be saying WTF was he thinking as well.
More likely it the firies would have been old mate to plough in fire break as they are the next best thing to dozer or graders for putting in a emergency fire break especially in cases like the fire in Pigeon Valley.
Does anyone know the vintage steam and engine museum in Pigeon Valley coped with the fire?
As far as I know Exkiwiforces, the Steam Museum is ok, hope it is because it’s a fantastic place to visit.
Re the contractor ploughing, disc plough on stoney/rocky land can create sparks. All the grass around here is brown, wouldn’t have taken much for it to go up.
If that’s what happened, I really feel for the person who was ploughing, they will be devastated.
Can’t see any mention of Steam Museum but maybe it is near Wakefield and
didn’t get caught.
first map
https://www.wakefield.org.nz/destination-wakefield/
222 Pigeon Road Steam Museum
second map
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93331eb73d1d40ee97071238e6c350d5&extent=19231890.7343%2C-5079648.783%2C19308174.8886%2C-5048309.6014%2C102100
Kia ora The AM Show its about time the topic is on one that is in reality the most important topic of OUR TIME . Climate change is the biggest challenge this generation and the rest of humanity will ever face.
That
Of course it is logical to support the regions I wonder why the last government did not support all the rural regions. The rural economy is what Aotearoa was built on. Drive around NZ and see all the big flash cars and boats in some suburbs and in the rural East Coast and North land one see 20 years old cars and rundown house. Transport is the most important tool to produce $$$$ in any civilisation that’s a fact Its good to see that the fools that have been running our NZTA New Zealand transport agency have been sacked as there has been some sculldugery going on in that agency and who was in charge of it.
Lloyd Tusk is correct with his words brexit is a big mess and a big distraction from the EUROPEAN UNION and the World from combating the real threat to humanity Green House Warming.
The education reform are a big topic to we need to grasp the new technologies and train our tamariki on how to get the best out of the technology. We also need to use the information technology to teach the tamariki about our true historical facts and not just the facts that suit the 00.1 %. A computer and projector does not cost much. You know what they say a picture is worth more than a thousand so video is a very good teaching tool and one can choose the factual one off the 21 century communications device and you have 30 tamariki learning OUR HISTORY or any topic with minimal cost and management needs to be streamlined .
duncan promoting alcohol and gambling at this time of day gome on.
There you go it’s cool to be a nice person Chris that is. neanderthal are uncool.
No one can not turn climate change around but we can minimise the bad effects that green house warming has on our future generations by cutting the use of green gas producing fuels off as soon as possible.
That was a good move investergating the hotel booking sites on the Internet and finding the ways that they are cheating and booking the hotels that give them the biggest commissions instead of giving one the cheaper options like the sites are sold on. I say all Internet sites need to be regulated so they are fair and provide a un minupulated service. I seen a good opinion on the speach ACTION COUNTs words don’t and the rules that have been put in place to protect OUR future generations
well-being have been scrapped all for $$$$$$$$$$ by that administration . That’s all I’m saying because nothing nice will come from my next words while I get our Mokopunas ready for school. Ka kite ano P.S what’s the poll at climbing I guess
Typical duncan neanderthal grab a minority subject and KICK the shit out of it just to lift your profile Ana to kai Ka kite ano
Here you go te tangata te tangata te tangata rings true hundreds of years after our tipuna made this GREAT statement. The tipping point on Green House warming human caused climate change is now. The truth is getting out passed the oil barrons cloak of $$$$ that flogges there lies about climate change. Just a couple of years ago ALOT in the media were deniers.
It gives ECO MAORI A sore face to see we have reached the tipping point on this subject. But that doesn’t mean that we can relax. I no the oil barron won’t give up so easily and we need to push REAL hard to get all the change in the World society so everything can have a healthy happy life KIA KAHA.
A leader in climate change action needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed, says Z Energy boss Mike Bennetts.
DAVID WHITE/STUFF
A leader in climate change action needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed, says Z Energy boss Mike Bennetts.
OPINION: There’s an old TED Talk from 2010 about how to start a movement, illustrated by a video of a “lone nut” dancing at a music festival.
It stuck with me, not just because of the lone nut’s unique sense of rhythm, but because it’s much the same way I view the movement of business leaders taking voluntary action on climate change.
Like the lone nut, a leader needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed. And a lone nut remains a lone nut unless there are other leaders who show how to follow. Those first followers are also showing guts and are at risk of being ridiculed.
I recognise that as a chief executive of a company that sells fossil fuels, taking a public stand on climate change invokes scepticism about greenwashing and PR stunts.
I welcome that, but six months on from the launch of the Climate Leaders Coalition – now a group of 76 organisations that contribute about half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions – it’s clear that momentum is growing around business taking climate change seriously.
* The year in which climate change gained momentum
* KiwiRail: We can’t be complacent on climate change
* Businesses band together to tackle climate change
There are a few different reasons behind this.
First, there is growing recognition that the consequences of climate change are one of the biggest long-term risks facing business.
Secondly, businesses are increasingly seeing the opportunities associated with climate action. Mitigating and adapting to climate change doesn’t automatically mean costing jobs and money. There are genuine opportunities for businesses to respond to changing consumer preferences, at the same time as making their businesses run more efficiently. There will be challenges, especially at the start, but the risk of inaction is greater risk because the old saying is if one doesn’t keep up with the new times AGE you will go broke. Ka kite ano P.S The new age also includes being respectful to mother nature and all humans link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/110402311/how-to-start-a-climate-change-movement
Kia ora the Am Show You full of —– whom ever made that statement capital gains tax is need so wealth people like you 2 who use your accountants to cheat out of paying .
Will be paying your fare shear of taxes that you have made from NZ.
Most other country’s have a capital gains tax.
So what brilliance policy did national implement in the last 9 years that made Aotearoa great was it I WILL NOT RAISE GST was it billions splashed on bills M8.
I think the refugees being sent to the small towns is a good move to help the small community’s grow.
I wonder who advised Laim Neeson to tell that stupid story .
How did yesterday’s poll go on climate change I see you did not give the final results. The only green thing you like is money flowing into your pockets the bribes from the wealthy manipulators of our society to try and Conn us into believing that’s it ok for the 00.1 % to have more money than they need.
Let hope the fire in Nelson is not going to get to big .
Hope just said that the majority wants a capital gains tax .
judy that’s what your lot did funnel all the money wealthy and starved the poor.
It was the land stolen off maori that made the wealthy in this country so rich that’s a fact follow the money and these wealthy family’s money will go back to huge land holders of the past. That’s all ways you’re way kick Maori anytime you can duncan the land has heaps of value just fools like you and your rich M8 can not see it the land will be easy to turn into a organics farming operations with no poisons been poured on it in the last few years .
I could give a analysis of your last pat on the back but this is not personal you would turn red again Ka kite ano P.S I have figure out another phenomenon I will use it to my advantage. Don,t bring God into this Mark who is coaching you
Here you go tangata this is what some of the greedy people did to Maori .
The lieing stealing and cheating the minuplation of the public still is going on TODAY
For well over 25 years, Vincent O’Malley, a Pākehā historian, has been uncovering and recounting many of the rich and often discomforting stories about how Māori and Pākehā have got along since they began sharing Aotearoa 200 or so years ago.
His most substantial book has been The Great War for New Zealand, where he explains what went on in the Waikato, especially in the wake of the New Zealand Settlements Act in 1863.
But here he focuses on the significance of that legislation — and the need for us to understand and remember it.
When dates were being considered for the first Rā Maumahara commemorating the New Zealand Wars, one suggestion was December 3. That day doesn’t mark the anniversary of any particular battle or conflict. Instead, it’s the day in 1863 that Governor George Grey signed into law the New Zealand Settlements Act.
It’s an innocuous-sounding piece of legislation but it had devastating consequences for many Māori communities. The Settlements Act provided the primary legislative mechanism for raupatu — sweeping land confiscations that were supposedly intended to punish acts of “rebellion” while also recouping the costs of fighting the wars.
{It declared that where “any Native Tribe or Section of a Tribe or any considerable number thereof” had committed acts of “rebellion against Her Majesty’s authority” since January 1, 1863, their lands could be declared subject to the Act and seized for the purposes of settlement.
It was part of a package of measures passed by the all-Pākehā parliament to crush Māori independence.}
Governor George Grey
Grey and his ministers had drawn up these confiscation plans before invading Waikato in July 1863 and, by August, had begun recruiting military settlers who were to be offered a portion of the seized lands in return for their services.
Confiscation wasn’t an afterthought or a response to Māori actions, but an integral part of the overall invasion plans
{The presence of military settlers on a portion of the seized lands would ensure the conquest of these was made permanent, while the sale of the remainder on the open market would pay for the whole scheme. Māori would effectively underwrite the costs of their own suppression.}
Victims of imperialism in this way became its perpetrators.
Former Chief Justice Sir William Martin also pointed to the example of Ireland in predicting that “a brooding sense of wrong” passed down from one generation to the next would be exactly the same outcome if confiscation was employed in New Zealand.
That,{ Henry Sewell privately thought, was exactly what the architects of the policy wanted. It was to drive even more Māori to offer resistance so that their lands could also be seized and sold as punishment for these acts of “rebellion”.}
Within parliament itself, James FitzGerald was one of few MPs to offer anything like unequivocal opposition to the Settlements Act, which he described as an “enormous crime” and “contrary to the Treaty of Waitangi”.
As Native Minister two years later, FitzGerald was personally responsible for some of the largest land confiscations under the Act. In another case of poacher turned gamekeeper, Sewell underwent a similar conversion. Few Pākehā in positions of power came out of the story unsullied.
{In all, more than 3.4 million acres of land was confiscated under the Settlements Act across many districts — in Waikato, Taranaki, Tauranga, eastern Bay of Plenty, and Mohaka-Waikare.}
Further lands were “ceded” to the Crown at Tūranga, Wairoa, and Waikaremoana under a distinct confiscation regime covering the East Coast region.
Despite repeated and unambiguous promises that Māori who didn’t take up arms against the Crown would have their lands guaranteed to them in full, confiscation was applied
{indiscriminately. And it even took in areas owned by those who had fought on the government side}.
The New Zealand Settlements Act 1863.
“Loyal” Māori could apply for compensation for their losses — initially in money but later including lands. But the Compensation Court process that followed returned only a fraction of what was lost, often in completely different areas and always under a new legal form of title that meant many of these lands were quickly lost to their owners.
Māori deemed to have rebelled, or even to have aided or abetted others who had done so, were ineligible to receive compensation at all. In one case, officials tried (but failed) to block compensation being given to an Anglican priest of Tainui ancestry who had conducted burial services for those slain during the Waikato invasion.
Fearing that sweeping and excessive confiscations would prolong Māori resistance and thereby increase the military and financial burdens on British taxpayers, the British government sought to impose a range of restrictions on how the Settlements Act would be implemented.
Most of these were ignored. Rather than intervening to stop what they knew was a gross injustice, ministers in London washed their hands of the matter, concerned only with how soon they could withdraw their troops from New Zealand.
Many of those soldiers, including their commander, Lieutenant-General Duncan Cameron, had become increasingly disillusioned with what they were being asked to do, and began to query why they should fight a war of conquest and dispossession for the exclusive benefit of New Zealand
{A few Pākehā got very rich and many of the lands later became lynchpins of New Zealand’s booming pastoral economy. But, for Māori on the receiving end, the results were shattering.}
{Through the two decades after 1840, Māori were in many ways the leading drivers of New Zealand’s economy, producing much of its export income, while also feeding hungry settlers in Auckland and other towns.}
{{{{{{That economic infrastructure was destroyed almost literally overnight as cattle and crops were seized or destroyed, flour mills and homes in many cases torched, and the lands that had been key to this wealth confiscated. The Māori economy was delivered a near fatal blow.}}}}}}}
That was not something that could be easily or quickly overcome. Generations of Māori were condemned to lives of landlessness and poverty. In many ways, we still live with the legacy of the New Zealand Settlements Act today. It is there in the negative socio-economic statistics of many Māori communities in those regions subject to raupatu.
Treaty settlements have helped to recapitalise many iwi, and allowed them to again become major players in the New Zealand economy. But, given that these settlements typically represent no more than about one or two percent of the unimproved value of the lands that were taken, they are never going to fully compensate for all that was lost.
Many Pākehā have little idea of this history or how it continues to reverberate. That’s hardly surprising, given how few people learn anything about it at school.
It’s time to do something about that. It’s time we as a nation owned up to our past. Ka kite ano links below
https://e-tangata.co.nz/history/a-dark-tale-of-dispossession-and-greed/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynnk2LBEY0
I see some is using this person tech to attack other people names .
Thats the STONE number one rule book Lie Lie ATTACK
Peter Thiel’s secretive spook outfit Palantir has financials leaked
A rare light has been shone on the finances of Peter Thiel’s secretive data-mining firm Palantir – which makes software used by US intelligence agencies and corporates trying to sniff out threats.
The German-born, US entrepreneur received a fast-tracked NZ citizenship in 2011, despite spending just 11 days in the country.
A 2018 Herald investigation uncovered that the NZ Defence Force has spent around $7.2m with Palantir since 2012.
There are also strong indications that the GCSB and SIS (who won’t officially comment) are customers.
Citing sources familiar with the figures, the Wall Street Journal says the privately-held Palantir’s revenue jumped from US$600 million to US$880m ($1.3 billion) last year, well ahead of the US$750m that investors had been told to expect.
Central to the revenue lift was a US$42m contract signed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the controversial US government border protection agency.
Thiel has been a financial supporter and advisor to President Trump and, the Journal reports, “Some Palantir staffers and civil rights advocates have criticised Palantir’s ICE ties.” Links below
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12201876
https://www.theguardian.com/news/series/cambridge-analytica-files
Some Eco Maori Music for the minute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12QZDSaBfps
Here’s Tangata a good video that gives the facts on global warming and climate change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRQvxLuvtX0
Kia ora Newshub if a billionaire like Jeff Bazo can have his personal data mined well known ones privacy is safe.
There you go national dirty tactics leaks about their planed attack on The Hounreable Winston Peters. They are crying in their big box of tissue blaming Winston for there loss not the dumb moves they had made before the election Ana to kai I say simon is just trying the cast nationals hurting and focus off him and onto Winston.
I Back 100 % The Green Party for advocateing sugary drinks to be banned from SCHOOLS. I have read reviews that sugar is one of the most addictive substance on Papatuanukue its in the top 5 Substances for addiction. Put it in the gas tanks.
I read it was a one and 2000 years event the flooding in Queensland Townsville.
When you have neanderthals in charge that are denying climate change we’ll a lot of people believe them and don’t have the correct plans in place to minimise and mitergate the extreme weather conditions that have been forecast by our scientists. I also read that 350000 cattle have died as well condolences to the poor farmers and other who have been badly affected by the flooding in Australia.
Restrictions are need for the Ngaruroro river the farmers and the council don’t care about the AWA river they just want to bleed all the money they can get from the river even if they stuff it up turn to organic farming and the soil will hold the water longer that is dropped from Tawhirirmate Eco has had many good times swimming in that river in Hawkesbay. Ka kite ano
cleangreen
Ports; this time its Napier feeling the brunt. Perhaps you can get together with them and jointly put pressure on the government to do their job.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=12201629
Traffic going to and from Napier Port is set to increase 187 per cent over the next eight years, prompting residents to threaten to take it to the Environment Court….
“We asked them [Napier Port] what are you doing to mitigate for all the people who live on affected roads.
“The port said, in their report, they don’t have to care, it’s not their responsibility.
Who said that we don’t need a working, decision-making Government providing
‘governance’?
Actually isn’t that a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi? It was agreed that NZ Government should be in governance with Maori, not sub-contract their role to some KPMG, ABCD or XYZ. I seem to remember kawanatanga being referred to.