The "ironising radiation", "holistic dentistry", and "innate intelligence of the universe" modules have apparently shut down. But the anti-alcohol module has apparently rebooted, likely soon to be followed by the pro-vegan and 9/11 modules.
Personally, I think regulations around sale and consumption of alcohol in New Zealand are reasonable and fit for purpose. However, we probably fall a bit short on ensuring compliance with those regulations. We have somewhat of a cultural problem with how we consume alcohol, but that's not really something that can be improved with regulations, except possibly around the margins with restrictions on advertising.
2. As far as I can tell, animal welfare standards in New Zealand are quite high by international comparisons, although I'd certainly be happy to see them improve further. Where I think we let ourselves down badly is in how we allow farmers to discharge significant wastes off the farm into the atmosphere and waterways, as well as allowing extractive practices (such as irrigation) that result in significant effects to areas off the farm. Thereby trashing areas and environments that are part of the commons we should all be able to enjoy.
On both those topics, I think your hectoring approach with a side of high-horsery is unlikely to change any minds or behaviours, and is more likely to actually be counterproductive through just getting people's backs up.
How much more Excise do you want? I grow about 75,000 litres of wine a year and if all sold in NZ it garners around $225, 000 + 33,750 GST for a total of $262,550 for Grant to play with and we get paid $190,000 of which my wages are about $45,000 (min wage, my wife is the CFO ) and we have made a profit of around $11,000 about 3 times in the last 5 years, the others have been losses. Why ? Ask all sorts of growers in Motueka and the Bay of Plenty and grape growers in Canterbury this year. It's a hard road growing shit.
I'm not complaining I'm proud to be able to produce something that pays for vaccines and such like, but just think how much the cost of living would be if taxes of this ilk were added to other selected items.
The reporting in this article about this riot in Whangamata is part of the issue. At no stage does it address the issue of this class A drug's vice like grasp over the levers of control in this country. The liquor industry, politicians and a liberal culture is responsible for this.
While I agree with the words Sandra Goudie about rich self-indulgent teenagers, it would be interesting to see what her voting record is on alcohol.
Equally, I can predict the way many of the parents of these teenagers spent their evening….
Alcohol should be classified as one. Many independent experts think so.
Alcohol is the world's most dangerous drug when you consider the harm it does to drinkers, their friends and families, and society in general. The harm that alcohol does exceeds the dangers of even heroin and crack cocaine when the overall danger to the user and others is taken into account.1
This is the conclusion of a panel of British experts that assessed and ranked the harm caused by 20 different drugs, both legal and illegal.
So did you reject all the invites to NYE parties, or did you just not receive any? The teetotalling veganism is all good, it's the wowserism that poops the party.
Frankly, the fact that alcohol causes harm does not make me uncomfortable. I can even put up with a decent vegan meal.
But what would make me choose to not invite you to a party (or indeed, your attendance would be a vote against me turning up to that event) is the idea of spending a few hours in your constantly-judgemental presence. I was mildly curious as to whether you had any real life social interactions. You might be a genuinely happy, entertaining and likeable chap in real life, but it sure doesn't come through in your comments.
Personally, my waning desire for alcohol is unexpected and actually a bit unwelcome. I like being tipsy, especially with tipsy friends who aren't angry drunks. I just always seem to be driving these days, or when I'm not driving I don't feel like drinking. I'm hoping it's just a phase.
I was going to rattle off a whole list of predictions, but I cannot really be bothered.
Enjoy the rest of your break everyone. Looking forward to reading more interesting posts on here in the next 12 months. I might even write some if I can get motivated.
I have been helping friends move flat with the annual end of the year shift, since my car has a towbar. Friends; plural, from a couple of different places. Due out of their old homes on New year's eve, and one at least was just moving stuff to storage with a big question mark about getting anything more than a slot in a rooming house ever again.
The housing crisis is bad enough. The timing of fixed term leases (not many periodic nowadays) seems unnecessarily cruel. Say; the first of February, would be a lot easier (& more humane) than 31st of December for changeover, with no downside that I can see.
I had a couple of special visitors today; delightful barely describes them! To my great embarrassment, it wasn't till our garden ramble was nearing its end, and through some subtle prompting, that I realised I was in the company of one of The Standards Very Finest Commenters! In a way I was pleased not to have remembered who was due to visit, as I'd have wanted to talk politics, rather than gardens; I'm pretty naive at the former and a bit less so with the latter, so it all went well; we wandered about the place, deeply immersed in my leafy world. I did very much enjoy the visit, even though the topic of commenting here was only very lightly touched upon 🙂
It's an amusingly pointed exercise in catharsis, with Station Film director Brendan Gibbons employing quick cuts to present diverse folks in various locations who drop F-bombs with glee.
"Let's start with a giant, 'Fuck you, Covid-19!' " a healthcare worker says.
"Fuck you for taking my job," offers a guy sitting on his porch.
"Fuck you for closing his school," says a mom in her son's bedroom. The youngster adds: "Yeah, fuck you!"
Canceled weddings and shortages of household goods come in for similar treatment, as does systemic racism and violence against Black people.
"All lives will fucking matter when Black lives fucking matter!" an elderly white woman rails.
Other targets include murder hornets, "motherfucking Zoom calls," Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, Karens, and a certain country praised for its handling of the pandemic while other nations continue to struggle.
"Fuck you, New Zealand!" screams a guy on a bridge. "You think you're better than us?Well, you are. BUT FUCK YOU ANYWAY!"
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- 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. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
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, ...
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The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
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. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
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 ...
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Is this thing on?
As the former Green MP, and now a hermit on Quarantine Island, would say.
"Hey Clint! Are we in favour of this thing being on or off?"
trying to write a post, not sure I am getting very far.
The "ironising radiation", "holistic dentistry", and "innate intelligence of the universe" modules have apparently shut down. But the anti-alcohol module has apparently rebooted, likely soon to be followed by the pro-vegan and 9/11 modules.
Your comments are noted.
As a matter of interest.
1. Do you think the regulations surrounding alcohol are fit for purpose?
2. Do you think we should be concerned about animal welfare in industrial farming?
2. As far as I can tell, animal welfare standards in New Zealand are quite high by international comparisons, although I'd certainly be happy to see them improve further. Where I think we let ourselves down badly is in how we allow farmers to discharge significant wastes off the farm into the atmosphere and waterways, as well as allowing extractive practices (such as irrigation) that result in significant effects to areas off the farm. Thereby trashing areas and environments that are part of the commons we should all be able to enjoy.
On both those topics, I think your hectoring approach with a side of high-horsery is unlikely to change any minds or behaviours, and is more likely to actually be counterproductive through just getting people's backs up.
Thank you for your reply.
The 2010 Law Commission report, Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm, made some key recommendations.
Key policy recommendations included:
_ raising the price of alcohol by an average of 10% through excise tax increases;
_ returning the minimum purchase age for alcohol to 20
_ moving over time to regulate alcohol advertising and sponsorship.
The fundamental recommendations of Palmer and his team have been ignored.
https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1004/S00315/alcohol-in-our-lives-curbing-the-harm.htm
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/114924043/major-report-into-reducing-alcohol-harm-ignored-for-almost-a-decade
How much more Excise do you want? I grow about 75,000 litres of wine a year and if all sold in NZ it garners around $225, 000 + 33,750 GST for a total of $262,550 for Grant to play with and we get paid $190,000 of which my wages are about $45,000 (min wage, my wife is the CFO ) and we have made a profit of around $11,000 about 3 times in the last 5 years, the others have been losses. Why ? Ask all sorts of growers in Motueka and the Bay of Plenty and grape growers in Canterbury this year. It's a hard road growing shit.
I'm not complaining I'm proud to be able to produce something that pays for vaccines and such like, but just think how much the cost of living would be if taxes of this ilk were added to other selected items.
Sheesh, you're not wrong there.
Nursing sore heads……
Might see a burst of life around noon. Me? I'm off to feed the family cats.
New Zealand has a serious problem with alcohol.
The reporting in this article about this riot in Whangamata is part of the issue. At no stage does it address the issue of this class A drug's vice like grasp over the levers of control in this country. The liquor industry, politicians and a liberal culture is responsible for this.
While I agree with the words Sandra Goudie about rich self-indulgent teenagers, it would be interesting to see what her voting record is on alcohol.
Equally, I can predict the way many of the parents of these teenagers spent their evening….
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/self-indulgent-brats-6000-of-stock-stolen-blackies-cafe-roof-damaged-in-whangamata-riot/KMHGM26BXN7Q3L5AN5FAMOUR64/
Experts like Doug Sellman have been telling our politicians to act for years. The Herald is part of the problem.
Just one finding .
“Alcohol is a cause of cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, large bowel and breast.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/83179106/doug-sellman-an-irresponsible-alcohol-industry-is-doing-its-best-to-confuse
Class A drug? Link?
Alcohol should be classified as one. Many independent experts think so.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-444081/Alcohol-considered-Class-A-drug-say-experts.html
https://www.verywellmind.com/alcohol-is-the-most-harmful-drug-3969483
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/nov/01/alcohol-more-harmful-than-heroin-crack
So it's not actually a class A drug, as you stated, then.
No, you are correct. In New Zealand, it is not a class a drug.
However, it should be. And that is the view of many drug experts.
You don't dispute the damage it does, do you?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/health/2018/05/challenging-new-zealand-s-harmful-drinking-culture.html
An agenda is one thing, lying is another. Poor form, [deleted]
[please don’t do that, pretty sure we’ve been over this before – weka]
Fair enough, won't do it again, but the point about lying in comments stands.
Indeed.
Heaps of people manage to drink and get drunk on NYE without trashing a cafe. Even young people.
I am very suspicous of those who want an effective return to Prohibition.
I agree Millsy.
And the cost to New Zealand is way wider and deeper than a Whangamata cafe.
The cost to New Zealand of alcohol is extreme.
At no stage did I recommend prohibition. Like Sellman and other experts, I advocate we treat alcohol as if it is a serious drug
New Year's Day is always a touchy time to challenge one of New Zealand's sacred cows……
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealands-alcohol-toll-8000-premature-deaths-70-billion-social-cost/5LBJBWYYSNR6PNE37FNPTRFCME/
New Year's Eve is probably a good time to eat some cow, however.
https://nypost.com/2019/12/18/vegans-may-get-worse-hangovers-than-meat-eaters/
I do not eat meat or drink alcohol.
Consuming one is devastating for our planet and the other is detrimental to our society.
Fuck that's a boring life.
so sayeth the alcohol-pusher..
and kinda sad you consider eating flesh and getting drunk to be what constitutes a life..
and that you are unable to conceive of a life minus eating flesh and consuming alcohol to be of any worth..?
and hey..! a heads-up..!..pissheads are amongst the most boring people on the planet..
and don't get me started on wine bores…
they are out on their own..
..and that's a 'life'..?..really..?
So what did you get up to over New Year's Eve? I went to a party with some friends. Didn't drink alcohol because I was driving, but we all had fun.
So did you reject all the invites to NYE parties, or did you just not receive any? The teetotalling veganism is all good, it's the wowserism that poops the party.
I would question your use of wowserism…
pointing out the health outcomes from consuming new zealands' (and yours..?) favourite drug..
is just stating a fact..
one that might make you uncomfortable..
so lash out at the messenger..
and..having used more than my fair share of most intoxicants..
..and thinking alcohol is a really crap drug..that has those cancer outcomes..
does that make me a wowser..?
you are sounding like an addict defending their drug of choice
I don't actually drink, so not defending any drug of choice.
apologies for confusion…comment was directed @ mcflock..
Yeah, I realised that soon after I hit "Submit". Sometimes I like to read from the bottom upwards. And no, I dont get confused.
Did you know that we produce alcohol inside our bodies?
no..I didn't know that.
why..?
Why?
Dunno, you’ll have to ask the Great Watchmaker.
I note you didn't answer the question.
Frankly, the fact that alcohol causes harm does not make me uncomfortable. I can even put up with a decent vegan meal.
But what would make me choose to not invite you to a party (or indeed, your attendance would be a vote against me turning up to that event) is the idea of spending a few hours in your constantly-judgemental presence. I was mildly curious as to whether you had any real life social interactions. You might be a genuinely happy, entertaining and likeable chap in real life, but it sure doesn't come through in your comments.
Personally, my waning desire for alcohol is unexpected and actually a bit unwelcome. I like being tipsy, especially with tipsy friends who aren't angry drunks. I just always seem to be driving these days, or when I'm not driving I don't feel like drinking. I'm hoping it's just a phase.
@ andre 3.2.11….From yr link..
'lacks serious scientific backup..'
and it's the new york post…
which is essentially tabloid-crap..
so you linked to a pile of bullshit in a notorious tabloid…
you having a laff..?
It appears the dim bulb of vague comprehension is starting to get a faint glow.
I'm glad to hear that is happening for you..
who knows where it might lead..?…eh..?
One of your black hole emissions? lol
Well hopefully 2021 is a better year than 2020 was, especially for any one that lost their job due to Covid.
Happy New Year Standard posters.
I was going to rattle off a whole list of predictions, but I cannot really be bothered.
Enjoy the rest of your break everyone. Looking forward to reading more interesting posts on here in the next 12 months. I might even write some if I can get motivated.
I have been helping friends move flat with the annual end of the year shift, since my car has a towbar. Friends; plural, from a couple of different places. Due out of their old homes on New year's eve, and one at least was just moving stuff to storage with a big question mark about getting anything more than a slot in a rooming house ever again.
The housing crisis is bad enough. The timing of fixed term leases (not many periodic nowadays) seems unnecessarily cruel. Say; the first of February, would be a lot easier (& more humane) than 31st of December for changeover, with no downside that I can see.
I had a couple of special visitors today; delightful barely describes them! To my great embarrassment, it wasn't till our garden ramble was nearing its end, and through some subtle prompting, that I realised I was in the company of one of The Standards Very Finest Commenters! In a way I was pleased not to have remembered who was due to visit, as I'd have wanted to talk politics, rather than gardens; I'm pretty naive at the former and a bit less so with the latter, so it all went well; we wandered about the place, deeply immersed in my leafy world. I did very much enjoy the visit, even though the topic of commenting here was only very lightly touched upon 🙂
A video in support of Mental Health gets a little profane and a little mention of God's Own!
https://cdn.musebycl.io/2020-12/Public%20Work%20%23EFF2020%20A%20Holiday%20Campaign%20%28Uncensored%29.mp4
https://musebycl.io/advertising/agencys-end-2020-psa-wins-prize-most-f-bombs-ever