I have just been reading an article on Stuff about a South American tumbleweed type grass they call “Hairy Panic”.
It is an invasive species which has turned up in Victoria at Wangaratta, so deep cars were getting lost in it and they had to close the town’s main street.
A woman nearby posted photos on facebook, seeking help as it took over her yard, more than a metre deep, and was on to her verandah. A living moving sea of grass.
This could be another feature of travel…. introduced species becoming pests.
Google Hairy Panic grass for articles and photos off this strange plant.
Initially, my reaction was April 1st?
But no, there has been quite a bit about this grass on Australian and other media over the last week or longer. Plenty more links here.
Panicum effusum, commonly known as hairy panic, is a grass native to inland Australia.[2] It occurs in every mainland state,[3] as well as New Guinea. In dry conditions, the fast-growing grass can become a tumbleweed.
The weed is a constant problem for the area while another form of the grass, known as Hillman’s panic — a species which was introduced from southern America — is reported to be spreading across NSW from Victoria and South Australia.
Panicum hillmanii, commonly known as Hillmann’s panicgrass, is a grass from genus Panicum native to Southwestern United States.[1] It has been introduced to many other areas, notably including southern Australia where it became widespread,[2] and several parts of Europe.
It was introduced to Australia in the early 1900s, and has spread across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania,[3][2] sharing the habitat with related native witchgrass (P. effusum).
This could be another feature of travel…. introduced species becoming pests.
Introduced species almost always become pests but I suspect that travel today is less likely to result in introduction of species due to border checks.
“But our survey found the vast majority, about 90 per cent of samples, were identified as Hillman’s panic grass (P. hillmanii). Hairy panic and witchgrass accounted for only five per cent and one per cent of samples respectively.”
Hillman’s panic grass is a noxious weed introduced from the southern United States to South Australia and Victoria in the 1900s.
Oh, Thanks for that. Very interesting. I can’t locate the article to re read it, but you sound like an authority on the subject. I read a piece on Google which said it is related to the dandelion. Is that true? Is tumble weed just a name to describe the seed dispersal?
A tumbleweed is a structural part of the above-ground anatomy of a number of species of plants, a diaspore that, once it is mature and dry, detaches from its root or stem, and tumbles away in the wind. In most such species, the tumbleweed is in effect the entire plant apart from the root system, but in other plants, a hollow fruit or an inflorescence might serve the function.[1] Tumbleweed species occur most commonly in steppe and arid ecologies, where frequent wind and the open environment permit rolling without prohibitive obstruction.[2]
Apart from its stele (i.e., primary vascular system and roots), the tissues of the tumbleweed structure are dead; their death is functional because it is necessary for the structure to degrade gradually and fall apart so that the propagules (that is, its seeds or spores) can escape during the tumbling, or germinate after the tumbleweed has come to rest in a wet location. In the latter case, many species of tumbleweed open mechanically, releasing their seeds as they swell when they absorb water.[3]
I admire this government for its refusal to support the lemming like rush to war against Russia.
Craig Murray was formerly British ambassador to Uzbekistan and provides a much needed alternative to the propaganda the western public has been bombarded with about the Skripal poisoning.
No evidence has been presented.
Winston Peters should fly to Moscow to look at signing a bilateral trade deal.
This would free us from the clutches of Washington and Beijing and show the world we are an independent nation, not a lackey of the US.
The Nats narrative continues….but they are laying it on a little too thick and obvious…people still like Jacinda and want to give her a chance so I reckon these unfair attacks will backfire.
Too many rules. MMA is better – sparring with a good friend is better still, so long as you have the emotional fortitude not to get upset by the occasional broken rib or fat lip 🙂
When a young bloke of ANY colour is wanting a way out of poverty and ratty jobs he will often start thinking about working to be a professional fighter of some kind.
Some join the military. Some become MMA fighters. Some are bouncers or enforcers. Some turn to boxing.
And where there aren’t any ‘rich white men’ there will certainly be men of other skin shades willing to pay for the training and overheads to see if their ‘prospect’ has what it takes to win them large-ish sums.
Cock fights, dog fights, rats in a pen. It doesn’t matter how illegal you make it all (and it has been) it still goes on. Must be a species thing.
“When a young bloke of ANY colour is wanting a way out of poverty and ratty jobs he will often start thinking about working to be a professional fighter of some kind.”
Stop with the patronising bs and do some research why don’t ya. Start with a simple google search on JP’s upbringing.
I could have said he was that far behind he had to go for the ko which would have meant forcing the issue and taking more hits but since I was posting between rounds I didn’t have the time. However anyone with even a basic knowledge of combat sports would get the gist of it, since you didn’t why even bother to post?
Puckish, it’s the language used. I know what it means, but the language, “beast mode”, is not the language of sport, or fair human competition. Rather it is the language of the arena.
I followed boxing in terms of Cassius Clay/Mohammed Ali as a young man.
Then I began to find the notion of two human beings, in the name of sport, trying to disable or knock each other unconscious distasteful, appalling even.
Now at 68 years old, with the adrenalin of the young a fading memory, I deliberately put my attention elsewhere.
I prefer the likes of Tom Walsh- strong, competitive, skilled, in a sport where the big, fast and powerful do harm to 7.2 kg iron balls.
We would if we could but when it is rammed down your throat by the so-called “News” media on every pathetic excuse of news bulletins, it hard to ignore it.
It is a pity the news media did not give the same in-depth coverage of Findlaysons breach of Dot Com privacy rights or the state of our health service after 9 years of Nationals incompetence, or the lack of bridges built by Bridges. Just a few items to get on with.
“We had friends around for a boxing breakfast. Very enjoyable and social.”
Bully for you. I have just realised how fortunate I am compared with you, as I have NO friends who are interested in that barbaric thuggery and they certainly would not be invited for breakfast to watch 2 males over bacon and eggs smashing shit out of one another creating future brain damage
It is not sport mate it is thuggery nothing more nothing less.
+1. Was going to reply to his sad comment but you did it better than I could have. Any society that considers two people in a contest where the object is to harm the other other human being is “sport” or “entertainment” is in a decline to cruelty and darkness.
“Bully for you. I have just realised how fortunate I am compared with you, as I have NO friends who are interested in that barbaric thuggery and they certainly would not be invited for breakfast to watch 2 males over bacon and eggs smashing shit out of one another creating future brain damage
It is not sport mate it is thuggery nothing more nothing less.”
All I can say – perhaps if you had a wider group of friends – perhaps with differing views, as opposed to a small group of people that can only think like you then perhaps, just perhaps you might end up a happier, more rounded person.
We also had hash browns, and black pudding.
But despite your passioned statement – Boxing IS a sport – Its in the olympics.
So – we can at least we agree you were wrong – that it is a sport.
Thats great.
Yes – I know knockouts can cause problems. Shall we ban all sports that have the potential for knockouts? Lets start with Rugby, League, Aussie rules, etc etc etc
So – we can at least we agree you were wrong – that it is a sport.
Sorry, how can I be wrong? I never said it wasn’t a sport James. I just said it was also thuggery. You must be thinking of someone else.
Nice try at whataboutism with other sports as well. The difference is that the potential for knockouts and brain damage is incidental to those other activities, whereas in boxing it’s the object.
Wrong guess as yes I have boxed. And no it’s no surprise to me that those who take part or watch don’t consider it’s thuggery.
But I suspect that any fan of blood sports thinks they are okay. Calling trying to give a fellow human being brain damage “a sweet science” is a wee bit of a stretch don’t you think?
That evidence will never be presented in any formal sense, because there’s never going to be a trial, because when someone is charged, the Kremlin (not “the Russians”) will refuse to extradite them, just like Lugovoy.
However, the fact that the Kremlin (not “the Russians”) has authored an ongoing series of self-contradictory bullshit stories and excuses makes them (the Kremlin, not “the Russians”) look as guilty as fuck.
Also, the fact that Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Albania, Australia, Canada, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Ukraine and the USA have expelled diplomats indicates that sufficiently persuasive evidence has been presented to convince them.
Whereas if the Kremlin presented a signed confession, you would claim the CIA forced them into it.
Diplomacy and justice are separate domains. This is why your house is being sold from under you: because you have no friggin’ idea which rules apply to which circumstances.
Is it “just like” that? Saddam never had WMD, and stuck to that story throughout. The intelligence services backed him up.
In this instance, the Kremlin makes contradictory excuse after contradictory excuse, their story changes multiple times a day, a chemical weapon has actually been used, and its use fits a well-established pattern.
What’s more, Putin boasted about it the day after it happened. I get it: lots of people are scared that Russia is ruled by a gang of poisonous trash. The UK and USA aren’t much better, and you really oughta stop lying to yourselves and face facts.
OAB,
not so hasty
Your reading of Putin’s “boast” fails to disclose the quote “As for the traitors “etc was actually made in 2010, some years after Litvinenko (who died in 2006) and some years before the Skripal poisoning .(2018)
As well the quote was purposely abbreviated to suggest the opposite of its meaning, and showcased on March 6th 2018 as if it was a current statement
A closer reading of the Telegraph article would have clarified that
You alongside several others were apparently fooled https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/40900/did-putin-threaten-to-have-traitors-assassinated
Those who serve us with poison will eventually swallow it and poison themselves.”
Speaking in an interview with the Russian state television, Mr Putin lavished US President Donald Trump with praise, describing him as a great communicator.
“I have no disappointment at all,” Mr Putin said when asked about the US president.
“Moreover, on a personal level he made a very good impression on me.”
OAB, that is not the2010 Telegraph link you were trying to say negated my post , which you sent me back to
However , if you want to run with your new link,.. thats hardly a boast
Its a pretty much solid observation..karma, what goes around comes around
I hadn’t noticed that you had ever linked to the 2018 news article, in our earlier exchanges you were most definitely talking about the Telegraph article which was supposed to have undermined my posts
Not enough evidence to convince JA though. I’d suggest that’s coz there is no evidence. The expulsions are symbolic only and good on JA for telling them to get fucked with their shitty symbolism.
Heather Duplicity-Allen calle for someone, anyone to be expelled for the sake of appearances. OAB, do you stand shoulder to shoulder with Duplicity-Allen on this?
Is it your position that JA is lying when she says “there is no plausible alternative to who else it could be…”?
Is it your position that she is lying when she says the SIS advises that there are no Kremlin henchmen Russian diplomats in NZ who meet the criteria for expulsion?
Do you think it’s likely that I agree with HdPA? Try Professor Geddis.
The media critics of the new government seem to have no recall of the fact National in 2008 had some new inexperienced ministers who took a while (and some, never) to become conversant with their portfolios. Likewise of Key who got away with all sorts of hiccups, with barely a whimper from them.
A relative started listening to HDP on the radio and was not impressed and this relative has been a Key supporter. Likewise does not like Hosking.
As for Barry Soper, what an unpleasant man he is. I have witnessed him have an almighty temper tantrum. Boils down to these critics not being nice people. Too many adjectives to use for them! So in my book, they have very jaundiced thought processes.
Jacinda herself said early on there would be mistakes. She is not so arrogant to think otherwise. Life’s lessons are often learnt from mistakes. As was said in an article on some children learning chess – the children have to learn to lose before they learn to win when playing chess.
Jacinda will come through these issues a little wiser and better prepared. She is a quick learner. I think it’s remarkable how she has risen to all the challenges she has faced in the last year and some patience and understanding from the left and centre left please!
Well Joseph Parker was beaten but certainly not disgraced, going the distance and all but that ref stepped in far too many times for either fighters liking I reckon
Congratulations to Anthony Joshua, he fought a good game plan and was a well-deserved winner and Joseph Parker still has a future in the heavy weight division
“Without intervention, the situation for our most vulnerable citizens is only going to get worse, as fresh food becomes more frequently priced out of reach.”
A massive building human tragedy 9 years in the making
“Israel: Gaza March ‘Dangerous’ Provocation, Hamas to Blame for Any Violence”
Friday’s March of Return will see Gazans protest on Israeli border ■ Israeli official to Palestinians: You’ve been warned ■ Palestinian lawmaker: Proof that Israel’s intentions are to kill protesters
By Noa Landau and Jack Khoury
Manelis reiterated Saturday that Israel “will not allow a massive breach of the fence into Israeli territory.”
He said that Hamas and other Gaza militant groups are using protests as a cover for staging attacks. If violence continues, “we will not be able to continue limiting our activity to the fence area and will act against these terror organizations in other places too,” he said.
The border protests were seen as a new attempt by Hamas to break the border blockade, imposed by Israel and Egypt after the Islamic militant group seized Gaza in 2007 from forces loyal to its rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The continued closure has made it increasingly difficult for Hamas to govern.
Life in the coastal strip has deteriorated further in recent months, with rising unemployment, grinding poverty and daily blackouts that last for hours.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the PLO’s executive committee, told Haaretz that these talking points show “that Israel is preparing itself to explain a violent response. This is more proof that Israel’s intentions are to kill protesters. It’s a license to kill. The event is not organized just by Hamas, but by all the Palestinian groups. We call on all the international organizations to prevent a massacre from taking place. This is peaceful nonviolent resistance.”
“EU’s Mogherini Calls for Independent Probe Into Israeli Army Fire on Gaza Border”
“EU foreign policy chief says Friday’s events show need for ‘political solution for Gaza’ and ‘urgent resumption of peace talks’ between Israel and the Palestinians”
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called on Saturday for an independent and transparent investigation into the Israeli military’s use of live fire during mass rallies along Israel’s border…
The call for an independent inquiry into the killings of protesters by Israel has also been made by the United Nations General Secretary. However a meeting of the UN Security Council, which has the power to order such an investigation, reportedly ended its deliberations without any agreement on this matter which was raised there. No mention of whether permanent SC member the USA, threatened to use its veto to prevent such an investigation.
“Defense chief Lieberman slams ‘chorus of hypocrites’ calling for independent investigation into Gaza border deaths”
Haaretz, Mar 31, 2018
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the events on Israel’s border with Gaza for the first time Saturday evening, a day after at least 15 Palestinians were killed in clashes with the Israeli army during…
My free articles to Haaretz has been used up, but I think we can get the message.
Israel does not want any investigation into its shooting down of unarmed protesters.
And the US will back Israel by vetoing any move by the UN to call one, if it is ever raised again in the Security Council.
Talking about “hypocrites”, the US representative to the UN has complained long and hard about other Permanent Member, Russia, using their veto to prevent investigation into the killing of civilians by the Assad regime.
We know where every bullet went IDF
| “Israel admits, then deletes, responsibility for Gaza killings”
Electronic Intifada, 31 March, 2018
The Israeli army posted a statement on Twitter on Saturday apparently accepting full responsibility for the killings a day earlier of 15 Palestinians as thousands took part in the Great March of Return in Gaza.
The army then quickly deleted the admission – as more evidence of war crimes by its soldiers came to light – but not before a copy was made by the human rights group B’Tselem.
IDF @IDFSpokesperson
Yesterday we saw 30,000 people; we arrived prepared and with precise reinforcements; everything was accurate and measured, we know where every bullet landed
The army’s deletion of the tweet is hardly surprising. The admission that its killings of demonstrators were premeditated down to the last bullet means it cannot deny responsibility for apparent war crimes, such as the lethal shooting of Abd al-Fattah Abd al-Nabi, 19, as he ran away from the Israel-Gaza boundary fence. Abd al-Nabi was reportedly shot in the head.
Video of the slaying, widely shared on social media, shows Abd al-Nabi running alongside two other Palestinians far away from the boundary fence when the crack of a gunshot is heard and he falls suddenly.
“Abdul Fattah Abdul Nabi, a 19-year-old Palestinian, was shot dead during Friday’s protests in the Gaza Strip.”
Mahmoud Abu Salama
BEIT LAHIA, Gaza
The morning after burying 19-year-old Abdul Fattah Abdul Nabi, his family gathered in a tent set up to receive mourners, watching and re-watching a video of the moment they say Israeli soldiers shot him in the back of the head.
The video appears to show the teenager, dressed in black, running away from Gaza’s border fence with Israel carrying a tire. Just before reaching a crowd, he crumples under gunfire.
“He had no gun, no molotov, a tire. Does that harm the Israelis, a tire?” asked his brother Mohamed Abdul Nabi, 22. “He wasn’t going toward the Israeli side. He was running away.”
Abdul Fattah’s family is among those demanding an investigation into the Israeli response to the protest, saying videos show he posed no threat. More than 700 people were injured with live ammunition in the demonstration, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. Forty-nine were wounded Saturday, it said.
The United Nations on Saturday said it was “deeply concerned” and called for a transparent, independent investigation.
However with the US right of veto at the United Nations Security Council, it is unlikely that the US will allow any international independent investigation into these killings.
“Stop the forced rating sale of my home! How is Auckland Council lawfully compliant with its own ‘Rating Sale Policy’?”
“Today (Saturday 31 March 2018) the forced rating sale of my freehold property was publicly advertised,” says ‘anti-corruption whistle-blower, Penny Bright.
” I have contacted the Barfoot and Thompson agent, and advised him that I do NOT consent to anyone ‘viewing’ my property, and that I am raising this matter directly with the Attorney-General because I believe that lawful due process has not been followed by Auckland Council.”
“The Auckland Council Rating Sales Policy (CP2013/01403) states:
“14: The rating sales process is outlined by the following steps:
1. legal proceedings are initiated, and a court judgment issued with a Charging Order (registered on title documents) against the property.
..
16. The power to enforce a rating sale comes with a significant responsibility to ensure that the power is not used inappropriately.
A policy on rating sales has therefore being developed to ensure that there are clear rules regarding rating sales.”
“The ‘Composite Computer Register Under Land Transfer Act 1952, that I have, (search date 8 March 2017) hows no Charging Order registered against my property for the Judgment Debt of $47,431.76, given in the Auckland District Court on 18 January 2017.”
It appears that Auckland Council CEO Stephen Town, has not followed Auckland Council’s ‘Rating Sale Policy’.
…….
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption whistle-blower’.
PS: A ‘Give A Little Page’ will be set up ASAP, because a number of people have requested it.
The goal will be to raise the $20,000 to cover outstanding rates, and the money will be deposited into a solicitor’s account.
This money will be held there, until the Public Records Act 2005, s.17 is fully complied with, regarding transparency and accountability in the spending of public monies on private sector consultants and contractors, and the following information is published on the websites of Auckland Council and all Auckland Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs), under ‘Procurement – Awarded Contracts’:
* The unique contract number.
* The name of the consultant / contractor.
* A brief description of the scope of the contract.
* Contract start / finish dates.
* The exact dollar value of each and every contract – including those sub-contracted.
* How the contract was awarded – by direct appointment or public tender.
There will be a LOT of good that comes from this draconian municipal bullying of an unprotected ‘citizen whistle-blower’ in New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be ‘the least corrupt country in the world’, and WE ‘turn this bad thing into a good thing’!
I’m fighting for transparency, I’m not wrong and I’m NOT backing down.
Sell your house yourself to ensure best price. Repay your rates and buy a smaller place with lower rates. You are not going to win this fight to keep your house so plan for the longer game.
Penny Bright your cause and desire to expose the fraudulent operations of Auckland Council are admirable indeed…
The system has decided it has had enough and must make a clear statement to the citizens that they do not own property, even when no mortgage exists…
Take that as a signal of how close to full exposure you have achieved…your actions will no longer be tolerated…
The advice to take control of the situation for yourself before you are sidelined completely, is sound and should be considered…surely you are evaluating the risks…
It’s not quitting if you get out while you’re ahead…which in a moral sense, absolutely you are…
That said, if you choose to remain on tact, that is equally honourable…
This money will be held there, until the Public Records Act 2005, s.17 is fully complied with
It could easily be considered fraudulent to solicit money from the public on the basis of mis-reading the Public Records Act as a law about publishing information. It simply isn’t. You have been told this repeatedly.
Penny has a fair point… I know for a fact that Auckland transport engaged a consultant, then hired the consultant’s son’s company to quote for and carry out the recomended works. They asked said contractor to break the quoted sum into 3 parts as to avoid triggering a high enough sum which would need another 2 prices in a competitive process and signing off from higher up. Total figure was around 90k…
Yeah she had a point, but if she was going to pay the rates when they satisfied her reporting demands, why hadn’t she simply put the money aside in the first place?
Now she seems to be looking for crowdsource funds to put the money aside (so they’re still going to sell her house and get the rates that way). They’re still her damned rates to pay.
No argument from me there, I was under the impression she had the funds set aside.
She has made her point and could continue to make it if she paid enough to avoid the sale or in fact cleared the sum before refusing to pay again forcing the council to begin the process again keeping the matter in the spotlight.
As discussed on the other post, here are links to all ten of the articles Henry Cooke did as he accompanied the five day Parliamentary Mission to the Pacific which were published progressively by Stuff on their website over that timeframe. The only one you read and criticised for its once over lightly was in fact his wrap up article at 10. below completing the series.
In sequence, these ten articles by Henry Cooke were:
Oops I think my long one deservedly has gone into moderation or spam (Moderators can ditch my long one re the same subject which has presumably gone into moderation or spam due to the number of links. My sincere apologies as I had intended to spread over a couple of comments then forgot and pressed submit and raced off to do something else.)
So i will start again.
To patricia bremner
As discussed on the other post today, Henry Cooke wrote ten (10) articles – not one – while he was on the Parliamentary Mission to the Pacific Islands earlier in March and which were progressively published on the Stuff website (and presumably in some of the Fairfax newspapers) over the course of those five days. The only one that you apparently read and then criticised for being once over lightly in your comment on Daily Review 9 March 2018 was the last on which was Cooke’s wrap up article.
Here are the links which I will break into three lots so as not to clog up the works here.
In sequence, these ten articles by Henry Cooke were:
5. and 6. Two articles on the one day visit to Niue – One on the aid assistance announced, which included $5m for another solar panels farm to help Niue reach their goal of 80% renewable energy by 2025; and the second a lighter one focusing in part on the PM’s reunion with her family in Niue:
8. and 9. Two articles on the visit to the Cook Islands – One specifically on the biggest announcement of the whole trip on the relaxation of the rules for the payment of NZ Superannuation to Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans, and the other on the very colourful and friendly visit itself, but which also includes further discussion on the relaxed NZ Super rules:
Hello Veutoviper, Thank you for those articles. By now you will realise I have limited computer skills.
I definitely deserved a reprimand, as I had skimmed two of those articles without taking in that Henry wrote them. (A busy week with hospital and family visits none of which are easy currently)
Henry Cooke’s articles were clear and evocative, showing skill. I stand corrected.
In case you do not see this, I will again post on open mike. I said I had looked, I obviously need to learn a few more skills… will get Norm to show me how to Bookmark.
Thanks patricia. I knew that if you realised that you had not seen the rest of Cooke’s articles that you would see that your criticism was unwarranted. My original draft reply also covered a number of other issues raised in your original comment but we will leave most of those at this point.
However, re political bias, I am sure that you would now agree that there is no way that the quality and content of Cooke’s full set of articles can be equated with some of the (IMO) clearly rightwing lightweight biased garbage masquerading as journalism from these two other writers who are some years Cooke’s senior who also wrote articles on the Parliamentary Mission to the Pacific, although neither writer actually went on the trip.
This is a general explanation, not directed specifically at you, as to why I have stood up for Cooke (and some other individual journalists) and will continue to do so. It was written weeks ago well before the excess of coverage of one event – combined with a lack of coverage of some other major issues, events and decisions of considerable public interest – of the last week or so, which resulted in MS’s post and the enormous response to it over Easter when things usually go quiet here.
But I still stand by it, even if I don’t always follow it to the letter myself. (See my last para!) I did not feel it was appropriate for MS’ post, but want to say it to let off stream if nothing else. I felt Drinnan was brave coming into the lion’s den yesterday. and I give him credit for doing so. This may help explain some of my responses there.
—————————————-
As we had previously discussed, I have no direct connections with Cooke himself although we have mutual acquaintances. This is quite normal in the small world of the government- centred scene here in Wellington. I do not write on his or any other journalists’ behalf; nor am I (or ever have been) a journalist, or teacher of journalism or media studies, or a family member of any journalist. But I have known, and liaised with many journalists over the years, as part of my past jobs in the public service.
My defence of Cooke and his journalism has been because I am very interested in the quality etc of our Fourth Estate here in NZ in view of its influence on society and democracy. There is a lot of criticism of our media which is quite normal – the question is whether it is in fact justified or not, either generally or in the case of specific journalists, publications, or other means of dissemination eg blogs, digital press etc. All of which is a very big separate subject in itself.
In brief, my own personal view is that we have had a fairly stale media for some years with a lot of people in the industry having been around for a long time and with fairly fixed views and positions politically.
In the last couple of years I have noticed a number of younger talented reporters coming through the system with much fresher, more socially aware mindsets and interests, and who do not seem to have the same fixed views, political connections etc that many of the older ones do.
Cooke is one I put into this group, as are Kirsty Johnston and Jess McAllen who I mentioned to you, Patricia, in a separate exchange here on TS recently unrelated to Cooke. These three are by no means the only ones; and I am quite excited to see this generational shift as people like Johnston and McAllen in particular are producing some excellent writing about things like social justice, mental health, and special needs issues.
But it is a hard road for this young cohort with the retrenchment of print media resulting in fewer and fewer opportunities for getting in the door and finding steady employment in this field, and coupled with the increasing reliance on freelance and casual writers to produce the stories for the growing digital media. There is a high drop out rate of the younger reporters as a result of these bigger factors along with low rates of pay, job insecurity, long hours etc.
IMO we need to be encouraging this cohort of young journalists and reporters to keep them in the business and to keep them fresh and open minded – to ensure a healthy Fourth Estate for the future. Unfair criticism and unsubstantiated claims and accusation of political bias etc does not do this and just adds to the other pressures on these people, leading to them quitting the profession.
So I decided some time ago that I would stand up for and support this young cohort collectively and individually where I think they deserve it. I also do this in respect of older journalists where I also think they are being unfairly targeted, criticized etc. Unfortunately there is sometimes here on TS a ‘lemming’ approach to criticism of the media generally, which also fails to distinguish between management and editorial power and control over content and balance, and the work of individual journalists (including the limitations on them to choose their subject and the way their articles are edited and presented).
I really believe that we will achieve far better results towards achieving a better Fourth Estate for the future by trying to communicate with members of the media and opening up discussion rather than continually attacking them.
Yes, critique the structure, management and bias of the organizations, and their editorial decisions re content and balance, and of individual journalists where such criticism is warranted and can be verified with facts; but don’t tar all journalists with the same brush. They themselves are a very broad church of people with different personal and journalistic experience, beliefs, values and goals just as are the rest of us.
——————————
Having read the above, some people would say that I am a total hypocrite in view of my criticism of Garner and Hosking at the top of this post – and they are probably right, but I am human too! LOL.
Co-owner of Russia's Summa group detained. It’s a very important story about Putin 4.0 Let me explain 1/ https://t.co/lwFUTygCl9— Alexander Gabuev (@AlexGabuev) March 31, 2018
[…]
8/ As conflict with the West deepens, many Russian players (powerful SOEs, friends of Putin, siloviks) feel emboldened to go after assets they like using simple tools. Putting your hard-grained opponent in prison is the best negotiation tactic for a business dispute in Russia— Alexander Gabuev (@AlexGabuev) March 31, 2018
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian authorities on Saturday arrested billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov on charges of embezzling more than $35 million, in one of the highest-profile prosecutions of a Russian tycoon in years.
Magomedov denied the charges at a pre-trial hearing, where a judge ordered that he be held in custody until May 30.
One of Russia’s richest men, the 49-year-old Magomedov holds assets in construction and logistics through his sprawling Summa Group. He also has investments in U.S. tech ventures, including the Virgin One Hyperloop project.
He was detained along with his business partner and brother, Magomed Magomedov, and Artur Maksidov, the head of a company in the Summa Group that was involved in the construction of a soccer World Cup venue in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
Te namu onepu decided to send in a repeat actor back to hang around ECO MAORI this person tried to get me and my wife to move into a whare that was half the size of the one we got now with little privacy for the same price of rent all because they were friends ????? of my wife and there dad owned it last time YEA RIGHT .This time Koni and Te namu onepu decided that they would try me again. I treated this person with respect the problem was this person was wanting to talk to me more than my wife ?????? I played along for a bit then I shut it out of my conversation as its not my friend. Ana to kai ka kite ano
Newshub the deep fake photos will always be able to be discredited with a examination of the data used to make and display those photos .
Many thanks to te Australian Common wealth games people for advocating Ladies Equality ka pai Mana wahine.
I’m quite good at reading the weather not as good as I should be being a ex fisherman but I left that up to the skipper I have fished right around Aoteraroa down to the Auckland Islands Chatham Islands like my tipuna before me .
Some people have to remember that I see all events .
It was a good week of sports for Eco Maori Ka pai ka kite ano
Ko Ruaumoko e ngunguru nei
Hi Au Au Aue ha
Ko Ruaumoko e ngunguru nei
Hi Au Au Aue ha
I aha aha
E ko te rakau a Tu nga werewere I ha
ha
He rakau tapu na Tutaua ki a Uenuku
[Ko Ruaumoko e ngunguru nei]
I patukia ki te tipua ki o Rangitopeka
Pakaru ti upoko o Rangitopeka
Patua ki waenganui o te tau ki
Hikurangi
He toka whakairo etu ake nei
He atua He tangata He atua He
tangata ho
He atua he atua tau Paretaitoko
Kia kitea e Paretaitoko te whare
haunga
I ha ha Kia whakatete mai o rei he kuri
Au
I Ahaha
Na wai parehua taku hope kia whakaka
te rangi
Kia tare au Hi
He roha te kawau
Hi
Kei te pou tara
Tu ka tete ka Tau ha
Ko komako ko komako
E ko te hau tapu
e rite ki te kai na Matariki pakia
Tapa reireia koi tapa
Tapa kononua kaiana tukua
I aue hi
I ahaha
Ka tu te ihiihi
ka tu te wanawana
Ki runga i te rangi
e tu iho nei
HI
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guests and ...
Aotearoa's science sector is broken. For 35 years it has been run on a commercial, competitive model, while being systematically underfunded. Which means we have seven different crown research institutes and eight different universities - all publicly owned and nominally working for the public good - fighting over the same ...
One of the best speakers I ever saw was Sir Paul Callaghan.One of the most enthusiastic receptions I have ever, ever seen for a speaker was for Sir Paul Callaghan.His favourite topic was: Aotearoa and what we were doing with it.He did not come to bury tourism and agriculture but ...
The Tertiary Education Union is predicting a “brutal year” for the tertiary sector as 240,000 students and teachers at Te Pūkenga face another year of uncertainty. The Labour Party are holding their caucus retreat, with Chris Hipkins still reflecting on their 2023 election loss and signalling to media that new ...
The Prime Minister’s State of the Nation speech is an exercise in smoke and mirrors which deflects from the reality that he has overseen the worst economic growth in 30 years, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. “Luxon wants to “go for growth” but since he and Nicola ...
People get readyThere's a train a-comingYou don't need no baggageYou just get on boardAll you need is faithTo hear the diesels hummingDon't need no ticketYou just thank the LordSongwriter: Curtis MayfieldYou might have seen Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's speech at the National Prayer Service in the US following Trump’s elevation ...
Long stories short, the six things of interest in the political economy in Aotearoa around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday January 23 are:PM Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech after midday today, which I’ll attend and ask questions at;Luxon is expected to announce “new changes to incentivise research ...
I’m trying a new way to do a more regular and timely daily Dawn Choruses for paying subscribers through a live video chat about the day’s key six things @ 6.30 am lasting about 10 minues. This email is the invite to that chat on the substack app on your ...
Yesterday, Trump pardoned the founder of Silk Road - a criminal website designed to anonymously trade illicit drugs, weapons and services. The individual had been jailed for life in 2015 after an FBI sting.But libertarian interest groups had lobbied Donald Trump, saying it was “government overreach” to imprison the man, ...
The Prime Minister will unveil more of his economic growth plan today as it becomes clear that the plan is central to National’s election pitch in 2026. Christopher Luxon will address an Auckland Chamber of Commerce meeting with what is being billed a “State of the Nation” speech. Ironically, after ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). 2025 has only just begun, but already climate scientists are working hard to unpick what could be in ...
The NZCTU’s view is that “New Zealand’s future productivity to 2050” is a worthwhile topic for the upcoming long-term insights briefing. It is important that Ministers, social partners, and the New Zealand public are aware of the current and potential productivity challenges and opportunities we face and the potential ...
The NZCTU supports a strengthening of the Commerce Act 1986. We have seen a general trend of market consolidation across multiple sectors of the New Zealand economy. Concentrated market power is evident across sectors such as banking, energy generation and supply, groceries, telecommunications, building materials, fuel retail, and some digital ...
The maxim is as true as it ever was: give a small boy and a pig everything they want, and you will get a good pig and a terrible boy.Elon Musk the child was given everything he could ever want. He has more than any one person or for that ...
A food rescue organisation has had to resort to an emergency plea for donations via givealittle because of uncertainty about whether Government funding will continue after the end of June. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Wednesday, January 22: Kairos Food ...
Leo Molloy's recent "shoplifting" smear against former MP Golriz Ghahraman has finally drawn public attention to Auror and its database. And from what's been disclosed so far, it does not look good: The massive privately-owned retail surveillance network which recorded the shopping incident involving former MP Golriz Ghahraman is ...
The defence of common law qualified privilege applies (to cut short a lot of legal jargon) when someone tells someone something in good faith, believing they need to know it. Think: telling the police that the neighbour is running methlab or dobbing in a colleague to the boss for stealing. ...
NZME plans to cut 38 jobs as it reorganises its news operations, including the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk, and Newstalk ZB. It said it planned to publish and produce fewer stories, to focus on those that engage audience. E tū are calling on the Government to step in and support the ...
Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed that inflation remains unchanged at 2.2%, defying expectations of further declines, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “While inflation holding steady might sound like good news, the reality is that prices for the basics—like rent, energy, and insurance—are still rising. ...
I never mentioned anythingAbout the songs that I would singOver the summer, when we'd go on tourAnd sleep on floors and drink the bad beerI think I left it unclearSong: Bad Beer.Songwriter: Jacob Starnes Ewald.Last night, I was watching a movie with Fi and the kids when I glanced ...
Last night I spoke about the second inauguration of Donald Trump with in a ‘pop-up’ Hoon live video chat on the Substack app on phones.Here’s the summary of the lightly edited video above:Trump's actions signify a shift away from international law.The imposition of tariffs could lead to increased inflation ...
An interesting article in Stuff a few weeks ago asked a couple of interesting questions in it’s headline, “How big can Auckland get? And how big is too big?“. Unfortunately, the article doesn’t really answer those questions, instead focusing on current growth projections, but there were a few aspects to ...
Today is Donald J Trump’s second inauguration ceremony.I try not to follow too much US news, and yet these developments are noteworthy and somehow relevant to us here.Only hours in, parts of their Project 2025 ‘think/junk tank’ policies — long planned and signalled — are already live:And Elon Musk, who ...
How long is it going to take for the MAGA faithful to realise that those titans of Big Tech and venture capital sitting up close to Donald Trump this week are not their allies, but The Enemy? After all, the MAGA crowd are the angry victims left behind by the ...
California Burning: The veteran firefighters of California and Los Angeles called it “a perfect storm”. The hillsides and canyons were full of “fuel”. The LA Fire Department was underfunded, below-strength, and inadequately-equipped. A key reservoir was empty, leaving fire-hydrants without the water pressure needed for fire hoses. The power companies had ...
The Waitangi Tribunal has been one of the most effective critics of the government, pointing out repeatedly that its racist, colonialist policies breach te Tiriti o Waitangi. While it has no powers beyond those of recommendation, its truth-telling has clearly gotten under the government's skin. They had already begun to ...
I don't mind where you come fromAs long as you come to meBut I don't like illusionsI can't see them clearlyI don't care, no I wouldn't dareTo fix the twist in youYou've shown me eventually what you'll doSong: Shimon Moore, Emma Anzai, Antonina Armato, and Tim James.National Hugging Day.Today, January ...
Is Rwanda turning into a country that seeks regional dominance and exterminates its rivals? This is a contention examined by Dr Michela Wrong, and Dr Maria Armoudian. Dr Wrong is a journalist who has written best-selling books on Africa. Her latest, Do Not Disturb. The story of a political murder ...
The economy isn’t cooperating with the Government’s bet that lower interest rates will solve everything, with most metrics indicating per-capita GDP is still contracting faster and further than at any time since the 1990-96 series of government spending and welfare cuts. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short in ...
Hi,Today is the day sexual assaulter and alleged rapist Donald Trump officially became president (again).I was in a meeting for three hours this morning, so I am going to summarise what happened by sharing my friend’s text messages:So there you go.Welcome to American hell — which includes all of America’s ...
This is a re-post from the Climate BrinkI have a new paper out today in the journal Dialogues on Climate Change exploring both the range of end-of-century climate outcomes in the literature under current policies and the broader move away from high-end emissions scenarios. Current policies are defined broadly as policies in ...
Long story short: I chatted last night with ’s on the substack app about the appointment of Chris Bishop to replace Simeon Brown as Transport Minister. We talked through their different approaches and whether there’s much room for Bishop to reverse many of the anti-cycling measures Brown adopted.Our chat ...
Last night I chatted with Northland emergency doctor on the substack app for subscribers about whether the appointment of Simeon Brown to replace Shane Reti as Health Minister. We discussed whether the new minister can turn around decades of under-funding in real and per-capita terms. Our chat followed his ...
Christopher Luxon is every dismal boss who ever made you wince, or roll your eyes, or think to yourself I have absolutely got to get the hell out of this place.Get a load of what he shared with us at his cabinet reshuffle, trying to be all sensitive and gracious.Dr ...
The text of my submission to the Ministry of Health's unnecessary and politicised review of the use of puberty blockers for young trans and nonbinary people in Aotearoa. ...
Hi,Last night one of the world’s biggest social media platforms, TikTok, became inaccessible in the United States.Then, today, it came back online.Why should we care about a social network that deals in dance trends and cute babies? Well — TikTok represents a lot more than that.And its ban and subsequent ...
Sometimes I wake in the middle of the nightAnd rub my achin' old eyesIs that a voice from inside-a my headOr does it come down from the skies?"There's a time to laugh butThere's a time to weepAnd a time to make a big change"Wake-up you-bum-the-time has-comeTo arrange and re-arrange and ...
Former Health Minister Shane Reti was the main target of Luxon’s reshuffle. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short to start the year in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate: Christopher Luxon fired Shane Reti as Health Minister and replaced him with Simeon Brown, who Luxon sees ...
Yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a cabinet reshuffle, which saw Simeon Brown picking up the Health portfolio as it’s been taken off Dr Shane Reti, and Transport has been given to Chris Bishop. Additionally, Simeon’s energy and local government portfolios now sit with Simon Watts. This is very good ...
The sacking of Health Minister Shane Reti yesterday had an air of panic about it. A media advisory inviting journalists to a Sunday afternoon press conference at Premier House went out on Saturday night. Caucus members did not learn that even that was happening until yesterday morning. Reti’s fate was ...
Yesterday’s demotion of Shane Reti was inevitable. Reti’s attempt at a re-assuring bedside manner always did have a limited shelf life, and he would have been a poor and apologetic salesman on the campaign trail next year. As a trained doctor, he had every reason to be looking embarrassed about ...
A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 12, 2025 thru Sat, January 18, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
After another substantial hiatus from online Chess, I’ve been taking it up again. I am genuinely terrible at five-minute Blitz, what with the tight time constraints, though I periodically con myself into thinking that I have been improving. But seeing as my past foray into Chess led to me having ...
Rise up o children wont you dance with meRise up little children come and set me freeRise little ones riseNo shame no fearDon't you know who I amSongwriter: Rebecca Laurel FountainI’m sure you know the go with this format. Some memories, some questions, letsss go…2015A decade ago, I made the ...
In 2017, when Ghahraman was elected to Parliament as a Green MP, she recounted both the highlights and challenges of her role -There was love, support, and encouragement.And on the flipside, there was intense, visceral and unchecked hate.That came with violent threats - many of them. More on that later.People ...
It gives me the biggest kick to learn that something I’ve enthused about has been enough to make you say Go on then, I'm going to do it. The e-bikes, the hearing aids, the prostate health, the cheese puffs. And now the solar power. Yes! Happy to share the details.We ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Can CO2 be ...
The old bastard left his ties and his suitA brown box, mothballs and bowling shoesAnd his opinion so you'd never have to choosePretty soon, you'll be an old bastard tooYou get smaller as the world gets bigThe more you know you know you don't know shit"The whiz man" will never ...
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.The Numbers2024 could easily have been National’s “Annus Horribilis” and 2025 shows no signs of a reprieve for our Landlord PM Chris Luxon and his inept Finance Minister Nikki “Noboats” Willis.Several polls last year ...
This Friday afternoon, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced an overhaul of the Waitangi Tribunal.The government has effectively cleared house - appointing 8 new members - and combined with October’s appointment of former ACT leader Richard Prebble, that’s 9 appointees.[I am not certain, but can only presume, Prebble went in ...
The state of the current economy may be similar to when National left office in 2017.In December, a couple of days after the Treasury released its 2024 Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HEYFU24), Statistics New Zealand reported its estimate for volume GDP for the previous September 24 quarter. Instead ...
So what becomes of you, my love?When they have finally stripped you ofThe handbags and the gladragsThat your poor old granddadHad to sweat to buy you, babySongwriter: Mike D'aboIn yesterday’s newsletter, I expressed sadness at seeing Golriz Ghahraman back on the front pages for shoplifting. As someone who is no ...
It’s Friday and time for another roundup of things that caught our attention this week. This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and fans. If you’d like to support our work, you can join ...
Note: This Webworm discusses sexual assault and rape. Please read with care.Hi,A few weeks ago I reported on how one of New Zealand’s richest men, Nick Mowbray (he and his brother own Zuru and are worth an estimated $20 billion), had taken to sharing posts by a British man called ...
The final Atlas Network playbook puzzle piece is here, and it slipped in to Aotearoa New Zealand with little fan fare or attention. The implications are stark.Today, writes Dr Bex, the submission for the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill closes: 11:59pm January 16, 2025.As usual, the language of the ...
Excitement in the seaside village! Look what might be coming! 400 million dollars worth of investment! In the very beating heart of the village! Are we excited and eager to see this happen, what with every last bank branch gone and shops sitting forlornly quiet awaiting a customer?Yes please, apply ...
Much discussion has been held over the Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB), the latest in a series of rightwing attempts to enshrine into law pro-market precepts such as the primacy of private property ownership. Underneath the good governance and economic efficiency gobbledegook language of the Bill is an interest to strip ...
We are concerned that the Amendment Bill, as proposed, could impair the operations and legitimate interests of the NZ Trade Union movement. It is also likely to negatively impact the ability of other civil society actors to conduct their affairs without the threat of criminal sanctions. We ask that ...
I can't take itHow could I fake it?How could I fake it?And I can't take itHow could I fake it?How could I fake it?Song: The Lonely Biscuits.“A bit nippy”, I thought when I woke this morning, and then, soon after that, I wondered whether hell had frozen over. Dear friends, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Asheville, North Carolina, was once widely considered a climate haven thanks to its elevated, inland location and cooler temperatures than much of the Southeast. Then came the catastrophic floods of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. It was a stark reminder that nowhere is safe from ...
Early reports indicate that the temporary Israel/Hamas ceasefire deal (due to take effect on Sunday) will allow for the gradual release of groups of Israeli hostages, the release of an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails (likely only a fraction of the total incarcerated population), and the withdrawal ...
My daily news diet is not what it once was.It was the TV news that lost me first. Too infantilising, too breathless, too frustrating.The Herald was next. You could look past the reactionary framing while it was being a decent newspaper of record, but once Shayne Currie began unleashing all ...
Hit the road Jack and don't you come backNo more, no more, no more, no moreHit the road Jack and don't you come back no moreWhat you say?Songwriters: Percy MayfieldMorena,I keep many of my posts, like this one, paywall-free so that everyone can read them.However, please consider supporting me as ...
This might be the longest delay between reading (or in this case re-reading) a work, and actually writing a review of it I have ever managed. Indeed, when I last read these books in December 2022, I was not planning on writing anything about them… but as A Phuulish Fellow ...
Kia Ora,I try to keep most my posts without a paywall for public interest journalism purposes. However, if you can afford to, please consider supporting me as a paid subscriber and/or supporting over at Ko-Fi. That will help me to continue, and to keep spending time on the work. Embarrassingly, ...
There was a time when Google was the best thing in my world. I was an early adopter of their AdWords program and boy did I like what it did for my business. It put rocket fuel in it, is what it did. For every dollar I spent, those ads ...
A while back I was engaged in an unpleasant exchange with a leader of the most well-known NZ anti-vax group and several like-minded trolls. I had responded to a racist meme on social media in which a rightwing podcaster in the US interviewed one of the leaders of the Proud ...
Hi,If you’ve been reading Webworm for a while, you’ll be familiar with Anna Wilding. Between 2020 and 2021 I looked at how the New Zealander had managed to weasel her way into countless news stories over the years, often with very little proof any of it had actually happened. When ...
It's a long white cloud for you, baby; staying together alwaysSummertime in AotearoaWhere the sunshine kisses the water, we will find it alwaysSummertime in AotearoaYeah, it′s SummertimeIt's SummertimeWriters: Codi Wehi Ngatai, Moresby Kainuku, Pipiwharauroa Campbell, Taulutoa Michael Schuster, Rebekah Jane Brady, Te Naawe Jordan Muturangi Tupe, Thomas Edward Scrase.Many of ...
Last year, 292 people died unnecessarily on our roads. That is the lowest result in over a decade and only the fourth time in the last 70 years we’ve seen fewer than 300 deaths in a calendar year. Yet, while it is 292 people too many, with each death being ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob HensonFlames from the Palisades Fire burn a building at Sunset Boulevard amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving wildfire had destroyed thousands of structures and ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords once again. ...
The Green Party has welcomed the provisional ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and reiterated its call for New Zealand to push for an end to the unlawful occupation of Palestine. ...
The Green Party welcomes the extension of the deadline for Treaty Principles Bill submissions but continues to call on the Government to abandon the Bill. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission. “Jon Kroll has been an ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households. Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive ...
Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today. “I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has delivered a refreshed team focused on unleashing economic growth to make people better off, create more opportunities for business and help us afford the world-class health and education Kiwis deserve. “Last year, we made solid progress on the economy. Inflation has fallen significantly and now ...
Veterans’ Affairs and a pan-iwi charitable trust have teamed up to extend the reach and range of support available to veterans in the Bay of Plenty, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says. “A major issue we face is identifying veterans who are eligible for support,” Mr Penk says. “Incredibly, we do ...
A host of new appointments will strengthen the Waitangi Tribunal and help ensure it remains fit for purpose, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. “As the Tribunal nears its fiftieth anniversary, the appointments coming on board will give it the right balance of skills to continue its important mahi hearing ...
Almost 22,000 FamilyBoost claims have been paid in the first 15 days of the year, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The ability to claim for FamilyBoost’s second quarter opened on January 1, and since then 21,936 claims have been paid. “I’m delighted people have made claiming FamilyBoost a priority on ...
The Government has delivered a funding boost to upgrade critical communication networks for Maritime New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand, ensuring frontline search and rescue services can save lives and keep Kiwis safe on the water, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand has ...
Mahi has begun that will see dozens of affordable rental homes developed in Gisborne - a sign the Government’s partnership with Iwi is enabling more homes where they’re needed most, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka attended a sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of earthworks for 48 ...
New Zealand welcomes the ceasefire deal to end hostilities in Gaza, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Over the past 15 months, this conflict has caused incomprehensible human suffering. We acknowledge the efforts of all those involved in the negotiations to bring an end to the misery, particularly the US, Qatar ...
The Associate Minster of Transport has this week told the community that work is progressing to ensure they have a secure and suitable shipping solution in place to give the Island certainty for its future. “I was pleased with the level of engagement the Request for Information process the Ministry ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he is proud of the Government’s commitment to increasing medicines access for New Zealanders, resulting in a big uptick in the number of medicines being funded. “The Government is putting patients first. In the first half of the current financial year there were more ...
New Zealand's first-class free trade deal and investment treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been signed. In Abu Dhabi, together with UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and accompanying investment treaty ...
The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion, which shows the highest level of general business confidence since 2021, is a sign the economy is moving in the right direction, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “When businesses have the confidence to invest and grow, it means more jobs and higher ...
Events over the last few weeks have highlighted the importance of strong biosecurity to New Zealand. Our staff at the border are increasingly vigilant after German authorities confirmed the country's first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in nearly 40 years on Friday in a herd of water buffalo ...
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee reminds the public that they now have an opportunity to have their say on the rewrite of the Arms Act 1983. “As flagged prior to Christmas, the consultation period for the Arms Act rewrite has opened today and will run through until 28 February 2025,” ...
Complaints about disruptive behaviour now handled in around 13 days (down from around 60 days a year ago) 553 Section 55A notices issued by Kāinga Ora since July 2024, up from 41 issued during the same period in the previous year. Of that 553, first notices made up around 83 ...
The time it takes to process building determinations has improved significantly over the last year which means fewer delays in homes being built, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “New Zealand has a persistent shortage of houses. Making it easier and quicker for new homes to be built will ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is pleased to announce the annual list of New Zealand’s most popular baby names for 2024. “For the second consecutive year, Noah has claimed the top spot for boys with 250 babies sharing the name, while Isla has returned to the most popular ...
Work is set to get underway on a new bus station at Westgate this week. A contract has been awarded to HEB Construction to start a package of enabling works to get the site ready in advance of main construction beginning in mid-2025, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“A new Westgate ...
Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is encouraging people to use the resources available to them to get help, and to report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need. “The death of a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government if re-elected will provide a $10,000 incentive payment to apprentices to work in housing construction. The promise will be announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he addresses the National Press ...
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Two LGBTQIA+ advocates in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are up in arms over US President Donald Trump’s executive order rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government. Pride Marianas ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Communication, Deakin University This week Prince Harry achieved something few before him have: an admission of guilt and unlawful behaviour from the Murdoch media organisation. But he also fell short of his long-stated goal of holding the Murdochs ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Rowe, Associate Professor in Education, Deakin University As Australian families prepare for term 1, many will receive letters from their public schools asking them to pay fees. While public schools are supposed to be “free”, parents are regularly asked to ...
Analysis - At first glance the Prime Minister's fresh plan to inject growth in the economy is a hark back to pre-Covid days and the last National government. ...
Labour Party MPs have kicked off the political year with a spring in their step and fire in their bellies, ready to announce some policies and ramp up the attack strategy.Clad in a casual shirt and jandals, leader Chris Hipkins entered the Distinction Hotel in Palmerston North, guns blazing and ...
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I have just been reading an article on Stuff about a South American tumbleweed type grass they call “Hairy Panic”.
It is an invasive species which has turned up in Victoria at Wangaratta, so deep cars were getting lost in it and they had to close the town’s main street.
A woman nearby posted photos on facebook, seeking help as it took over her yard, more than a metre deep, and was on to her verandah. A living moving sea of grass.
This could be another feature of travel…. introduced species becoming pests.
Google Hairy Panic grass for articles and photos off this strange plant.
Lol brilliant name for it
Would be a good band name.
Definitely!
Oh dear – something else to look forward to 🙁
I could not find anything on Stuff, patricia. Do you mean this article on the Herald?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12022506
Initially, my reaction was April 1st?
But no, there has been quite a bit about this grass on Australian and other media over the last week or longer. Plenty more links here.
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=Hairy+Panic&rlz=1C1LDJZ_enNZ499&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizuc2ou5faAhULu7wKHTusCdEQ_AUICSgA&biw=853&bih=603&dpr=1.5
LOL No I forgot it was April one. The Jokes on me .
Think Stuff got it from Google.
Actually, it’s native to Australia:
There does appears to be a species from Southern United States though:
Hillman’s Panic:
Introduced species almost always become pests but I suspect that travel today is less likely to result in introduction of species due to border checks.
EDIT:
It’s not ‘hairy’ but Hillman’s panic grass
Oh, Thanks for that. Very interesting. I can’t locate the article to re read it, but you sound like an authority on the subject. I read a piece on Google which said it is related to the dandelion. Is that true? Is tumble weed just a name to describe the seed dispersal?
I’m not. That’s just what I got from a quick Google.
Seems that way:
The china hustle must see documentary its out
Very good. Viewed it last night.
I admire this government for its refusal to support the lemming like rush to war against Russia.
Craig Murray was formerly British ambassador to Uzbekistan and provides a much needed alternative to the propaganda the western public has been bombarded with about the Skripal poisoning.
No evidence has been presented.
Winston Peters should fly to Moscow to look at signing a bilateral trade deal.
This would free us from the clutches of Washington and Beijing and show the world we are an independent nation, not a lackey of the US.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDrdlYZXa_o
Were did you get the impression we are not a lackey of the USA. When you have years of a National govt the Yanks say jump and we say how high.
No longer National.
Winston Peters keen to make trade pact with Russia.
Duplicity Allen’s latest hatchet job aimed at undermining the government leads The National Herald online as “breaking news”.
Hyperbolic BS but I guess that’s what she’s paid for.
The Government has had three weeks of car crash problems and Jacinda Ardern dropped the ball virtually every time.
When it starts with the word Hosking, I never read it. I now apply the same to HD Allen.
I’m doing the same to Duncan Garner as well
And both their partners – Soper and Hawkesby.
And Garner.
Richardson.
Trevett.
Kirk.
The list of corporate puppets is long.
The Nats narrative continues….but they are laying it on a little too thick and obvious…people still like Jacinda and want to give her a chance so I reckon these unfair attacks will backfire.
Thank you to the petitioner who held up a mirror to Bob Jones. Sadly he pokes his own eyes out so as not to see. Media giving him more oxygen today
Go Judith Collins nephew, go hard and give it your best!
First few rounds to Anthony but joes coming back
Game plan seems to be to take Anthony to the later rounds
Refs a bit shit, keeps splitting them up when they get close, helps no one
I think boxing is an inhumane sport.
Rich people watching poor people hitting each other.
😆 Joshua is very wealthy and regardless of whether Jospeh Parker wins or loses he will be very comfortably off after this fight.
You can describe Joshua and Parker as a lot of things but definitely not poor.
If you look at the pay cheques they receive they’ll end up a lot richer than most people watching it.
We’re they rich when they started boxing?’
How many boxers get battered brains and never make any money?
You know that people actually do the sport because the love it – they aren’t all chasing money.
Im more inclined to see it as rich white WASPs watching tattooed brown people beat each other up.
I’m more inclined to see it as two exceptional sportspeople competing and putting an amazing show.
Funny what people see huh?
Too many rules. MMA is better – sparring with a good friend is better still, so long as you have the emotional fortitude not to get upset by the occasional broken rib or fat lip 🙂
There is no “Better” they are completely different – and people can love them for what they are.
Fair enough, but participating is still more fun than spectating 🙂
Did plenty in my younger days. Too old, too slow and too fat now.
The Romans reverted to violent sports to distract an ever more unhappy population as their empire came to a close.
Your equivalence is simplistic and wrong.
You understand that this is simply a sport that people do for enjoyment, and a lucky few get to make it their career as professional sports people.
Will probably go the distance, both fighters still look sharp
Easy to say sitting here but Joe needs to let go, too far behind on the card imho, 2 rounds to go
Last round, joe needs to go beast mode and ko anthony
“beast mode”….. says it all there.
It is a repulsive activity.
All the rich white men approving of it on this site would never get involved themselves.
When a young bloke of ANY colour is wanting a way out of poverty and ratty jobs he will often start thinking about working to be a professional fighter of some kind.
Some join the military. Some become MMA fighters. Some are bouncers or enforcers. Some turn to boxing.
And where there aren’t any ‘rich white men’ there will certainly be men of other skin shades willing to pay for the training and overheads to see if their ‘prospect’ has what it takes to win them large-ish sums.
Cock fights, dog fights, rats in a pen. It doesn’t matter how illegal you make it all (and it has been) it still goes on. Must be a species thing.
Anything to back up that statement – I know for a fact you are wrong.
“When a young bloke of ANY colour is wanting a way out of poverty and ratty jobs he will often start thinking about working to be a professional fighter of some kind.”
Stop with the patronising bs and do some research why don’t ya. Start with a simple google search on JP’s upbringing.
I could have said he was that far behind he had to go for the ko which would have meant forcing the issue and taking more hits but since I was posting between rounds I didn’t have the time. However anyone with even a basic knowledge of combat sports would get the gist of it, since you didn’t why even bother to post?
Puckish, it’s the language used. I know what it means, but the language, “beast mode”, is not the language of sport, or fair human competition. Rather it is the language of the arena.
I followed boxing in terms of Cassius Clay/Mohammed Ali as a young man.
Then I began to find the notion of two human beings, in the name of sport, trying to disable or knock each other unconscious distasteful, appalling even.
Now at 68 years old, with the adrenalin of the young a fading memory, I deliberately put my attention elsewhere.
I prefer the likes of Tom Walsh- strong, competitive, skilled, in a sport where the big, fast and powerful do harm to 7.2 kg iron balls.
Oh goodie, lacking anything constructive to say, puckish rogue has decided that he will actively promote violence.
What next, throwing babies in front of trains. Oh what, that is probably a bit to much hyperbole for your poor wee brain to comprehend.
I find commentary of one human beating up another very unpleasant.
Ignore it then.
Many enjoy it – that’s why they make millions of dollars off people paying $50 to pay it.
We had friends around for a boxing breakfasts. Very enjoyable and social.
“Ignore it then.”
We would if we could but when it is rammed down your throat by the so-called “News” media on every pathetic excuse of news bulletins, it hard to ignore it.
It is a pity the news media did not give the same in-depth coverage of Findlaysons breach of Dot Com privacy rights or the state of our health service after 9 years of Nationals incompetence, or the lack of bridges built by Bridges. Just a few items to get on with.
“We had friends around for a boxing breakfast. Very enjoyable and social.”
Bully for you. I have just realised how fortunate I am compared with you, as I have NO friends who are interested in that barbaric thuggery and they certainly would not be invited for breakfast to watch 2 males over bacon and eggs smashing shit out of one another creating future brain damage
It is not sport mate it is thuggery nothing more nothing less.
+1. Was going to reply to his sad comment but you did it better than I could have. Any society that considers two people in a contest where the object is to harm the other other human being is “sport” or “entertainment” is in a decline to cruelty and darkness.
“Bully for you. I have just realised how fortunate I am compared with you, as I have NO friends who are interested in that barbaric thuggery and they certainly would not be invited for breakfast to watch 2 males over bacon and eggs smashing shit out of one another creating future brain damage
It is not sport mate it is thuggery nothing more nothing less.”
All I can say – perhaps if you had a wider group of friends – perhaps with differing views, as opposed to a small group of people that can only think like you then perhaps, just perhaps you might end up a happier, more rounded person.
We also had hash browns, and black pudding.
But despite your passioned statement – Boxing IS a sport – Its in the olympics.
Boxing IS a sport – Its in the olympics.
It’s still brutal thuggery. Knockout = brain damage. You do know that?
So – we can at least we agree you were wrong – that it is a sport.
Thats great.
Yes – I know knockouts can cause problems. Shall we ban all sports that have the potential for knockouts? Lets start with Rugby, League, Aussie rules, etc etc etc
So – we can at least we agree you were wrong – that it is a sport.
Sorry, how can I be wrong? I never said it wasn’t a sport James. I just said it was also thuggery. You must be thinking of someone else.
Nice try at whataboutism with other sports as well. The difference is that the potential for knockouts and brain damage is incidental to those other activities, whereas in boxing it’s the object.
Apologies – it was halfcrown who said it wasnt a sport.
As for thuggery – it might come as a surprise to you (guessing that you have never boxed) – that people in it do not consider it thuggery.
its called the sweet science for a reason.
But – feel free to have your views and make judgement about the many millions of people who play it, or enjoy watching it as a sport.
Wrong guess as yes I have boxed. And no it’s no surprise to me that those who take part or watch don’t consider it’s thuggery.
But I suspect that any fan of blood sports thinks they are okay. Calling trying to give a fellow human being brain damage “a sweet science” is a wee bit of a stretch don’t you think?
Boxing breakfasts with your friends? It’s barbecue 2.0 all over again.
Classic!
Only for people without the friends or social skills to actually have either.
No evidence has been shown the Russians did it.
[This post was and is about Israeli actions in Gaza]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
That evidence will never be presented in any formal sense, because there’s never going to be a trial, because when someone is charged, the Kremlin (not “the Russians”) will refuse to extradite them, just like Lugovoy.
However, the fact that the Kremlin (not “the Russians”) has authored an ongoing series of self-contradictory bullshit stories and excuses makes them (the Kremlin, not “the Russians”) look as guilty as fuck.
Also, the fact that Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Albania, Australia, Canada, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Ukraine and the USA have expelled diplomats indicates that sufficiently persuasive evidence has been presented to convince them.
Whereas if the Kremlin presented a signed confession, you would claim the CIA forced them into it.
Just like Sadam had weapons of mass destruction.
Exactly.
What form of ‘natural justice’ includes consequences after unsubstantiated allegations?
Diplomacy and justice are separate domains. This is why your house is being sold from under you: because you have no friggin’ idea which rules apply to which circumstances.
Is it “just like” that? Saddam never had WMD, and stuck to that story throughout. The intelligence services backed him up.
In this instance, the Kremlin makes contradictory excuse after contradictory excuse, their story changes multiple times a day, a chemical weapon has actually been used, and its use fits a well-established pattern.
What’s more, Putin boasted about it the day after it happened. I get it: lots of people are scared that Russia is ruled by a gang of poisonous trash. The UK and USA aren’t much better, and you really oughta stop lying to yourselves and face facts.
Could you link to that OAB?
(Putin boasting the day after)
I’ve been following it pretty closely but I missed that bit.
Francesca, I recommend you follow Craig Murray.
A very interesting perspective.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/
Thanks ED, I have been following it
Craigs good
You know perfectly well what I’m referring to, because you tried running your bullshit excuses the last time I mentioned it.
Thats not an answer OAB
I fear you’ve been caught out by your own bluster.
Is your memory so feeble? Or are you simply incapable of arguing in good faith?
I think it’s the latter, and spare me another round of your bullshit excuses: I’ve heard them.
OAB,
not so hasty
Your reading of Putin’s “boast” fails to disclose the quote “As for the traitors “etc was actually made in 2010, some years after Litvinenko (who died in 2006) and some years before the Skripal poisoning .(2018)
As well the quote was purposely abbreviated to suggest the opposite of its meaning, and showcased on March 6th 2018 as if it was a current statement
A closer reading of the Telegraph article would have clarified that
You alongside several others were apparently fooled
https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/40900/did-putin-threaten-to-have-traitors-assassinated
And by the way,OAB, the Qatar incident was even earlier , in 2004
He said this in 2010, apparently.
🙄
OAB, that is not the2010 Telegraph link you were trying to say negated my post , which you sent me back to
However , if you want to run with your new link,.. thats hardly a boast
Its a pretty much solid observation..karma, what goes around comes around
https://russian.stackexchange.com/questions/16026/did-putin-literally-say-those-who-serve-us-with-poison-will-eventually-swallow
I hadn’t noticed that you had ever linked to the 2018 news article, in our earlier exchanges you were most definitely talking about the Telegraph article which was supposed to have undermined my posts
Not enough evidence to convince JA though. I’d suggest that’s coz there is no evidence. The expulsions are symbolic only and good on JA for telling them to get fucked with their shitty symbolism.
Heather Duplicity-Allen calle for someone, anyone to be expelled for the sake of appearances. OAB, do you stand shoulder to shoulder with Duplicity-Allen on this?
Not enough evidence to convince JA though
Is it your position that JA is lying when she says “there is no plausible alternative to who else it could be…”?
Is it your position that she is lying when she says the SIS advises that there are no
Kremlin henchmenRussian diplomats in NZ who meet the criteria for expulsion?Do you think it’s likely that I agree with HdPA? Try Professor Geddis.
Sorry Bill
The media critics of the new government seem to have no recall of the fact National in 2008 had some new inexperienced ministers who took a while (and some, never) to become conversant with their portfolios. Likewise of Key who got away with all sorts of hiccups, with barely a whimper from them.
A relative started listening to HDP on the radio and was not impressed and this relative has been a Key supporter. Likewise does not like Hosking.
As for Barry Soper, what an unpleasant man he is. I have witnessed him have an almighty temper tantrum. Boils down to these critics not being nice people. Too many adjectives to use for them! So in my book, they have very jaundiced thought processes.
Jacinda herself said early on there would be mistakes. She is not so arrogant to think otherwise. Life’s lessons are often learnt from mistakes. As was said in an article on some children learning chess – the children have to learn to lose before they learn to win when playing chess.
Jacinda will come through these issues a little wiser and better prepared. She is a quick learner. I think it’s remarkable how she has risen to all the challenges she has faced in the last year and some patience and understanding from the left and centre left please!
They are paid puppets.
Their income and lifestyle depends on pumping out such propaganda.
No wonder they are angry and unhappy people.
“No wonder they are angry and unhappy people.”
What’s your excuse ?
1000% Reality @ 8
Well Joseph Parker was beaten but certainly not disgraced, going the distance and all but that ref stepped in far too many times for either fighters liking I reckon
Congratulations to Anthony Joshua, he fought a good game plan and was a well-deserved winner and Joseph Parker still has a future in the heavy weight division
Anthony Joshua 1st
Joseph Parker 2nd
Ref Zero
No arguments there
The film Dominion opened in Melbourne on the 29th March.
It sounds very powerful.
Does anyone know when it is coming to New Zealand?
https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/activist-james-aspey-breaks-down-intense-vegan-film-dominion
Good on you Ed,
I would hope no one could watch this trailer and not question the morality of ignoring/defending such human actions towards animals
Sadly there are many who can.
There are many people who are only too ready to heap another slaughtered sentient being on the barbie.
I don’t know what it’s going to take for more people to see how cruel eating meat is. We have a choice.
“Without intervention, the situation for our most vulnerable citizens is only going to get worse, as fresh food becomes more frequently priced out of reach.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12016943
or…
“And it is a certainty the price of these “animal-less” foods is going to drop to a fraction of anything New Zealand could possibly grow in a field.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/102640438/the-future-of-everything-why-the-third-industrial-revolution-is-a-risk-to-nz
You can see why this guy why voted out of office. Good comments on sanctions. This is what a Christian left can look like.
A massive building human tragedy 9 years in the making
“Israel: Gaza March ‘Dangerous’ Provocation, Hamas to Blame for Any Violence”
Friday’s March of Return will see Gazans protest on Israeli border ■ Israeli official to Palestinians: You’ve been warned ■ Palestinian lawmaker: Proof that Israel’s intentions are to kill protesters
By Noa Landau and Jack Khoury
“EU’s Mogherini Calls for Independent Probe Into Israeli Army Fire on Gaza Border”
“EU foreign policy chief says Friday’s events show need for ‘political solution for Gaza’ and ‘urgent resumption of peace talks’ between Israel and the Palestinians”
The call for an independent inquiry into the killings of protesters by Israel has also been made by the United Nations General Secretary. However a meeting of the UN Security Council, which has the power to order such an investigation, reportedly ended its deliberations without any agreement on this matter which was raised there. No mention of whether permanent SC member the USA, threatened to use its veto to prevent such an investigation.
https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-un-security-council-convenes-to-discuss-gaza-without-israel-1.5962543
“Defense chief Lieberman slams ‘chorus of hypocrites’ calling for independent investigation into Gaza border deaths”
Haaretz, Mar 31, 2018
My free articles to Haaretz has been used up, but I think we can get the message.
Israel does not want any investigation into its shooting down of unarmed protesters.
And the US will back Israel by vetoing any move by the UN to call one, if it is ever raised again in the Security Council.
Talking about “hypocrites”, the US representative to the UN has complained long and hard about other Permanent Member, Russia, using their veto to prevent investigation into the killing of civilians by the Assad regime.
We know where every bullet went IDF
|
“Israel admits, then deletes, responsibility for Gaza killings”
Electronic Intifada, 31 March, 2018
“Abdul Fattah Abdul Nabi, a 19-year-old Palestinian, was shot dead during Friday’s protests in the Gaza Strip.”
Mahmoud Abu Salama
BEIT LAHIA, Gaza
However with the US right of veto at the United Nations Security Council, it is unlikely that the US will allow any international independent investigation into these killings.
NZ ANTI-CORRUPTION WHISTLE-BLOWER ALERT!
(Sunday 1 April 2018 – but this is no April Fool’s joke 🙁
31 March 2018
Press Release : Anti-corruption whistle-blower Penny Bright
“Stop the forced rating sale of my home! How is Auckland Council lawfully compliant with its own ‘Rating Sale Policy’?”
“Today (Saturday 31 March 2018) the forced rating sale of my freehold property was publicly advertised,” says ‘anti-corruption whistle-blower, Penny Bright.
” I have contacted the Barfoot and Thompson agent, and advised him that I do NOT consent to anyone ‘viewing’ my property, and that I am raising this matter directly with the Attorney-General because I believe that lawful due process has not been followed by Auckland Council.”
“The Auckland Council Rating Sales Policy (CP2013/01403) states:
“14: The rating sales process is outlined by the following steps:
1. legal proceedings are initiated, and a court judgment issued with a Charging Order (registered on title documents) against the property.
..
16. The power to enforce a rating sale comes with a significant responsibility to ensure that the power is not used inappropriately.
A policy on rating sales has therefore being developed to ensure that there are clear rules regarding rating sales.”
“The ‘Composite Computer Register Under Land Transfer Act 1952, that I have, (search date 8 March 2017) hows no Charging Order registered against my property for the Judgment Debt of $47,431.76, given in the Auckland District Court on 18 January 2017.”
It appears that Auckland Council CEO Stephen Town, has not followed Auckland Council’s ‘Rating Sale Policy’.
…….
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption whistle-blower’.
PS: A ‘Give A Little Page’ will be set up ASAP, because a number of people have requested it.
The goal will be to raise the $20,000 to cover outstanding rates, and the money will be deposited into a solicitor’s account.
This money will be held there, until the Public Records Act 2005, s.17 is fully complied with, regarding transparency and accountability in the spending of public monies on private sector consultants and contractors, and the following information is published on the websites of Auckland Council and all Auckland Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs), under ‘Procurement – Awarded Contracts’:
* The unique contract number.
* The name of the consultant / contractor.
* A brief description of the scope of the contract.
* Contract start / finish dates.
* The exact dollar value of each and every contract – including those sub-contracted.
* How the contract was awarded – by direct appointment or public tender.
There will be a LOT of good that comes from this draconian municipal bullying of an unprotected ‘citizen whistle-blower’ in New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be ‘the least corrupt country in the world’, and WE ‘turn this bad thing into a good thing’!
I’m fighting for transparency, I’m not wrong and I’m NOT backing down.
Sell your house yourself to ensure best price. Repay your rates and buy a smaller place with lower rates. You are not going to win this fight to keep your house so plan for the longer game.
Penny, I have to agree with Tracey, unless you control this, they will sell your house at a low price.
If you want to stay in the fight, think about she said.
Penny Bright your cause and desire to expose the fraudulent operations of Auckland Council are admirable indeed…
The system has decided it has had enough and must make a clear statement to the citizens that they do not own property, even when no mortgage exists…
Take that as a signal of how close to full exposure you have achieved…your actions will no longer be tolerated…
The advice to take control of the situation for yourself before you are sidelined completely, is sound and should be considered…surely you are evaluating the risks…
It’s not quitting if you get out while you’re ahead…which in a moral sense, absolutely you are…
That said, if you choose to remain on tact, that is equally honourable…
Go well
It could easily be considered fraudulent to solicit money from the public on the basis of mis-reading the Public Records Act as a law about publishing information. It simply isn’t. You have been told this repeatedly.
Not to mention that even if she raises the 20 grand, “it’s with a lawyer somewhere” doesn’t mean shit so her house is still going to be sold.
Looks like Penny’s going to lose her home for nothing.
All she had to do was put the rates money aside, and pay it at the last minute.
Penny has a fair point… I know for a fact that Auckland transport engaged a consultant, then hired the consultant’s son’s company to quote for and carry out the recomended works. They asked said contractor to break the quoted sum into 3 parts as to avoid triggering a high enough sum which would need another 2 prices in a competitive process and signing off from higher up. Total figure was around 90k…
Yeah she had a point, but if she was going to pay the rates when they satisfied her reporting demands, why hadn’t she simply put the money aside in the first place?
Now she seems to be looking for crowdsource funds to put the money aside (so they’re still going to sell her house and get the rates that way). They’re still her damned rates to pay.
No argument from me there, I was under the impression she had the funds set aside.
She has made her point and could continue to make it if she paid enough to avoid the sale or in fact cleared the sum before refusing to pay again forcing the council to begin the process again keeping the matter in the spotlight.
yeah, that could make her a fly in the ointment for decades lol
This is 5 minutes long, but the first 3 minutes is what you want to watch. Kid and God completely destroy hateful fox news commentator.
For patricia bremner
As discussed on the other post, here are links to all ten of the articles Henry Cooke did as he accompanied the five day Parliamentary Mission to the Pacific which were published progressively by Stuff on their website over that timeframe. The only one you read and criticised for its once over lightly was in fact his wrap up article at 10. below completing the series.
In sequence, these ten articles by Henry Cooke were:
1. A preliminary scene-setting one written before the visit started, detailing the bigger picture issues relevant to the relationships etc between NZ and the Pacific islands, and anticipated achievements from the trip: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101956367/pm-jacinda-arderns-chance-to-set-the-tone-in-the-pacific
2. An article specifically on climate change and its effects on Samoa, speeches given by our PM and Climate Change Minister James Shaw to an audience of Samoan MPs and officials at a climate change luncheon, and their visits to local spots showing the effects of climate change: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101975846/Ardern-says-NZ-must-do-our-bit-to-fight-climate-change-before-asking-the-world-for-help
3. Another article specifically on the donations to Samoa announced by the PM of $3 million more in disaster recovery aid and $6.5m in development funds for small businesses run by women and young people: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101971248/NZ-donates-almost-10-million-to-Samoa
4. A final article on Samoa on the hospitality and celebrations that took place; climate change; and the aid announcements: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101995813/jacinda-arderns-island-honeymoon-with-samoa-comes-with-big-promises
5. and 6. Two articles on the one day visit to Niue – One on the aid assistance announced, which included $5m for another solar panels farm to help Niue reach their goal of 80% renewable energy by 2025; and the second a lighter one focusing in part on the PM’s reunion with her family in Niue: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102020729/niue-gets-575m-from-nz-premier-asks-for-pension-portability and https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102007922/jacinda-arderns-homecoming-visit-to-niue
7. One article on Tonga covering aid including emergency relief for the cyclone Gita damage and the visit itself, which included the delegation seeing this damage first hand: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102039953/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-arrives-in-a-turbulent-tonga
8. and 9. Two articles on the visit to the Cook Islands – One specifically on the biggest announcement of the whole trip on the relaxation of the rules for the payment of NZ Superannuation to Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans, and the other on the very colourful and friendly visit itself, but which also includes further discussion on the relaxed NZ Super rules:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102082994/pm-jacinda-ardern-announces-pension-portability-for-cook-islanders-tokeulauns-and-niueans
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102082053/jacinda-ardern-saves-the-best-for-last-in-rarotonga
10. And finally, Henry Cooke’s wrap up article summarizing what was achieved by the visit itself, and also looking at the bigger, longer term issues: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102122822/jacinda-ardern-has-begun-a-pacific-reset-but-what-the-region-really-needs-is-an-upgrade
Oops I think my long one deservedly has gone into moderation or spam (Moderators can ditch my long one re the same subject which has presumably gone into moderation or spam due to the number of links. My sincere apologies as I had intended to spread over a couple of comments then forgot and pressed submit and raced off to do something else.)
So i will start again.
To patricia bremner
As discussed on the other post today, Henry Cooke wrote ten (10) articles – not one – while he was on the Parliamentary Mission to the Pacific Islands earlier in March and which were progressively published on the Stuff website (and presumably in some of the Fairfax newspapers) over the course of those five days. The only one that you apparently read and then criticised for being once over lightly in your comment on Daily Review 9 March 2018 was the last on which was Cooke’s wrap up article.
Here are the links which I will break into three lots so as not to clog up the works here.
In sequence, these ten articles by Henry Cooke were:
1. A preliminary scene-setting one written before the visit started, detailing the bigger picture issues relevant to the relationships etc between NZ and the Pacific islands, and anticipated achievements from the trip: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101956367/pm-jacinda-arderns-chance-to-set-the-tone-in-the-pacific
2. An article specifically on climate change and its effects on Samoa, speeches given by our PM and Climate Change Minister James Shaw to an audience of Samoan MPs and officials at a climate change luncheon, and their visits to local spots showing the effects of climate change: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101975846/Ardern-says-NZ-must-do-our-bit-to-fight-climate-change-before-asking-the-world-for-help
3. Another article specifically on the donations to Samoa announced by the PM of $3 million more in disaster recovery aid and $6.5m in development funds for small businesses run by women and young people: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101971248/NZ-donates-almost-10-million-to-Samoa
4. A final article on Samoa on the hospitality and celebrations that took place; climate change; and the aid announcements: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101995813/jacinda-arderns-island-honeymoon-with-samoa-comes-with-big-promises
Rest to follow.
Continuation of the above. Part 2 of 3
5. and 6. Two articles on the one day visit to Niue – One on the aid assistance announced, which included $5m for another solar panels farm to help Niue reach their goal of 80% renewable energy by 2025; and the second a lighter one focusing in part on the PM’s reunion with her family in Niue:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102020729/niue-gets-575m-from-nz-premier-asks-for-pension-portability and
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102007922/jacinda-arderns-homecoming-visit-to-niue
7. One article on Tonga covering aid including emergency relief for the cyclone Gita damage and the visit itself, which included the delegation seeing this damage first hand: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102039953/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-arrives-in-a-turbulent-tonga
Part 3 of 3 to follow
Part 3 of 3
8. and 9. Two articles on the visit to the Cook Islands – One specifically on the biggest announcement of the whole trip on the relaxation of the rules for the payment of NZ Superannuation to Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans, and the other on the very colourful and friendly visit itself, but which also includes further discussion on the relaxed NZ Super rules:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102082994/pm-jacinda-ardern-announces-pension-portability-for-cook-islanders-tokeulauns-and-niueans
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102082053/jacinda-ardern-saves-the-best-for-last-in-rarotonga
10. And finally, Henry Cooke’s wrap up article summarizing what was achieved by the visit itself, and also looking at the bigger, longer term issues: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102122822/jacinda-ardern-has-begun-a-pacific-reset-but-what-the-region-really-needs-is-an-upgrade
This last one seems to be the only one you read, Patricia.
Hello Veutoviper, Thank you for those articles. By now you will realise I have limited computer skills.
I definitely deserved a reprimand, as I had skimmed two of those articles without taking in that Henry wrote them. (A busy week with hospital and family visits none of which are easy currently)
Henry Cooke’s articles were clear and evocative, showing skill. I stand corrected.
In case you do not see this, I will again post on open mike. I said I had looked, I obviously need to learn a few more skills… will get Norm to show me how to Bookmark.
Thanks patricia. I knew that if you realised that you had not seen the rest of Cooke’s articles that you would see that your criticism was unwarranted. My original draft reply also covered a number of other issues raised in your original comment but we will leave most of those at this point.
However, re political bias, I am sure that you would now agree that there is no way that the quality and content of Cooke’s full set of articles can be equated with some of the (IMO) clearly rightwing lightweight biased garbage masquerading as journalism from these two other writers who are some years Cooke’s senior who also wrote articles on the Parliamentary Mission to the Pacific, although neither writer actually went on the trip.
Mike Hosking – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12009354
Duncan Garner – https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/102122996/pm-dishes-out-the-charm-and-money-on-pacific-tour
I think, and hope that you would actually find that equation horrifying.
I would also like to include a rather long explanation which I included in my original draft response to you and which I touched on briefly in one of my many comments yesterday on MS’ excellent post – https://thestandard.org.nz/the-manufacturing-of-a-narrative/#comment-1468693
This is a general explanation, not directed specifically at you, as to why I have stood up for Cooke (and some other individual journalists) and will continue to do so. It was written weeks ago well before the excess of coverage of one event – combined with a lack of coverage of some other major issues, events and decisions of considerable public interest – of the last week or so, which resulted in MS’s post and the enormous response to it over Easter when things usually go quiet here.
But I still stand by it, even if I don’t always follow it to the letter myself. (See my last para!) I did not feel it was appropriate for MS’ post, but want to say it to let off stream if nothing else. I felt Drinnan was brave coming into the lion’s den yesterday. and I give him credit for doing so. This may help explain some of my responses there.
—————————————-
As we had previously discussed, I have no direct connections with Cooke himself although we have mutual acquaintances. This is quite normal in the small world of the government- centred scene here in Wellington. I do not write on his or any other journalists’ behalf; nor am I (or ever have been) a journalist, or teacher of journalism or media studies, or a family member of any journalist. But I have known, and liaised with many journalists over the years, as part of my past jobs in the public service.
My defence of Cooke and his journalism has been because I am very interested in the quality etc of our Fourth Estate here in NZ in view of its influence on society and democracy. There is a lot of criticism of our media which is quite normal – the question is whether it is in fact justified or not, either generally or in the case of specific journalists, publications, or other means of dissemination eg blogs, digital press etc. All of which is a very big separate subject in itself.
In brief, my own personal view is that we have had a fairly stale media for some years with a lot of people in the industry having been around for a long time and with fairly fixed views and positions politically.
In the last couple of years I have noticed a number of younger talented reporters coming through the system with much fresher, more socially aware mindsets and interests, and who do not seem to have the same fixed views, political connections etc that many of the older ones do.
Cooke is one I put into this group, as are Kirsty Johnston and Jess McAllen who I mentioned to you, Patricia, in a separate exchange here on TS recently unrelated to Cooke. These three are by no means the only ones; and I am quite excited to see this generational shift as people like Johnston and McAllen in particular are producing some excellent writing about things like social justice, mental health, and special needs issues.
But it is a hard road for this young cohort with the retrenchment of print media resulting in fewer and fewer opportunities for getting in the door and finding steady employment in this field, and coupled with the increasing reliance on freelance and casual writers to produce the stories for the growing digital media. There is a high drop out rate of the younger reporters as a result of these bigger factors along with low rates of pay, job insecurity, long hours etc.
IMO we need to be encouraging this cohort of young journalists and reporters to keep them in the business and to keep them fresh and open minded – to ensure a healthy Fourth Estate for the future. Unfair criticism and unsubstantiated claims and accusation of political bias etc does not do this and just adds to the other pressures on these people, leading to them quitting the profession.
So I decided some time ago that I would stand up for and support this young cohort collectively and individually where I think they deserve it. I also do this in respect of older journalists where I also think they are being unfairly targeted, criticized etc. Unfortunately there is sometimes here on TS a ‘lemming’ approach to criticism of the media generally, which also fails to distinguish between management and editorial power and control over content and balance, and the work of individual journalists (including the limitations on them to choose their subject and the way their articles are edited and presented).
I really believe that we will achieve far better results towards achieving a better Fourth Estate for the future by trying to communicate with members of the media and opening up discussion rather than continually attacking them.
Yes, critique the structure, management and bias of the organizations, and their editorial decisions re content and balance, and of individual journalists where such criticism is warranted and can be verified with facts; but don’t tar all journalists with the same brush. They themselves are a very broad church of people with different personal and journalistic experience, beliefs, values and goals just as are the rest of us.
——————————
Having read the above, some people would say that I am a total hypocrite in view of my criticism of Garner and Hosking at the top of this post – and they are probably right, but I am human too! LOL.
Kremlin connected thugs emboldened.
[…]
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/980032323923185664.html
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian authorities on Saturday arrested billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov on charges of embezzling more than $35 million, in one of the highest-profile prosecutions of a Russian tycoon in years.
Magomedov denied the charges at a pre-trial hearing, where a judge ordered that he be held in custody until May 30.
One of Russia’s richest men, the 49-year-old Magomedov holds assets in construction and logistics through his sprawling Summa Group. He also has investments in U.S. tech ventures, including the Virgin One Hyperloop project.
He was detained along with his business partner and brother, Magomed Magomedov, and Artur Maksidov, the head of a company in the Summa Group that was involved in the construction of a soccer World Cup venue in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-summa-corruption/russian-tycoon-magomedov-arrested-on-embezzlement-charges-idUSKBN1H70A2
Te namu onepu decided to send in a repeat actor back to hang around ECO MAORI this person tried to get me and my wife to move into a whare that was half the size of the one we got now with little privacy for the same price of rent all because they were friends ????? of my wife and there dad owned it last time YEA RIGHT .This time Koni and Te namu onepu decided that they would try me again. I treated this person with respect the problem was this person was wanting to talk to me more than my wife ?????? I played along for a bit then I shut it out of my conversation as its not my friend. Ana to kai ka kite ano
Newshub the deep fake photos will always be able to be discredited with a examination of the data used to make and display those photos .
Many thanks to te Australian Common wealth games people for advocating Ladies Equality ka pai Mana wahine.
I’m quite good at reading the weather not as good as I should be being a ex fisherman but I left that up to the skipper I have fished right around Aoteraroa down to the Auckland Islands Chatham Islands like my tipuna before me .
Some people have to remember that I see all events .
It was a good week of sports for Eco Maori Ka pai ka kite ano
Ko Ruaumoko e ngunguru nei
Hi Au Au Aue ha
Ko Ruaumoko e ngunguru nei
Hi Au Au Aue ha
I aha aha
E ko te rakau a Tu nga werewere I ha
ha
He rakau tapu na Tutaua ki a Uenuku
[Ko Ruaumoko e ngunguru nei]
I patukia ki te tipua ki o Rangitopeka
Pakaru ti upoko o Rangitopeka
Patua ki waenganui o te tau ki
Hikurangi
He toka whakairo etu ake nei
He atua He tangata He atua He
tangata ho
He atua he atua tau Paretaitoko
Kia kitea e Paretaitoko te whare
haunga
I ha ha Kia whakatete mai o rei he kuri
Au
I Ahaha
Na wai parehua taku hope kia whakaka
te rangi
Kia tare au Hi
He roha te kawau
Hi
Kei te pou tara
Tu ka tete ka Tau ha
Ko komako ko komako
E ko te hau tapu
e rite ki te kai na Matariki pakia
Tapa reireia koi tapa
Tapa kononua kaiana tukua
I aue hi
I ahaha
Ka tu te ihiihi
ka tu te wanawana
Ki runga i te rangi
e tu iho nei
HI