Open mike 01/09/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 1st, 2022 - 71 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:


Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

71 comments on “Open mike 01/09/2022 ”

  1. Tiger Mountain 1

    In light of Marama Davidson’s bollocking over a chocolate brand, who recalls one John Phillip “sirkey” and his relationship with Steinlager?

    There was a time when Mr Key haunted the All Black changing rooms, rarely without a Steinie in hand or far from Ritchie–and the Rugby News cover photo directly before the 2014 General Election had him wearing an All Black jersey!…and standing in front of team members as if he were Captain.

    The Natzos got away with it on a technicality to do with the periodical nature of Rugby News, though the beer product placement always grated.

    • Gosman 1.1

      The difference is Key was specifically bigging up the product. Given the fact he was in the All Black's dressing room and Steinlager was the sponsors of the team the fact he photographed with a bottle of Steinlager was incidental to his purpose of being there. He was also photographed wearing an All Black's jersey on occassion that doesn't mean he promoted Adidas or AIG.

      • Nic the NZer 1.1.1

        Key was specifically bigging up the product?

        Your saying Marama prefers the Maori language to the chocolate?

        • Gosman 1.1.1.1

          Sorry, that should have been "Key wasn't specifically bigging up the product".

          While Davidson actually stated she disliked the taste she still focused on the product (indeed she held up a selection of it) and highlighted that she thought it was a good buy.

          • Nic the NZer 1.1.1.1.1

            Oh, I see what your saying.

            Its about who/what has the better public image. Marama lends her high public image to chocolate (tut-tut), while Key looks good when hes socialising with beer (hoo-raa).

    • Hunter Thompson II 1.2

      "University students are circulating a petition asking the Government to censure the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) for appearing in an advertisement for gin."

      [The Press, 22 May 1971]

  2. Andrew Bayly, admittedly not the sharpest tack in the tool box, has gone full Trump in his complete disregard for historical fact and truth with this tweet:

    https://twitter.com/bayly_andrew/status/1564852462271401984

  3. Ad 3

    Who should a Labour supporter vote for in the QueenstownLakes election?

    Can't figure them out.

    • Ed1 3.1

      There was a website for the last local body elections that analysed candidates for political orientation – the blatant National Party candidates all say that they will keep rate rises low, but that does not catch all of them. Labour has endorsed candidates on their website. The website https://policy.nz/2022 lists candidates, but quite a few (including some Labour candidates) have not given details of policies. For the last local body elections there were some other websites that gave more considered analysis – are there any this time?

    • Bearded Git 3.2

      Jon Mitchell-not hard really at all.

      Olivia has ACT tendencies and is backed by Rod Drury. There are rumours, which I could not possibly support of course, that she has already overspent the $30k limit permitted.

      Glyn Lewers has probably been anointed by Boult which says it all.

      The other mayoral candidates are no-hopers.

      • Ad 3.2.1

        Appreciated BG

        • Bearded Git 3.2.1.1

          mmm I may be wrong…Neeta Shetty may be polling quite well…in fact the two women, her and Olivia Wensley are frontrunners according to a local poll though such polls are dubious.

    • Graeme 3.3

      Going to be an interesting race, three main contenders, Olivia Wensely, Jon Mitchell and Glyn Lewers.

      Lewers is a sitting councillor who got on a coin toss last election. An engineer, very community focused, doesn't make a fuss and gets things done. Not much profile outside Frankton (which is the commercial and community heart of the Whakatipu now) which might hamper him in Wanaka. Some say he's Boult's appointment, but think it's more he has the confidence of the current council, most of which will be returned.

      Jon Mitchell was Labour candidate in Clutha Southland last year and did quite well, especially in Whakatipu. Born in Queenstown at what's now Bungi Backpackers. Family had a photographic business in town and motels in Glenorchy. Has a background in emergency management and is a very capable guy with a future in politics, either local or national. Could be accused of being a carpetbagger as he lives in Garston and has been working mainly in Wellington lately, but a Mayor who's a little bit removed from this cliquey incestuous place wouldn't be a bad thing.

      Olivia Wensly is the daughter of a failed property developer who went tits up in 2008 leaving a huge leaky mess for the Council, and ratepayers to pick up tab. Looks the part and very well presented with lots of expensive signs and patsy video interviews about how great she is. Electoral expense return could be interesting. Doesn't like Three Waters and development contributions, but really likes Council funded development agencies and lots of cheap housing. Also like to use the phrase 'having the debate', often after she's been shot down in flames. She will go down very well with people who have been here 3 – 5 years and really aren't doing that well, which is a sizeable constituency. Could get elected if her campaign doesn't blow up in her face, which is very likely given her family history in town. If elected can see it turning to custard fairly quickly.

      Neeta Shetty will mobilise the South Asian vote but not much else, ex Council employee / contractor.

      Al Angus is a regular, not a serious contender but asks the right questions and has some very pointed one liners. Usually accounts for at least one candidate's campaign each election.

  4. DB Brown 4

    Trashy Kainga Ora Tenants Strike Again

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/latest/129731219/racist-graffiti-scrawled-over-familys-remuera-home

    At least the racist on my street only yells insults, not paints them. Same psychological damage though. Same breaking of other tenants Right To Quiet Enjoyment.

    How many thousands of lives are Kainga Ora continuing to subject to chronic abuse in order to virtue signal they're 'protecting the most vulnerable' or 'catering for complex needs'.

    Who is the government that let all the mental health people back into the community? Were our institutions so utterly evil they were irredeemable. In that case you clean out the people, not the patients.

    FFS.

    • arkie 5.1

      Forest & Bird outlines the reality (my bold):

      Forest & Bird says all political parties who are serious about climate change and the environment need to support an important new bill to protect public conservation land from new mines.

      Last Thursday, the Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill was drawn from the ballot box. Introduced to the House by Green Party MP Eugenie Sage, it would prevent new mining permits being granted on conservation land.

      “Five years ago, the Prime Minister promised through the Speech from the Throne that the government would end new mining on conservation land. In that time, numerous new mining activities have been approved across conservation land right across New Zealand,” says Forest & Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki.

      “This bill is the Prime Minister’s chance to fulfil that 2017 promise, and truly protect New Zealand’s publicly owned conservation lands for biodiversity and the climate. Ending mining on conservation land would be a powerful legacy and investment in the future. The government has just published its Emissions Reduction Plan – supporting this bill is an important test of its commitment to that Plan.”

      https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/bill-end-new-mines-conservation-land-chance-fulfil-governments-promise

      • Hunter Thompson II 5.1.1

        Jacinda promised to clean up the rivers too, but that comment was made before a general election so naturally it shouldn't be taken seriously.

  5. observer 6

    Luxon has now done what everyone with any sense knew he would/should do: rule out Brian Tamaki.

    Link provided, but it's Hosking so … you click, your choice.

    It's the same stupid thought process as Labour and Kiwisaver GST. Why do politicians so often fail to ask themselves (and answer) the obvious question: where will this story go? How will it play out?

    There are always 2 options:

    1) Get out in front of the story and defend your choice. Take the flak, don't be surprised by the entirely predictable. If you believe it matters, then be committed, but don't be committed for a week or month and then be un-committed. (At least it was only a day for Parker). That's a double defeat.

    or

    2) Don't create the problem in the first place.

    You don't need to be any kind of political genius to anticipate the questions when Luxon opens the door to Tamaki, and Labour open the door to an opposition attack on tax. In both cases the leader/party backed down. As they were always going to do.

    Yes, I know these are two totally different issues but the problem is the same. Incompetence.

    • Visubversa 6.1

      Does nobody have a Comms Dept anymore with at least 1 person in it who can look at a policy or an announcement and think "what is the worst way that some lying scumbag with a complete disregard for the truth can twist this for their political advantage – and how do we prevent that?"

      • Cricklewood 6.1.1

        Probably there are too many comms staff wouldnt be suprised if they tie themselves in knots.

    • Anne 6.2

      Why do politicians so often fail to ask themselves (and answer) the obvious question: where will this story go? How will it play out?

      Labour are bad at this. I think its a combination of some arrogance and an assumption they don't have to' dot the eyes and cross the tees' because the general public will work it out for themselves. The general public can't or don't want to work it out for themselves. You have to do it for them otherwise your opponents will do it and smash your 'story' in the process.

      As for Luxon:

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nationals-christopher-luxon-rules-out-joining-with-brian-tamaki-led-freedoms-nz-coalition/6W6HTIJFSMT5BSMURZYC6A7XLI/

      "What I've tried to say consistently is that I've got nothing in common with Tamaki. I think they're crazy, I don't think they're serious,

      Luxon will get kudos for this statement despite his dilly dallying around. He is using the language of ordinary everyday people. He comes out and says what most people think – they're crazy. (my bold)

      I know people who get irritated with Jacinda Ardern's 'politically correct' language. They dislike her because of it. John Key was a master at the game. He called a spade a spade (even when it wasn't a spade) and the working man and woman loved it. Hence his longevity as PM.

      Jacinda needs to the same. As an example, call the VFF/Destiny church crack-pots out for what they are and people should start to approve of her again.

      • Mac1 6.2.1

        During the Wednesday miscellaneous business debate, Robertson gave Luxon a real serve about his inability to call out Tamaki et al. especially when Tamaki blamed natural phenomena upon the gay community.

        "Now, it's probably in the Labour Party's interest for Christopher Luxon to go on deciding that he does not want to rule out Brian Tamaki. I am pleading with Mr Luxon to do the right thing. Do not say to young, gay New Zealanders that they don't matter. Do not say to the women of New Zealand that they don't have a place in leadership. Because, Mr Luxon, you will be judged by the company you keep. You have a chance and you have an opportunity to stand up for New Zealanders' values. Do the right thing, Mr Luxon, rule out working with Brian Tamaki, or else New Zealanders will continue to believe you stand for extremism, you stand for bigotry. Rule out Brian Tamaki."

        https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansD_20220831_20220831

        • "Now, it's probably in the Labour Party's interest for Christopher Luxon to go on deciding that he does not want to rule out Brian Tamaki.

          Very probably why he decided to take a side!

          Not from any moral conviction – he is a fundy after all!

          • Belladonna 6.2.1.1.1

            It seems to be true of all politicians – when their personal moral convictions collide with the 'politically acceptable' attitudes which make you electable.

            Right, or Left. Ethics don't hold a candle when it comes to electibility.

            Here's an overview of Luxon, Mahuta and Efeso Collins – all doing the same thing – publicly walking back what is clearly a deeply held ethical opinion, when it becomes politically advisable to do so

            https://www.todayfm.co.nz/home/opinion/2022/06/where-do-we-draw-the-line-at-politicians-being-disingenuous-hypocritical-even.html

            [link fixed]

            • left for dead 6.2.1.1.1.1

              That rubbish link of yours trawling through it for what ?

              • If you can't be bothered reading, that's your problem.

                If you don't like the message, then that's also your problem.

                The point – labouring the issue for the terminally dense – is that politicians from *all* parties walk back their personal ethics when it conflicts with their electability.

                If you want to accuse Luxon of doing this – then you should be prepared to also accuse Mahuta & Efeso Collins of doing the same.

                If you actually have a perspective to share – I'd be interested to read it.

                But, spray and walk away accusations really don't impress.

        • Anne 6.2.1.2

          "Robertson gave Luxon a real serve about his inability to call out Tamaki et al…"

          Good for Grant.

          Trouble is Mac1, the vast majority of people do not listen to parliament. And those that do are better informed than most. That is why it is so important to speak frankly outside of parliament and to call the NActs out in language that your every day Joe Bloggs and his missus readily understand.

          • Mac1 6.2.1.2.1

            Fair enough, Anne. I expect that the plain speaking will increase as first, the need to react to the mind-boggling stupidity increases as the examination of their behaviour and beliefs increases, (such as Fire and Fury, and the media's focus on loopy local election candidates), and second, the election in 2023 gets closer and the opportunity and style of debate changes.

            • Anne 6.2.1.2.1.1

              Yes. Watched whatsername, Nicola Willis(?) trying to give Grant a serve today. Belligerence is her middle name. Labour needs to start the plain speaking imo, and that includes the dipsticks and crackpots currently running riot over NZ's green and pleasant land.

    • mikesh 6.3

      The only honest politician, on the opposition side, seems to have been David Seymour, who at least acknowledged that the move was reasonable if one wished to have GST consistency. The National Party seem to be dishonestly attempting to make political capital out of the affair.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129742208/how-the-wrongheaded-kiwisaver-fees-tax-backfired-for-labour

      This move by Labour may have been unwise for political reasons, but having made it I think they should have pressed ahead with it. Backing down just makes them look as though they've been caught out doing something naughty.

  6. Poission 7

    US life expectancy drop largest 2 year fall in a century.Fall is due to both covid and opioids.

    https://twitter.com/markets/status/1564850735791177729

    Australia sees excess deaths at 12% for first 5 months of 2022,with around half due to covid,and forecasts for rest of year suggest 9% for Covid alone.As Australia relaxes rules on masks on planes,and isolation rules.

    https://twitter.com/KarenCutter4/status/1564754050620350464

    NZ has a similar slope with excess deaths,(an absolute figure that is undeniable )

    https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/excess-mortality-p-scores-average-baseline?country=NZL~AUS

    Will the government Greenlight a higher excess death rate for the future? The minister for covid is struggling,Is it a good time to start shorting the aged care providers?

  7. Visubversa 8

    It is Blue September – prostate cancer awareness month. Look out for all the advertisements aimed at "prostate havers", "penis owners", " ejaculators" etc. Just kidding – so far it is 'blokes", "men" and "he/him" all the way. Advertising naming the people they actually know will be effected by this disease, and the people who love and support them actually works! Remember this next time you see "person with a cervix".

    • arkie 8.1

      Like this?

      Prostate cancer isn’t any more common in gay, transgender or bisexual men however the nature of relationships and emotional support mechanisms in their community is often different to that in the heterosexual community.

      https://prostate.org.nz/rainbow-blue/

      • Visubversa 8.1.1

        Yes, just like that. Still taking about men – (but with the obligatory kiss up to gender ideology). On a specialised page and doing its best to identify exactly who is likely to be affected.

        • arkie 8.1.1.1

          Oh my, how terrible.

          • weka 8.1.1.1.1

            can you honestly not see the sexism? Women's health messaging is remove the word woman, men's isn't removing the word man. There are a myriad of examples of this now, including on major health websites where women are referred to as body parts and men are called men.

            • arkie 8.1.1.1.1.1

              There is a discrepancy there for sure but in my experience the messaging that is coming from official sources (not companies) is 'women and …' rather than the removal of the word entirely.

              Sexism imbues all aspects of our society as we are still a patriarchal society, one that privileges straight men above all others and that includes in health messaging in particular. Masculinity, as our society defines it, is fragile; insecure about and fearful of perceived frailness or weakness, read: femininity (as our patriarchal system defines it), and so don't look after their health, avoid seeking diagnosis or advice and ignore messaging that they perceive to not apply to them. This is certainly a consideration of those who write this type of messaging.

              All this said, my concern is that we must work to dismantle the patriarchy together and people who are queer, gender-diverse, trans etc are helping to do just that. I just feel the focus is wrong.

              • Molly

                Sexism is based on expectations of behaviour, presentation, competence and achievement based on the material reality of biological sex.

                It has nothing to do with the performative stereotypes adopted by those who want to appropriate a fascimile of oppression by declaration.

                As pointed out many times, medical treatment and protocols based on male bodies, have bee detrimental to women's outcomes, and this disparity has only recently been acknowledged.

                Biological sex is not the same as gender identity. Gender ideology requires this distinction to exist, YET, it also demands the removal of that distinction in all language use. Even in cases where the topic is only about biological sex – such as in medicine and health.

                Women/woman is sufficient and accurate.

                The reassurances about no impact on women from the 'Be Kind' and inclusive crowd, are constantly shown to be lies, but instead of being changed – continue to be repeated.

                • arkie

                  Sexism is based on expectations of behaviour, presentation, competence and achievement based on the material reality of biological sex.

                  This is precisely what I meant by a patriarchal definition of gender roles; fixed in stone by 'material realities', unchanging, inflexible and deliberately ignorant and dismissive of the innumerable exceptions to these supposed 'realities' that have always existed.

                  • Molly

                    You also said this:

                    "All this said, my concern is that we must work to dismantle the patriarchy together and people who are queer, gender-diverse, trans etc are helping to do just that. I just feel the focus is wrong."

                    Which has nothing to do with sexism based on material reality.

                    By treating gender stereotypes as fixed and immutable, and denying the reality of material sex differences, the excuse of "dismantling the patriachy", is further diminishing of women's sex based realities and a distortion of both cause and effect of sexism.

                    To say that transgender concerns can be expressed separately, and are distinct is accurate, but seemingly not permitted.

                    The concerns of women in respect to sexism and patriachy are not the same of those of men. They should not be conflated, and therefore adjusted to accommodate an inclusion of males.

                    • arkie

                      It is the view of the patriarchy that gender stereotypes are fixed and immutable.

                      Is physical strength exclusive to men? Is compassion exclusive to women? Aren’t women already logical, analytical, or rebellious or uncompromising or doctors or engineers or farmers or whatever else is seen by our patriarchal society as the realm of men?

                      Are men incapable of gentleness, of caring or supporting or nursing or teaching or child-rearing and household labour or whatever else is seen by our patriarchal society as women’s role?

                      Are you saying the reality of material sex differences means these stereotypes should be maintained and enforced?

                      I will reiterate that I believe that people who are queer, gender-diverse, trans etc. just by existing, are helping to undermine those patriarchal stereotypes, and that is a positive step towards achieving social, political and economic equality of the sexes. They are, at the very least, allies of feminism surely.

                    • Molly

                      @arkie

                      Don't understand the point you are making in your first two paragraphs, or your definition of 'patriachy'. However, can reply to the remainder.

                      "Are you saying the reality of material sex differences means these stereotypes should be maintained and enforced?"

                      No, the majority gender critical view is diametrically opposed to this premise. It is gender ideology that connects gender stereotypes to definitive expressions of sex.

                      "I will reiterate that I believe that people who are queer, gender-diverse, trans etc. just by existing, are helping to undermine those patriarchal stereotypes, and that is a positive step towards achieving social, political and economic equality of the sexes. They are, at the very least, allies of feminism surely."

                      You can reiterate this opinion all you like.

                      To persuade or convince, it is helpful for you to explain how.

                      1. What is your definition of 'patriarchy'?

                      2. How does it impact on the groups you identify?

                      3. Do those impacts overlap, or are they discrete or a combination of the two?

                      4. What is this magical component or effect associated with "just by existing"?

                      5. As an final question about language, what are your definitions of the terms you have used:

                      a)queer, b]gender-diverse, c)trans

                      "They are, at the very least, allies of feminism surely."

                      Not necessarily, examples that contradict that assumption are easily found.

                      Eg. Here's an example of a prominent, feted gender ideology activist's take on misogyny. (Jeffrey Marsh – website and links).

                      https://twitter.com/Marianneradfem/status/1564734227618439169

                      If you take time to research, you will find multiple instances of gender activists telling women how they are doing feminism wrong, how their insistence on biological sex realities supports the patriarchy, sexism, is self-inflicted etc.

                      I'm interested to see how you come to your position.

                    • arkie

                      I feel I have defined the terms suitably enough throughout this thread but I am also keenly aware that definitions do not always provide us with strict rules or boundaries, in fact they very rarely do, the story of Plato and Diogenes is a good example: Plato was asked to define a man and said; “A featherless biped.” Later Diogenes burst in, brandishing a plucked chicken, exclaiming; “Behold, a man!”

                      As a thought experiment, are you able come up with a succint definition of a chair, that includes all chairs while also excluding all things that are not chairs?

                    • Molly

                      @arkie.

                      So, the chair analogy….Let's park that word game with the prevalence of left-handedness ho-hum and move on.

                      As is often the case, when provided with the opportunity to be succinct and provide clarity, words and language is treated as a movable feast in explanations rather than an effective tool for clear communication.

                      "I feel I have defined the terms suitably enough throughout this thread "

                      Yes. I am assured you feel that way. However, the reality is you haven't defined them at all.

                      You are not only failing to convince me of the common ground between women and other demographics. I remain critical of your coherence in what you believe to be the effects of patriachy, or indeed of those groups you have named but not defined in any meaningful way.

                      (No comment on the example of Jeffrey Marsh as women's rights ally? Oh, well. )

                    • arkie

                      What you call a ho-hum word game is very much essential to effective and clear communication, in that we cannot rely on definitions alone to be accurate about the meaning of words; we more often understand things by what Wittgenstein called family resemblances; similarities, affinities and correspondences. One particular affinity, relevant to this discussion is that our patriarchy disempowers all those who are not straight cis white men, so all those demographics that do not have those qualities are largely prevented from exerting social, political or economic power and thus are allies in the struggle for equality.

                    • Molly

                      @arkie.

                      I appreciate you taking time to reply.

                      Unfortunately, I find within your answers nothing to engage with on this issue. I'm not interested in tossing word salads.

                    • arkie

                      That is a shame, despite the barbed vulgarity.

                      I, likewise, am uninterested in dueling definitions with those unwilling to engage in a simple demonstration of the limitations of language.

                      Ho-hum.

                    • Molly

                      @arkie "Barbed vulgarity?" (where?) and "dueling definitions" (interesting concept when you have provided none to query…).

                      Bah humbug indeed.

    • Sacha 8.2

      Clutch that pearl necklace.

      • Molly 8.2.1

        One constant, I've noticed, is that men who are particularly vehement about the acceptance on the slogan 'Trabswomen are Women', are usually also quick to draw on particularly sexist dismissive terms to negate or refute women's concerns.

        Very few women would wear pearls nowadays, Sacha. It is possibly, more likely they will be found on the necks of those men who enjoy cross-dressing like fifties housewives, rather than the grown women of today.

        However that is by the by.

        The other suspicion I have about men who so emphatic about other men being accepted as women, is this:

        For all their talk about acceptance, inclusion and kindness, and let's admit it – complete ignorance about being female, a girl or a woman – their insistence that transvestitites, autogynophiles, men who just declare themselves as women MUST BE accepted in all ways as women, is because they are both unable and unwilling to accommodate such men alongside themselves as 'men'.

        That is why, they choose to abuse women who say they accept that diversity of trans people, but not the lie of biological sex change. They are unable to accept transwomen as men, because their idea of men is limited, so any variation must belong in the non-men category. Is this descriptive of you?

        (In other words, contribute something better than snide sexist dismissals. Pearl clutching…?)

      • Anker 8.2.2

        there are no limitations of language Arkie. Women -= adult human female. End of. Men are free to identify as women all they like. But they can never be women. You can't change biological reality.

        You have a bloody nerve talking about breaking down the patriarchy. In all my years I have never felt so patronized and gas lit as I have by the trans rights activists. Listen to you. The prioritizing of the rights of male bodied people over women to enter their change rooms, sports competitions prisons etc etc, is a f…g outrage and the most sexist thing I have ever experienced in my lifetime.

        • Molly 8.2.2.1

          Well, Anker. I find your language to be clear and to the point, without equivocation, so find myself agreeing.

          It always interests me when people are unable to provide definitions for words they themselves introduce to conversations, particularly on this topic. When provided with opportunities to clarify themselves, they divert off into discussions about how language is fluid and needs to be observed out of context. (Taking the piss, is the more abbreviated term I associate with this approach.) Because THEY are unable to be clear, they assume the problem lies within language, not their misuse of language, or lack of coherent thought.

          (I've never before come across the idea of magical influence on women's oppression by "just existing" before. I imagine it is similar to a unicorn manifestation which grateful women should welcome with open arms. I wonder why so many women wasted time on consciousness raising, protesting and activism in the past. All we needed was a coterie of magical gender identities…)

    • Sabine 8.3

      Yep, we had a nice billbord about cancer and blokes. It was actually quite well done, and it was quite clear at whom it was aimed.

      And no one gives a fuck about the well being of the domesticated mental support providing therapy animal that used to have a name but can't be named anymore lest some people who like to appear non male or people who like to appear male but are non male pack a sad.

      • Molly 8.3.1

        Talk Peach, a charity focused on women's gynaecological cancers actually does have two hit's for the word "women" when doing a site search:

        site: https://www.talkpeach.org.nz/ women

        Fear not. Those hits are outdated. The dreaded word has now almost been edited out entirely. but still remains in the "Our Story' precis. Give it time.

        • Sabine 8.3.1.1

          I think this is the group that advertised for donations to beat that mythical cancer that some people who can not be named have. So i emailed them to inquire about the mythical human being that would get gynecological cancers . I have yet to receive an answer.

          • Molly 8.3.1.1.1

            I did receive an answer.

            Along the lines of "Meanie. Why are you being mean when I'm just trying to be kind? Also, I have cancer, and you're mean."

            Not wishing to engage in any form of one-upmanship in terms of kindness, meanness or sickness, I repeated my concern and wished her well.

            It seems the word 'women' was a step too far when discussing gynaecological cancers.

  8. Anker 9
    • Rumour has it the shiny new NZ Health are debating what is a woman……if they don’t know what a woman is get the f..k out of health. Go and work in fantasy instead
    • Molly 9.1

      Good God. Someone better tell them what a woman is as soon as possible.

      Apparently, there is some confusion that may result in a long waiting list for healthcare for chairs…. Stool samples may take on a completely different meaning.

      wink

    • Muttonbird 9.2

      Probably just working out how to protect all people.

      Hard to know because you gave fuck all context and zero links.

  9. Anker 10

    The context Muttonbird is of a public service captured by gender ideology.

    I said it was a rumour/. Would it bother you if it were true?

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  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    8 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    10 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
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