“IronMaori co-founder and Hawkes Bay District Health Board member Heather Skipworth, QSM, commended Anela for saying not all teachers taught poorly.
“Our education system is failing many of our kids, not because they are rebellious, but purely because one size does not fit all.””
Big big topic that… who is a “good teacher” and who isn’t. I’d agree with Anela at one level, but disagree about the only purpose of education being so you know how to get a mortgage etc. A lot of important information is “witheld” at school that’s for sure – or perhaps offered within the same circle of privilege that continues to shut people out in adult life. The problem with one-size-fits-all thinking is that the teachers Anela can’t connect with do actually connect with someone else. It’s one of those things that requires a total rethink of society rather than just tinkering in education.
I remember the teachers that taught me the most were hated by the surrounding staff. Can’t be like that nowadays – you’ll get pushed out or not even graduate.
As a teacher, we know that one size doesn’t fit all. That is why devices in classes are brilliant. Students can learn at their own rate. As far as the curriculum itself goes, that comes from the Ministry. Previously with much consultation. Now, not so much. One of the aspects that students find hard is “why do we have to learn this?”
Most of us try and explain that the knowledge and skills students are learning will be of use no matter what they do in life.
Devices are a tool, and can be utilised well and appropriately – or – used badly and ineffectively.
There is a good Ted Talk by Sugata Mitra, showing how providing children with access to computers and they will teach themselves and each other.
However, the relevant point here is that those children have a cooperative approach to learning, and that their existing relationships with one another will enhance their progress and learning experience.
I believe that the quality of the relationship between those who possess knowledge and those they wish to share it with is of importance. And this does not have to be affectionate, but it does have to be mutually respectful in terms of working together.
(The exception will be the auto-didacts, who have the skills and the internal motivation to obtain knowledge and learn independently, but the majority of our school system is not set up to support those kind of learners.)
As much as I love technology, I don’t think the answer is devices. A child sitting quietly working by themselves, in a classroom where a number of other “teachers” are available, misses out on so much. There are many ways to learn, and schools have the time and resources to do so in a very innovative and competent way utilising the resources of the students themselves.
It was a very poignant piece written almost profound as it leads one to think of the greater problem of tertiary streaming of education for corporate compliance in the workplace – the very thing the Countercultural movement of the sixties tried to enlighten the world about being subjected to by who were known as the “straights” selling their souls for a paycheck or ratting on those who didnt believe in the great military eco complex.
Now we have a country run by too big to fail- the system is greater than God cos we own the bombs and we will use them becos we are white and right and we want your oil and your country
So we all are forced starting with kids at school carroted and sticked into a future that we are uneducated in being able to control our futures properly because there is no union power for the masses and the corporate swipe card can make or break you
Pity people didnt see what this girl saw when fucking Key started bullshiting this country about the fact that hes here for the ripoff Austerity “screw everbodys idea about what they think the power of their money is Im the new boss and Im here to let you know you dont fuck with the fed ”
Get out of my country Key and stop fucking up our kids right to freedom of speech you bloody FASCIST
These teenage opinions certainly make for good headlines, don’t they. The best way to get out of the one size fits all mentality is to abandon the one-size-fits-all Notional Standard vandalism and get back to following international best practice.
Not that that will do a damn thing to change the fact that the single most influential factor in education outcomes is household income, any more than it would turn the National Party into an ethical competent government.
Then you supported the work on the NZ Curriculum that Mr Mallard led and which got halted by NS and the National Government’s 1950’s fixation on the 3 R’s? Or have you been voting national anyway and helping inflict this system on the children?
Every one should be able to read, write and do basic arithmetic.
By the time I left primary school, I could read, I could write and could do multiplication, division , subtraction and addition.(left in the early 1980’s)
As for high school, I’m not sure how much knowledge I gained, most of the stuff you tended to learn didn’t seem to have any relevancy so wasn’t maintained.
I think part of the issue was that teachers during my high school education didn’t do a particularity good job at explaining the reasoning behind what we were learning.
I think part of the issue was that teachers during my high school education didn’t do a particularity good job at explaining the reasoning behind what we were learning.
And I think the big problem there was that you just didn’t go looking for yourself expecting the teachers to hand it to you on a plate instead.
One of the changes that happened to schooling after you and I left was that the teachers started teaching the children how to learn which is a hell of a lot better than the wrote learning that you and I got and National seems determined to bring back.
Remember we’re talking high school kids here, it really was the job of the teacher to inspire the kids to learn and spark an enthusiasm to seek knowledge.
I think instead of inspiring kids to learn, many just went through the motions.
Which I can sort of understand, teaching the same topic for 30 years would sap the life from any one.
it really was the job of the teacher to inspire the kids to learn and spark an enthusiasm to seek knowledge.
And here’s me thinking that that was actually the job of the parents. Which brings me back to the idea I have that parents don’t actually have enough experience to pass on to their children. This wasn’t too much of a problem in the 50s/60s/70s but it started to become a problem in the 80s and it’s actually got worse since.
That girls father is an orchard worker*, where the hell is she ever going to get the chance to find something that actually interests her which drives her to learn? And that can be asked of many children of the low paid.
We probably need to add work experience to high school.
Looking back on it, the purpose of high school was more about providing a glimpse of the different opportunities and careers for further training, not just uni but also practical skills. I doubt anybody was expected to carry every single piece of information for the rest of their lives, but most students left school with at least some idea of what things they had an aptitude for and what things… not so much.
Not even to the degree of “I want to be a …”, but just things like “not good at math, but science ok, or tech drawing really good”.
Except on my reading the Herald took the wrong angle and then used a misjudged poll .
Leaving aside the horrible grammatical/spelling error int he article by the journalist it annoyed me because
1. Mostly this student is addressing exactly what the teachers have to do and are told to do under our new NS system. The teachers (on the whole, cos every profession has bad average and good) would have loved to deliver Mr Mallard’s curriculum but were stopped. She veers into un-based opinion about pay checks etc. had she included some research/stats in her speech (although having decided to do the topic only the night before this would have been hard to achieve) it could have flown.
2. The Herald chose to take the line that teachers are bad (albeit posting supportive/explanatory messages from teachers/relatives of teachers) and then feed it with the ridiculous poll. In fact the student brought up a great discussion point BUT the Herald mischieviously turned it into “see teachers are bad”, rather than “GOvernment’s NS failing students” (which is equally interpretable from the girl’s speech).
3. The student, no matter how well intended is young, and it shows. She is not an 80 year old stuck in the body of a 16 year old with all the attendant wisdom. Good on her for speaking out but it doesn’t mean what she wrote was all factually based, relevant or “true”.
4. If it were my school, I would have called her and her parents in. I would have asked Dad (and mum?) to read the speech before they came in. Then I would have acknowledged what she was feeling, acknowledged her experience and then given she and her parents some context and perspective about directives from Ministry etc on what is to be delivered, how, time frames and so on. I wouldn’t have suspended her.
5. Now she and the teacher and the school can all learn together about the consequences of all their actions. That’s what I call real world learning.
She and her Dad will now mobilised and write to the Minster of education about how HER system is failing her. her Dad will help her to hold the Ministry and Minister and Government to account hat through NS has brought this down upon our children. Right?
So her age makes her opinion less valid and age = wiseness ? I think you’re type of thinking is part of the problem .
The Mum died years ago according to the article.
Yes.
Actually having spent 40 odd years in education (in Primary secondary and tertiary levels), I concur with a lot of the sentiment she expresses. I too believe that too much emphasis is placed on homework – in most part as a result of pressures by unthinking parents who demand that teachers set endless homework. Teachers are judged by parents on the amount of homework they set – believe me!
I spent some time in teaching Mathematics, Computing, and Physics. There used to be lee way in the curriculum for more life skills orientated topics – particularly at what was the old 6th Form Certificate level. I developed 6 week modules on compounding interest (including – loans of various types – buying a house) – the mathematics of gambling – running a tote and sky city roulette – the consequences plainly obvious that the only people to win being the tote and sky city; and being able to calculate just how much they would gather from a fixed starting amount after a number of bets then carrying out “experiments” to gain much the same result! Very enlightening for the students. Another was a module on surveying and navigation – then problem solving, and a host of other context related topics that had important mathematical principles as their basis. Such modules were able to be developed under the old curriculum which was a very good document . But the best years of teaching were at a Steiner School where the curriculum lends itself to a more holistic treatment and modules are introduced from the standpoint of humanity and human history and development.
So in general I share some sympathy with the young woman who has bared her angst at the education she has received, I think however that the teaching she has received has been tainted over recent years by cutbacks in state spending, unwise amendments to the curriculum, demands on “accountability” of teachers, greater emphasis on testing and recording of “students progress”, the loss of collegiality as a result of the continuous assault of the ECA on all working conditions (and the promotion of individual greed) across the board.
i also have sympathy but she is blaming teachers not the system or the government and the herald doesnt point it out. mallards curriculum was partly designed to allow flexibility to let teachers use real world examples to teach math etc… but not this government and the parents…
i have been in tertiary for 14 years. today many students believe as they pay some dosh they had have bought a course… our bosses want the efts/money so they ake us pass peoe who might otherwise drop out… even students who dont attend class… dont complete or attempt online tasks and seek extensions for all their assessments.
this model of sorts is now in our shools but its parents demanding the product
Yes – that is how many young people react. They do not see the bigger picture – that teachers have to comply within a system as well.
“today many students believe as they pay some dosh they had have bought a courseI”
I know full well… Having taught in a “posh” private school for a while – one was constantly having the cheque book waved under one’s nose! That, I think, was the worst school I ever taught in. It has a this magnificent image – but that is all it is. Educationally, it was also the most backward of all. Another private school was the best (alongside a group of home schoolers). wow what a fascinating and fun time we had! And the learning.. I don’t think I ever learnt so much. And if the teacher is learning – you can bet the students are too. And they did – I know I am still in contact with them all.
ps – Just been watching “The Rise and Fall of Rome” a BBC documentary in 6 episodes featuring 6 separate emperors from Ceasar to the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410 AD
If people think humanity is wiser now – they should watch this… The hubris, double dealing, inhumanity to fellow humans, and lies of those who seek power, are much the same now, as 2000 years ago.
I agree we may, only may, be less bloody than then but everything else is at it was.
I now see that the student wasn’t suspended, is leaving for Australia and doesn’t have as much student support as Herald suggested.
My partner saw that it was a headline story on the offline herald yesterday while getting coffee. She said she kept scanning down to see the quote/response from the Principal and Board but it seemed the Herald didn’t seek it out.
My partner who is NOT political said to me last night. It just lacked “balance”. She told me this story after we watched prime news to see that all was not quite as Herald pumped it on their front page.
Why involve parents at that stage. Much better would have been the teacher acknowledging the students comments and having a discussion with the class to examine the subject. Not with the intent of embarrassing the student but with intent to get all the class thinking and talking.
Possible questions to class
Do others feel this is correct if so why.
What would they like to see done in class that they would approve of
Is every teacher in school the same are some better/worse
Maybe do a project on good schools/teachers in world and why are they good
IF they were thinking of suspending, then that is why I would have involved the parents.
The rest of what you suggest would be great but I wonder, how much time do you think that would take? Most teachers i know would love to do that kind of exploration BUT then no one else would have time to do their speech, and the class would get behind what they need to “know” and so on… and so on and so on.
I accept that might be the case but all subjects have room for teachers to explore a little. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. It could be 10 minutes per lesson over a week.
BTW for anyone that has real Netflix watch the programme Rita which is set in a Danish School system. Friends that are from Denmark assure me that the programme is very real
I thought her criticism of teachers was ott. And when she wrote that she as over hearing and understanding the Treaty, plus what she thought she should be taught my head dropped and I sighed sadly. I don’t think she should be excluded from school because of her essay.
Her criticism of the teacher was personal, from a point of self and likely flawed and immature – but hard to tell without reading or hearing it.
From a purely marking perspective, the content of the speech is irrelevant. It can still be marked on clarity, delivery and accuracy. And it should be.
Teachers are in a position to judge their students work everyday. And the students – who are less able to view with objectivity their critiques – have to wrestle with their own emotions in submitting their work.
After reading the comments in the article, I don’t think anything was completely OTT – coming as it does from a teenage angst perspective. It should not result in the request for an apology from the student, unless it was personal in direction at a particular teacher.
(As for content, it sounds like the result of listening to too much talk back radio, or the not unexpected effect of the amount of vitriol and bashing that has been promoted by the MSM towards both the teaching profession and the treaty).
“In high school we should be learning about the real world- how to pay my taxes, apply for jobs, mortgage my house, buy a car- things that we will actually use in the future.”
So, a 14-year-old school pupil doesn’t understand what education’s for and has a big mouth. Forgive my yawns, NZ Herald.
I’m a decently smart kid, with some decently good grades. But sometimes I believe that, with the essays, worksheets and endless amount of study assigned to me each day, that teachers secretly hate me, rather than actually wanting to help me do better. They most likely, if anything really, just do it for the pay check. I’m not saying all teachers do, but the majority of them appear to be that way. I always think about how I do believe school is important however I don’t believe most of the stuff taught there, is. Do I honestly need to know what a= 1+rn to the 2nd power is, go over the treaty Waitangi every year since I was literally 5 or memorize the periodic table in order to get somewhere in life? Do I honestly need to know the structure of a seed and how it works and whatnot? No, I don’t think so. I believe school should, instead, teach us more valuable information that we’ll actually need for our futures.
In High School, we should be learning about the real world, how to pay my taxes, apply for jobs, mortgage my house, buy a car, things that we will actually use in the future. So far, I’ve only learned that whatever I manage to get done in a short amount of time isn’t enough. What’s that? You did your homework, but didn’t do one question because you found it difficult and you were struggling? Well, there’s a unsatisfactory for homework on your mid term report! Now, that’s just not ok.
What my point is, we all struggle, and work, and stress our selves over things that aren’t important in the long run. Two years after High School, and the majority of the students who’ve graduated have already forgotten anything they’ve learned in the last four years of their school career. Stressing myself over end of year exams, because if I fail, I have my parents on my back, asking me why I didn’t try hard enough, my teacher telling me I could have focused harder in class and my peers simply telling me that I’m stupid? Ridiculous.
I honestly used to love going to school. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it made me happy to go to school, to meet friends, to learn things that I never knew. But the minute High School starts, it’s either you fly, or you fall. Now I strongly dislike it, and want nothing to do with it.
Some teachers are nice, there are a good few who are genuinely nice and want to help us but it seems that the teachers that are not willing to encourage and help me are all teachers of the subjects I’m not good at and it also happens to be that I don’t enjoy them. It’s unbelievable how some teachers play favorites. They believe you can do better than your best? If they wanted me to do better, wouldn’t they actually help me to understand? they wouldn’t shove more work down my throat and expect me not to have any trouble with it. I’m not saying to treat me special because I struggle in the subject but because I’m a student who would like to learn things by a teacher, and not a book. Actually do the teaching that you were taught and you are paid to do. Don’t just give me worksheets to do and expect me to take a test on the topic 2 days later.
you know….the school system is really screwed up …. We have all these teachers that dont enjoy their jobs and are all angry about the cut backs in their paychecks. Making us feel like complete idiots and making us feel useless. Like it’s our fault that we don’t understand the work! Maybe some of us have just don’t understand it! Or maybe the teacher didn’t teach it very well, but we’re the ones dealing with the consequences of failure.
It’s teachers like this that make us students want to skip class and not go to school because we think we arent good enough for the certain subject. Like we are stupid and will never understand it…. Teachers are PAID to TEACH us.. not paid to hand out a piece of paper with words on it and sit around and do nothing!!!!!!! I’m not saying all teachers are bad, and I understand that us as students need to make an effort. But our teachers chose this career and need to try to cater for each individuals education.
We spend 7 hours, 5 days a week, plus extra hours on top of that going over the days work, revision, studying, completing unfinished work and also homework give, working to please every single teacher, the least the could do is have some understanding and simply teach.
The ignorance and self-righteousness is truly astounding even for a 15 year old.
On Checkpoint tonight the truth finally emerged: she had not been stood down; she had not been suspended. It sound a lot like she had been asked to a meeting with the Principal and had ragequit in protest instead of attending.
It now turns out that she is leaving for Australia soon, and will therefore not return to the school at all. Interesting… She also says that some other students have reacted badly to her speech… interesting too. I would not be surprised if that were a majority of students, but I doubt that the Herald will give coverage to that aspect. I agree with Tracy – a slanted beat-up by the Herald in particular.
I find it interesting that in general the response from most of the “lefties ” here has been to divert and excuse the system. This girl was brave enough to voice her view that she had been let down buy the school and I have a lot of sympathy for her as my own collage days where shit .
I also wonder if she would of got the same reaction here if she had of been brown and from flaxmere.
I find it interesting that in general the response from most of the “lefties ” here has been to divert and excuse the system.
The system’s not perfect, no system is, and a few will always be let down by it.
This girl was brave enough to voice her view that she had been let down buy the school and I have a lot of sympathy for her as my own collage days where shit .
I’m sorry your college days were shit but I get a distinct impression that she’s more parroting what her father says than being brave voicing her opinion.
Most of what she says is useless I use everyday in my life. I can budget because I learned mathematics and understand compounding interest. I clean the toilet, bathroom and kitchen because I learned science and not because I did my chores as a child.
In fact, what it comes right down to is the fact that what she’s saying is useless is something that someone who hasn’t got a clue as to what they’re talking about says and what she says is useful is what someone who’s been badly burned by the financial system says and all of that points to her orchard worker father. Somebody who’s pig ignorant and likely to stay that way because they’ve already determined that they know everything that needs to be known.
Why do you keep pointing out the fact he was an orchard worker? Does that make him stupid in your eyes? Pig ignorant you say? Based on what? The fact he is an orchard worker?
Bold words from the guy who frequently mentions his career at McDonalds. Not to mention it makes you sound like an utter cock.
Why do you keep pointing out the fact he was an orchard worker?
Because he’s a man in his forties doing the job of someone in their teens.
Does that make him stupid in your eyes?
Pretty much.
Pig ignorant you say? Based on what?
Based upon the BS that his daughter is spouting. She got that crap from somewhere and it wasn’t school.
Bold words from the guy who frequently mentions his career at McDonalds.
I’ve never had a career in my life but I was a manager at McDs for awhile. I usually mention it to show that I have the experience and knowledge to back up what I’m saying.
Very classless comments from you there. Firstly you don’t know what his job is outside of “orchard worker”. secondly you have no intimate knowledge of the family, the teen, how her views were informed, what role her father played etc.
And calling someone stupid based on what you think they do? What a fucking asshole position to take. Even if he was an orchard worker who cares? My uncle picks grapes for a living but he has a double degree and his wife is very well known in the science community. You are being a judgemental dick.
Manager at McDonald’s doesn’t mean anything Draco. Yay! Your experience is also that of someone in their late teens/early 20’s. Well done sir.
The slant of the article was to damn most teachers and the system as well, so what reaction would you expect? Even many of the students seem to be reacting badly to her rant.
I agree that in some ways the system we have is appalling. Our schools could well be seen as large holding-pens designed mainly to keep off the streets the despicable offspring of parents who both just happen to be required to work all day to survive…
To improve, both the overloaded teachers (work overload forces many teachers into survival tactics) and the system need better resourcing and funding. But rants about laziness reveal only the mentality of the ranter.
Teachers are human. What was your attitude to teachers when you were a student? (Probably a stroppy one, I would guess.)
Turns out she wasn’t suspended and is leaving for Australia.
WHO has “diverted and excused the system”? Do you mean teachers?
Of course she has the right to speak out but the only person suggesting anyone didn’t want her to speak out just because some of us say much of what she says is factually wrong, is you. As for her colour, you are off the mark but I understand from your comment that this has some emotional tie to your experiences so I understand why you are viewing us as you are.
IMO this is just a case of a power crazy principal who is a fan of those zero-tolerance policies in US schools. We have seen it with hair cuts, dress codes, etc and so on. Our schools are turning into minature prisons , and charter schools will only be a million times worse.
The supreme irony is that these zero tolerance policies are seldom used in cases of bullying and harrasment.
Yes I bet she was one of those kids that didn’t fit the mold ,maybe was a little difficult but she’s a kid who is dropping out and that means its the system that failed not the girl.
except the girl was NOT suspended as she told the Herald. And is on her way to live in Australia.
It seems odd to me millsy that suddenly your regard the Herald as the bearer of truth and wisdom? especially when the article lacked balance, was badly editted and provided no opportunity for a response from the Principal?
McCormick did not believe the problem was systemic, however.
LOL
Yeah it is.
We’ve been taught over the last few decades that the correct price of anything is the amount we wish to pay and not the amount it actually costs. This has resulted in people not wanting to pay the full amount to get the job done properly.
This is major problem in the building industry where all the costs and responsibilities have been taken off of the main contractors and put on the sub-contractors. The main contractors get the job and then demand that the sub-contractors cut costs so that they can still make a profit. That contractor then has to cut corners and the result of that, as we saw with the Leaky Buildings fiasco, is poor and declining workmanship.
Many of the issues were because the sector was trying to fill skills gaps in any way it could.
Just, you know, without actually paying for them.
The industry’s been telling anybody who would listen that we’ve got a skills shortage in Auckland.
Not really, we’ve got a bunch of developers and main contractors that don’t want to pay for the skills that they need. Big difference. I know of at least three people getting out of the construction industry because there’s no money in it for them and I’m not in the construction industry.
“That would have been a great vehicle to try and help with this, and really that hasn’t had lot of effort put into it by central government,” Florence said.
And out comes the let’s blame government line to excuse their own practices.
Take the F-ers to court like the Netherlands on behalf of the people (and not just on climate change but all the corruption!
Climate change: Taking it to court
The Netherlands is one of the countries most at risk from climate change, but its government isn’t doing enough to stop it. So a group of Dutch citizens went to court to get a tougher emissions-reduction target, and won:
A Dutch court has ordered the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% by 2020, in a case environmentalists hope will set a precedent for other countries.
Campaigners brought the case on behalf of almost 900 Dutch citizens.
They argued the government had a legal obligation to protect its citizens from the dangers of climate change.
The case was a straight-out tort, made possible by the clear and obvious harm the plaintiffs would suffer if emissions continue: sea levels would rise and they would be under water. That’s not going to be possible everywhere. OTOH, a case from people in low-lying regions, or areas affected by flooding or drought, might be an interesting option in New Zealand.
Posted by Idiot/Savant at 6/25/2015 11:55:00 AM Links to this post
I guess they are more concerned about chasing the darling Auckland vote with multi billion dollar spend on Roading. Not a sausage for the city rail link to help stem motorway gridlock.
Blenheim was promised a new bridge on Highway 1 just out of town heading north. This promise was made at the 2011 election. But surprise! It has been taken off the list. So bribe for the election then after the votes are counted, withdraw the bribe. What does this tell us?
@ianmac
I think I can visualise that bridge. I think it’s hardly wide enough for two trucks to pass or for a bicycle and a car to be side by side in a lane. There is no pedestrian lane so they can cross the river. It must be wider than the criteria for a give-way priority direction bridge. But that is what is needed a lot of the time.
And it is more important to have good dual lane State highway roads around the country, and serviced roads providing a suitable standard for regions, than have showplace motorways to impress the wealthy and tourists around Auckland.
Yes it is one of those with high scalloped sides and almost like a one way in that trucks take unofficial right of way as they overlap the centre line. Built nearly 100 years ago. Promised, bribed and discarded.
So what’s happening about making this historic place safer for modern traffic volumes? Not much apparently and talk of a heavy traffic bypass which would largely alleviate the need for a new bridge seems to be a distant murmur.
So what has been happening with the Opawa River Bridge project investigations? Latest public update was in May and was predictably non-committal. If things get moving soon, it might have new construction going ahead before its centenary in 2017.
“Marlborough Roads Manager Frank Porter said this week the investigation was nearly finished.
Further geotechnical and structural work needed to be done before any recommendations were finalised, Porter said.
The thing is, a few years ago, when the Future Investment Fund was first discussed as a source for funding of a new bridge there is this interesting passage from a 2012 Tasman Regional Transport Committee Agenda pg30/61
“The Opawa River and Wairau River bridge replacements in Marlborough District and the Southern Link investigation, design and consenting in Nelson City have been separated from Table 3 above because they will be funded through the Government’s ‘Future Investment Fund’.(subject to election outcome)” (bold mine)
Didn’t the people promising the build, the same people who have this magical fund of everlasting dollars called the Future Investment Fund, actually win the next election? So where’s the new bridge?
A great piece of research Freedom. I believe that in the press (Herald?) yesterday that the Opawa River Bridge had been dropped from the list of bridge rebuilds. The bit that bothers me is not that the new bridge is being delayed now, but that National can get away with a promise at the 2011 election, then renege.
Auckland MP and Labour’s transport spokesman Phil Twyford said he had been leaked information that Prime Minister John Key will make an announcement on the second crossing on August 12 – and it will be roads-only, with no rail option.
“It’s a $5 billion project, a major piece of transport infrastructure. They’re going to announce that they’re going to bring it forward.
If they do and they make it roads only at a guess I figure only about 20% of Auckland will vote for them. We want public transport and we want it now. Fuck having more roads and the congestion that comes with them.
Never under-estimate the power of a Parliamentary petition?
Seen this?
——————————————————————
Paula Bennett30 JUNE, 2015
New Local Government Commissioners
New appointments to the Local Government Commission will continue to foster strong and effective local democracy, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.
Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed as Chair, and Mr Leigh Auton has been appointed as a member. They join Commissioner Janie Annear, who has been reappointed. The appointments are for a three year term, commencing 1 August 2015.
“I’m thrilled with these appointments, and believe that Sir Wira, Mr Auton and Ms Annear have the right knowledge and expertise to help communities focus on the issues that matter,” Mrs Bennett says.
“Fundamentally, we need local government to focus on delivering sustainable infrastructure, making sensible spending decisions, and listening to its citizens.
“It is the Commission’s role to look at the structure of local government and ensure we have a strong regional focus to promote job growth and increased social wellbeing.
“For too long the argument has been on how many mayors we have, instead of looking at key infrastructure and economic growth.
“I will be asking the Commission to be creative and think seriously about the different kind of local government structures that will help our communities continue to prosper.”
Sir Wira has a long and distinguished public service career. He was a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal and the founding Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri.
Leigh Auton has extensive local government experience with a particular background in planning, infrastructure and transport, and is former Chief Executive of Manukau City Council.
Janie Annear has been a member of the Commission since 1 July 2014 and served three terms as the Mayor of Timaru from 2004 to 2013.
“I’d like to thank outgoing Chair Basil Morrison and member Anne Carter for their service and significant contribution to the Commission’s work since 2011.”
Mr Morrison and Ms Carter complete their terms on the Commission on 31 July 2015.
Editors Note: The Local Government Commission is an independent statutory body. Its main roles are to make decisions about the structure and boundaries of councils and the representation arrangements for local authorities.
“Harmful Digital Communications”. Lyn, will this new Act affect contributors to TS? Will you have to move “offshore” to counter this gross abuse of democracy?
Not likely to be a problem, wyndham. The basic ‘free speech’ defences remain and there has to be proof of both harm and the intent to harm. However, there could be abuse of the provisions, where sites like TS are spammed with bogus complaints and ‘take down’ notices.
And, of course, the slippery slope idea counts in this instance, because the police always end up pushing their new powers as far as possible. I live in a city where the cops tried to prosecute a publican with sedition (to be fair, he sure as shit deserved the worry, because he was deliberately skirting incitement and nuisance laws imo).
A bit like the proceeds of crime act – the poster sticker was for drug millionaires, the practise is police attempting to take farms off people based on evidence previously proved incorrect.
Submissions today in the Whangarei District Court – 10am.
This is a REALLY important ‘test case’ for citizens trying to hold Councils accountable to the ‘rule of LAW’.
————————————————————
Northern Advocate 30 June 2015
Bruce Rogan is in court today challenging the right of Kaipara District Council to recoup $1 million. Photo / File
By Imran Ali
A Kaipara ratepayer refusing to pay his rates is challenging in court his territorial authority’s decision to legally recoup nearly $1 million in land and water rates as well as penalties.
Bruce Rogan, chairman of the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents’ Association (MRRA), has taken a test case in Whangarei District Court against the Kaipara District Court and a hearing will take place today.
“This is an extremely important case of local government and anybody’s who is concerned about the power of councils to set rates should attend the hearing,” he said.
The council is taking to court about 100 defaulting ratepayers, including Mr Rogan, who owe nearly $1 million in rates and penalties from 2012 in protest against Parliament passing the Kaipara Validation Act. The Act validated irregularities in the setting and assessing of Kaipara District rates from the 2006/07 financial year to 2011/12 in respect of a wastewater scheme.
One defaulting ratepayer owes the council more than $100,000 while others are being asked to pay five-figure sums. The council is seeking $14,946 from Mr Rogan and his wife Heather for their Mangawhai Heads’ property. In his statement of defence, Mr Rogan claimed he was not liable to pay rates because they have been unlawfully set, assessed and invoiced. He said the council had no statutory power to start legal proceeding against defaulting ratepayers in October last year.
The rates’ assessment notice for the 2013/14 and 2014/15, he said, did not clearly identify the statutory information that must be stipulated according to the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. In an affidavit filed in support of the statement of defence, Mr Rogan said he and his wife would only pay once the council delivered compliant rates’ assessment notices and invoices.
In June last year, he said association members agreed to pay up if the commissioners running the council were willing to rescind all penalties on the validated rates.
“This offer was not only rejected, but it was followed a matter of just three days later by a letter from the council to those whose rates were in arrears, threatening additional penalties if full payment was not made by July 1, 2014.”
He said instead of approaching association members with a view to negotiating a deal, the council decided to rely upon the courts to enforce collection of amounts if claimed were owed. The Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents’ Association (MRRA) took the council to the High Court to seek a declaration that the rates were invalid. However, Justice Paul Heath said that, since the Act was passed by Parliament, he didn’t have powers to declare it unlawful.
That makes me feel warm and neighbourly towards Oz – we both are completely useless at running our countries successfully with a proper balance in business, wages and welfare, and environmental conservation. Or to get politicians in power that have the wide intelligence, integrity, and inspiration to get us out of our morass caused by past actions. Unfortunately all those in’s needed are out’s and we descend surely down the plughole to become the b..hole of the region.
Yeah that;s looking backwards though; what do you think will happen now that their financial markets are crashing and the middle class is wondering where their wealth is going
I guess it’s a numbers game and they have more millionaire’s than we have in population. The American fight back with the TPPA getting closer looks likely to have an impact on China, however the Chinese have always been the end game thinkers opposed to the Yanks who’s empire is crumbling. Time will tell I guess how we fair under the TPPA?
MSM had it in for her. Remember ‘nanny state’, painter gate, etc etc.
Media screaming hysterically.
Now we just hear about what’s on TV in our news, nothing much on the Nats apart from our ‘rock star’ economy and first hand reports prepared by Nats presented as ‘news’.
AT does it again. Takes an innovation from a truly progressive mayor and copies it, without following up with the rest of the progressive and innovative moves.
A similar initiative was done by mimes in the city of Bogota, by the existing mayor, Antanas Mockus. and this had a marked impact on the number of pedestrians killed. But he also paved the way for progressive actions of following mayors, such as Enrique Penalosa – who appropriated a private golf course in the middle of the city and made it into a public park. He also invested in a public transport system, and spent money on providing good cycleways and footpaths to impoverished communities rather than roads. Those are the actions that make a significant difference to the residents of Bogota, and that unfortunately will not be followed up by AT.
Similar to the Pocket Park that Auckland Council and AT did last year. The inspiration was a form of protest by grassroots community groups in the US, who were sick of the focus on providing for cars at the expense of people, and so paid the carpark fees and set up their own parks for the day.
While good intentioned, and very good PR, they miss the point that the public is still not involved in having a say in the environment in which they live and work.
This impacts on their quality of experience in those places.
(The original mimes in Bogota actually did reduce the high fatality statistics there, but the city they operated in was very different to present day Auckland – and I expect their presence was experienced by pedestrians and motorists alike.)
Interesting conversation on Radio Live with Mark Sainsbury this morning. A “well spoken” older lady phoned in challenging was it an “open line” radio station or not? She had wanted to talk about John Campbell and the cancelling of his programme. The Producer Jeremy had told her prior to getting through that the topic of JC was not available to be talked about and she was requesting that Mark S go back to the management of Radio Live and ask if it is an open line station, why were the topics being filtered/censored before being talked about on air? Mark S fluffed and told he understood etc, thanked her for her contribution and cut her off. Incidently the topic being discussed was car driver’s and their bad/good habits – go figure – nothing that could rock the boat and take the establishment to task.
Jeremy has spoken publicly about his love for all things John Banks. I stopped listening years ago, but when Sainsbury is on I usually have a quick listen, heard him a few months ago utterly baffled because he thought if you were on the dole & were a bit short you could just pop into the WINZ office & they would hand over some extra money for you. So yeah, he’s a little bit of touch with reality I think.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201760621
09:05 Not ‘Just Another Climate Change Action Group’
Leading scientists and academics are calling on the government for a national risk assessment of the country’s long term risks. The Wise Response Society say they don’t want to be cast as just another climate change action group, but scientists, doctors, engineers, and researchers at the coal face who are already seeing the unintended consequences of past and current economic decisions piling up.
Dr. Susan Krumdieck is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury. For information on Professor Krumdieck‘s work on sustainability, visit the AEMS Lab website.
Useful comment from Australian correspondent on election bribery through large donations and what they think about this.
9:45 Australia correspondent Bernard Keane – reports from Australia with the latest on the revelations about Mafia donations to the Liberal Party. http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201760623
Further to the info on this morning Radionz comment by this Professor –
(For older commenters – it relates to the futures group briefly set up to help with scenarios of the future so we can be prepared for likely outcomes. Soon disbanded, as it didn’t help electionability, and was outside the three-year sheep pen for ideas.)
Dr. Susan Krumdieck is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury. For information on Professor Krumdieck‘s work on sustainability, visit the AEMS Lab website.
Forgot to add – gagging like your leader post in today’s T.S. about the Cyber Bullying Bill is well and truly alive in NZ – not only with online content.
MAORI TAKING STEPS TO STOP THE TPPA
Urgency Applications to the Waitangi Tribunal on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
On 23 June 2015, two Waitangi Tribunal claims were filed alleging that the Crown’s negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement were in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Wai 2522: a claim lodged by Papaarangi M J Reid, Moana Jackson, Angeline Greensill, Hone Harawira, Rikirangi Gage and Moana Maniapoto, concerning the Crown’s actions and omissions in its negotiations over the TPPA; and
Wai 2523: a claim by Natalie Kay Baker, Hone Tiatoa, Maia (Connie) Pitman, Ani Taniwha, Pouri Harris, Owen Kingi, Justyne Te Tana and Lorraine Norris, that alleges that without consultation with or consent from the hapū of Ngāpuhi, the Crown is ceding elements of NZ’s sovereignty before considering what effect this will have on hapū in light of the conclusions of the Wai 1040 Stage 1 Report He Whakaputanga me te Tiriti – The Declaration and The Treaty.
The Tribunal has classified Wai 2522/2523 as claims that concern issues of national significance.
Our lawyers have asked that both claims be heard urgently, before events take place that overtake the necessity of the claims.
Judge Savage has directed the Crown to respond to Wai 2522/2523 by this Friday 3 July 2015, which suggests the Tribunal understands how fast events are moving, and how quickly these claims must be heard if the Tribunal is to make findings and recommendations before the Crown signs off on the TPPA.
Once the Tribunal has received the Crown’s response the Judge will set us a deadline to reply.
The Tribunal will then make a decision on whether to hold a fixture to hear the claims urgently.
More to come …
Hone
And today at QT Q6 :”MARAMA FOX to the Minister of Trade: How many Māori organisations have been consulted during the last 5 years of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement?”
Is there anyone out there who is able to post a link to yesterday’s (i.e., Tuesday 30 June) edition of The Huddle on NewstalkZB? It featured Larry Williams, Barry Soper and Cameron Slater discussing the situation in Gaza.
As anyone who had the misfortune to hear it will attest, it was not exactly the most learned or serious discussion, but I would like to make a transcript of it if someone can post up the actual audio.
I’ve looked and looked but can’t find it online yet.
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
A warning – suicide is discussed in this podcast New Zealand’s own long-running soap Shortland Street doesn’t hesitate to kill off its much-loved characters. But would TVNZ dare to kill off our favourite soap? That’s the fear as times get tough in television – even though it’s been pointed out ...
Essay: If the Crown harms children, how do you hold it accountable? Analysis by Aaron Smale in light of the Waitangi Tribunal court decision. The post The Crown versus Māori Children appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used widely in everyday consumer items such as textiles, packaging, and cookware, popular for their water, grease and stain-repellent properties. However, the very properties that make PFAS so attractive to manufacturers are also what ...
NONFICTION 1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)’ This is the hottest book in New Zealand, number one with a bullet in its first week, selling more than any overseas title, and demand is so huge that it’s already been reprinted. A ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 3 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan resistance leader has condemned the United Nations role in allowing Indonesia to “integrate” the Melanesian Pacific region in what is claimed to be an “egregious act of inhumanity” on 1 May 1963. In an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A key part of the Albanese government’s political strategy is to fill the news cycle with its presence and messaging. Ministers are deployed to the maximum, even when they’ve little to say. This week ...
Recent extreme weather events showed the importance of a well-functioning insurance system, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs minister Andrew Bayly. ...
By Jo Moir, RNZ News political editor, and Craig McCulloch, deputy political editor New Zealand’s Labour Party is demanding Winston Peters be stood down as Foreign Minister for opening up the government to legal action over his “totally unacceptable” attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. In an interview on RNZ’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute The Conversation, Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall ...
The Wellington-based Reserve Force soldier is now almost three years into his New Zealand Army career with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. ...
"The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff," Fitzsimons said. ...
Was the purchase of the 41million dollar apartment in NY brought up in the house yesterday?
11 million!!
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11473616
The systems not working for kids !
“IronMaori co-founder and Hawkes Bay District Health Board member Heather Skipworth, QSM, commended Anela for saying not all teachers taught poorly.
“Our education system is failing many of our kids, not because they are rebellious, but purely because one size does not fit all.””
Big big topic that… who is a “good teacher” and who isn’t. I’d agree with Anela at one level, but disagree about the only purpose of education being so you know how to get a mortgage etc. A lot of important information is “witheld” at school that’s for sure – or perhaps offered within the same circle of privilege that continues to shut people out in adult life. The problem with one-size-fits-all thinking is that the teachers Anela can’t connect with do actually connect with someone else. It’s one of those things that requires a total rethink of society rather than just tinkering in education.
I remember the teachers that taught me the most were hated by the surrounding staff. Can’t be like that nowadays – you’ll get pushed out or not even graduate.
As a teacher, we know that one size doesn’t fit all. That is why devices in classes are brilliant. Students can learn at their own rate. As far as the curriculum itself goes, that comes from the Ministry. Previously with much consultation. Now, not so much. One of the aspects that students find hard is “why do we have to learn this?”
Most of us try and explain that the knowledge and skills students are learning will be of use no matter what they do in life.
Devices are a tool, and can be utilised well and appropriately – or – used badly and ineffectively.
There is a good Ted Talk by Sugata Mitra, showing how providing children with access to computers and they will teach themselves and each other.
However, the relevant point here is that those children have a cooperative approach to learning, and that their existing relationships with one another will enhance their progress and learning experience.
I believe that the quality of the relationship between those who possess knowledge and those they wish to share it with is of importance. And this does not have to be affectionate, but it does have to be mutually respectful in terms of working together.
(The exception will be the auto-didacts, who have the skills and the internal motivation to obtain knowledge and learn independently, but the majority of our school system is not set up to support those kind of learners.)
As much as I love technology, I don’t think the answer is devices. A child sitting quietly working by themselves, in a classroom where a number of other “teachers” are available, misses out on so much. There are many ways to learn, and schools have the time and resources to do so in a very innovative and competent way utilising the resources of the students themselves.
It was a very poignant piece written almost profound as it leads one to think of the greater problem of tertiary streaming of education for corporate compliance in the workplace – the very thing the Countercultural movement of the sixties tried to enlighten the world about being subjected to by who were known as the “straights” selling their souls for a paycheck or ratting on those who didnt believe in the great military eco complex.
Now we have a country run by too big to fail- the system is greater than God cos we own the bombs and we will use them becos we are white and right and we want your oil and your country
So we all are forced starting with kids at school carroted and sticked into a future that we are uneducated in being able to control our futures properly because there is no union power for the masses and the corporate swipe card can make or break you
Pity people didnt see what this girl saw when fucking Key started bullshiting this country about the fact that hes here for the ripoff Austerity “screw everbodys idea about what they think the power of their money is Im the new boss and Im here to let you know you dont fuck with the fed ”
Get out of my country Key and stop fucking up our kids right to freedom of speech you bloody FASCIST
These teenage opinions certainly make for good headlines, don’t they. The best way to get out of the one size fits all mentality is to abandon the one-size-fits-all Notional Standard vandalism and get back to following international best practice.
Not that that will do a damn thing to change the fact that the single most influential factor in education outcomes is household income, any more than it would turn the National Party into an ethical competent government.
That and the household attitude. I suspect that young person has been learning how to blame someone else from her father.
I do believe more emphasis needs to be put on life skills.
High school shouldn’t just be a stepping stone to higher education.
Agree +100
Then you supported the work on the NZ Curriculum that Mr Mallard led and which got halted by NS and the National Government’s 1950’s fixation on the 3 R’s? Or have you been voting national anyway and helping inflict this system on the children?
Every one should be able to read, write and do basic arithmetic.
By the time I left primary school, I could read, I could write and could do multiplication, division , subtraction and addition.(left in the early 1980’s)
As for high school, I’m not sure how much knowledge I gained, most of the stuff you tended to learn didn’t seem to have any relevancy so wasn’t maintained.
I think part of the issue was that teachers during my high school education didn’t do a particularity good job at explaining the reasoning behind what we were learning.
And I think the big problem there was that you just didn’t go looking for yourself expecting the teachers to hand it to you on a plate instead.
One of the changes that happened to schooling after you and I left was that the teachers started teaching the children how to learn which is a hell of a lot better than the wrote learning that you and I got and National seems determined to bring back.
Remember we’re talking high school kids here, it really was the job of the teacher to inspire the kids to learn and spark an enthusiasm to seek knowledge.
I think instead of inspiring kids to learn, many just went through the motions.
Which I can sort of understand, teaching the same topic for 30 years would sap the life from any one.
And here’s me thinking that that was actually the job of the parents. Which brings me back to the idea I have that parents don’t actually have enough experience to pass on to their children. This wasn’t too much of a problem in the 50s/60s/70s but it started to become a problem in the 80s and it’s actually got worse since.
That girls father is an orchard worker*, where the hell is she ever going to get the chance to find something that actually interests her which drives her to learn? And that can be asked of many children of the low paid.
We probably need to add work experience to high school.
There did seem to be a massive change in High School around the time I was in (87-91) and earlier and i don’t think it was for the best
Looking back on it, the purpose of high school was more about providing a glimpse of the different opportunities and careers for further training, not just uni but also practical skills. I doubt anybody was expected to carry every single piece of information for the rest of their lives, but most students left school with at least some idea of what things they had an aptitude for and what things… not so much.
Not even to the degree of “I want to be a …”, but just things like “not good at math, but science ok, or tech drawing really good”.
Except on my reading the Herald took the wrong angle and then used a misjudged poll .
Leaving aside the horrible grammatical/spelling error int he article by the journalist it annoyed me because
1. Mostly this student is addressing exactly what the teachers have to do and are told to do under our new NS system. The teachers (on the whole, cos every profession has bad average and good) would have loved to deliver Mr Mallard’s curriculum but were stopped. She veers into un-based opinion about pay checks etc. had she included some research/stats in her speech (although having decided to do the topic only the night before this would have been hard to achieve) it could have flown.
2. The Herald chose to take the line that teachers are bad (albeit posting supportive/explanatory messages from teachers/relatives of teachers) and then feed it with the ridiculous poll. In fact the student brought up a great discussion point BUT the Herald mischieviously turned it into “see teachers are bad”, rather than “GOvernment’s NS failing students” (which is equally interpretable from the girl’s speech).
3. The student, no matter how well intended is young, and it shows. She is not an 80 year old stuck in the body of a 16 year old with all the attendant wisdom. Good on her for speaking out but it doesn’t mean what she wrote was all factually based, relevant or “true”.
4. If it were my school, I would have called her and her parents in. I would have asked Dad (and mum?) to read the speech before they came in. Then I would have acknowledged what she was feeling, acknowledged her experience and then given she and her parents some context and perspective about directives from Ministry etc on what is to be delivered, how, time frames and so on. I wouldn’t have suspended her.
5. Now she and the teacher and the school can all learn together about the consequences of all their actions. That’s what I call real world learning.
She and her Dad will now mobilised and write to the Minster of education about how HER system is failing her. her Dad will help her to hold the Ministry and Minister and Government to account hat through NS has brought this down upon our children. Right?
So her age makes her opinion less valid and age = wiseness ? I think you’re type of thinking is part of the problem .
The Mum died years ago according to the article.
read it again. i absolutely belive she is entitled to an opinion. but dont mistake all she said for fact.
Almost all lof my criticism was at the Herald for how it chose to frame it and the system that lets the students and teachers down.
Yes.
Actually having spent 40 odd years in education (in Primary secondary and tertiary levels), I concur with a lot of the sentiment she expresses. I too believe that too much emphasis is placed on homework – in most part as a result of pressures by unthinking parents who demand that teachers set endless homework. Teachers are judged by parents on the amount of homework they set – believe me!
I spent some time in teaching Mathematics, Computing, and Physics. There used to be lee way in the curriculum for more life skills orientated topics – particularly at what was the old 6th Form Certificate level. I developed 6 week modules on compounding interest (including – loans of various types – buying a house) – the mathematics of gambling – running a tote and sky city roulette – the consequences plainly obvious that the only people to win being the tote and sky city; and being able to calculate just how much they would gather from a fixed starting amount after a number of bets then carrying out “experiments” to gain much the same result! Very enlightening for the students. Another was a module on surveying and navigation – then problem solving, and a host of other context related topics that had important mathematical principles as their basis. Such modules were able to be developed under the old curriculum which was a very good document . But the best years of teaching were at a Steiner School where the curriculum lends itself to a more holistic treatment and modules are introduced from the standpoint of humanity and human history and development.
So in general I share some sympathy with the young woman who has bared her angst at the education she has received, I think however that the teaching she has received has been tainted over recent years by cutbacks in state spending, unwise amendments to the curriculum, demands on “accountability” of teachers, greater emphasis on testing and recording of “students progress”, the loss of collegiality as a result of the continuous assault of the ECA on all working conditions (and the promotion of individual greed) across the board.
i also have sympathy but she is blaming teachers not the system or the government and the herald doesnt point it out. mallards curriculum was partly designed to allow flexibility to let teachers use real world examples to teach math etc… but not this government and the parents…
i have been in tertiary for 14 years. today many students believe as they pay some dosh they had have bought a course… our bosses want the efts/money so they ake us pass peoe who might otherwise drop out… even students who dont attend class… dont complete or attempt online tasks and seek extensions for all their assessments.
this model of sorts is now in our shools but its parents demanding the product
Yes – that is how many young people react. They do not see the bigger picture – that teachers have to comply within a system as well.
“today many students believe as they pay some dosh they had have bought a courseI”
I know full well… Having taught in a “posh” private school for a while – one was constantly having the cheque book waved under one’s nose! That, I think, was the worst school I ever taught in. It has a this magnificent image – but that is all it is. Educationally, it was also the most backward of all. Another private school was the best (alongside a group of home schoolers). wow what a fascinating and fun time we had! And the learning.. I don’t think I ever learnt so much. And if the teacher is learning – you can bet the students are too. And they did – I know I am still in contact with them all.
ps – Just been watching “The Rise and Fall of Rome” a BBC documentary in 6 episodes featuring 6 separate emperors from Ceasar to the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410 AD
If people think humanity is wiser now – they should watch this… The hubris, double dealing, inhumanity to fellow humans, and lies of those who seek power, are much the same now, as 2000 years ago.
Re Rome
I agree we may, only may, be less bloody than then but everything else is at it was.
I now see that the student wasn’t suspended, is leaving for Australia and doesn’t have as much student support as Herald suggested.
My partner saw that it was a headline story on the offline herald yesterday while getting coffee. She said she kept scanning down to see the quote/response from the Principal and Board but it seemed the Herald didn’t seek it out.
My partner who is NOT political said to me last night. It just lacked “balance”. She told me this story after we watched prime news to see that all was not quite as Herald pumped it on their front page.
“Front Page!”
Was my partner’s scoff.
Why involve parents at that stage. Much better would have been the teacher acknowledging the students comments and having a discussion with the class to examine the subject. Not with the intent of embarrassing the student but with intent to get all the class thinking and talking.
Possible questions to class
Do others feel this is correct if so why.
What would they like to see done in class that they would approve of
Is every teacher in school the same are some better/worse
Maybe do a project on good schools/teachers in world and why are they good
IF they were thinking of suspending, then that is why I would have involved the parents.
The rest of what you suggest would be great but I wonder, how much time do you think that would take? Most teachers i know would love to do that kind of exploration BUT then no one else would have time to do their speech, and the class would get behind what they need to “know” and so on… and so on and so on.
I accept that might be the case but all subjects have room for teachers to explore a little. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. It could be 10 minutes per lesson over a week.
BTW for anyone that has real Netflix watch the programme Rita which is set in a Danish School system. Friends that are from Denmark assure me that the programme is very real
It turns out the facts were not all quite as they seemed… not suspended, leaving for Australia… and so on.
Thanks for the tip about the Danish programme.
I thought her criticism of teachers was ott. And when she wrote that she as over hearing and understanding the Treaty, plus what she thought she should be taught my head dropped and I sighed sadly. I don’t think she should be excluded from school because of her essay.
Her criticism of the teacher was personal, from a point of self and likely flawed and immature – but hard to tell without reading or hearing it.
From a purely marking perspective, the content of the speech is irrelevant. It can still be marked on clarity, delivery and accuracy. And it should be.
Teachers are in a position to judge their students work everyday. And the students – who are less able to view with objectivity their critiques – have to wrestle with their own emotions in submitting their work.
After reading the comments in the article, I don’t think anything was completely OTT – coming as it does from a teenage angst perspective. It should not result in the request for an apology from the student, unless it was personal in direction at a particular teacher.
(As for content, it sounds like the result of listening to too much talk back radio, or the not unexpected effect of the amount of vitriol and bashing that has been promoted by the MSM towards both the teaching profession and the treaty).
I have read the whole piece on facebook. I agree with much of what you have written Molly.
I agree no apology should be requested or required, no suspension either. I agree with your assessment.
I would note though that lots of people, students and adults, need to learn that critical thinking does not mean having an opinion.
“I would note though that lots of people, students and adults, need to learn that critical thinking does not mean having an opinion.”.
Vice versa? Critical thinking should inform opinions. It is a skill that is improved by constant practice.
I think Tracey meant to say “need to learn that critical thinking does not stop at merely having an opinion”.
thanks Lanth, Indeed that was my point.
opinions are like arseholes… everyone has one. but critical thinking….
Sounds remarkably like she’s been listening to her father far too much and her teachers not nearly enough.
“In high school we should be learning about the real world- how to pay my taxes, apply for jobs, mortgage my house, buy a car- things that we will actually use in the future.”
So, a 14-year-old school pupil doesn’t understand what education’s for and has a big mouth. Forgive my yawns, NZ Herald.
Why is this front page news?
On the day Greece bails.
The Herald has an agenda people.
You need to wake up.
Here’s her speech
The ignorance and self-righteousness is truly astounding even for a 15 year old.
worst is the herald pounced on her as some kind of poster child with which to bash teachers…
On Checkpoint tonight the truth finally emerged: she had not been stood down; she had not been suspended. It sound a lot like she had been asked to a meeting with the Principal and had ragequit in protest instead of attending.
It now turns out that she is leaving for Australia soon, and will therefore not return to the school at all. Interesting… She also says that some other students have reacted badly to her speech… interesting too. I would not be surprised if that were a majority of students, but I doubt that the Herald will give coverage to that aspect. I agree with Tracy – a slanted beat-up by the Herald in particular.
I find it interesting that in general the response from most of the “lefties ” here has been to divert and excuse the system. This girl was brave enough to voice her view that she had been let down buy the school and I have a lot of sympathy for her as my own collage days where shit .
I also wonder if she would of got the same reaction here if she had of been brown and from flaxmere.
The system’s not perfect, no system is, and a few will always be let down by it.
I’m sorry your college days were shit but I get a distinct impression that she’s more parroting what her father says than being brave voicing her opinion.
Most of what she says is useless I use everyday in my life. I can budget because I learned mathematics and understand compounding interest. I clean the toilet, bathroom and kitchen because I learned science and not because I did my chores as a child.
In fact, what it comes right down to is the fact that what she’s saying is useless is something that someone who hasn’t got a clue as to what they’re talking about says and what she says is useful is what someone who’s been badly burned by the financial system says and all of that points to her orchard worker father. Somebody who’s pig ignorant and likely to stay that way because they’ve already determined that they know everything that needs to be known.
Why do you keep pointing out the fact he was an orchard worker? Does that make him stupid in your eyes? Pig ignorant you say? Based on what? The fact he is an orchard worker?
Bold words from the guy who frequently mentions his career at McDonalds. Not to mention it makes you sound like an utter cock.
Because he’s a man in his forties doing the job of someone in their teens.
Pretty much.
Based upon the BS that his daughter is spouting. She got that crap from somewhere and it wasn’t school.
I’ve never had a career in my life but I was a manager at McDs for awhile. I usually mention it to show that I have the experience and knowledge to back up what I’m saying.
Very classless comments from you there. Firstly you don’t know what his job is outside of “orchard worker”. secondly you have no intimate knowledge of the family, the teen, how her views were informed, what role her father played etc.
And calling someone stupid based on what you think they do? What a fucking asshole position to take. Even if he was an orchard worker who cares? My uncle picks grapes for a living but he has a double degree and his wife is very well known in the science community. You are being a judgemental dick.
Manager at McDonald’s doesn’t mean anything Draco. Yay! Your experience is also that of someone in their late teens/early 20’s. Well done sir.
So yeah – your a fucking asshole.
The slant of the article was to damn most teachers and the system as well, so what reaction would you expect? Even many of the students seem to be reacting badly to her rant.
I agree that in some ways the system we have is appalling. Our schools could well be seen as large holding-pens designed mainly to keep off the streets the despicable offspring of parents who both just happen to be required to work all day to survive…
To improve, both the overloaded teachers (work overload forces many teachers into survival tactics) and the system need better resourcing and funding. But rants about laziness reveal only the mentality of the ranter.
Teachers are human. What was your attitude to teachers when you were a student? (Probably a stroppy one, I would guess.)
Turns out she wasn’t suspended and is leaving for Australia.
WHO has “diverted and excused the system”? Do you mean teachers?
Of course she has the right to speak out but the only person suggesting anyone didn’t want her to speak out just because some of us say much of what she says is factually wrong, is you. As for her colour, you are off the mark but I understand from your comment that this has some emotional tie to your experiences so I understand why you are viewing us as you are.
IMO this is just a case of a power crazy principal who is a fan of those zero-tolerance policies in US schools. We have seen it with hair cuts, dress codes, etc and so on. Our schools are turning into minature prisons , and charter schools will only be a million times worse.
The supreme irony is that these zero tolerance policies are seldom used in cases of bullying and harrasment.
Yes I bet she was one of those kids that didn’t fit the mold ,maybe was a little difficult but she’s a kid who is dropping out and that means its the system that failed not the girl.
except the girl was NOT suspended as she told the Herald. And is on her way to live in Australia.
It seems odd to me millsy that suddenly your regard the Herald as the bearer of truth and wisdom? especially when the article lacked balance, was badly editted and provided no opportunity for a response from the Principal?
Aww! Look at the little Market! It tries so hard, yet fails and fails and fails.
SO the people who brought us leaky homes with bad work practices – (yes, I know it was across the board – council to architects) are at it again.
Sheesh so they may get houses built – but people can’t live in them.
Gotta love the free market – it’s more worshipping of the golden cow.
LOL
Yeah it is.
We’ve been taught over the last few decades that the correct price of anything is the amount we wish to pay and not the amount it actually costs. This has resulted in people not wanting to pay the full amount to get the job done properly.
This is major problem in the building industry where all the costs and responsibilities have been taken off of the main contractors and put on the sub-contractors. The main contractors get the job and then demand that the sub-contractors cut costs so that they can still make a profit. That contractor then has to cut corners and the result of that, as we saw with the Leaky Buildings fiasco, is poor and declining workmanship.
Just, you know, without actually paying for them.
Not really, we’ve got a bunch of developers and main contractors that don’t want to pay for the skills that they need. Big difference. I know of at least three people getting out of the construction industry because there’s no money in it for them and I’m not in the construction industry.
And out comes the let’s blame government line to excuse their own practices.
Take the F-ers to court like the Netherlands on behalf of the people (and not just on climate change but all the corruption!
Climate change: Taking it to court
The Netherlands is one of the countries most at risk from climate change, but its government isn’t doing enough to stop it. So a group of Dutch citizens went to court to get a tougher emissions-reduction target, and won:
A Dutch court has ordered the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% by 2020, in a case environmentalists hope will set a precedent for other countries.
Campaigners brought the case on behalf of almost 900 Dutch citizens.
They argued the government had a legal obligation to protect its citizens from the dangers of climate change.
The case was a straight-out tort, made possible by the clear and obvious harm the plaintiffs would suffer if emissions continue: sea levels would rise and they would be under water. That’s not going to be possible everywhere. OTOH, a case from people in low-lying regions, or areas affected by flooding or drought, might be an interesting option in New Zealand.
Posted by Idiot/Savant at 6/25/2015 11:55:00 AM Links to this post
I can not believe how stupid National are by putting some of Northland’s bridges on the back burner. It just shows proof of an election bribe.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/pm-denies-u-turn-on-northland-bridges/#.VZL2gol74fg.facebook
I guess they are more concerned about chasing the darling Auckland vote with multi billion dollar spend on Roading. Not a sausage for the city rail link to help stem motorway gridlock.
Blenheim was promised a new bridge on Highway 1 just out of town heading north. This promise was made at the 2011 election. But surprise! It has been taken off the list. So bribe for the election then after the votes are counted, withdraw the bribe. What does this tell us?
@ianmac
I think I can visualise that bridge. I think it’s hardly wide enough for two trucks to pass or for a bicycle and a car to be side by side in a lane. There is no pedestrian lane so they can cross the river. It must be wider than the criteria for a give-way priority direction bridge. But that is what is needed a lot of the time.
And it is more important to have good dual lane State highway roads around the country, and serviced roads providing a suitable standard for regions, than have showplace motorways to impress the wealthy and tourists around Auckland.
Yes it is one of those with high scalloped sides and almost like a one way in that trucks take unofficial right of way as they overlap the centre line. Built nearly 100 years ago. Promised, bribed and discarded.
“This place has been recognised by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 1 historic place”
http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/241
http://www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/itemdetail.cfm?itemid=2412
So what’s happening about making this historic place safer for modern traffic volumes? Not much apparently and talk of a heavy traffic bypass which would largely alleviate the need for a new bridge seems to be a distant murmur.
It seems many Truckies are largely in favour of a by-pass
but this has as much to do with the high number of Blenheim roundabouts as the inadequacies of the current bridge in handling heavy/wide vehicles.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/10696579/Tender-signalled-for-Grove-Rd-bridge
So what has been happening with the Opawa River Bridge project investigations? Latest public update was in May and was predictably non-committal. If things get moving soon, it might have new construction going ahead before its centenary in 2017.
“Marlborough Roads Manager Frank Porter said this week the investigation was nearly finished.
Further geotechnical and structural work needed to be done before any recommendations were finalised, Porter said.
The work would help identify potential costs of the options, and would also form the proposals that would go to the community for feedback.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/68693021/bridge-options-coming-soon
The thing is, a few years ago, when the Future Investment Fund was first discussed as a source for funding of a new bridge there is this interesting passage from a 2012 Tasman Regional Transport Committee Agenda pg30/61
“The Opawa River and Wairau River bridge replacements in Marlborough District and the Southern Link investigation, design and consenting in Nelson City have been separated from Table 3 above because they will be funded through the Government’s ‘Future Investment Fund’.(subject to election outcome)” (bold mine)
Didn’t the people promising the build, the same people who have this magical fund of everlasting dollars called the Future Investment Fund, actually win the next election? So where’s the new bridge?
Even in the Marlborough Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-2021
there is only a single mention of the issue
“Attention is already being paid to SH1 Opawa River Bridge and SH1 Wairau River Bridge through the Government’s Future Investment Fund. ” pg 20/93
http://www.marlborough.govt.nz/Services/Parking-Roads-and-Transport/~/media/Files/MDC/Home/Services/Parking%20Roads%20and%20Transport/DraftRLTP20152021Marlborough.pdf
A great piece of research Freedom. I believe that in the press (Herald?) yesterday that the Opawa River Bridge had been dropped from the list of bridge rebuilds. The bit that bothers me is not that the new bridge is being delayed now, but that National can get away with a promise at the 2011 election, then renege.
“bribe for the election then after the votes are counted, withdraw the bribe. What does this tell us?”
Don’t keep voting for unethical scoundrels.
According to Labour National are trying it with the second Waitemata Harbour crossing in Auckland as well:
If they do and they make it roads only at a guess I figure only about 20% of Auckland will vote for them. We want public transport and we want it now. Fuck having more roads and the congestion that comes with them.
Never under-estimate the power of a Parliamentary petition?
Seen this?
——————————————————————
Paula Bennett30 JUNE, 2015
New Local Government Commissioners
New appointments to the Local Government Commission will continue to foster strong and effective local democracy, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.
Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed as Chair, and Mr Leigh Auton has been appointed as a member. They join Commissioner Janie Annear, who has been reappointed. The appointments are for a three year term, commencing 1 August 2015.
“I’m thrilled with these appointments, and believe that Sir Wira, Mr Auton and Ms Annear have the right knowledge and expertise to help communities focus on the issues that matter,” Mrs Bennett says.
“Fundamentally, we need local government to focus on delivering sustainable infrastructure, making sensible spending decisions, and listening to its citizens.
“It is the Commission’s role to look at the structure of local government and ensure we have a strong regional focus to promote job growth and increased social wellbeing.
“For too long the argument has been on how many mayors we have, instead of looking at key infrastructure and economic growth.
“I will be asking the Commission to be creative and think seriously about the different kind of local government structures that will help our communities continue to prosper.”
Sir Wira has a long and distinguished public service career. He was a founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal and the founding Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri.
Leigh Auton has extensive local government experience with a particular background in planning, infrastructure and transport, and is former Chief Executive of Manukau City Council.
Janie Annear has been a member of the Commission since 1 July 2014 and served three terms as the Mayor of Timaru from 2004 to 2013.
“I’d like to thank outgoing Chair Basil Morrison and member Anne Carter for their service and significant contribution to the Commission’s work since 2011.”
Mr Morrison and Ms Carter complete their terms on the Commission on 31 July 2015.
Editors Note: The Local Government Commission is an independent statutory body. Its main roles are to make decisions about the structure and boundaries of councils and the representation arrangements for local authorities.
—————————————————————
Penny Bright
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
“Harmful Digital Communications”. Lyn, will this new Act affect contributors to TS? Will you have to move “offshore” to counter this gross abuse of democracy?
Not likely to be a problem, wyndham. The basic ‘free speech’ defences remain and there has to be proof of both harm and the intent to harm. However, there could be abuse of the provisions, where sites like TS are spammed with bogus complaints and ‘take down’ notices.
And, of course, the slippery slope idea counts in this instance, because the police always end up pushing their new powers as far as possible. I live in a city where the cops tried to prosecute a publican with sedition (to be fair, he sure as shit deserved the worry, because he was deliberately skirting incitement and nuisance laws imo).
A bit like the proceeds of crime act – the poster sticker was for drug millionaires, the practise is police attempting to take farms off people based on evidence previously proved incorrect.
Seen this?
Submissions today in the Whangarei District Court – 10am.
This is a REALLY important ‘test case’ for citizens trying to hold Councils accountable to the ‘rule of LAW’.
————————————————————
Northern Advocate 30 June 2015
Bruce Rogan is in court today challenging the right of Kaipara District Council to recoup $1 million. Photo / File
By Imran Ali
A Kaipara ratepayer refusing to pay his rates is challenging in court his territorial authority’s decision to legally recoup nearly $1 million in land and water rates as well as penalties.
Bruce Rogan, chairman of the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents’ Association (MRRA), has taken a test case in Whangarei District Court against the Kaipara District Court and a hearing will take place today.
“This is an extremely important case of local government and anybody’s who is concerned about the power of councils to set rates should attend the hearing,” he said.
The council is taking to court about 100 defaulting ratepayers, including Mr Rogan, who owe nearly $1 million in rates and penalties from 2012 in protest against Parliament passing the Kaipara Validation Act. The Act validated irregularities in the setting and assessing of Kaipara District rates from the 2006/07 financial year to 2011/12 in respect of a wastewater scheme.
One defaulting ratepayer owes the council more than $100,000 while others are being asked to pay five-figure sums. The council is seeking $14,946 from Mr Rogan and his wife Heather for their Mangawhai Heads’ property. In his statement of defence, Mr Rogan claimed he was not liable to pay rates because they have been unlawfully set, assessed and invoiced. He said the council had no statutory power to start legal proceeding against defaulting ratepayers in October last year.
The rates’ assessment notice for the 2013/14 and 2014/15, he said, did not clearly identify the statutory information that must be stipulated according to the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. In an affidavit filed in support of the statement of defence, Mr Rogan said he and his wife would only pay once the council delivered compliant rates’ assessment notices and invoices.
In June last year, he said association members agreed to pay up if the commissioners running the council were willing to rescind all penalties on the validated rates.
“This offer was not only rejected, but it was followed a matter of just three days later by a letter from the council to those whose rates were in arrears, threatening additional penalties if full payment was not made by July 1, 2014.”
He said instead of approaching association members with a view to negotiating a deal, the council decided to rely upon the courts to enforce collection of amounts if claimed were owed. The Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents’ Association (MRRA) took the council to the High Court to seek a declaration that the rates were invalid. However, Justice Paul Heath said that, since the Act was passed by Parliament, he didn’t have powers to declare it unlawful.
Sounds like Australian politicians are unhappy with TPP. As well they should be:
http://rt.com/news/270778-tpp-australia-report-slammed/
That makes me feel warm and neighbourly towards Oz – we both are completely useless at running our countries successfully with a proper balance in business, wages and welfare, and environmental conservation. Or to get politicians in power that have the wide intelligence, integrity, and inspiration to get us out of our morass caused by past actions. Unfortunately all those in’s needed are out’s and we descend surely down the plughole to become the b..hole of the region.
Chinese appetite for New Zealand as a holiday destination grows 30 % in a year. A new daily flight service comes into effect January next year.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11473636
Yeah that;s looking backwards though; what do you think will happen now that their financial markets are crashing and the middle class is wondering where their wealth is going
I guess it’s a numbers game and they have more millionaire’s than we have in population. The American fight back with the TPPA getting closer looks likely to have an impact on China, however the Chinese have always been the end game thinkers opposed to the Yanks who’s empire is crumbling. Time will tell I guess how we fair under the TPPA?
Helen Clark is in town and what does she do? Go to jail to present literacy certificates to women prisoners. The contrast is stark with the priorities of the present government and their care for vulnerable people.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11473569&ref=mobile
Siirenia
Thats why she was such a good PM.
how the hell did people vote her out in favour of the disasted we have now??
Tax cuts!
MSM had it in for her. Remember ‘nanny state’, painter gate, etc etc.
Media screaming hysterically.
Now we just hear about what’s on TV in our news, nothing much on the Nats apart from our ‘rock star’ economy and first hand reports prepared by Nats presented as ‘news’.
she weakened the labour party considerably by forcing out people who weren’t of her ideological stripe.
she and her government were much better for nz than the current toxic muppet show.
but still, it was a fairly right wing government, relying on the property bubble and property owners.
AT does it again. Takes an innovation from a truly progressive mayor and copies it, without following up with the rest of the progressive and innovative moves.
AT launch real life Green Man – Herald.
A similar initiative was done by mimes in the city of Bogota, by the existing mayor, Antanas Mockus. and this had a marked impact on the number of pedestrians killed. But he also paved the way for progressive actions of following mayors, such as Enrique Penalosa – who appropriated a private golf course in the middle of the city and made it into a public park. He also invested in a public transport system, and spent money on providing good cycleways and footpaths to impoverished communities rather than roads. Those are the actions that make a significant difference to the residents of Bogota, and that unfortunately will not be followed up by AT.
Similar to the Pocket Park that Auckland Council and AT did last year. The inspiration was a form of protest by grassroots community groups in the US, who were sick of the focus on providing for cars at the expense of people, and so paid the carpark fees and set up their own parks for the day.
While good intentioned, and very good PR, they miss the point that the public is still not involved in having a say in the environment in which they live and work.
This impacts on their quality of experience in those places.
Focus to get Auckland Moving
Auckland Transport Blogs’ take on ATs’ Green Man.
Thanks. Good read.
(The original mimes in Bogota actually did reduce the high fatality statistics there, but the city they operated in was very different to present day Auckland – and I expect their presence was experienced by pedestrians and motorists alike.)
Interesting conversation on Radio Live with Mark Sainsbury this morning. A “well spoken” older lady phoned in challenging was it an “open line” radio station or not? She had wanted to talk about John Campbell and the cancelling of his programme. The Producer Jeremy had told her prior to getting through that the topic of JC was not available to be talked about and she was requesting that Mark S go back to the management of Radio Live and ask if it is an open line station, why were the topics being filtered/censored before being talked about on air? Mark S fluffed and told he understood etc, thanked her for her contribution and cut her off. Incidently the topic being discussed was car driver’s and their bad/good habits – go figure – nothing that could rock the boat and take the establishment to task.
Good on that woman bringing this to the foreground. And thanks for the heads-up Barbara.
Typical Radio Live bias, the only difference today was that it was Mark S, who is a little more understanding than the usual host.
Jeremy has spoken publicly about his love for all things John Banks. I stopped listening years ago, but when Sainsbury is on I usually have a quick listen, heard him a few months ago utterly baffled because he thought if you were on the dole & were a bit short you could just pop into the WINZ office & they would hand over some extra money for you. So yeah, he’s a little bit of touch with reality I think.
Radio nz 9 to Noon good items this a.m.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201760621
09:05 Not ‘Just Another Climate Change Action Group’
Leading scientists and academics are calling on the government for a national risk assessment of the country’s long term risks. The Wise Response Society say they don’t want to be cast as just another climate change action group, but scientists, doctors, engineers, and researchers at the coal face who are already seeing the unintended consequences of past and current economic decisions piling up.
Dr. Susan Krumdieck is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury. For information on Professor Krumdieck‘s work on sustainability, visit the AEMS Lab website.
Useful comment from Australian correspondent on election bribery through large donations and what they think about this.
9:45 Australia correspondent Bernard Keane – reports from Australia with the latest on the revelations about Mafia donations to the Liberal Party.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201760623
thanks grey will listen when i am back at a computer.
Radio nz 9 to Noon good items this a.m.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201760621
Further to the info on this morning Radionz comment by this Professor –
(For older commenters – it relates to the futures group briefly set up to help with scenarios of the future so we can be prepared for likely outcomes. Soon disbanded, as it didn’t help electionability, and was outside the three-year sheep pen for ideas.)
Dr. Susan Krumdieck is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury. For information on Professor Krumdieck‘s work on sustainability, visit the AEMS Lab website.
Forgot to add – gagging like your leader post in today’s T.S. about the Cyber Bullying Bill is well and truly alive in NZ – not only with online content.
From facebook
Keep the pressure on until the threat is over.
Good news, and always heartening to see the protection the treaty offers us all.
And today at QT Q6 :”MARAMA FOX to the Minister of Trade: How many Māori organisations have been consulted during the last 5 years of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement?”
Phone hacking case about Mirror has made strong case for big damages and more protections.
On google
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/hugh-grant-liz-hurley-and-jemima-khan-among-98-confirmed-legal-claims-against-mirror-titles-wake
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/trinity-mirror-seeking-permission-appeal-%C2%A312m-hacking-compensation-payout-judgment
Good background – https://inforrm.wordpress.com/2015/06/27/a-breach-of-the-right-to-privacy-justifies-an-award-of-damages-for-the-act-of-misusing-private-information-per-se-says-english-high-court-in-phone-hacking-decision-alison-knight/
News of the World etc.
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/subject/Phone-hacking
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/subject/Phone-hacking
Prepare to vomit all over yourself:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/baby/69842888/The-Kiwi-baby-with-100-000-Facebook-fans
Urgent request to a tech-savvy Standardista
Is there anyone out there who is able to post a link to yesterday’s (i.e., Tuesday 30 June) edition of The Huddle on NewstalkZB? It featured Larry Williams, Barry Soper and Cameron Slater discussing the situation in Gaza.
As anyone who had the misfortune to hear it will attest, it was not exactly the most learned or serious discussion, but I would like to make a transcript of it if someone can post up the actual audio.
I’ve looked and looked but can’t find it online yet.
Thanks in anticipation,
Morrissey.