Open mike 02/05/2023

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:00 am, May 2nd, 2023 - 42 comments
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42 comments on “Open mike 02/05/2023 ”

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PsyclingLeft.Always 1

2 May 2023 at 8:03 am

Ministers have announced an urgent review of KiwiRail after major disruption to train lines in Wellington this week.

Transport Minister Michael Wood today called KiwiRail to the Beehive to provide an explanation on what happened and the plan to fix it.

In a statement this afternoon he said the disruption was "not good enough and follows other similar instances of service disruptions to commuters on KiwiRail's network".

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/489052/ministers-order-urgent-review-of-kiwirail-after-wellington-failure

Absolutely. Its way past time for this. I kinda wonder how many mis- "managers" are embedded in KiwiRail. Been said before : Time for a major cleanout.

Hope its not too late…
- Ad 1.1
  
  2 May 2023 at 8:07 am
  
  I would rather Kiwirail were absorbed into NZTA, forming a unified land transport system.
  
  This would require shifting Kiwirail from SOE to Crown Entity, getting rid of its commercial imperative. ALso would require stronger changes to LTMF.
  
  If Chippie went down in a screamer at the October election, Labour could do worse than be led by Michael Wood. Just radiates competence and calm.
  - PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 8:45 am
    
    I would rather Kiwirail were absorbed into NZTA, forming a unified land transport system.
    
    Been said before..In NZ, and, on The Standard (incl by me) that Rail should be NZ Rail. Get Coastal Shipping in there too. Michael Wood ( I personally rate him highly) ..must get on to it.
    
    If not now, never …
    - Ad 1.1.1.1
      
      2 May 2023 at 8:49 am
      
      Don't think it's too late to make a run at a remit for Conference or direct into Policy Council in time for the Manifesto.
      
      Though I recall Cabinet revisited this structural issue early last year and passed on it.
      
      At minimum shifting it into NZTA would provide some protection from a future National government choking rail to death like they usually do. Or selling it off again.
      - PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1.1.1.1
        
        2 May 2023 at 9:00 am
        
        would provide some protection from a future National government choking rail to death like they usually do. Or selling it off again.
        
        Thats my fear (Prob a lot of other NZers too… : (
        
        Still…I'm optimistic. Some positives..and Mr Wood leading the Rail reset (incl Coastal Shipping! )..could be the needed
    - Tiger Mountain 1.1.1.2
      
      2 May 2023 at 10:04 am
      
      Mr Wood has already proved he can get results such as Bus Drivers pay and officially revisiting Coastal Shipping.
      
      Jacinda passed the baton directly to one of her inner circle without the wider partys involvement, so Michael will have to wait till next time…if there is one after the PM’s “nothing to see here” reaction to David Parkers powerful tax report on what the ruling class have been up to.
      - Tricledrown 1.1.1.2.1
        
        2 May 2023 at 9:31 pm
        
        Hoarding the printed money the government threw at the economy when Covid 19 lockdowns when the NZ economy was shut down to keep money flowing.but a few hundred benefited more than $14 billion tax free gains while the rest of us have used savings and gone without guess who paying the overdraft and the cost of inflation. Not the very wealthy who benefited the most.Money hoarders don't spend most of their money in tax free speculative investments like land banking
- Sanctuary 1.2
  
  2 May 2023 at 8:20 am
  
  You gotta laugh though. Wellington has one screw up from Kiwirail and the government hauls in Kiwirail management for a please explain.
  
  Meanwhile, Auckland's rail network users have been treated absolutely shabbily and with complete distain and… crickets.
  - PsyclingLeft.Always 1.2.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 8:35 am
    
    Really? Think theres been more than one…Anyway,IMO this latest has been the tip of the KiwiRail shitberg. Can only hope there is some clearance. Before the below surface shit hits the…
    - Belladonna 1.2.1.1
      
      2 May 2023 at 11:21 am
      
      Large chunks (more than half) of the Auckland rail network have been shut down for 18 months or longer (knowing the pace of work, here in Auckland, it will almost certainly be longer).
      At a time when the bus system is buckling under pressure – with more than 1,000 services cancelled – and AT (and contractors) unable to deliver reliably on the edited timetable. It is completely unreasonable to expect that the bus service will be able to take up the patronage slack (and, indeed, the buses have not been able to do so).
      Why anyone thought it was a great time to shut down the network for a non-urgent replacement of tracks, beats me.
      Not arguing that it may be needed – but arguing that now, was demonstrably not the right time.
      Wood came out swinging, defending the shutdown, as 'better to do now, quickly – than to have it dragging on'. Not a message that went down well with even the most rail-obsessed supporters.
  - mpledger 1.2.2
    
    2 May 2023 at 9:33 am
    
    You'd actually think there had been a lot of govt focus on Auckland rail given they are spending $5.493 billion on the City Rail Link, on top of all the work they have previously done to link up the south and east/west rail networks. But Aucklanders gotta whinge about their new roads and their new rail systems.
    
    And the reason Wellington trains have to go slow – Aucklanders broke the equipment that is needed to do the safety monitoring.
  - Stephen D 1.2.3
    
    2 May 2023 at 9:49 am
    
    We can thank the Act part for that.
    
    I agree with very little the mayor says. But reformatting the CCO structure is a must.
  - roblogic 1.2.4
    
    2 May 2023 at 12:53 pm
    
    Seen on twitter
- Mike the Lefty 1.3
  
  2 May 2023 at 10:34 am
  
  Recently one of the train guards told me that one of the biggest problems is Kiwirail trying to save money by not stocking spare parts, leading to supply problems when certain parts are urgently needed. Time for a few heads to roll in Kiwirail management I think.
  - PsyclingLeft.Always 1.3.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 11:11 am
    
    And yep, KiwiRail..IMO has never really inspired confidence here…
  - Cricklewood 1.3.2
    
    2 May 2023 at 11:16 am
    
    Close, theyre not stocking parts due to managers making it look like theyve hit or exceeded budget targets kpi's etc thus ensuring performance bonuses are forthcoming.
    
    Same issue with the ferries.
    - Ngungukai 1.3.2.1
      
      2 May 2023 at 6:59 pm
      
      Useless pr*cks, same in most companies in NZ, nothing is done properly.
Sanctuary 2

2 May 2023 at 8:26 am

Listening to Simeon Brown on RNZ frantically shroud waving to cook up a culture war between city and country over electric vehicles and sell his magical thinking cockameme alternative…

These are not serious people.
- AB 2.1
  
  2 May 2023 at 9:40 am
  
  I escaped from the sound of the radio to avoid Simian. They are not serious about solving problems, but very serious about avoiding paying for them.
- Mike the Lefty 2.2
  
  2 May 2023 at 1:02 pm
  
  A culture war!
  
  To add to the war on farmers and landlords.
  
  I thought we lived in a peaceful country
  
  Apparently not according to National.
Ad 3

2 May 2023 at 8:58 am

Surely manually assisted.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/300866758/concertgoers-apparent-orgasm-as-la-philharmonic-played-tchaikovskys-5th-quite-beautiful-and-rather-wonderful
- Mac1 3.1
  
  2 May 2023 at 9:34 am
  
  Ad, it seems there is no organ part in Tchaikovsky's 5th so it can't be that kind of manual assistance? Organs can have up to five manuals, after all.
  - Incognito 3.1.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 9:41 am
    
    ’twas the horn vibrato, if I am not mistaken.
    - Mac1 3.1.1.1
      
      2 May 2023 at 9:50 am
      
      Well played, sir!
- Tiger Mountain 3.2
  
  2 May 2023 at 9:56 am
  
  a…feel good piece…
arkie 4

2 May 2023 at 9:57 am

The Greens have a petition to hold Labour to their 2017 promise of no new mines on conservation land:

The Labour Government promised in 2017 that there would be no new mines on conservation land, yet more minerals permits have been granted, including to Mineralogy International Limited – directed by Australian billionaire Clive Palmer. The permits allow the company to prospect and explore for minerals in some of our most precious conservation land in Tai Tokerau Northland and over thousands of hectares of Te Tai Poutini the West Coast.

…

Sign our petition calling on Minister for Conservation, Willow-Jean Prime to honour the Government’s promise and protect Papatūānuku by supporting Eugenie Sage’s Members’ Bill to stop new mines on conservation land once and for all.

The purpose of conservation land is to protect our wild and wonderful natural places and all the amazing native plants and creatures that call them home.

https://action.greens.org.nz/hands_off_our_ancient_forests
Ed 5

2 May 2023 at 11:36 am

The Greens are history. Thoughts?

Chris Trotter.

https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2023/05/02/is-it-game-over-for-the-greens/

In sharp contrast to the leadership of Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald, who, respectively, embodied the movement’s fidelity to science and its duty to challenge the economic status quo, the leadership of James Shaw and Marama Davidson would seem to embody constant compromise with the Powers That Be, accompanied by a wholesale rejection of rationality itself. As election day approaches, it is becoming increasingly difficult to construct a rationale for remaining loyal to the off-putting political force that the Greens are turning into.

The brute psephological fact, amply demonstrated by the fate of Values, is that no political party has a core vote below which it cannot fall. The moment small-g green voters feel that a vote for the Greens is no longer a meaningful act of faith in the planet’s future, the party will be over. Ultimately, it is not the members who make or break a political party, but the reaction of the voters watching them.

Martin Bradbury.

https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2023/05/02/the-true-madness-of-the-green-woke-clique-exposed/

The new constitution adopted by the party in 2022, expanded the guidelines for selecting candidates whilst allocating voting rights to previously informal interest group networks. One effect of this has been to de-prioritise talent, effectiveness and electoral appeal in the list-ranking process in favour of a kind of horse trading over how to fit in the right quota of geography, ethnicity, ability, youth & gender into the various positions on the list.

It is this new network that a far more puritanical woke clique have seized upon and manipulated to ensure their identity candidates have most influence……

…….Folks, that’s not a ******* candidate list, that’s a journey of the damned into madness!

Normally I wouldn’t give two shits about watching these fools destroy a Party I love, but with the election around the corner, their **** up could destroy any chance of the Left holding onto the Government.
- Ad 5.1
  
  2 May 2023 at 11:56 am
  
  The Labour list process has been at least as fraught as this for over a decade.
  
  Democracy is messy, but we are remarkably good at tidying up.
- Sanctuary 5.2
  
  2 May 2023 at 12:00 pm
  
  Worth noting that for some reason (probably their success in a space he thinks should be occupied by his genius) Bradbury hates the Greens with a passion and he is complete know nothing.
  - Ed 5.2.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 12:13 pm
    
    And Chris Trotter?
    - weka 5.2.1.1
      
      2 May 2023 at 1:05 pm
      
      Trotter has a long history of slagging off the Greens. Leftie own goal.
- RedLogix 5.3
  
  2 May 2023 at 12:10 pm
  
  I long ago concluded the Greens had become irrelevant as an environmental lobby, and now they've morphed into something that is an obstacle to sorting out the planet. And this despite the fact of me voting for them more often than not throughout my adult life.
- roblogic 5.4
  
  2 May 2023 at 12:48 pm
  
  The Greens have always been a niche party, it remains to be seen whether the uber woke clique have an actual constituency that will turn out to vote. Personally I think the Greens are making themselves irrelevant and alienating most people, but I'm not in the wellington twitterati so perhaps they know something I don't.
- Bearded Git 5.5
  
  2 May 2023 at 3:33 pm
  
  Complete rubbish…Trotter has always hated the Greens and regularly writes them off. But they get voted in again and again and the latest polls have them safely back in parliament this year.
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_New_Zealand_general_election
  
  Incidentally, the last 5 polls have all pointed to Lab/Gr/MP forming a government….just.
  - pat 5.5.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 6:05 pm
    
    Theres something to be said for confidence….their best result was as part of the Alliance….30 years ago. Since then they have flirted with the threshold. and historically have performed worse at elections than they poll.
    
    I wouldnt be getting too cocky at this stage….there is no doubt there are problems with the traditional support base.
roblogic 6

2 May 2023 at 12:58 pm

Seymour getting ratio'ed (again) with a moan about Sepuloni's ute tax, and unintentionally doing PR for the government

https://twitter.com/dbseymour/status/1653179673072013312?s=20
weka 7

2 May 2023 at 1:07 pm

Entertaining read (unless science illiteracy raises your blood pressure). Someone OIAd NIWA about geoengineering and NZ weather.

https://fyi.org.nz/request/20271-geoengineering-and-impacts-on-nz-weather#incoming-84506
ianmac 8

2 May 2023 at 3:02 pm

Damn. I listened watched Luxon's interview with Kerre Woodham. It showed Luxon at his best. With leadership guidance from Woodham who banned any "anti government rants" or any of the "What I am trying to tell you…" remarks, he had cleaned up his act!

The result was strangely coherent and fairly succinct. I had been hoping that they would keep him on, but now…. Bugger! Mind you he is hard to treat as warming/likeable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FmSLKVjuS8
- Anne 8.1
  
  2 May 2023 at 6:00 pm
  
  Damn. I listened watched Luxon's interview with Kerre Woodham. It showed Luxon at his best
  
  Doesn't matter. He's only talking to the converted. In fact its probably ZB hosts who have been giving him private tuition on the side.
  - Incognito 8.1.1
    
    2 May 2023 at 7:41 pm
    
    Exactly! We’re always at our best when nobody is watching.
    - ianmac 8.1.1.1
      
      2 May 2023 at 9:57 pm
      
      I realise that he was with a strong supporter in Kerre, but his sentences were strung together and coherent – sadly, very sadly. If he does that in public, voters will actually get to understand what he is on about and I would rather have the incoherent word salad.
      - Incognito 8.1.1.1.1
        
        3 May 2023 at 2:11 pm
        
        I’m fine with a strong Opposition and a true contest of ideas and genuine robust politcal discourse here in NZ. Luxon doesn’t have what it takes, he thinks he does, but he’s wrong.

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NZ Politics Daily: 31 May 2023
BILINGUAL ROAD SIGNS, TE REO MĀORI Jo Moir (Newsroom): National getting sucked into regressive race debate Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Luxon’s familiar issue: Another awkward week struggling with Māori politics Amelia Wade, Jamie Ensor and Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Watch: ‘His view’s different to mine’ – National MPs react to te reo ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
3 days ago

Removing the Takanini Level Crossings
Another of the interesting items at the Auckland Transport board meeting yesterday was about the plans for removing the remaining four road level crossings on the Southern Line in Takanini at Spartan Rd, Manuroa Rd, Taka St and Walters Rd. The board were asked to approve a business case for ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
3 days ago

Hive Talking.
I did something yesterday that I hadn’t done in ages. Watch Oral Questions in parliament. I’m not sure what happened in all the episodes I missed, but nothing much seemed to have changed.For those unfamiliar, Question Time takes place in parliament at 2pm each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
3 days ago

Luxon’s Lack Of Political “Muscle Memory”.
Slow Learner: Effective leaders develop a political “muscle memory” of their own. The National Party should get one.SPEAKING IN PUBLIC tops most people’s list of fearful situations. There are some careers, however, for which public fluency is a non-negotiable pre-requisite. There’s little point in pursuing an acting career, for example, ...
Bowalley Road
3 days ago

Reality shatters Ardern’s dream
Reality appears to be about to shatter Jacinda Ardern’s dream that New Zealand could lead the world in showing how to deal with farm emissions. The Government is facing a breakdown in negotiations over its much-vaunted He Waka Eke Noa deal with farmers to price greenhouse gas emissions and ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
3 days ago

ERO Looking Into the “Emotional & Physical Safety of All Students” at Bethlehem Coll...
Hi,Webworm won a Voyager media award over the weekend for “Best Team Investigation”! This would not have been possible without readers. Without you. Thank you.Also, there’s a new Flightless Bird out today, where I look at drug rehab clinics in Florida. I talk to three former addicts, and their stories ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
3 days ago

At a glance – How reliable are climate models?
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 ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

Govt is open about NZ’s science relationship with China – but a ministerial statement on defence...
Buzz from the Beehive The Government is coy about some aspects of its relationship with China – and with the United States. Earlier this month, the PM spent a hectic 23 hours in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, where he responded to the superpower security deal just ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

The imaginary world of the 6pm news
What do Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and your daily newspaper all have in common? They all tell tales of imaginary worlds.In Game of Thrones the honourable Stark family find themselves in deadly conflict with the ruthless House of Lannister.In the NZ Herald the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins finds himself ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

The imaginary world of the 6pm news
What do Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and your daily newspaper all have in common? They all tell tales of imaginary worlds.In Game of Thrones the honourable Stark family find themselves in deadly conflict with the ruthless House of Lannister.In the NZ Herald the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins finds himself ...
More than a fieldingBy David Slack
4 days ago

Some sensible suggestions on reining in the spies
In 2022 the government announced a periodic review of the Intelligence and Security Act, the legislation governing New Zealand's spies. Yesterday the review presented its report, Taumaru: Protecting Aotearoa New Zealand as a Free, Open and Democratic Society. Its a chunky read, and I'm not finished yet, but from the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

THOMAS CRANMER: John Tamihere and the Waipareira Trust
The Charities Services decision to require the Waipareira Trust to claw back $385,000 of interest-free loans from John Tamihere brings renewed attention to the links between Whānau Ora and the Trust. Thomas Cranmer writes – Revelations earlier this month in the Herald that the social services charity Waipareira ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Climate Change: Vapourware is not a policy
RNZ reports that the government is throwing more money at researching a methane vaccine to reduce agricultural emissions. That's not a problem, but then there's this: A methane vaccine for livestock could be a breakthrough tool for farmers to reduce agricultural emissions - but it is still at least ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

Gordon Campbell on sending mixed messages out on purpose
National has developed a novel election strategy. It involves being both for and against almost every issue that comes down the pike. The use of te reo on public signage? Recently National Party leader Christopher Luxon came out against the bi-lingual use of te reo in the naming of government ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
4 days ago

NIMBYs push to dump MDRS totally and stop greenfields' houses too
Anti-densification residents’ and ratepayers’ groups are cock-a-hoop over National’s partial backflip on MDRS over the weekend and have ramped up their campaigns to stop densification in their areas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: NIMBY groups are cock-a-hoop this morning, calling on councils and the Government to completely abandon the MDRS housing ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

NZ Politics Daily: 30 May 2023
ELECTION, PARLIAMENT Chris Trotter (Interest): Luxon’s lack of political ‘muscle memory’ Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Can you stomach five more months of sausage roll politics? Simon Wilson (Herald): National, Act and the battle over race (paywalled) Tim Hurdle (Post): Micro-parties hold the key to unlocking October’s general election (paywalled) Gordon Campbell: On National‘s aversion ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
4 days ago

May-23 AT Board Meeting
It’s been two months but today the Auckland Transport board meet for again. There’s a lot on the agenda so I can’t cover it all in this post but here are some of the highlights from their regular board papers. The open session starts at 9am and can be watched on ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
4 days ago

California bill would hit oil companies with $1 million penalty for health impacts
This story by Aaron Cantú was originally published in Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Monic Uriarte was thrilled to get approved for an affordable apartment in Los Angeles’ University Park, close to USC. But soon after she and her ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

The housing policy that was too good for us
This incomplete picture speaks of everything we love most about a summer holiday in Aotearoa: The bach, the beach, the barbecue, the sand, the christmas ham sandwiches, the serenity.We love it, don’t we, Aotearoa? Getting away to somewhere warm and quiet with a high tide and a hammock. And if ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

Overseas-focused ministers busy with trade and security issues
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers who took time out from the Labour Party congress to attend to portfolio duties were focused largely on promoting the country’s interests overseas. The statements with the widest implications dealt with: Trade – Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA, ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
5 days ago

Gordon Campbell on National‘s aversion to transparency
In the last year of a second term in government. the election outcome shouldn’t even be close. All that’s required for a competent Opposition to be streets ahead in the polls, is an ability to look like a credible government-in-waiting. Instead, we’ve got a very tight contest. There’s a reason ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
5 days ago

Erase this odious debt!
The Herald reports that WINZ debt has reached the staggering total of $2.4 billion, with the usual racism and sexism in who owes and how much they pay: Anti-poverty groups say the poorest Kiwis are caught in a debt trap as the total amount of money owed to the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

The Super Issue.
There was a poll last week which asked if now was the right time for a tax cut. Which is quite an odd thing to ask really, don’t you think?We’ve got to pay back the money used to keep paying people and stop businesses going under during the pandemic. Our ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

BRIAN EASTON: The economic runup to the election
The Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months? Brian Easton writes – Let me begin me with an irritation. One post-budget headline was ‘Treasury optimistic over recession risk in Budget 2023‘. Treasury being optimistic is almost an ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

What do Māori get from the Budget? Not as much as last year, sorry, but $825m more than the rest o...
The question posed in a Te Karere TVNZ headline – Budget 2023: How much was given to Māori? – was partly answered on the same day by a OneNews headline – Budget delivers hundreds of millions for Māori. The New Zealand Herald put a more precise figure on it: Budget 2023 breakdown: ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
5 days ago

Inside National's housing backflip + twists & rolls
As a politician swallowing a rat under a very public spotlight, Chris Bishop gave a spirited and relatively smooth account of himself yesterday. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Chris Bishop has detailed National’s new housing policy for Election 2023 that confirms a National Government would not force councils ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

NZ Politics Daily: 29 May 2023
LABOUR PARTY CONGRESS Luke Malpass (Stuff): Labour congress lays bare Chris Hipkins’ and Labour’s election strategy Claire Trevett (Herald): Labour Party Congress: Energy for Chris Hipkins in election year but where were the new ideas? (paywalled) Newshub: Labour leader Chris Hipkins challenges National-ACT in speech setting forth plan for future Dan ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

Nationals Housing Policy Backtrack
After signalling it a week ago, yesterday National launched their new housing policy which abandons their support for the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) that they had worked with the government to deliver back in 2021 and shifts the focus to more sprawl. Overall there are three key areas National ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
5 days ago

Luxon’s audacity
The audacity of National’s “u-turn” over housing intensification is an extraordinary slap in the face for Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. If it does nothing else, it raises questions about their political judgement, not for the first time.. Some in the Caucus have still not forgiven them for their ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21
A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 21, 2023 thru Sat, May 27, 2023. This week, several shared articles did quite well on our Facebook page: The Upper Atmosphere Is Cooling, Prompting New Climate Concerns, At a ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

A Postscript to the Scribes Bookshop Closure
Back in December 2020, one of Dunedin’s local icons was closing its doors. Scribes Bookshop: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/dunedin-bookwormery-mourns-the-demise-of-scribes-bookshop/ It’s a strange thing to explain to people outside Dunedin – a secondhand bookshop, of all things, forming a part of North Dunedin cultural identity. But such was Scribes, and such is, ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
6 days ago

Essay competition winner might opt for the money and surrender the bag – but that would be to esch...
As the general election approaches, the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of New Zealand has organised an essay competition to to foster democracy. Secondary school students are being challenged to identify the important elements of a successful democracy, explain their value and consider whether they can be improved ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
6 days ago

Six things that mattered this week, plus my Sunday reads
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: For paying subscribers, here's my pick of the week’s top six news developments, quotes and charts of the week with my personal reflections, plus my suggestions for Sunday reading and listening. There’s also one fun thing. In summary this week, my six takeaways were:Christopher ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
6 days ago

The Persistence Of Racism: Is the Anti-Racist Cause Winning or Losing?
With Open Arms: Is it at all reasonable to suppose that a colonial society in which whites traditionally occupied all the upper rungs of the ethnic hierarchy, and where the colonised were relegated to the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, will respond positively to a concerted indigenous push from below, ...
Bowalley Road
6 days ago

Webworm Wins “Best Team Investigation” at Voyagers
Hi,Just a quick online-only update that Webworm won “Best Team Investigation” last night at the Voyagers.This means a lot, especially considering we were up against giant newsrooms like Stuff and TVNZ:WINNER: David Farrier and Hayden Donnell | Webworm – The Downward Spiral of Arise ChurchJUDGES: Alan Sunderland and Ali Ikram“This ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
6 days ago

The Florida of the South Pacific.
May 28, 2025.Ladies and gentlemen. It’s a beautiful clear morning here in Auckland City. We’re heading for a maximum temperature of 14 degrees, and the local time is now 10:30am. Please remain seated if you’d like to, or get up and walk around the plane if you prefer. New regulations ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

Repeating Mass Immigration Mistakes For Same Result
Focussed immigration has always been essential to our future, but New Zealanders need to be aware of the immediate dire situation our government is putting us in with a predicted record of one hundred thousand new immigrants moving to New Zealand in this year alone. That means we will have ...
NZ First Press Release
18 hours ago

Heather Te-Au Skipworth to stand in the General Seat in Tukituki
Today, President of Te Pāti Māori, John Tamihere has confirmed that Heather Te-Au Skipworth will stand for Te Pāti Māori in the Tukituki electorate this election. ...
Māori Party
1 day ago

New Zealand First Secure 1800 New Frontline Police – Not Labour
During New Zealand First coalition negotiations our policy was to train and resource 1800 new frontline police. We secured this coalition policy win to ensure our streets had a police force that could tackle crime - after years of neglect. Remember those previous nine years of neglect saw a ‘tag ...
NZ First Press Release
2 days ago

STUFF's 'Fact Checking' Is Stuffed
Katie Kenny from Stuff published an article today with a lazy attempt at so-called ‘fact checking’ my recent comments on the World Health Organisation’s concerning new regulations being developed. What is most surprising is that throughout this entire ‘fact checking’ process, Kenny never once rang me asking for my side ...
NZ First Press Release
3 days ago

Greens back striking secondary teachers
The Green Party backs secondary teachers resuming strike action. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Chris Hipkins: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
Chris Hipkins addressed the Labour Party Congress in Wellington. Read the Labour Leader’s speech here. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

National’s backtrack forces another visionless, shambolic policy
The National Party has released another confused and rushed policy that will only further worsen the inequality that is driven by unaffordable housing. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Grant Robertson: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
Welcome to sunny and calm Wellington, which I know those of you who are visiting would of course expect to be the case. It’s been a busy week since we put forward the 2023 Budget. Labour MPs have been out across the motu giving the good oil on the Budget. ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Carmel Sepuloni: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālo e lelei, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Noa’ia e mauri, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia ora, Tena Koutou Katoa. Labour Party President Jill Day, Prime Minister Hipkins, Party faithful, delegates and comrades, whānau and friends, it’s a privilege to be here today. I begin my ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Kelvin Davis: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
One of my kaumātua up North stood before the Waitangi Tribunal and said: ‘He aha kē ahau, te tangata kore hara i mua i te Atua, e tu nei kia whakawaatia e koe, te tangata tāhae, te tangata hara, te tangata kore tikanga? Ko koe kē te tika, kia tū ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

W.H.O. Director General Seeking Powers To Override Sovereign States
New Zealanders will be highly concerned that the World Health Organisation proposes to effectively take control of independent decision making away from sovereign countries and place control with the Director General. W.H.O International Health Regulations on future outbreaks of disease aim to give the Director General extraordinary and wide-sweeping powers. ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

We don’t need to engineer a recession, Government can tax wealth
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take responsibility for reducing inflation by taxing wealth instead of leaving RBNZ to continue hiking the Official Cash Rate. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Enough posturing, let’s get on and build enough public housing
The Green Party is urging the Government to take its own advice and come up with a long-term plan to build thousands more public homes. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Green Party unveils its list for the 2023 election
The Green Party has released its list of candidates for the 2023 election. With a mix of familiar faces, fresh new talent, and strong tangata whenua voices, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to set the direction of the next Government. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Beyond the Farm Gate Lurks Separatism
Thank you for your invitation to be here, after yesterday's budget, and for the opportunity to talk with you. In the economic and social turmoil following the arrival of COVID 19 in New Zealand many concerns emerged. How would we keep our economy going and maintain our exports which are ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Budget 2023: More cost of living support
At the heart of Budget 2023 is a cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation and the challenges of rebuilding from extreme weather events. It provides practical cost of living relief across some of the core expenses facing Kiwis ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Highlights of Budget 2023
Budget 2023 delivers practical cost of living support for New Zealanders today and makes targeted investments to build a better future. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Greens welcome much needed investment but Labour can go further for Te Ao Māori & Pasifika in t...
Today the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka (Māori and Pasifika) caucus supported the 2023 Budget, but there’s still room for improvement. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Free prescriptions important step forward
The Green Party is today welcoming free prescriptions. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Long-term commitment needed on public housing
Budget 2023’s investment in public housing falls short of what’s needed. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the making
The Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Green initiative addresses both climate and inequality
A long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower power bills, and cut climate pollution. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens on board with more affordable buses and trains
The Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all under 18s, students, and apprentices. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Budget 2023 falls short of what’s needed
Today’s Budget makes good progress on climate and inequality, but falls short of what’s needed to fix both. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Flood and Cyclone recovery package covers the basics
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced a billion dollar flood and cyclone recovery package as part of Budget 2023. This is about doing the basics - repairing and rebuilding what has been damaged and making smart investments, including $100 million of protection funding to ensure future events don’t cause ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

SPEECH: To the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 by the Honourable Andrew Little MP, New Zealand Ministe...
New Zealand’s most recent defence assessment identified climate change and geostrategic competition as the two greatest security challenges to our place in the South Pacific. To the first issue, partners engaging and re-engaging with Pacific Island Countries are finding that climate change is a security and existential threat in our ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
15 hours ago

Govt supporting more rangatahi into training and employment opportunities
The government is continuing to support rangatahi in providing more funding into Maori Trades training and new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes across Aotearoa. “We’re backing 30 new by Māori for Māori Kaupapa employment and training programmes, which will help iwi into sustainable employment or progress within their chosen careers” says ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
23 hours ago

Energy self-sufficient marae reopens with support of Government investment
Murihiku Marae was officially reopened today, setting a gold standard in sustainable building practices as well as social outcomes for the people of Waihōpai Invercargill, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “The marae has been a central hub for this community since the 1980’s. With the support of $9.65 million ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
23 hours ago

First major Whangārei public housing project in a generation complete
The first major public housing development in Whangārei for decades has reached completion, with 37 new homes opened in the suburb of Maunu today. The project on Tapatahi Crescent and Puriri Park Road, consists of 15 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom, 7 three-bedroom, 8 four-bedroom and 3 five-bedroom homes, as well as ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Trade Minister to represent New Zealand trade interests abroad
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damen O’Connor will depart tomorrow for London to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting and then to Paris to vice-chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. “My travel to the United Kingdom is well-timed, with the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UK FTA) ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Bill to boost national fuel resiliency introduced
The Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill would: boost New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security enable the minimum stockholding obligation regulations to be adapted as the energy and transport environment evolves. “Last November, I announced a six-point plan to improve the resiliency of our fuel supply from ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Faster ACC payment top-ups and fairer system
The Government is making sure those on low incomes will no longer have to wait five weeks to get the minimum weekly rate of ACC, and improving the data collected to make the system fairer, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said today. The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Compulsory code of conduct for school boards introduced
A compulsory code of conduct will ensure school board members are crystal clear on their responsibilities and expected standard of behaviour, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti said. It’s the first time a compulsory code of conduct has been published for state and state-integrated school boards and comes into effect on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Speech to the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen annual conference.
Tena koutou katoa and thank you, Mayor Nadine Taylor, for your welcome to Marlborough. Thanks also Doug Saunders-Loder and all of you for inviting me to your annual conference. As you might know, I’m quite new to this job – and I’m particularly pleased that the first organisation I’m giving a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Govt to support councils with buyout and better protection of cyclone and flood affected properties
The Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties. “From the beginning of this process ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government delivers changes to reduce pokies harm
The Government has announced changes to strengthen requirements in venues with pokie (gambling) machines will come into effect from 15 June. “Pokies are one of the most harmful forms of gambling. They can have a detrimental impact on individuals, their friends, whānau and communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government delivers 1800 additional frontline Police
The total Police workforce is now the largest it has ever been. Police constabulary stands at 10,700 officers – an increase of 21% since 2017 Māori officers have increased 40%, Pasifika 83%, Asian 157%, Women 61% Every district has got more Police under this Government The Government has delivered on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Minister Mahuta talks Pacific ambitions at the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ summit
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta met with Korea President Yoon, as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, during her recent visit to Korea. “It was an honour to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the first Korea – Pacific Leaders’ Summit. We discussed Pacific ambitions under the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government drives $2 billion of business research and development
The Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Achieving lift off: National Space Policy launched
The next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

New science and creative technologies wharekura announced
A new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Freedom Camping changes a win for the environment
Protecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Speeding up the family court, reducing stress on families
A new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

UK FTA delivers benefits from today
New Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today. “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Next steps to reform outdated surrogacy law
The Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Defence Minister to attend Shangri-La Dialogue
Defence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

New Zealand–China science relationship affirmed
Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Supporting a strong future for screen sector
5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence
Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programme
The Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act review
The Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today. “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapu
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapu
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Security support to Solomon Islands extended
Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ Summit
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilience
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023
Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert system
Over 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement
ENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
Elizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Tourism transformation starts with people
Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Tourism transformation starts with people
Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānau
Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānau
Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Government’s work for survivors of abuse in care continues
The Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Hipkins faces grilling from students over University of Otago staff cuts
By Tess Brunton, RNZ News reporter New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a grilling by University of Otago students during his trip to Ōtepoti yesterday. Students, staff and community members have been fighting against the university’s request for staff to consider redundancies in a bid to save $60 million. ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
36 mins ago

Transparency PNG calls for further charges over ‘worrying’ Paraka case
RNZ Pacific Transparency International Papua New Guinea has welcomed the conviction of lawyer Paul Paraka as the police confirm they are widening the investigation into the fraud case. The NGO admits the depths of Paraka’s activities, revealed by the case, are very worrying. Paraka, who had operated his own eponymous ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 hours ago

Focus on Politics: Politicians tackling AI, but will it be too late?
Government and the tech sector are considering principles for an AI strategy, but there seems little urgency from ministers and no sign of action before the election. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Focus on Politics: Politicians tackling AI, but will it be too late?
Government and the tech sector are considering principles for an AI strategy, but there seems little urgency from ministers and no sign of action before the election. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Why I wrote The Lighthouse Princess: An interview with Susan Wardell
Susan Wardell’s first picture book is nominated in two categories at this year’s New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. She tells Claire Mabey about the genesis of the book, and what she thinks of the state of children’s publishing in Aotearoa. Claire Mabey: What was the inspiration ...
The SpinoffBy Claire Mabey
2 hours ago

The most mindblowing moments from the first 26 years of Treasure Island
In June 1997, a new reality TV juggernaut arrived on New Zealand screens. Tara Ward and Alex Casey look back on a quarter-century of Treasure Island mayhem. Twenty-six years ago this month, we watched 12 fresh-faced New Zealanders arrive on a Fijian beach with nothing but their hopes and dreams ...
The SpinoffBy Tara Ward
4 hours ago

Why building more won't make houses affordable
Governments around the world are searching for how to fix housing affordability, but the solutions will have to be local and community based, writes Nicole Gurran of the University of Sydney Opinion: From Sydney to San Francisco, the housing affordability crisis is affecting communities across the world. Younger generations priced out of ...
Newsroom
7 hours ago

Bunge's bold football dream for Aotearoa
A lack of female football stars in the media didn't stop Claudia Bunge on her journey to the top; now the Football Fern hopes a new campaign helps girls see what they can become The first time Claudia Bunge watched a women’s football game, it featured some of the Football Ferns she now ...
Newsroom
7 hours ago

The Week in Detail: Wallabies, AI, and the NZ Steel deal
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, it was joint winner of the Best Factual Podcast - Episodic at the NZ Radio Awards. This week, we looked at the threat wild pest wallabies pose to Aoraki Mt Cook, the scams targeting Pacific Islander communities, the long shadow over ...
Newsroom
7 hours ago

Mayor’s councillor call-outs 'a mark of his desperation'
Councillors still weighing up their options before next week’s budget vote say there has been insufficient information, communication and time to assess the consequences of a full selldown of airport shares Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is famous for his straight to the bone style of communication, but Thursday’s budget announcement ...
Newsroom
7 hours ago

Short story: The heart-shaped bed, by Joy Holley
Love, Instagram, and a new bed, from a dazzling new short story collection Alice had wanted a heart-shaped bed since she was sixteen, which was when she had started wanting most of the things she wanted now. She had imagined she would meet some Lolita-loving, Sugar Daddy type who ...
Newsroom
7 hours ago

‘It can happen to absolutely anyone’: A day in the life of a Pet Refuge caseworker
Every day, pets are being removed from domestic violence situations around the country. Alex Casey talks to one of the workers on the front line. This story contains discussion of domestic violence and emotional abuse, please take care. Alice Hayward has never been busier. As a caseworker for Pet Refuge, ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
7 hours ago

You are not serious people: the week in politics
As the country contends with a cost-of-living permacrisis and an election year, is it too much to ask that our politicians don’t spend a week playing petty games? It would be fitting to reflect on this week in politics by simply dropping this gif and, as with Succession itself, calling ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
8 hours ago

Front of mind
As part of a weekly showcase of future leaders and inspirational young New Zealanders from the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme, Jennifer Palmer wants to know how we can treat neurodegenerative diseases more effectively | Content Partnership When Jennifer Palmer was growing up, her nickname was Chatterbox. “I’d always be saying, ‘Why? ...
Newsroom
8 hours ago

Long Read: The Preppers Next Door
This is The Detail's Long Read – one in-depth story read by us every weekend. This week, we're diving into the back catalogues. It's The Preppers Next Door by Tom Doig, published in New Zealand Geographic magazine's November/December 2022 issue. You can read the full article, with accompanying photos by Cameron James McLaren, here. When Tom Doig ...
Newsroom
8 hours ago

Author-poet condemns Papuan rebel threat to shoot NZ hostage pilot if denied talks
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author-poet and advocate for West Papuan independence has condemned a reported threat against the life of a New Zealand hostage pilot, Philip Mehrtens, held by Papuan liberation fighters and appealed to them to “keep Philip safe”. Jim Aubrey, a human rights activist who has campaigned ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
11 hours ago

Fiji communities eager to meet ‘our PM’ Rabuka on NZ visit
RNZ Pacific Members of Fijian communities in Auckland and Wellington are eager to meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka next week when he arrives on his first official state visit to Aotearoa New Zealand. Rabuka and wife Sulueti are expected to arrive in Auckland on Monday before meeting with the local ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
12 hours ago

Dialogue is vital ‘guardrail’ in dealing with China, Albanese tells international security forum
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told a regional security forum that dialogue is a vital “guardrail” in dealing with China, and praised US President Joe Biden’s effort to establish “reliable and open” US-China channels of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Christopher Luxon proves to be a traffic-stopper in New Plymouth
The National leader hastily added a second session to the party's Get New Zealand Back on Track roadshow in the city today. ...
Radio NZ – political
17 hours ago

Communities respond to government's buyout plans for storm-hit homes
Flood-ravaged West Aucklanders are rejoicing after the government announced it will offer buyout options to people whose land is too risky to rebuild on. ...
Radio NZ – political
17 hours ago

Auckland mayor forwards emails calling councillors 'dip shits'
Wayne Brown has sent councillors copies of insulting emails from the public, including one that called them "dip shits", while the deputy mayor says the mayor is not making the budget process easier. ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

No room at the inn for Luxon's Taranaki visit
The National Party wildly underestimated how popular its leader would be when he visited New Plymouth on Friday and had to turn people away at the door. Political editor Jo Moir found a patch of wall to lean against as Christopher Luxon got all sorts of questions and advice, not ...
Newsroom
20 hours ago

Additional budget funds earmarked for USP arrears, says Prasad
By Repeka Nasiko in Lautoka The University of the South Pacific will be receiving additional funding from the Fiji government in the 2023-2024 national budget, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad. Speaking at a public consultation in Lautoka this week, he said the additional funding ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

PNG’s National Court orders state to justify Singapore gold deal
By Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby The National Court has ordered the Papua New Guinea government to disclose the full details of the gold refinery deal it entered into with a Singapore-based company, National Gold Corporation. The court ordered Prime Minister James Marape (first defendant), Planning Minister Renbo Paita (second ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

Latest Island Studies journal features social justice activism and advocacy
Asia Pacific Report A new edition of the Okinawan Journal of Island Studies features social justice island activism, including a case study of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Media Centre, in what the editors say brings a sense of “urgency” in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion in scholarship. In ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

Sextortion now major issue in parts of Pacific, says research
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Preliminary findings of a yet-to-be released Transparency International survey has found sextortion — demanding sexual favours in return for public services — is a major issue in parts of the Pacific. Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands have higher ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

NZ’s Media Freedom Council slams mayor Brown’s ban attempt as ‘insult to voters’
RNZ News New Zealand’s Media Freedom Council has called Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s exclusion of some media outlets from his budget speech today “unacceptable”. In an appearance at Auckland Transport’s Viaduct headquarters, Brown took time out of pitching his plan to sell the city’s holdings in Auckland Airport to complain ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

Duncan Graham: Compromise worked in Aceh – why not West Papua?
There are parallels between Indonesia’s Aceh where an Australian surfer faced a flogging, and West Papua where a New Zealand pilot may be facing death. Both provinces have fought brutal guerrilla wars for independence. One has been settled through foreign peacekeepers. The other still rages as outsiders fear intervention. By Duncan ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

‘Nature’s own Ozempic’ or berberine is all over social media. But does it really help you lose...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tina Hinton, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, University of Sydney Shutterstock The latest health trend on TikTok has been dubbed “nature’s own Ozempic”. It’s the herbal preparation berberine. Influencers have been enthusiastically claiming its success in helping them lose weight, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Think of solar panels more like apple trees – we need a fairer approach for what we use and sell
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niraj Lal, Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, Australian National University Pixabay As we race to decarbonise by electrifying everything, solar panels – now cheaper per square metre than marine-grade plywood – will do much of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Government Makes Good On Its Commitment To Reducing Harm From Pokies
The Government has announced new regulations to ensure venues and gambling societies uphold their responsibilities to prevent problem gambling and gambling harm. These regulations will apply to pubs, clubs and TAB NZ venues and will come into effect ...
Scoop politics
21 hours ago

Minister was warned in November over by-election day advertising – police
Police have confirmed they warned Education Minister Jan Tinetti over Facebook posts made during the Tauranga by-election last year. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Australian Defence Force must ensure the findings against Ben Roberts-Smith are not the end of the s...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean Aszkielowicz, Lecturer, Murdoch University On Thursday, Justice Anthony Besanko of the Federal Court dismissed defamation proceedings brought by former Special Air Service soldier Ben Roberts-Smith against several Australian news outlets. The court found that reporting by Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

How should Australia capitalise on AI while reducing its risks? It’s time to have your say
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Walsh, Professor of AI, Research Group Leader, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The world missed the boat with social media. It fuelled misinformation, fake news, and polarisation. We saw the harms too late, once they had already started to have a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

A New Petition Is Calling For A Community-led, Government-enabled, Values-based, National Food Strat...
The parliamentary petition calling for a national food strategy launched on the 1st of June and will remain open for signatures for eight weeks. The call is led by Eat New Zealand, Freedom Farms and Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA). ...
Scoop politics
22 hours ago

Native raspberries, limes and geraniums: how did these curious plants end up in Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock While plants can’t walk, they can certainly travel. Some species have travelled vast distances over millennia, moving by different and varied modes. Some ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Listen: How New Zealand’s internet could be about to change forever
Duncan Greive is joined by The Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias and The Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms document, and its implications for the future of digital media. For a very special episode of The Fold, Duncan Greive analyses the Safer Online ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
22 hours ago

Ingredient of the week: Kūmara
Yes, they’re phenomenally expensive at the moment. But if you manage to track down a bargain or are keen on a splurge, there’s plenty of ways to make the kūmara worth it. As a child, there was no doubt in my mind: kūmara was the world’s best vegetable. This belief ...
The SpinoffBy Wyoming Paul
23 hours ago

Ingredient of the week: Kūmara
Yes, they’re phenomenally expensive at the moment. But if you manage to track down a bargain or are keen on a splurge, there’s plenty of ways to make the kūmara worth it. As a child, there was no doubt in my mind: kūmara was the world’s best vegetable. This belief ...
The SpinoffBy Wyoming Paul
23 hours ago

Exclusive: Wayne Brown forwarded councillors emails that called them ‘dip shits’
Wayne Brown called most of his councillors ‘financially illiterate’ during a press conference yesterday morning. He then went back to the office and sent them emails from constituents who called them ‘dip shits’. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent a good portion of Thursday morning berating his councillors. In a 9.30am press ...
The SpinoffBy Hayden Donnell
23 hours ago

Exclusive: Wayne Brown forwarded councillors emails that called them ‘dip shits’
Wayne Brown called most of his councillors ‘financially illiterate’ during a press conference yesterday morning. He then went back to the office and sent them emails from constituents who called them ‘dip shits’. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent a good portion of Thursday morning berating his councillors. In an 8.30am press ...
The SpinoffBy Hayden Donnell
23 hours ago

ECC Withdraws Pay Parity Legal Action After Significant Early Learning Investment Promise In Budget ...
Budget 2023’s promise of significant additional ECE funding has the potential to help many centres avoid financial unviability and hardship, as long as the current 20-hours conditions are kept, prompting the Early Childhood Council to withdraw its ...
Scoop politics
23 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 2
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. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Chatto & Windus, $37) Let’s get quizzical: ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
23 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 2
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. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Chatto & Windus, $37) Let’s get quizzical: ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
23 hours ago

Two churches apply for judicial review of Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is being challenged in court by two of the institutions it is investigating Two churches have filed applications for a judicial review of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, arguing that they don't bear responsibility for care of ...
Newsroom
24 hours ago

Your weekend TV guide: Deadloch, The Idol, Medellin and Spider-Man
* This is an excerpt from Rec Room. Sign up for regular Friday dispatches here. It’s a long weekend for most, so you might be keen to try out some new shows. Whatever you do, don’t start with HBO’s Succession successor The Idol (Neon). Billed as an over-sexed journey into ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
24 hours ago

Your weekend TV guide: Deadloch, The Idol, Medellin and Spider-Man
* This is an excerpt from Rec Room. Sign up for regular Friday dispatches here. It’s a long weekend for most, so you might be keen to try out some new shows. Whatever you do, don’t start with HBO’s Succession successor The Idol (Neon). Billed as an over-sexed journey into ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
24 hours ago

Drivers and pedestrians are unsure who gives way at stop signs. A simple rule change can end this da...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoffrey Browne, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock When a driver and a pedestrian approach a T-intersection, who has to give way? In newly published research we tested over 1,000 road users’ knowledge ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

The war in Ukraine is escalating and New Zealand will not escape the consequences
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Khoo, Associate Professor of International Politics, University of Otago Getty Images Russia’s war with Ukraine is now at a critical turning point. The relentless missile and drone strikes on the capital Kyiv may look like a sign of strength, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Vast majority of New Zealanders believe trans people should be protected from discrimination – pol...
New Zealand scored highest in a recent global survey on protection against discrimination of transgender people, but for some, that sentiment did not extend to access to single-sex facilities. The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman
1 day ago

Vast majority of New Zealanders believe trans people should be protected from discrimination – pol...
New Zealand scored highest in a recent global survey on protection against discrimination of transgender people, but for some, that sentiment did not extend to access to single-sex facilities. The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman
1 day ago

Newsletter: June 02 2023 – Items of interest and importance today
New Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s content MEDIA REGULATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT, BROADCASTING Glenn McConnell (Post): ‘The cost will be everyday Kiwis’: New media regulation concerns civil society (paywalled) ...
Evening ReportBy Bryce Edwards
1 day ago

Everything we know about the NZ takeover of The Office Australia
With at least four local actors in front of camera and two comedy vets behind the scenes, shouldn’t it be ‘The Office Australasia’? It’s The Office, with a twist. “We figured the world is ready for a loveable, flawed, lady boss”, said BBC Studios ANZ general manager Kylie Washington. Indeed, ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
1 day ago

Travel Exports Gain Reduces Trade Deficit In March 2023 Quarter
New Zealand’s trade deficit narrowed to $3.2 billion dollars in the March 2023 quarter, compared with $3.9 billion in the March 2022 quarter, according to data released by Stats NZ today. The main contributor to the narrowing of the deficit ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

How much disaster relief fund cash has been spent
The disaster relief fund – administered by Red Cross New Zealand – was established to support victims of Cyclone Gabrielle and the other wild weather from earlier this year. Red Cross approved 67 new grants worth $3.49m over the last two weeks. That brings the total amount of money allocated ...
The SpinoffBy Tommy de Silva
1 day ago

Weird: The Kindle comes with a pen now
Amazon’s top-selling digital reading device now offers much more than just books on a screen. But is that a good thing? All day, I think about words. From the moment I open my laptop, I tap away at my keyboard, turning letters into words, words into sentences and sentences into ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
1 day ago

Te Pāti Māori confirms Heather Skipworth for Tukituki electorate
The seat is the first on the general roll contested by Te Pāti Māori this election, with Skipworth shifting her attention there after Meka Whaitiri defected to the party. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Show Your Appreciation To Your Pet By NOT Feeding Them!
...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Climate Justice Group Cautions Unconstrained Renewable Energy Push
Climate Justice Taranaki criticises the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s proposals to enable vast expansion of renewable energy generation and transmission by removing policy barriers. “The proposed national policy statements ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Heather Te-Au Skipworth To Stand In The General Seat Of Tukituki For Te Pāti Māori
Today, President of Te Pāti Māori, John Tamihere has confirmed that Heather Te-Au Skipworth will stand for Te Pāti Māori in the Tukituki electorate this election. Heather Te-Au Skipworth was previously confirmed as the candidate for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Te Pāti Māori announces candidate for general electorate seat of Tukituki
Heather Te-Au Skipworth, the hopeful MP who stood aside in Ikaroa-Rawhiti to allow for Meka Whaitiri, will run in the Tukituki electorate in this year’s election. In a statement, Te-Au Skipworth called the decision to stand in Tukituki a “no brainer” as she was born in Hastings and raised in ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
1 day ago

Listen: How big does Chris Bishop want us to be?
National’s housing spokesperson Chris Bishop wants councils to zone enough land with enough pipes and roads to house 30 years’ worth of population growth, but not all through densification. In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey asks Bishop just how big he wants Aotearoa to be, and ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff
1 day ago

National’s housing u-turn promotes urban sprawl – cities and ratepayers will pick up the bill
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland Getty Images By withdrawing its support for the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) it helped introduce in the first place, the National Party has essentially only made a soft policy ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Inside the struggle to get New Zealand vaccinated
The Rally Your Village campaign to get South Auckland communities well for winter is a success – but organisers say low MMR immunisation rates are still a real worry. I arrive at the Pacific Hub in Ōtara Road and am greeted by the smell of meat on the barbecue, the ...
The SpinoffBy Sela Jane Hopgood
1 day ago

The Bulletin: What do Russian mercenaries want with the Chatham Islands?
A belter of a story here. When Stuff reporter James Halpin noticed the Chatham Islands marked on a map showing a notorious mercenary company’s global interests, he did what any enterprising reporter would do: he asked the Russian oligarch who runs the private army for comment. “We will not share this ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
1 day ago

Construction of NZ’s first Ikea begins
New Zealand is one step closer to its first Ikea store – but you will have to wait another two years to get your meatball fix. Construction on the 34,000 square metre store started today in Auckland’s Sylvia Park, following a Māori blessing with local iwi and a Fika, a ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
1 day ago

Holograms and AI can bring performers back from the dead – but will the fans keep buying it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Popular Culture Researcher, Auckland University of Technology A hologram of Buddy Holly projected on stage at Madrid’s Teatro La Estación in 2021. Getty Images Fans can mourn the passing of music legends for years, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

I need a flu shot and a COVID booster. Can I get them at the same time?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vasso Apostolopoulos, Professor of Immunology and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research Partnerships, Victoria University CDC/Unsplash Cases of influenza (the flu) and COVID are set to rise over winter, with many Australians looking to protect themselves from both of these respiratory viruses. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

People with disability face barriers to sexual and reproductive health care. New recommendations are...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Kendall, Professor, Director, Griffith Inclusive Futures, Griffith University, Griffith University Shutterstock The recently released findings of the senate inquiry into reproductive health care sets the stage for potential transformative change. Its recommendations are aimed at dismantling the barriers that ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Why does my dog eat grass? And when is it not safe for them?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Shutterstock Have you ever wondered why your dog is eating your beautifully cropped lawn or nibbling at the grass at the dog park? Eating grass is a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

30 years of winning love by daylight: why audiences are still obsessed with Sailor Moon
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Sailor Moon has been with us for over 30 years, but the cartoon series is popular enough that brands are still producing themed merchandise – everything from high end, crystal-encrusted ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

How a debate over $5 chemist fees descended into a row over ‘gutter politics’
The government suggests National want to take women back to the ’50s – or worse. The opposition says it’s the victim of a smear campaign, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
1 day ago

NZ Post dropped service to quarter of world – and no one knew
NZ Post has, with little or no warning, stopped sending mail to 34 countries; there are another 21 that aren’t sending mail to us. But it's kept pretty quiet about it ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

NZ Post dropped service to quarter of world – and no one knew
NZ Post has, with little or no warning, stopped sending mail to 34 countries; there are another 21 that aren’t sending mail to us. That’s a quarter of all nations. Covid is one cause, war another. But three years after services were first suspended there’s no indication if Kiwis are going to ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Jan Tinetti and the privileges committee, explained
Why is she in trouble, and what could happen if she’s found in contempt? Scorn and entitlement. Or, at least, contempt and privilege. In the strange world where constitutional law and politics intersect, people are bad at naming things. Parliament has “privileges”, and even a whole committee specially devoted to ...
The SpinoffBy Edward Willis
1 day ago

Open mike 02/05/2023

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