MPs of the intelligence and security committee, headed by Hipkins and including National Party leader Christopher Luxon, met on Tuesday evening to question a forecast of New Zealand’s future produced by nine of the Government's national security agencies.
The national security long-term insights briefing, published in May, warned the risk of New Zealand being harmed by spying, cyberattack, transnational crime, and terrorism is going to worsen in the coming decade.
Didn't know Aotearoa has nine Government national security agencies? Nor did I. It’s a suitable occasion for kiwi pride – the yanks will be worried out of their complacency. We could be a contender for top national security nation.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) secretary Chris Seed, who fronted the committee alongside Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) secretary Rebecca Kitteridge to discuss the report, said survey and other engagement showed the New Zealand public did not clearly understand national security issues or the Government’s work.
Well they'll just have to be forced to study them & it harder, right? Insitute a comprehension test in a state exam, with marks out of 10 for all citizens. Publish the results. Education ought to be serious. Make it work properly.
Brownlee got a laugh from the other committee members when questioning the “bleak” scenarios. “These are documents going out to the public, apparently, but not as a government document, but from a government agency, I think, what are we trying to tell people?”
Perhaps he's right to be confused that the govt is telling people stuff unofficially rather than officially. People could easily not take the govt seriously. However, I suspect they already don't – so no need to worry, everything's normal.
Well Andrew Little is releasing some NZ MoD & NZDF related stuff on Friday and its related to what was released today.
Unfortunately I'm out bush ie I'm out/ down at Daly Waters NT atm and heading home on Friday so I won't get to read what Andy is releasing until the Weekend before I head back out bush again on Wednesday.
"How can you tell when a politician is doing the work of the oil and gas companies? When they start promoting carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS has been the magic fix for climate breakdown promised by successive UK governments for 20 years – and never delivered. Most of the very few projects brought to fruition around the world have been abject failures.
The sole purpose of CCS is to justify the granting of more oil and gas licences, on the grounds that one day someone might be able to capture and bury the CO2 they produce. It’s no coincidence that Sunak announced both policies – more licences and CCS – in the same statement. It would be wrong to say the technology doesn’t work. It works precisely as intended, even if it never materialises: it is a highly successful method of buying more time for the fossil fuel industry."
CCS is greenwashing…and not even light green. Just an enabler for BAU.
Some environmental activists and politicians have criticized CCS as a false solution to the climate crisis. They cite the role of the fossil fuel industry in origins of the technology and in lobbying for CCS focused legislation and argue that it would allow the industry to "greenwash" itself by funding and engaging in things such as tree planting campaigns without significantly cutting their carbon emissions
There's more interesting graphs lower down their page:
The Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor tracks what people think are the three most important issues facing the country today.
So they are using a triadic frame to prioritise issues. The graph for Top 5 issues for New Zealanders – Taken from Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor – rates #1 at 63%, inflation & cost of living, #2 crime @ 40%, #3 equal housing & healthcare 31%, #5 climate change 23%, #6 economy 22%, #7 fuel 11%. So they got a heptad of issues (7 graph lines) in the public mind.
Then we get this: [What topics the parties are spending money on this year.] Facebook ad spending by party on issues in the Ipsos top five as a percentage of the party's overall upper spend – the graph is selectable by the viewer pushing buttons on-screen. There's a button for each of five parties and one for them all combined – NZF is being discriminated against by the RNZ computer geek team for some reason…
Biggest combined spend is on the economy, 46%. #2 is transport, 21%. #3 is health, 8%. #4 is crime @ 6%, #5 is housing @ 1%, #6 is climate change, 0%.
So the good news is that the political parties have total consensus that Facebooks users are unworthy of spending money on to persuade them to vote for climate change policy.
If you believed the Facebook community, you would think the three most important issues were (in no particular order): potholes, road speed limits and the price of lattes.
I feel like it should be " the cost of living and housing" I feel like the media and politicians seperate housing from cost of living so it looks like housing costs aren't a great concern.
They are the same thing.
Rents mortgages and rates are living costs.
Power is a living cost
Groceries are a living cost.
I have great despair when I think about how unaffordable NZ is ATM and how unaffordable it will become if we don't start trying to do things differently.
I think a lot of people whose greatest concerns are housing and bill costs are so scared they've tuned right out of politics to distract themselves and protect their mental health from constant worrying
Good to hear Jan Tinetti doing fine with Mike Hosking on ZB this morning on tertiary education. Admitted the areas for improvement particularly in Maori high school credentialising levels, and promised to work hard on them.
@ Phillip ure… "I'm lazy…i find that rnz + the guardian pretty much keeps you/me up to speed"….that explaines a lot, thanks for the insight…but then I guess you did say that you were lazy.
The Guardian has proved that it is nothing more than a trojan horse in the Left…it has shown itself quite openly and plainly for all to see, a seething, rabid Guardian of the status quo on so many occasions that I am amazed to see how many 'lefties' can still can say with a straight face that they hold it in any regard…and the BBC…seriously Ad?
No wonder so many ‘lefties’ are so enthusiastic about every single war and intervention the West get involved with these days…if this is were they are sourcing their ‘news’ from…holy shit, no wonder the Left is dead in the water in the West.
Heard Luxon being supported in the "Coalition of Chaos" dig at Labour Greens Ti Parti Maori and…. wait for it… Gangs. Yes Christopher Luxon included Gangs in the coalition grouping. (in the last minute of their talk on RNZ.)am today.
Perhaps someone could link for me?
This is outright fishing by Guyon, and egging on the Head Egg to respond with this laughing nastiness, indicates their thinking. If tackled he will probably say the classic response "I was just joking"
"And the bit that I can control, and the bit that I’m focussed on, and the bit that I’m leading for, is to make the case for New Zealand people that the choice is going to be clear: a coalition of chaos with Labour, Te Pāti Māori, the Greens and maybe the gangs, ah or a strong National-led government."
Luxon was responding to a question about whether the Nats could/would work with NZ First. No mention of the ACT gang though; Luxon is incredibly focussed, whether it be 'the' gangs, or on how to "fund tax".
The song has been around since the pre-post-apartheid days and it's use in current times discouraged. Presenting this without context is disingenuous and just part of the NZ is turning into an apartheid country nonsense being pushed currently. Most posts about this song I have seen are pushing that suggestion e.g. coming soon to a country near you.
The video isn't shocking in any way. It is well known he does this as as you can see he has been previously censured by the courts.
Cop Killer by Body Count and ICE T in the US would be another example of similar anger against power.
Your lack of even simple research and your willingness to fall into the conspiracy / wokeness rabbit hole is astounding – seeing something particularly South African as linked to CRT in the US even more so.
Facts are this song existed way before any of what you refer to as did Cop Killer which was written in 1990 (influenced heavily by Talking Heads – Pyscho Killer written in 1977).
"You have been warned" presumably refers to being sucked in by stupid bullshit.
Dubul' ibhunu, translated as shoot the Boer or kill the Boer, is a controversial South African song. It is sung in Xhosa and Zulu.
Boers are the descendants of the Dutch-speaking Free Burghers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Depending on the interpretation, the song might alternatively refer to institutional structures such as the National Party (NP); or to specific groups of people such as members of the South African Police (colloquially known as "Boers") and armed forces during apartheid.
Supporters of the song, particularly Black South Africans, see it as a liberation song that articulates an important part of South Africa's history
The court ruled that Julius Malema, who was brought before the court for previously singing the song at rallies, was forbidden from singing it in the future
mod note: Karl, you know where you are commenting. If you want to have a conversation about racism, then have one. Explain your thinking, make your argument. But please don't troll.
Hi Weka, didn’t really think my response was trolling but anyways you wanted my thoughts
1. Original post only had reference to the post about the song, nothing was mentioned about what position I was taking. The response to the post and defensive nature of DoS and PU I found very informative and shines a light on their “souls”… they assume to quickly (must have struck a raw nerve… we here there is smoke there fire!)
2. Due to point 1 above, my thoughts are that people are being trained as attack dogs for the MSM, CNNs of this world (woke). They will happily defend a song that talks about killing “white” people because of cultural context and would suffer an existential crisis if they didn’t go along with approving the song being sung because of cultural woke agenda being foisted upon their cerebellum.
3. It’s never “ok” to sing songs about killing people…. I mean WTF DoS/PU/Weka
Aside Glenn Greenwalds recent post highlighting the dangers of how even wiki pedia is being subjugated to parroting woke talking points is a warning to us all. Maybe some of our “The Standard” commentators are failing into this intellectual trap… (woke = existential mind trap = propaganda parrots)
You got schooled in the historical (time of rebellion against an apartheid government) and current context (court sanction) of a topic you raised.
And thus now resort to the shocking revelation of your world view, as if where you go on X was not exposition enough (and also indicative of what X is becoming) to explain why you made the post.
Explaining is not exculpatory. It's called digging a hole.
John Howard did the same when asking native peoples to be grateful and silent.
Here National allow whana ora and sign New Zealand up to UNDRIP, then say Labour establishing Maori Health is racist, any co-governance under either the Tiriti, or in compliance with UNDRIP, would also be racist.
So much of this is just right wing messaging to cater to a certain white race identity groups nationalism .
All in an era where a GOP controlled SCOTUS is enabling a return to white gerrymandering in the South.
And as in the Cold War a demonising those of humanity better than that, as woke (as they once said "fellow travellers" of a foreign left to suppress domestic social democracy/equity/egalitarianism).
The real one thought singularity is a social conservative white race nation identity tribalism – fear of loss of dominance in government, media, and education they imagine/see threats everywhere to the "heritage, religion and cultural civilisation" built in places they settled.
Some of it is manufactured by those of privilege to manage the working class by such identity politics – all those high school graduates with red MAGA caps, proudly voting their race (as the MW in their state falls to half that in other states).
PS What do you think of the flags of the Southern Confederacy? Something to ban, or remember as part of their history?
You gave a long explanation to justify a song that contains racism and incitement to carry out murder.
No, you could read it again, next time while thinking and work out why.
I wonder what the new proposed hate speech laws would do you with you.Who exactly is digging the whole here?
And hate speech would only apply to those disseminating the video – as you did, not discussion about it. Your range is a little limited, look at this and say it is bad, or otherwise …
It will likely just confirm to his base that there's a conspiracy against him, not by him. There are enough of them to still give him the Republican nomination, but maybe not to become President. Unless the voter suppression by Republican state officials can still win it for him. Expect that effort to go into overdrive. And if that's not enough and he still loses, it's ghoulish horror time as his supporters react.
A tsunami of insanity will hit as Trump indictments happen. From his supporters. One paradox is that the more indictments are laid, the more suits come up, the less shock, horror and opprobrium there is.
Events are seen as normal, there’s nothing unusual going on. The astounding, the once extraordinary events are part of the wallpaper. That likely means the ordinary punters won’t be moved to express disgust and condemn and reject the individual.
Can I point out again that 'tho trump leads the republican race..it is the independent voters who decide american elections…and it was awhile ago but the polling I saw showed Independents not buying the trump message any more…
So those fretting about a possible trump re-run as president…should maybe relax about that…and just watch the movie..
He has more chance of doing jail-time..than to again move into the white house…
Summoning this legal discourse into existence : Does the 18 USC Section 241 (conspiracy against rights) charge mean Donald Trump could be facing the death penalty??
A reminder to the labour party people – even when the other team is truly bloody awful – if you have offer nothing people need, want, or desire you are going to lose.
The best policy in 2022 was a two year rent freeze. Rent is now $50 a week extra.
Other options include raising $2.5B and taking GST off all food (it's the most regressive part of GST and why countries with an estate tax/CGT system did not place it on food in the first place).
I’ve been lucky enough to be nice andwarm in Europe for the last 6 weeks but back to the cold now and we don’t know how lucky we are, the UK is fucked, it s despondent, discouraged and hugely expensive. CHain stores like W H Smiths, ( books etc) have had huge stuff cuts to “ save money” according to the staff I talked to. A big WHS, bigger than a Whitcoulls in Auckland or Chch, in Bath which is wealthy, had only 2 staff, the others having been laid off. A family I know, who had a tough Covid with a vulnerable son are going to have to sell their house because all assistance dried up early on and is now non existent and yet the father has a good IT job but cumulative inflation ver the last 3 years or so is almost 40% according to them, and wages and benefits are years behind.A 73 year old mate has barely 10 quid left over after rent is paid for a single room in a flat. he survives on waiting tables on a call up basis, pretty precarious. Note.. don’t get divorced, it’s generally unsurvivable for either sex.
Like I said we don’t know how lucky we are, so stop bloody complaining and take a look around the world, sure things could be better here but we are still right at the top for ease of living. So long a we can keep the right out of power.
Been to Auckland two days ago. NZ is fucked. More for lease signs then open businesses. No transport woes as no one was driving to anywhere. It was eerie.
People can't afford to rent even with accommodation benefits thus end up in Motels – granted in the UK they actually throw homeless natives out of motels to fill them up with the deserving migrants who cross the channel from France. At great cost to the country and tax payers. But who cares. Right the working stiff will pay for the excesses of government one way or another.
Shops on Ponsonby road had their doors locked and only opened when people actually looked like buyers. Aggressive pan handlers demanding money. Open toileting on the street. Rubbish everywhere. In fact the words that comes to mind is 'disshevelled' 'neglected' 'filthy' 'unsanitary'.
Despite many raises of the min wage working people needs lots of benefits to make ends meet, in fact one of the biggest Pay day lenders in NZ – unregulated too btw – is Winz.
And Winz will use the same debt collectors then any other business should people not be able to refund the money they got for the dentist or the wash machine or any of the other stuff that gets financed by a refundable emergency grant err loan.
And did you know that our homeless people are taxed 25% of their benefit to pay for substandard hovels, run by gang bangers who bring their own gang security and hey who cares……if the right does it its bad if the left does it its ok. Whoopdeedoo.
Fact is – having followed the politics in Europe for a while now, the only difference between the UK and NZ is that the ones are run by people who pretend to be conservative and here we pretend that the current lot is liberal.
In both cases the working stiff is shit outta luck, on its way to losing their home to mortgages that they can no longer finance, obese and malnourished at the same time because healthy food is something that the worker can no longer afford, ditto for heating, communications etc. IF you have money you are fine, if not fuck off and be silent.
Both countries have a cost of living that no one who works for a standard wage can afford. Both countries have an issue with the kids not learning. Both countries have an issue with theft, crime through the roof, homelessness and hunger. Both countries have a healthservice that is no longer providing much of a service, but is held together with the heroic and valiant efforts of its workforce. I guess the suits in parliament will get healthcare, even if some working stiff has to be pushed of their surgery date to make space for some highly paid suit that forgot to go for regular checks cause…its unpleasant.
So really if the right is so bad in England, how come that all that shit here came via a Labour government?
Maybe because there is actually no longer any difference between the right and the left?
If you really believe that last sentence then only a National/ACT government will show how wrong you are. The assumption that we can simply "bank" the hard-won gains forever is a delusion too many voters fall for.
Elections are always a contest between those who can see what will happen, and those who refuse to. The Right are hiding in plain sight, and so we have no excuse not to know.
I don't say that Adrian is incorrect about the UK. I say that we have the same problems here in NZ and that our government is left. Currently left with a full majority.
Please tell me where the difference is in the UK with the NHS failing – for the same reasons as here and NZ where this happens.
Hospitals across the South Island are under immense pressure as they grapple with winter illnesses and staff shortages, with one hospital forced to shut its emergency department because of a lack of doctors.
Many have wards that are at almost 100% capacity – which health bosses claim is normal for this time of year – as they struggle to balance emergency and urgent care with waiting lists and carrying out surgery.
In some instances staff shortages are so bad that desperate employers are texting already exhausted and overwhelmed workers to ask them to come in on their days off.
Nursing bosses warned the situation was “horrific” and a risk to health, the pressure posing a “major risk” to doctors and nurses who have been pushed to the brink.
and i would like to point out that Labour together with National, ACT, TPM and the Greens sold the hard won rights of women – human females down the drain.
Again, tell me where the difference is. Not of the past, but NOW.
The reason for the similar outcomes is because the labour and tory parties in both countries have been in thrall to neoliberal-incrementalism…for far too long..
Seriously, there has been a worldwide pandemic, and around 20 a week are still dying,
We now have a war causing food shortages, and fallout from floods and cyclones which indicate climate change tipping points are here, with Earth boiling, impacting our food costs.
But tell yourself those social costs are caused by this Government by using one experience to back up your bleak view.
By the way Mayor Brown is as right wing as you can get, and is currently looking at Council retirement units, as he mentioned a Real estate Agent instead of a Consultant. He wants free advice rather than paying for advice.
The hyperbole of stream of conscious writing you do is like one long scream.
If you think the Right would be better… how could we convince you otherwise.?
Many late comers will fall for the blue gang and find to their detriment "trickle down" is a cruel joke. I hope you don't Sabine. We remember 2008 to 2017.
Believe it or not, last time they were in, there was a 13 week stand down before you would get an interview at Winz where you would be asked do you have anything to sell? Could you work 15 hours a week? (there was no work)…. let alone "get a Winz loan" at no interest.
It could get worse. Most unemployed were steered in Key's time to Govt courses run by private contractors who gave out useless diplomas for student debt.
I just hope people remember how after the GFC we were promised the Moon "A Rock Star Economy" (rock not star) and did not even get the man, we got a sleezy money bod instead, who ran the place down while playing housing monopoly.
Look up the history of each of Nationals MPs It is sad.
Most can't even think about what we have been through in the last few years.
For one some other political party had the rains for 9 years ago
And what was the result of their rain.
They starved the public sectors that didn't serve there political agenda.???.
And koha a million dollars each to 400 farmers mates down the South Island. HUGE IRRITATING SCEEM
Hence all the hassle that a lot government agencies are going through because there basic matainance was not maintained.
Next if these people did have the rains in the last 8 years well there would have been thousands hakari going down.
This short term memory is what gets us in the shit all the time. Ie carbon and other gas warming our environment ie belleaving the lies that the alt right push.
Ps I would ban polls for six months before a election.
I can see all the work these righty people served up in my neck of the woods in their 8 years a new hinaki new roads heaps of whano on the streets no house plenty of extremely expensive house for their wealth mates. Ps wake up the rightys only serve the wealthiest people the rest of us are here just to be milked on a regular basis.
Eco Maori Backs labour green this combination is what will have most of people's best interests at heart and not just the Wealthiest.
Ps I know you sandflys have been baiting me to do this so don't go blowing your horn.
Guess what just had those angels the nz police over O same excuse we didn't have his ph number.
You see whanau it's so easy for these SPIES to cast there shit om to unsespecting people send cops over just like spiking a DRINK or convincing someone to jump waka because. They live in that hinaki together
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I don't knowHow to say what's got to be saidI don't know if it's black or whiteThere's others see it redI don't get the answers rightI'll leave that to youIs this love out of fashionOr is it the time of yearAre these words distraction?To the words you want to hearSongwriters: ...
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The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...
The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...
Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...
Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
A separate passport, citizenship and membership of the United Nations are only available to fully independent nations, Winston Peters' office says. ...
By Emma Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Intern at RNZ News The New Zealand fuel company Z Energy is swapping out street names for “correct” kupu on service stops around the country, with the help of local hapū. When Z took over 226 fuel sites from Shell in 2010, ...
Summer reissue: Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? Mad Chapman uncovers the truth of Maddi Wesche’s final throw. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Old, Associate Professor, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dmitry Chulov, Shutterstock At this time of year, images of reindeer are everywhere. I’ve had a soft spot for reindeer ever since I was a little girl. Doesn’t everyone? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grozdana Manalo, Career Services Manager (Education), University of Sydney hedgehog94/Shutterstock Getting casual work over summer, or a part-time job that you might continue once your tertiary course starts, can be a great way to get workplace experience and earn some extra ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ty Ferguson, Research associate in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Peera_Stockfoto/Shutterstock It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we ...
The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
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The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
An unrelenting faith in “swift transition” has driven Tauranga Whai to their first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship. At a boisterous Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, the visiting Tokomanawa Queens were blown away 90-71 in the final.Whai led by 20 points at halftime as their urgent movement and unflinching faith in three-point shooting from anywhere ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
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MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
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Spook state Aotearoa:
Didn't know Aotearoa has nine Government national security agencies? Nor did I. It’s a suitable occasion for kiwi pride – the yanks will be worried out of their complacency. We could be a contender for top national security nation.
Well they'll just have to be forced to study them & it harder, right? Insitute a comprehension test in a state exam, with marks out of 10 for all citizens. Publish the results. Education ought to be serious. Make it work properly.
Perhaps he's right to be confused that the govt is telling people stuff unofficially rather than officially. People could easily not take the govt seriously. However, I suspect they already don't – so no need to worry, everything's normal.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132658217/its-a-bit-bleak-government-officials-warn-of-the-future-new-zealand-faces
Well Andrew Little is releasing some NZ MoD & NZDF related stuff on Friday and its related to what was released today.
Unfortunately I'm out bush ie I'm out/ down at Daly Waters NT atm and heading home on Friday so I won't get to read what Andy is releasing until the Weekend before I head back out bush again on Wednesday.
George Monbiot nails it:
"How can you tell when a politician is doing the work of the oil and gas companies? When they start promoting carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS has been the magic fix for climate breakdown promised by successive UK governments for 20 years – and never delivered. Most of the very few projects brought to fruition around the world have been abject failures.
The sole purpose of CCS is to justify the granting of more oil and gas licences, on the grounds that one day someone might be able to capture and bury the CO2 they produce. It’s no coincidence that Sunak announced both policies – more licences and CCS – in the same statement. It would be wrong to say the technology doesn’t work. It works precisely as intended, even if it never materialises: it is a highly successful method of buying more time for the fossil fuel industry."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/01/rishi-sunak-north-sea-planet-climate-crisis-plutocrats
CCS is greenwashing…and not even light green. Just an enabler for BAU.
Further on the greenwash subject…I am also not a supporter of carbon offset pine plantations in NZ
Not as bad as CCS..but still an enabler…
During the election campaign RNZ is tracking polls, Facebook ads, campaign financing, data from the debates and advance voting numbers. The latest figures are published right here on this page: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/494809/latest-political-polling-campaign-finances-social-media-targeting-and-more
There's more interesting graphs lower down their page:
So they are using a triadic frame to prioritise issues. The graph for Top 5 issues for New Zealanders – Taken from Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor – rates #1 at 63%, inflation & cost of living, #2 crime @ 40%, #3 equal housing & healthcare 31%, #5 climate change 23%, #6 economy 22%, #7 fuel 11%. So they got a heptad of issues (7 graph lines) in the public mind.
Then we get this: [What topics the parties are spending money on this year.] Facebook ad spending by party on issues in the Ipsos top five as a percentage of the party's overall upper spend – the graph is selectable by the viewer pushing buttons on-screen. There's a button for each of five parties and one for them all combined – NZF is being discriminated against by the RNZ computer geek team for some reason…
Biggest combined spend is on the economy, 46%. #2 is transport, 21%. #3 is health, 8%. #4 is crime @ 6%, #5 is housing @ 1%, #6 is climate change, 0%.
So the good news is that the political parties have total consensus that Facebooks users are unworthy of spending money on to persuade them to vote for climate change policy.
If you believed the Facebook community, you would think the three most important issues were (in no particular order): potholes, road speed limits and the price of lattes.
I feel like it should be " the cost of living and housing" I feel like the media and politicians seperate housing from cost of living so it looks like housing costs aren't a great concern.
They are the same thing.
Rents mortgages and rates are living costs.
Power is a living cost
Groceries are a living cost.
I have great despair when I think about how unaffordable NZ is ATM and how unaffordable it will become if we don't start trying to do things differently.
I think a lot of people whose greatest concerns are housing and bill costs are so scared they've tuned right out of politics to distract themselves and protect their mental health from constant worrying
Good to hear Jan Tinetti doing fine with Mike Hosking on ZB this morning on tertiary education. Admitted the areas for improvement particularly in Maori high school credentialising levels, and promised to work hard on them.
Do more of that Jan.
Do you listen to hosking for pleasure..or is it a chore/research you must endure..?
If the latter…goodonya for taking one for the team..
If the former..?..(I'll just leave that there.. hanging…)
On the commute into Queenstown I start with a podcast, then cover BBC World, ZB, RNZ, Wanaka Radio, and More FM Queenstown.
(whew..!..)
I'm lazy…i find that rnz + the guardian pretty much keeps you/me up to speed…
@ Phillip ure… "I'm lazy…i find that rnz + the guardian pretty much keeps you/me up to speed"….that explaines a lot, thanks for the insight…but then I guess you did say that you were lazy.
The Guardian has proved that it is nothing more than a trojan horse in the Left…it has shown itself quite openly and plainly for all to see, a seething, rabid Guardian of the status quo on so many occasions that I am amazed to see how many 'lefties' can still can say with a straight face that they hold it in any regard…and the BBC…seriously Ad?
"How The Guardian Betrayed Not Only Corbyn But The Last Vestiges Of British Democracy"
The BBC admits it spent decades conspiring with MI5 to stop a left-wing UK government
No wonder so many ‘lefties’ are so enthusiastic about every single war and intervention the West get involved with these days…if this is were they are sourcing their ‘news’ from…holy shit, no wonder the Left is dead in the water in the West.
I would also note the wmd debacle…and their eager pimping for the atrocities done to libya..
So I read the politics in it with those filters firmly in place..
I go there mainly for the cultural/environmental stuff…they are good on both of them..
So adrian…where should 'lefties' go for their general news/information..?
Or should they just live frozen in a news vacuum..?
This is the second time I have asked you this question..
Will you answer it this time..?
Left wing approved media? Which left wing approved it? Is there a left wing? Whose left wing?
" BBC World, ZB, RNZ,"…that explaines a lot, thanks for the insight.
Heard Luxon being supported in the "Coalition of Chaos" dig at Labour Greens Ti Parti Maori and…. wait for it… Gangs. Yes Christopher Luxon included Gangs in the coalition grouping. (in the last minute of their talk on RNZ.)am today.
Perhaps someone could link for me?
This is outright fishing by Guyon, and egging on the Head Egg to respond with this laughing nastiness, indicates their thinking. If tackled he will probably say the classic response "I was just joking"
A disgusting comment, but not surprised.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018900891/national-party-defends-24-billion-roading-plan
Thanks aj
For anyone who cannot stomach listening to 9 mins of Luxon the quote referred to begins @ 8 mins.
What a skunk of a man. And he calls himself a Christian.
Thanks Patricia, Nat 'leaders' have form – "When my eyebrow goes up, it's a joke."
Bit hard to tell on radio though.
Luxon was responding to a question about whether the Nats could/would work with NZ First. No mention of the ACT gang though; Luxon is incredibly focussed, whether it be 'the' gangs, or on how to "fund tax".
100% DMK.
National being led around by the nose by act..
.. acting out their scorched earth policies/beliefs… would be chaotic for the rest of us..and for nz…
(Kinda funny how national had their party of tax cuts branding/framing wrenched from them by tmp..
..and now have to own the chaotic label..
..'cos nact is just a re-spelling of chaos…)
Interesting developments, if true, I wonder if we’ll see this on RNZ or TVNZ?
“Shocking video shows South Africa’s black party singing “kill the Boer (Whites), kill the White farmer”
This is all downstream from the rotten secular religion of wokeness and CRT plaguing America today.
You have been warned.”
WATCH.
https://twitter.com/thelaurenchen/status/1686370915494375424?s=46&t=Mb3vWtlQ9iVITzFN3xvWAQ
The song has been around since the pre-post-apartheid days and it's use in current times discouraged. Presenting this without context is disingenuous and just part of the NZ is turning into an apartheid country nonsense being pushed currently. Most posts about this song I have seen are pushing that suggestion e.g. coming soon to a country near you.
The video isn't shocking in any way. It is well known he does this as as you can see he has been previously censured by the courts.
Cop Killer by Body Count and ICE T in the US would be another example of similar anger against power.
Your lack of even simple research and your willingness to fall into the conspiracy / wokeness rabbit hole is astounding – seeing something particularly South African as linked to CRT in the US even more so.
Facts are this song existed way before any of what you refer to as did Cop Killer which was written in 1990 (influenced heavily by Talking Heads – Pyscho Killer written in 1977).
"You have been warned" presumably refers to being sucked in by stupid bullshit.
Dubul' ibhunu, translated as shoot the Boer or kill the Boer, is a controversial South African song. It is sung in Xhosa and Zulu.
Boers are the descendants of the Dutch-speaking Free Burghers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Depending on the interpretation, the song might alternatively refer to institutional structures such as the National Party (NP); or to specific groups of people such as members of the South African Police (colloquially known as "Boers") and armed forces during apartheid.
Supporters of the song, particularly Black South Africans, see it as a liberation song that articulates an important part of South Africa's history
The court ruled that Julius Malema, who was brought before the court for previously singing the song at rallies, was forbidden from singing it in the future
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubul%27_ibhunu
that's a great comment. Can I quote that on twitter?
Feel free to do so.
I think you provided a good example of convincing yourself racism is ok
Top marks A+++
“The video isn't shocking in any way. It is well known he does this as as you can see he has been previously censured by the courts”
Unsure why you have "think" in your sentence.
No…racism isn't ok…
But songs of rebellion written by an enlslaved people.. against those doing that enslaving are..
And this is what this is…
mod note: Karl, you know where you are commenting. If you want to have a conversation about racism, then have one. Explain your thinking, make your argument. But please don't troll.
DoS +1
Importing far-right garbage from the USA … no thanks.
Well..k sinclair…
D.o.s has well and truly'owned' you…eh..?
heh…!
telling someone they've been owned tends to start flame wars, please don't.
Hi Weka, didn’t really think my response was trolling but anyways you wanted my thoughts
1. Original post only had reference to the post about the song, nothing was mentioned about what position I was taking. The response to the post and defensive nature of DoS and PU I found very informative and shines a light on their “souls”… they assume to quickly (must have struck a raw nerve… we here there is smoke there fire!)
2. Due to point 1 above, my thoughts are that people are being trained as attack dogs for the MSM, CNNs of this world (woke). They will happily defend a song that talks about killing “white” people because of cultural context and would suffer an existential crisis if they didn’t go along with approving the song being sung because of cultural woke agenda being foisted upon their cerebellum.
3. It’s never “ok” to sing songs about killing people…. I mean WTF DoS/PU/Weka
Aside Glenn Greenwalds recent post highlighting the dangers of how even wiki pedia is being subjugated to parroting woke talking points is a warning to us all. Maybe some of our “The Standard” commentators are failing into this intellectual trap… (woke = existential mind trap = propaganda parrots)
https://rumble.com/v33wemb-wikipedia-co-founder-condemns-it-most-biased-encyclopedia-in-history-system.html
We get it.
You got schooled in the historical (time of rebellion against an apartheid government) and current context (court sanction) of a topic you raised.
And thus now resort to the shocking revelation of your world view, as if where you go on X was not exposition enough (and also indicative of what X is becoming) to explain why you made the post.
Explaining is not exculpatory. It's called digging a hole.
John Howard did the same when asking native peoples to be grateful and silent.
Here National allow whana ora and sign New Zealand up to UNDRIP, then say Labour establishing Maori Health is racist, any co-governance under either the Tiriti, or in compliance with UNDRIP, would also be racist.
So much of this is just right wing messaging to cater to a certain white race identity groups nationalism .
All in an era where a GOP controlled SCOTUS is enabling a return to white gerrymandering in the South.
And as in the Cold War a demonising those of humanity better than that, as woke (as they once said "fellow travellers" of a foreign left to suppress domestic social democracy/equity/egalitarianism).
The real one thought singularity is a social conservative white race nation identity tribalism – fear of loss of dominance in government, media, and education they imagine/see threats everywhere to the "heritage, religion and cultural civilisation" built in places they settled.
Some of it is manufactured by those of privilege to manage the working class by such identity politics – all those high school graduates with red MAGA caps, proudly voting their race (as the MW in their state falls to half that in other states).
PS What do you think of the flags of the Southern Confederacy? Something to ban, or remember as part of their history?
Hi SPC,
You gave a long explanation to justify a song that contains racism and incitement to carry out murder.
I wonder what the new proposed hate speech laws would do you with you.
Who exactly is digging the whole here?
Enjoy your day
No, you could read it again, next time while thinking and work out why.
And hate speech would only apply to those disseminating the video – as you did, not discussion about it. Your range is a little limited, look at this and say it is bad, or otherwise …
I’ve looked up Harry in the Urban Dictionary …
And finally Trump has his next charge: a four-count indictment, charging:
– conspiracy to defraud the United States
– conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding
– obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and
– conspiracy against rights.
May he roast in hell.
is he going to jail?
Trump'll be doing appeals right through the nomination and then through the Presidential contest itself. It's still his best fundraising trick.
The Georgia State election interference one will be next I expect.
Yes he's well funded on that aspect as I read somewhere his backers have spent $50m in the last year on lawyers via those PACs.
It will likely just confirm to his base that there's a conspiracy against him, not by him. There are enough of them to still give him the Republican nomination, but maybe not to become President. Unless the voter suppression by Republican state officials can still win it for him. Expect that effort to go into overdrive. And if that's not enough and he still loses, it's ghoulish horror time as his supporters react.
A tsunami of insanity will hit as Trump indictments happen. From his supporters. One paradox is that the more indictments are laid, the more suits come up, the less shock, horror and opprobrium there is.
Events are seen as normal, there’s nothing unusual going on. The astounding, the once extraordinary events are part of the wallpaper. That likely means the ordinary punters won’t be moved to express disgust and condemn and reject the individual.
Can I point out again that 'tho trump leads the republican race..it is the independent voters who decide american elections…and it was awhile ago but the polling I saw showed Independents not buying the trump message any more…
So those fretting about a possible trump re-run as president…should maybe relax about that…and just watch the movie..
He has more chance of doing jail-time..than to again move into the white house…
They've wheeled one of the big guns out.
Greg
@waltisfrozen
Summoning this legal discourse into existence : Does the 18 USC Section 241 (conspiracy against rights) charge mean Donald Trump could be facing the death penalty??
https://twitter.com/waltisfrozen/status/1686599480089686016
A reminder to the labour party people – even when the other team is truly bloody awful – if you have offer nothing people need, want, or desire you are going to lose.
The orange one is the perfect example of that…
Money in the hand (due to the cost of living) is what I'd say people want most right now.
And due to the fears of further stoking up inflation, The best way to do that is to cut GST across the board. Neutralizing the effect.
The best policy in 2022 was a two year rent freeze. Rent is now $50 a week extra.
Other options include raising $2.5B and taking GST off all food (it's the most regressive part of GST and why countries with an estate tax/CGT system did not place it on food in the first place).
I am dreading the possibility that gst off fruit/veg is their big-bang policy..
'cos it ain't..
I’ve been lucky enough to be nice andwarm in Europe for the last 6 weeks but back to the cold now and we don’t know how lucky we are, the UK is fucked, it s despondent, discouraged and hugely expensive. CHain stores like W H Smiths, ( books etc) have had huge stuff cuts to “ save money” according to the staff I talked to. A big WHS, bigger than a Whitcoulls in Auckland or Chch, in Bath which is wealthy, had only 2 staff, the others having been laid off. A family I know, who had a tough Covid with a vulnerable son are going to have to sell their house because all assistance dried up early on and is now non existent and yet the father has a good IT job but cumulative inflation ver the last 3 years or so is almost 40% according to them, and wages and benefits are years behind.A 73 year old mate has barely 10 quid left over after rent is paid for a single room in a flat. he survives on waiting tables on a call up basis, pretty precarious. Note.. don’t get divorced, it’s generally unsurvivable for either sex.
Like I said we don’t know how lucky we are, so stop bloody complaining and take a look around the world, sure things could be better here but we are still right at the top for ease of living. So long a we can keep the right out of power.
Been to Auckland two days ago. NZ is fucked. More for lease signs then open businesses. No transport woes as no one was driving to anywhere. It was eerie.
People can't afford to rent even with accommodation benefits thus end up in Motels – granted in the UK they actually throw homeless natives out of motels to fill them up with the deserving migrants who cross the channel from France. At great cost to the country and tax payers. But who cares. Right the working stiff will pay for the excesses of government one way or another.
Shops on Ponsonby road had their doors locked and only opened when people actually looked like buyers. Aggressive pan handlers demanding money. Open toileting on the street. Rubbish everywhere. In fact the words that comes to mind is 'disshevelled' 'neglected' 'filthy' 'unsanitary'.
Despite many raises of the min wage working people needs lots of benefits to make ends meet, in fact one of the biggest Pay day lenders in NZ – unregulated too btw – is Winz.
And Winz will use the same debt collectors then any other business should people not be able to refund the money they got for the dentist or the wash machine or any of the other stuff that gets financed by a refundable emergency grant err loan.
And did you know that our homeless people are taxed 25% of their benefit to pay for substandard hovels, run by gang bangers who bring their own gang security and hey who cares……if the right does it its bad if the left does it its ok. Whoopdeedoo.
Fact is – having followed the politics in Europe for a while now, the only difference between the UK and NZ is that the ones are run by people who pretend to be conservative and here we pretend that the current lot is liberal.
In both cases the working stiff is shit outta luck, on its way to losing their home to mortgages that they can no longer finance, obese and malnourished at the same time because healthy food is something that the worker can no longer afford, ditto for heating, communications etc. IF you have money you are fine, if not fuck off and be silent.
Both countries have a cost of living that no one who works for a standard wage can afford. Both countries have an issue with the kids not learning. Both countries have an issue with theft, crime through the roof, homelessness and hunger. Both countries have a healthservice that is no longer providing much of a service, but is held together with the heroic and valiant efforts of its workforce. I guess the suits in parliament will get healthcare, even if some working stiff has to be pushed of their surgery date to make space for some highly paid suit that forgot to go for regular checks cause…its unpleasant.
So really if the right is so bad in England, how come that all that shit here came via a Labour government?
Maybe because there is actually no longer any difference between the right and the left?
If you really believe that last sentence then only a National/ACT government will show how wrong you are. The assumption that we can simply "bank" the hard-won gains forever is a delusion too many voters fall for.
Elections are always a contest between those who can see what will happen, and those who refuse to. The Right are hiding in plain sight, and so we have no excuse not to know.
And yes, Adrian is correct about the UK.
I don't say that Adrian is incorrect about the UK. I say that we have the same problems here in NZ and that our government is left. Currently left with a full majority.
Please tell me where the difference is in the UK with the NHS failing – for the same reasons as here and NZ where this happens.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/350045927/hospital-ed-shuts-doors-illness-and-staff-shortages-push-doctors-and-nurses
and i would like to point out that Labour together with National, ACT, TPM and the Greens sold the hard won rights of women – human females down the drain.
Again, tell me where the difference is. Not of the past, but NOW.
Now? Sure.
Why is abortion no longer a crime in NZ?
Because it is a medical procedure. Between a woman and her medical practitioner.
Because that is a the progressive position and Labour and the Greens made it happen. Would it have happened under Nact?
The reason for the similar outcomes is because the labour and tory parties in both countries have been in thrall to neoliberal-incrementalism…for far too long..
It's way past time to tear up that playbook..
We won't get change until we do…
Thanks Adrian.
Sabine is there anything you like about here?
Seriously, there has been a worldwide pandemic, and around 20 a week are still dying,
We now have a war causing food shortages, and fallout from floods and cyclones which indicate climate change tipping points are here, with Earth boiling, impacting our food costs.
But tell yourself those social costs are caused by this Government by using one experience to back up your bleak view.
By the way Mayor Brown is as right wing as you can get, and is currently looking at Council retirement units, as he mentioned a Real estate Agent instead of a Consultant. He wants free advice rather than paying for advice.
The hyperbole of stream of conscious writing you do is like one long scream.
If you think the Right would be better… how could we convince you otherwise.?
Many late comers will fall for the blue gang and find to their detriment "trickle down" is a cruel joke. I hope you don't Sabine. We remember 2008 to 2017.
Believe it or not, last time they were in, there was a 13 week stand down before you would get an interview at Winz where you would be asked do you have anything to sell? Could you work 15 hours a week? (there was no work)…. let alone "get a Winz loan" at no interest.
It could get worse. Most unemployed were steered in Key's time to Govt courses run by private contractors who gave out useless diplomas for student debt.
I just hope people remember how after the GFC we were promised the Moon "A Rock Star Economy" (rock not star) and did not even get the man, we got a sleezy money bod instead, who ran the place down while playing housing monopoly.
Look up the history of each of Nationals MPs It is sad.
Timely perspective thankyou Adrian.
Anybody else planning on checking out Heavyweight with Dave Letele on TVNZ2 tomorrow night (8.30pm)?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dave-letele-opens-up-on-his-battle-with-booze-gang-life-and-the-choices-faced-by-brown-parents/33M27ALAYJCITJOHD6AYORMTW4/
Yes He is a remarkable human.
Kia Ora
Whanau.
Just a few wise words.
Most People have short memory's.
Most can't even think about what we have been through in the last few years.
For one some other political party had the rains for 9 years ago
And what was the result of their rain.
They starved the public sectors that didn't serve there political agenda.???.
And koha a million dollars each to 400 farmers mates down the South Island. HUGE IRRITATING SCEEM
Hence all the hassle that a lot government agencies are going through because there basic matainance was not maintained.
Next if these people did have the rains in the last 8 years well there would have been thousands hakari going down.
This short term memory is what gets us in the shit all the time. Ie carbon and other gas warming our environment ie belleaving the lies that the alt right push.
Ps I would ban polls for six months before a election.
I can see all the work these righty people served up in my neck of the woods in their 8 years a new hinaki new roads heaps of whano on the streets no house plenty of extremely expensive house for their wealth mates. Ps wake up the rightys only serve the wealthiest people the rest of us are here just to be milked on a regular basis.
Eco Maori Backs labour green this combination is what will have most of people's best interests at heart and not just the Wealthiest.
Ps I know you sandflys have been baiting me to do this so don't go blowing your horn.
Kia kite Ano
Eco Maori .. There are more than a few anti-Lab/Green doomers and white-anters, even on here.
We can, and must prevent the NAct jackboot on our NZ future.
Kia Kaha.
Kia Ora whano
Im aloud to have a political opinion ON MY OWN WHENUA the spies are framing this as a crime. Ps my World political opinion
Ka kite Ano
Old Nagti Porou Rangtira served the people first and took care of the whenua environment and in turn they will look after Te Rangtira zealously.
Ka kite Ano whanau
https://youtu.be/zRvXKwA5iMw
Kia Ora whano.
Guess what just had those angels the nz police over O same excuse we didn't have his ph number.
You see whanau it's so easy for these SPIES to cast there shit om to unsespecting people send cops over just like spiking a DRINK or convincing someone to jump waka because. They live in that hinaki together
Ka kite Ano whanau
https://youtu.be/QAB6aXOfUmU