It is completely distressting how fundamentalist extremists in the USA bark at other fundamentalist extremists in, say, Afghanistan about extremism and fundamentalism …
You sum it up nicely. Flicking past TVNZ to see Seymour and Bennett on a 'game show' shows how low they can go.
I want paid opposition members asked questions not given soapboxes for frivolity on an SOE and Bennetts keeping a talented and funny comedian from a job, because she is neither.
I think TVNZ has been pretty good in it's COVID coverage this lockdown. It's where you get a confluence of journalists writing opinion pieces, "last consumer capture" of places like the Herald and recently the-fat-nerd-trying-to-hang-out-with-the-rugby-jocks syndrome that has overtaken RNZ it really turns to custard.
The snippet that pressreader displayed said 46% back elimination and another 36% back our current course until at least 70% of the population is fully vaccinated.
This is a typical effort by the Herald at opinion-forming. The method is simple enough:
run numerous pieces from your stable of opinion-writers attacking a paticular Labour government policy – usually by misrepresenting that policy in various ways
After a few weeks/months of this effort, run a poll on that policy – in the hope that you have shifted opinion enough to have that shift show up in the poll. If the poll has the desired result, then point at the poll as confirmation that your opinion-writers were correct all along and in fact brilliantly prescient
It appears that it might not have worked quite so well this time – though doubtless the numbers can be spun in some way and efforts can be redoubled.
This morning we discovered that 85% of the population support elimination as a strategy, as opposed to 85% of the MSM who don't.
We also discovered that the NSW Premier has conceded defeat regarding its elimination strategy. She didn't apologise for her naivete but maybe there was an implied apology in her comments.
“No amount of government intervention or lockdown is going to get you to zero cases. … what we do have to accept is when you are in the middle of a pandemic which is impacting our nation as it has been other nations that we need to appreciate that, unfortunately, lives will be lost."
We've done it before and a few other countries and regions have had a fair crack at it. The usual tools include masking, social distancing, tracking and tracing, border restrictions, lockdowns/restrictions on gathering and movement, quarantine and vaccinations (and in my opinion, also leadership, communication and widespread cooperation) . It is harder this time for us this time because of the variant.
EDIT and a well resourced modern health system can be added as an essential tool.
Yes, though we are easily weary of any restrictions. We are actually rather spoiled, and thinking of others has to be the new habit which grates some folk.
Everybody in NZ should listen to this from RNZ this morning. An epidemiologist in Victoria (Professor Blakely) is now resigned to the delta virus about to run out of control-up to 2000 cases a day-in Victoria where up to this point in time he had thought it could be eliminated. Listen to the tone of his voice.
He makes specific references to NZ, and in particular the similarities between South Auckland and the communities in Melbourne where Delta has proven impossible to stop.
BG, if you click on the item title on the RNZ page and then open that and copy and paste the link it will be the one with the interview details and the audio 👍
Indeed. Listening to some very recent announcements from the UK from senior medical people, it's clear they've realised that Delta means there will be no herd immunity, either natural or vaccine induced.
Essentially we should start thinking in terms of everyone getting it sooner or later. That implies doing whatever you can to improve your odds when it happens.
And Delta is not the last variant – already news is filtering out around a dangerous new one in South Africa. We're all about to get an education in biological evolution.
And if as a nation we want to be able to withstand new variants and new pandemics, we would do well to address issues around housing, poverty, access to higher education, whatever brakes on unhealthy food we can apply and access to affordable good quality food .
All of that affects health at the grass roots level and gives us all a fighting chance. We can no longer afford to have large groups of people cut adrift.
Indeed, laissez faire small govt neoliberalism is useless in the face of an existential crisis, and the pandemic has exposed just how irresponsible and sclerotic are those nations subscribing to free market bullshit. they DGAF about the deaths of multitudes
By studying epidemiology and public health for many years in order to put yourself in a position to provide competent, evidence-based, and practical advice to decision makers so they can develop policies likely to achieve that objective (at least at a local level) when implemented by a competent and dedicated public service.
Rather than losing one's shit and assuming all resistance is futile (except snake oil, that'll save us).
That’s quite a claim there about contagiousness of Covid-19 vs. chickenpox, so please provide evidence for it, which you have carefully checked for validity, i.e., ‘fact checked’ yourself.
Did you know that we have successful elimination strategy for measles? Did you know that measles is more contagious than Covid-19 or even chickenpox?
Did you know that smallpox was eradicated without reaching herd immunity?
Did you know what the main tool was to achieve those two awesome feats?
Once NZ 'pivots' away from its COVID-19 elimination strategy there's no going back, so why are some so keen for the team to throw in the towel? Smacks of match-fixing. Heck, QLD, SA, WA, NT and TAS have stamped on and kept COVID out so far.
Sure, NZ can't sustain a Covid elimination strategy forever, but imho it would be prudent to stick with that plan until >85% of Kiwis 12+ are fully vaccinated. That would give our nurses and doctors at least a fighting chance.
Asked during a daily update on coronavirus what she thought of criticism from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg that the Delta variant can’t be “eliminated”, Ardern insisted elimination was the most sensible strategy until New Zealand is fully vaccinated.
“Delta is different; no one is denying that,” Ardern said, referring to the highly transmissible strain of coronavirus that has caused outbreaks both in Australia and New Zealand.
But she said New Zealand will not change its approach until its population is vaccinated.
“Elimination is the best strategy for us while we’re vaccinating people and then we’ll continue to look at all of the evidence going forward,” she said.
Admirable, imho, apart from the ubiquitous and superfluous "going forward".
I'm wary of a target like >85%. We may never get there, and there may even be some amongst us that would avoid getting vaccinated to try to game putting off achieving that threshold.
I'd be thinking more along the lines of: we're giving out over 50,000 first doses a day (7 day average) right now, so when that rate drops to a quarter (12,500 first doses a day 7 day average) and anyone that wants a vax can get an appointment within a week at their nearest provider, then we can reasonably say everyone that wants it has had a reasonable opportunity to get it. So eight weeks from that point (6 week gap plus 2 weeks after second shot) would then be reasonable to move to the next strategy.
With approval for 5 to 11 year olds likely coming in the November-ish timeframe, to me it looks like that reasonable "move on to the next strategy" date will be around March-ish next year.
For the sake of our medical system and especially the frontline people in that system, I hope like hell we're at >85% when we get to that point, but I fear we will be quite short of that.
But I doubt the government will be able to hold out that long against mounting pressure to open up.
Fair enough Andre. >85% is aspirational and arbitrary, but I'm wary of setting a lower target. Imho setting a plausible if high target gives NZ a better chance of achieving what we need, but I could be wrong.
There will no doubt be considerable pressure on the government to set a well defined target, and if they succumb to that pressure then there will be much debate as to whether that target is appropriate and/or achievable.
We're all getting impatient – if setting a target makes a rod for the government's back, then maybe it's best not to set one at all, and just go with 'once everyone who wants to be is fully vaccinated' plus three weeks? Or:
Have a thought to our frontline workers, food banks, etc out there carrying a great load to enable us all to get thru this. But what happens when they are left burnt out and totally exhausted ? How will they beable to regather themselves rest up and for how long without the ability to rest up can they continue ? But in saying that I still give my thanks and when I see those in the park I say thanks and hope that something good happens to them today.
Don't worry, in reality not a lot of people really care about that until they are affected directly, i.e. hospital care. I am an essential worker and I can tell you from getting through this now the second time around the stress shows when the pressure comes off. This time is a bit different from the first one. Insofar as that the first time around I felt an urgency and a need to help everywhere. This time around, I do what I can and have reduced my hours so that I have time to recover. I was surprised how much this has affected my health, my energy levels and compassion. My last holiday was 2 years ago and I am not working from home. I am glad that I get letters about well being. Yep, that will do. But thank you for your kind words, it is appreciated.
I went for a walk yesterday around the perimeter of a supermarket. I was not impressed as I saw approx 50 masks in the car park and on the foot path and several rubber gloves. Supermarket workers are putting up with behaviour which disrespects how difficult their job has become. This can be said for other frontline workers as well. The volumes of people through a supermarket has probably increased due to other outlets being closed or contactless pick up.
And 3 students fly around the country and "did not know or were not told" that they cannot do this. Please unsubscribe these idiots from any Uni and class because they seem to be illiterate, not ready for higher learning and certainly incapable of showing responsible behavior towards a whole nation. I for one have absolutely no patience left for people like that who endanger a whole population and come up with ridiculous excuses. They should be fined and send home.
That was my first reaction as well but then thinking back, I was quite oblivious as a young person (and still am in some situations) and would also probably have felt bad once i had realised my error. They probably expected the airport system to stop them travelling if it was in breach.
Do those idiots actually understand that everybody is being confined and some end up in hospital, with hopefully few in ICU. This is not a prank and it certainly is not "humanitarian". Another article of a guy who escaped quarantine after testing positive. His assertion " I have no symptoms". I think it's too late, the whole rigmarole of isolation etc. is becoming a farce. So much pussyfooting, no consequences. No one will follow rules if it doesn't matter whether you do. Slap on the wrist and lets get spreading.
"Minister Shaw must now be squirming at the way he has lost control of the ETS steering levers. There will be serious discussions in coming weeks between the Minister and his officials as to how the Government can get back control of the levers"
"The key event setting up the opportunity to make some big money occurred on 18 August when James Shaw in his role as Climate Change Minister advised that the minimum auction price for a NZU would rise to $39.32 by 2026, and the maximum price would rise to $115.10. These announcements removed much of the speculative risk and increased the potential for windfall profits. Also, the underlying message was clear that the Government was going to use the ETS to drive behaviours. It was all on!"
Hi Pat. You posted a question to me about housing affordability on another thread. My apologies I can't reply directly to that (no 'reply' link visible?), so i have replied at the end of that thread.
We have Collins and Seymour rabbiting on about why the South Island should be at level 2 .
We have to look across the ditch to see how easy Delta spreads .Truck drivers driving interstate delivering essential goods etc, We have the same possibilities here the whole country needs to be extra vigilant.
Make no mistake our country is at War with Covid Delta to have politicians undermining scientific advice from our health officials for cheap political gain is tantamount to treason.
Agreed – it is very cynical of them to keep taking misinformed pot shots at a government working so hard in a dangerous crisis when they well know there is no chance of them having to put their money where their mouths are. Cowardly and self- interested!
This makes me laugh. The country is not at was with Delta, it seems rules cannot be enforced. People escape quarantine, jump on planes etc. Its like a "lets spread" party. Who cares what the opposition says right now, the issue at hand needs to be dealt with.
"The stronger than expected results came on the back of state government spending on hospitals, railways and roads, federal government vaccine stockpiling and households continuing their COVID-era cash splash on things like renovations."
We'll get to a measure of our own as soon as Treasury does another quarterly update.
Minister of Racing Grant Robertson has come out with a warning for the Greyhound Racing industry that they are on notice of closure, and are essentially hiding all their worst practices:
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The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstockAhmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, 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. Unemployment ...
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back.‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Terence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
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Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
While women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports)Talk isn’t afraid to have that kōrero.LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
Sir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/ShutterstockPlans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...
Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...
Average ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...
As of the March 2024 quarter, we can now look back on 20 years of data related to youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as collected by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS), according to figures released by Stats NZ today. "The ...
Thousands of workers attended public events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today to celebrate International Workers’ Day (May Day), but union representatives are urging caution and vigilance over the Government’s blatantly "anti-worker" ...
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter, compared with 4.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
The PSA is warning the Government that the sensitive information of New Zealanders held by various agencies will fall into the wrong hands if the latest round of proposed cuts goes ahead. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Talitha Best, Professor of Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Victoria Rodriguez/Unsplash How do sugar rushes work? – W.H, age nine, from Canberra What a terrific question W.H! Let’s explore this, starting with some of the basics. What is sugar? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karinna Saxby, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne MART PRODUCTION/Pexels Increasing income support could help keep women and children safe according to new work demonstrating strong links between financial insecurity and domestic violence. ...
ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark A Gregory, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, RMIT University The telecommunications industry faces a major shakeup following the release of the post-incident report on last November’s 12-hour Optus outage. Telecommunications companies will have to share more information with customers during future ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Eden Denyer, bookseller at Unity Books Auckland.Weirdest question/request you’ve had on the shop floorA mother came in looking for anything we might have on Alaskan bison as that was her little boy’s ...
NZCTU Economist Craig Renney said new data released by Statistics New Zealand shows the need for Government to act now, with unemployment rising from 3.4% to 4.3%. ...
The outpouring of anger over Maiki Sherman’s hyperbolic presentation of this week’s ‘nightmare’ poll is itself an overreaction, argues Stewart Sowman-Lund. Politicians love nothing more than to pretend they don’t care about polls. This week, deputy prime minister Winston Peters said he didn’t give a “rat’s derriere” about a TVNZ ...
Asia Pacific Report Ngāti Kahungunu in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region has become the first indigenous Māori iwi (tribe) to sign a resolution calling for a “ceasefire in Palestine”, reports Te Ao Māori News. Reporter Te Aniwaniwa Paterson talked to Te Otāne Huata, who has been organising peace rallies ...
By Dale Luma in Port Moresby “We want grants and not concessional loans,” is the crisp message from Papua New Guinea businesses directly affected by the Black Wednesday looting four months ago. The businesses, which lost millions after the January 10 rioting and looting, say they need grants as part ...
Happy May Day. Join a union. Q: What’s worse than a staff break room where the only place to sit and have a cup of tea is on a teetering stack of old pornography magazines? A: Your boss replacing the magazine stacks with chairs that are “heartily encrusted with ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Former opposition leader Matthew Wale has been announced as the second prime ministerial candidate ahead of the election in Solomon Islands tomorrow. He will face off against former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele, who was announced by the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation ...
We get but one birthday a year – why not make it last as long as possible by scheduling as many meals with friends and family as you can? This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you celebrate at ...
A Koi Tū discussion paper released today proposes sweeping changes to New Zealand’s media industry. The principal’s key author, Gavin Ellis, explains how journalists have a key role to play in making others value their role in society. This is an abridged version of a piece first published on knightlyviews.com ...
The Government’s spending cuts are again targeting support for Māori with proposed reform of the agency charged with advising on Māori wellbeing and development. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Douglas, Honorary Senior Lecturer, UNSW Aviation., UNSW Sydney The history of budget jet airlines in Australia is a long road littered with broken dreams. New entrants have consistently struggled to get a foothold. Low-cost carrier Bonza has just become the industry’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosalind Dixon, Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW Sydney Australia is finally having a sustained conversation about violence against women and what we can do about it. It is more than time. Australian women and girls continue to experience ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne stockfour/Shutterstock Preliminary bulk billing data released this week shows a 2.1% rise in bulk billing up to March. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Schulz, Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide Australia is once again grappling with how we can stop gendered violence in our country. Protests over the weekend show there is enormous community anger over the number of women who are dying and National ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University AnastasiaDudka/Shutterstock What if the government was doing everything it could to stop thieves making off with our money, except the one thing that could really work? That’s how it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harrington, Senior Lecturer in English and Cultural Studies, University of Canterbury The Conversation It seems to be a time of old favourites. This month our experts have recommended two new seasons – the second season of Alone Australia (although ...
It is completely distressting how fundamentalist extremists in the USA bark at other fundamentalist extremists in, say, Afghanistan about extremism and fundamentalism …
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2021/09/texas-s-near-total-abortion-ban-takes-effect-after-supreme-court-inaction.html
This morning we discovered that 85% of the population support elimination as a strategy, as opposed to 85% of the MSM who don't.
You sum it up nicely. Flicking past TVNZ to see Seymour and Bennett on a 'game show' shows how low they can go.
I want paid opposition members asked questions not given soapboxes for frivolity on an SOE and Bennetts keeping a talented and funny comedian from a job, because she is neither.
TVNZ needs a top down clearout.
I think TVNZ has been pretty good in it's COVID coverage this lockdown. It's where you get a confluence of journalists writing opinion pieces, "last consumer capture" of places like the Herald and recently the-fat-nerd-trying-to-hang-out-with-the-rugby-jocks syndrome that has overtaken RNZ it really turns to custard.
Bennett can go lower, she was a real estate agent.
Linkity-linky? A quick squiz at Stuffed and Harold didn't find anything.
It's paywalled at the Herald, but:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-delta-outbreak-nz-herald-kantar-poll-shows-what-new-zealanders-think-about-elimination-strategy/LVB5RB7NN3AODM5GT4DQRJHL7Q/
The snippet that pressreader displayed said 46% back elimination and another 36% back our current course until at least 70% of the population is fully vaccinated.
Any other significant caveats and nuances?
This is a typical effort by the Herald at opinion-forming. The method is simple enough:
It appears that it might not have worked quite so well this time – though doubtless the numbers can be spun in some way and efforts can be redoubled.
This morning we discovered that 85% of the population support elimination as a strategy, as opposed to 85% of the MSM who don't.
We also discovered that the NSW Premier has conceded defeat regarding its elimination strategy. She didn't apologise for her naivete but maybe there was an implied apology in her comments.
“No amount of government intervention or lockdown is going to get you to zero cases. … what we do have to accept is when you are in the middle of a pandemic which is impacting our nation as it has been other nations that we need to appreciate that, unfortunately, lives will be lost."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-23/zero-covid-just-not-possible-gladys-berejiklian-says/100400692
How do you eliminate a disease as contagious as chickenpox with a vaccine that doesn't stop transmission?
Maui please go away and learn how the word "eliminate" is used in a medical situation. It is not used in the way you obviously think it is.
We've done it before and a few other countries and regions have had a fair crack at it. The usual tools include masking, social distancing, tracking and tracing, border restrictions, lockdowns/restrictions on gathering and movement, quarantine and vaccinations (and in my opinion, also leadership, communication and widespread cooperation) . It is harder this time for us this time because of the variant.
EDIT and a well resourced modern health system can be added as an essential tool.
Yes, though we are easily weary of any restrictions. We are actually rather spoiled, and thinking of others has to be the new habit which grates some folk.
Everybody in NZ should listen to this from RNZ this morning. An epidemiologist in Victoria (Professor Blakely) is now resigned to the delta virus about to run out of control-up to 2000 cases a day-in Victoria where up to this point in time he had thought it could be eliminated. Listen to the tone of his voice.
He makes specific references to NZ, and in particular the similarities between South Auckland and the communities in Melbourne where Delta has proven impossible to stop.
It starts at 8.39am.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/20210902
https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018810719
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018810719/covid-19-victoria-ditches-elimination-strategy
[direct permanent link added – weka]
The Delta strain has been the deciding factor in NSW and in Victoria.
Once Covid mutatons become highly infectious, contact tracing has limits and locations of transmission such as essential services cannot be avoided.
Bearded Git, that is quite frightening about Delta.
Agreed Anker.
BG, if you click on the item title on the RNZ page and then open that and copy and paste the link it will be the one with the interview details and the audio 👍
Indeed. Listening to some very recent announcements from the UK from senior medical people, it's clear they've realised that Delta means there will be no herd immunity, either natural or vaccine induced.
Essentially we should start thinking in terms of everyone getting it sooner or later. That implies doing whatever you can to improve your odds when it happens.
And Delta is not the last variant – already news is filtering out around a dangerous new one in South Africa. We're all about to get an education in biological evolution.
Depressing. I for one am a fan of Fortress NZ. But I think you're right.
Vaccines improve your chances a lot, so let’s jab jab jab
In fact we're all going to be biologists before this pandemic leaves us – at least in a pandemic form.
Not a bad outcome actually.
Latest is that this variant has a growth rate disadvantage to D, and therefore may not take over from D
https://twitter.com/TWenseleers/status/1433128109738545153
And if as a nation we want to be able to withstand new variants and new pandemics, we would do well to address issues around housing, poverty, access to higher education, whatever brakes on unhealthy food we can apply and access to affordable good quality food .
All of that affects health at the grass roots level and gives us all a fighting chance. We can no longer afford to have large groups of people cut adrift.
Indeed, laissez faire small govt neoliberalism is useless in the face of an existential crisis, and the pandemic has exposed just how irresponsible and sclerotic are those nations subscribing to free market bullshit. they DGAF about the deaths of multitudes
By studying epidemiology and public health for many years in order to put yourself in a position to provide competent, evidence-based, and practical advice to decision makers so they can develop policies likely to achieve that objective (at least at a local level) when implemented by a competent and dedicated public service.
Rather than losing one's shit and assuming all resistance is futile (except snake oil, that'll save us).
That’s quite a claim there about contagiousness of Covid-19 vs. chickenpox, so please provide evidence for it, which you have carefully checked for validity, i.e., ‘fact checked’ yourself.
Did you know that we have successful elimination strategy for measles? Did you know that measles is more contagious than Covid-19 or even chickenpox?
Did you know that smallpox was eradicated without reaching herd immunity?
Did you know what the main tool was to achieve those two awesome feats?
Once NZ 'pivots' away from its COVID-19 elimination strategy there's no going back, so why are some so keen for the team to throw in the towel? Smacks of match-fixing. Heck, QLD, SA, WA, NT and TAS have stamped on and kept COVID out so far.
Sure, NZ can't sustain a Covid elimination strategy forever, but imho it would be prudent to stick with that plan until >85% of Kiwis 12+ are fully vaccinated. That would give our nurses and doctors at least a fighting chance.
Admirable, imho, apart from the ubiquitous and superfluous "going forward".
I'm wary of a target like >85%. We may never get there, and there may even be some amongst us that would avoid getting vaccinated to try to game putting off achieving that threshold.
I'd be thinking more along the lines of: we're giving out over 50,000 first doses a day (7 day average) right now, so when that rate drops to a quarter (12,500 first doses a day 7 day average) and anyone that wants a vax can get an appointment within a week at their nearest provider, then we can reasonably say everyone that wants it has had a reasonable opportunity to get it. So eight weeks from that point (6 week gap plus 2 weeks after second shot) would then be reasonable to move to the next strategy.
With approval for 5 to 11 year olds likely coming in the November-ish timeframe, to me it looks like that reasonable "move on to the next strategy" date will be around March-ish next year.
For the sake of our medical system and especially the frontline people in that system, I hope like hell we're at >85% when we get to that point, but I fear we will be quite short of that.
But I doubt the government will be able to hold out that long against mounting pressure to open up.
Fair enough Andre. >85% is aspirational and arbitrary, but I'm wary of setting a lower target. Imho setting a plausible if high target gives NZ a better chance of achieving what we need, but I could be wrong.
There will no doubt be considerable pressure on the government to set a well defined target, and if they succumb to that pressure then there will be much debate as to whether that target is appropriate and/or achievable.
We're all getting impatient – if setting a target makes a rod for the government's back, then maybe it's best not to set one at all, and just go with 'once everyone who wants to be is fully vaccinated' plus three weeks? Or:
Have a thought to our frontline workers, food banks, etc out there carrying a great load to enable us all to get thru this. But what happens when they are left burnt out and totally exhausted ? How will they beable to regather themselves rest up and for how long without the ability to rest up can they continue ? But in saying that I still give my thanks and when I see those in the park I say thanks and hope that something good happens to them today.
Don't worry, in reality not a lot of people really care about that until they are affected directly, i.e. hospital care. I am an essential worker and I can tell you from getting through this now the second time around the stress shows when the pressure comes off. This time is a bit different from the first one. Insofar as that the first time around I felt an urgency and a need to help everywhere. This time around, I do what I can and have reduced my hours so that I have time to recover. I was surprised how much this has affected my health, my energy levels and compassion. My last holiday was 2 years ago and I am not working from home. I am glad that I get letters about well being. Yep, that will do. But thank you for your kind words, it is appreciated.
I went for a walk yesterday around the perimeter of a supermarket. I was not impressed as I saw approx 50 masks in the car park and on the foot path and several rubber gloves. Supermarket workers are putting up with behaviour which disrespects how difficult their job has become. This can be said for other frontline workers as well. The volumes of people through a supermarket has probably increased due to other outlets being closed or contactless pick up.
I needed to be more clear about the masks and rubber gloves. They were discarded on the ground and people could walk on them.
And 3 students fly around the country and "did not know or were not told" that they cannot do this. Please unsubscribe these idiots from any Uni and class because they seem to be illiterate, not ready for higher learning and certainly incapable of showing responsible behavior towards a whole nation. I for one have absolutely no patience left for people like that who endanger a whole population and come up with ridiculous excuses. They should be fined and send home.
She said she did not deliberately break the rules and the saga had been "upsetting"
Family and the university are "supporting" her
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126256173/student-who-breached-covid-lockdown-restrictions-never-told-of-rules-or-checked-before-flying
For Christs sake, when did young people become so oblivious and fragile
That was my first reaction as well but then thinking back, I was quite oblivious as a young person (and still am in some situations) and would also probably have felt bad once i had realised my error. They probably expected the airport system to stop them travelling if it was in breach.
While not directly answering the question of fragility in youth, Class Action Park is a doco I thoroughly recommend.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stuff-to-watch/300396270/class-action-park-jawdropping-neon-doco-exposes-us-most-dangerous-attraction
In the film there are lots of '80s teens congregating, drinking and engaging in high risk activities. Not a single adult in sight let alone concerned.
The article said she was visiting Family in Auckland, so no one in that bubble knew the rules either .. I don't buy it ..
Do those idiots actually understand that everybody is being confined and some end up in hospital, with hopefully few in ICU. This is not a prank and it certainly is not "humanitarian". Another article of a guy who escaped quarantine after testing positive. His assertion " I have no symptoms". I think it's too late, the whole rigmarole of isolation etc. is becoming a farce. So much pussyfooting, no consequences. No one will follow rules if it doesn't matter whether you do. Slap on the wrist and lets get spreading.
Oops
https://www.interest.co.nz/index.php/rural-news/112050/wednesday-government-lost-control-ets-speculators-has-big-implications-and
"Minister Shaw must now be squirming at the way he has lost control of the ETS steering levers. There will be serious discussions in coming weeks between the Minister and his officials as to how the Government can get back control of the levers"
"The key event setting up the opportunity to make some big money occurred on 18 August when James Shaw in his role as Climate Change Minister advised that the minimum auction price for a NZU would rise to $39.32 by 2026, and the maximum price would rise to $115.10. These announcements removed much of the speculative risk and increased the potential for windfall profits. Also, the underlying message was clear that the Government was going to use the ETS to drive behaviours. It was all on!"
"Ooops" is an understatement
Hi Pat. You posted a question to me about housing affordability on another thread. My apologies I can't reply directly to that (no 'reply' link visible?), so i have replied at the end of that thread.
We have Collins and Seymour rabbiting on about why the South Island should be at level 2 .
We have to look across the ditch to see how easy Delta spreads .Truck drivers driving interstate delivering essential goods etc, We have the same possibilities here the whole country needs to be extra vigilant.
Make no mistake our country is at War with Covid Delta to have politicians undermining scientific advice from our health officials for cheap political gain is tantamount to treason.
Agreed – it is very cynical of them to keep taking misinformed pot shots at a government working so hard in a dangerous crisis when they well know there is no chance of them having to put their money where their mouths are. Cowardly and self- interested!
Has National ever performed well during a crisis when in government or when in opposition?
South Island could move to level 2,unfortunately we have direct flights from delta land.
https://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/travellers/flights/arrivals-and-departures/
One way of stopping movement between the islands: drive the Picton train into the sea 🙂
This makes me laugh. The country is not at was with Delta, it seems rules cannot be enforced. People escape quarantine, jump on planes etc. Its like a "lets spread" party. Who cares what the opposition says right now, the issue at hand needs to be dealt with.
Ironic robologic as the shunting train was driver less.i can sea where your coming from robologic
controlled by a remoteControl operator who was on autopilot LOL …he forgot Aratere not berthed due to vivid service withdrawal/reduction.
[Changed your user name to the approved one. Please be more careful next time]
Excellent, that line has no pier.
let's not go down that track!
Lemmings…
'This train got the disappearing railroad blues'……..
My excuse with that line, to post the great song it comes from – City Of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie.
Ahhh…
Alice’s Restaurant. One of the greats.
https://youtu.be/m57gzA2JCcM
Ahhh the joys of economic growth in a pandemic.
Gross Domestic Product just loves all that taxpayer money spent shoring up massive disasters like COVID19.
So how did Australia's economy grow in the middle of a pandemic?
https://www.theage.com.au/please-explain/how-did-the-economy-grow-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic-20210902-p58o3g.html
"The stronger than expected results came on the back of state government spending on hospitals, railways and roads, federal government vaccine stockpiling and households continuing their COVID-era cash splash on things like renovations."
We'll get to a measure of our own as soon as Treasury does another quarterly update.
Do we get to call that sick growth?
Minister of Racing Grant Robertson has come out with a warning for the Greyhound Racing industry that they are on notice of closure, and are essentially hiding all their worst practices:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/government-puts-greyhound-racing-on-notice-after-review-into-industry/YPBRFMNUMWNBTX4YE7EVQDRBDQ/
Personally I am with Chloe Swarbrick on this one. Close them all down.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300284720/chle-swarbrick-greyhound-racing-is-cruel-and-we-must-end-it-now