Open mike 02/11/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, November 2nd, 2019 - 66 comments
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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66 comments on “Open mike 02/11/2019 ”

  1. cleangreen 1

    Jacinda needs to wake up as this climate change report in September says it all.

    How come freight road transport is still rising at an alarming rate of 6% annually while rail freight is still retreating?

    Trucks are now coming from al over the central North Island with logs and are still “double handling” before dropping logs to Napier port?

    Road transport claimed rail was “not viable because of double handling but trucks are now double handling too?

    So our road transport (GHG) ‘Greenhouse gas emissions’ are now rising, while if government switched to using rail freight they would would reduce road freight (GHG) emissions. Jacinda; “Lets do this”

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/09/25/new-un-climate-report-massive-change-already-here-worlds-oceans-frozen-regions/

    “Climate and Environment
    New U.N. climate report: Monumental change already here for world’s oceans and frozen regions
    Growing coastal flooding is inevitable, and damage to corals and other marine life has already been unleashed”

    • SPC 1.1

      There is the inconsistency of growing trees for GW mitigation when we transport the logs the way we do.

      • David Mac 1.1.1

        Water has been used to transport logs since we've chopped them down. I wonder if a tug with a purpose built net could deliver 100 truckloads to Marsden Point from the Far North in a few days.

        Hook the net onto a Chinese ship and they wouldn't need loading. The Chinese ship could be filled with something else, tow the logs home. Float them down a slipway in China, straight into drying racks then saws.

  2. marty mars 2

    Starting to hurt – I'm sure his pants would spontaneously combust in his wee fireside chat – what a turkey

    Donald Trump has insisted he has “done nothing wrong” and does not deserve to be impeached, and made the extraordinary suggestion that he appear on live TV to read the full transcript of his controversial phone call with the Ukrainian president in a “fireside chat”.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/01/trump-impeachment-inquiry-ukraine-call-transcript

  3. 'November 2019' – Happy Blade Runner day.

  4. cleangreen 5

    I look forward to hearing from Don "the accused".

    As we should have heard from Hillary Clinton also in this way; – as she destroyed quote;"the sensitive government cellphone records" – FBI had ordered Hillary to supply them with before Hilary stopped wiping those records from her phone and covered it up by destroying the 30 000 files.

    So why did she do this after being requested by FBI to surrender the files to them?

    We know that the FBI/CIA are both historically corrupt.

    But is is puzzling why Hillary was so keen on destroying the files instead of being "transparent.

    So Donald trump is now challenging all by opening up the debate in public.

    This is refreshing as the Democratic party won't do this,

    As the impeachment inquiry was done under a "closed door policy" and Trump is opening it up for all to see and this is a positive move by trump..

  5. Marcus Morris 6

    My local paper recently published a review of Peter Dyer's book "The story of New Zealand's leaky home disaster". I then found this article on Stuff, reviewing the same book, https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/116236850/the-rottenomics-of-the-47-billion-leaky-homes-market-failure?fbclid=IwAR0UC0-Et8k8JJMqfy8dPNx7H2bK23sT84RbCYu94yfYtl5ru_bTd6AxeAY.

    I apologise if I have missed an earlier thread on this topic but surely this is an issue that is timely and shows again, quite clearly, how we shouldn't trust our economy to a party that still believes in the efficacy of the free market and self regulation. The Nat's will be using every tool at their disposal to discredit the Government over the next ten months and Dirty Politics will raise its head again. The leaky homes scandal goes on and on and it needs to be held up as a placard for all to see.

    • David Mac 6.1

      Dyer arrives at a fix price of 47 billion. It could only ever be a rough estimate. Leaky homes are NZ's housing herpes. I think we're stuck with it for 100 years. Even those builds deemed to be sound, in 50 years when another bedroom is being added on, there will be walls opened up lined in black fur.

      As time passes, it looks more and more like the home owner will be responsible for setting it right.

      The fiasco deserves to be a segment on 'Great technological disasters of the 20th Century.' at least Twyford just hasn't built many, we whacked up 1000's of these kid's garden forts.

      • greywarshark 6.1.1

        Add to the leaky homes fungus-filled, there will be infrastructure failures because of low quality or too lean reinforcement or poorly fixed structures. That will result in spectacular failures similar to the 2011 CTV (Canterbury Television) building.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/99420943/why-is-noone-being-prosecuted-for-the-ctv-building-collapse-tragedy (2017)

        We have a history of mismanagement and disasters in NZ, which were entirely preventable by following good and precautionary practices. This morning the Erebus disaster was discussed by Kim in an interesting and poignant recall of that history and the thoughts of a grand-daughter to remember the tragedy of the plane crash and deaths, and the caring of the people doing the recovery and identification work.

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018720412/granddaughter-of-erebus-victim-on-her-quest-for-the-truth

        • David Mac 6.1.1.1

          We fell prey to discount fashion.

          "I've got an easy and cheap way to build one of those houses from an exotic location. (where it never rains or quakes)."

          I think Erebus is like most of the incidents explored on that 'Mayday' TV show. Aircraft catastrophes so often seem to be 2 or more circumstances lining up in a row that leads to calamity.

          Faulty navigational data loaded before take-off, a Captain thinking he was 10 miles to starboard and a white-out blizzard blows in.

          With leaky homes, we organised the blizzard.

          Now we have a standards regime frightened of getting anything that resembles egg on it's face. Friend of mine had a final inspection done recently. He failed on many points, most of them 'Tough but fair enough, it's in the code'. But an imperfection in the paintwork??

          • Molly 6.1.1.1.1

            The LBP scheme fails in that it allows the regulatory authority to absolve itself of responsibility. As the only authority for building it should take full responsibility for the standard and compliance of the build. That is why we pay the fees and costs associated with consents. However, the LBP reduces local authority exposure to financial liability for future failures.

            Many LBP roles are supervisory or managerial, and I suspect there are multiple signoffs by the registered LBP when they have had very little or nothing to do onsite. There is a whole industry around the consenting process that has work outsourced by local authorities, that contributes very little to design and build quality and nothing in the way of considered planning.

            (A friend of mine also failed to get her compliance certificate until the second coat of paint was completed. Her basement toilet – however – was LBP certified, and never worked without backing up and spraying the small room with the result.)

    • Brigid 6.2

      "Builders who could not convince insurers their work was sound would not be able to operate"

      Yeah that'll fix it. Let insurance companies be the watchdog.

      God stiffen the bloody crows!

      • greywarshark 6.2.1

        From the link in 6.1

        The Wellingtonian met dozens of leaky home owners while researching Rottenomics. Their tales were harrowing.

        "If you don't have anywhere else to go, you are trapped inside a house that is making you sick. These homes have made a lot of people sick. You are not just sick, you are demoralised. It's a downward cycle," he said.

        Many lacked the money to fix their homes, and were trapped in decaying buildings.

        Mental health problems and suicide would result one would think, and their numbers are rising. And it is so dispiriting to live in such a lying society, one that used to say it was classless, and praise itself to the skies, and the 1984 events show that was just propaganda, with no commitment to keep it good for all.

        • Molly 6.2.1.1

          I know of a couple who purchased one of the Orewa leaking apartments while they were living and working overseas. Because the purchase was a rental investment, the IRD effectively reimbursed them a significant part of the remediation build as it acted as a major loss for that particular property, which reduced their overall income on their property portfolio.

          It always struck me as a major failure that those who invested in these properties – and had alternative living arrangements – were able to access those financial levers that owner occupiers could not.

          • greywarshark 6.2.1.1.1

            It seems to show an inherent bias in the system that looks after people in business making money from something, and those who are just providing for their essential living needs get the run-around. The citizen is not in the picture, and the very small businessman too has to manage without much concern about their welfare.

  6. greywarshark 7

    An interesting interview on Radionz with a deep-sea-cave diver. Clever stuff, and using tech innovations that could be crucial in understanding our seas.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018720417/cave-diver-jill-heinerth

    • Hopefully you stuck with RNZ @greywarshark for that wot followed (William Dalrymple). We might just be in time to prevent a repeat of it all. It doesn't have to be inevitable

      • greywarshark 7.1.1

        OwT I thought that Dalrymple was riveting.

        10:05 William Dalrymple – the anarchic rise of the East India Company

        Across a 30 year writing career, Scottish historian, broadcaster and critic William Dalrymple has been preoccupied with the history and culture of India.

        It's the country he now calls home for half the year, spending summers in his native Scotland. With family connections to India dating back for generations, his latest book The Anarchy traces the 'relentless rise', dazzling heyday, and the sometimes shameful past of the East India Company.

        At the peak of its powers, this prototype for the vast multinationals of today exerted as much power and influence as any nation state.

        I remember Dalrymple saying that the East India Company had control over much of India and its wealth and industry, from a building in UK of 35? people. It was a fiefdom run for the benefit of scheming, wealthy people, and willing to squeeze the great continent of India dry. It had been going since Shakespeare's time until finally in thmid 1800's the Brits took control after it enabled the Great Bengal Famine, which is a similar stain to the Irish Potato Famine than the Lords and Ladies of Britain found acceptable to bring about.

        Dalrymple mentioned Brexit and I think Boorish and to me it is a case of deja vu. The Cons are going all out for wallet weighting. They have managed to screw the people, tighten welfare and bring people to a state of degeneration in England, and I don't know if in the Wales and Scotland kingdoms they have been able to limit the downfall.

        He points out that Brit made their loot (a Moghul word?) from stealing from India and from trading in the Carribean with slaves and sugar. So the might of Britain is tainted, and the people running the country are also, and no doubt have gifted their art of cunning thievery with low ethics through their family lines to the present Cons as exemplified in the swingeing swindlers in the UK Government.

        I think it might be a good idea to then listen to the interview with Lady Anne Glenconner and her remniscences? of her life and relationship with Princess Margaret. She was married to Lord Colin Tennent who was very rich.

        He would be similar to the top people in the East India Company and no doubt the present-day Cons. Lady Anne looks back wryly but fondly and draws a wise summary:

        "[At one stage] he took off to Africa .. the whole point was you got in a canoe, went off to look animals. This lady had broken her leg and she couldn't get into the canoe. Colin was absolutely furious, came back and said 'Anne, I've had the most ghastly holiday. I think I've behaved very badly.' I said 'Colin, I really don't want to hear'. It was sort of fairly endearing."

        Colin's temper was so bad he was banned for life from British Airways after an incident in California which involved him lying down on the plane kicking and screaming because there wasn't a first-class seat for him – then getting escorted off the flight by police.

        Wealth is sometimes the only difference between eccentricity and madness, Anne says.

        "If you're eccentric you have to have money, you can't be a poor eccentric. If you're poor then it's mad, if you're very rich then you're eccentric."

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018719473/lady-anne-glenconner-i-ve-got-a-hell-of-a-lot-of-very-good-stories

        • OnceWasTim 7.1.1.1

          Yep, well you can see where the neo-liberal blind faith is taking us. It's now so ingrained into 'the powers that be' that they often don't even realise that it drives them in everything they do. There's a generation that's grown up knowing nothing else.

          Dalrymple was a good way to end the week. Lest I offend some on TS, I opted for TDB with this:

          https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/11/02/the-daily-blog-open-mic-saturday-2nd-november-2019/

          • David Mac 7.1.1.1.1

            How do I avoid engaging with neo liberals if I want a phone, electricity and a car? It drives everything we all do.

            If I want a fishing boat and enough savings to get my kid through Uni I can't see how I can do it without engaging with neo liberal gameplay.

            I'm encouraging Xero, Contact energy, Spark, Nissan…aren't we all?

            • OnceWasTim 7.1.1.1.1.1

              You can't if you want certain products or services. But not everything has to be commodified and marketed. Education, knowledge, art, music for example doesn't have to be solely for the purpose of gaining a profit (above what it takes to support people actually providing it with a livable income) .

              There's stuff and things that are part of the commons. Water, the air we breath, nature. Neo-libs would privatise and sell it all for a profit and as many ticket clippers as they can get away with if they thought they could keep the natives from getting restless. Especially failed pig farmers and perpetual growth merchants.

          • greywarshark 7.1.1.1.2

            As a matter of interest OwT – have you ever written a comment under a post by MB that criticises the tone and content of it? And was yours conspicuous by its absence?

            • OnceWasTim 7.1.1.1.2.1

              Not that I recall @greywarshark but it's possible. Do you mean – as in things going into a black hole? I've seen one or two people complain about their comments getting lost/censored but I don't think there's anything sinister in it.

            • OnceWasTim 7.1.1.1.2.2

              Oh – Do you mean as in https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/11/01/the-daily-blog-open-mic-saturday-2nd-november-2019/ now seems to have disappeared up it's own derriere?

              If so – here's the comment:

              IMHO, it's probably been a bit of a septem horribilis for some in Labour.

              As Shane 'mis-spoke', Labour seems to have 'mis-calculated', and all of it not that necessary given a little more forethought.

              While Ministers and senior public servants were 'inside the tent' pissing out and over each other, they mis-calculated the number 'outside the tent' now wanting to piss in.

              In a bicultural/multicultural society where its Anglo-Saxon Toffs (and even some of those lesser Noble Savage types) let it be known to their offspring who is an acceptable partner, and who isn't – under threat of their inheretance; where transactional relationships such as 'fuckbuddies', 'friends with benefits', 'Facebooked hookups', 'open relationships', 'swinging' and Married At First Sight matchmakers are all a bit of humour and acceptable; or even where its just more convenient to just wank oneself silly over a bit of porn (at the taxpayers' expense if possible)…..
              somehow the idea of parents and a few aunties and 'cousin sisters' getting together to suggest who might be suitable candidates for marriage is something we can't get our heads around.
              Apparenty, the latter should jump on the next plane out of here because the next thing you know, they'll be wanting to bring the whole village with them.

              The mis-calculation seems to have been the degree to which offense might be taken – not only from the loyal Labour supporters, but also from the sizable number who don't usually vote despite their eligability. They might even start to rival the Blue Dragons especially if eventually, they managed to get the whole bloody village here.

              My suspicions are that there are concessions that could have been negotiated (acceptable to the 3 partners in this marriage), and with egos remaining intact. Things that relate to the growing realisation that the neo-liberal religion is a failure.
              And if there weren't any concessions that could have been made, we ( either Labour, Labout/Green, Labour/Green/NZ1 supporters)are potentially in deeper shit than I imagined.

              • greywarshark

                Where I noticed that my comment vanished was on this from MB – TDB:

                https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/10/29/why-cannabis-euthanasia-should-be-a-referendum-and-why-abortion-should-not/

                Why Cannabis & Euthanasia should be a referendum and why Abortion should not

                I found fault with showing an image of Slavoj Zizek the 'peoples' philosopher but putting a saying attributed to MB beside it.

                I found fault with lumping important ethical matters together for a convenient package. Each needs separate consideration as they are about our life, which is special to us, and how we live it and others allow us to live it.

                And something else, can't remember. There is one comment shown, not mine which I would like to have seen even if there was no answering comment or a short disagreement.

                And interestingly the comment was from a prosaic materialist who seemed more concerned about drugs, police controls, and whether insurance costs could be brought down by having less drug-fuelled accidents.

                • OK. Actually I vaguely remember reading that now at the time because of TrevS's comment that is still there.

                  I'm not sure whether the site is as resilient as TS though (having a guru maintaining it). TDB probably has one or two woopsies from time to time.

                  In both cases (TDB and TS), I just see myself as a guest when commenting with the sites' owners having the prerogative to run them as they see fit. I'm just glad they both exist

                  • greywarshark

                    True about the sites, but when it comes to censoring, refusing opinions it is interesting how much self-criticism they will apply. It may of course be that they will take notice but not put or leave the comment up. I don't see it as a freedom of expression matter, more a willingness to see a wider spectrum as long as the commenter doesn't go on and too frequent.

  7. gsays 9

    More weasel words from the state.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/117080021/were-committed-to-safe-staffing-levels–tdhb

    The DHB has a green, yellow red system to know the levels of 'busyness' in its ED. A system DHBs wanted implemented for exactly this reason.

    The notion that they need an enquiry is dishonest, stalling and borderline neglectful.

    Mandatory nurse/patient ration of 1 to four. Simple, unambiguous and easy to implement. Just need to open the purse strings.

    • Sacha 9.1

      If we want the health system to never change how it does things, by all means set a fixed ratio across the board.

      Or we could spend the same money doing things smarter and keep the staff increases for areas like ED where I agree it is the most sensible answer.

      • greywarshark 9.1.1

        Or we could spend our money in constant testing and workshops and committees working out what was needed last year, and five years later implementing part of that. That would be smart if you are one of those who want to provide less and less good service and help to citizens and turn the country eventually to private service, with basics for those who can't afford it. Then wait for those with a humane and ethical sense and some money, to start a charity hospital etc. as the hospital in Christchurch.

        https://charityhospital.org.nz/our-services/

        https://charityhospital.org.nz/

      • gsays 9.1.2

        I was talking in the context of ED when I mentioned the ratio. This is from a 30 year veteran of our local ED.

        They have seen many 'smart' initiatives come and go, almost exclusively imposed from above. The beauty of the ratio is that it is simple.

        That doesn't mean no other initiatives, but a ratio is an excellent measure of any initiative.

  8. greywarshark 10

    The Government’s plan to help older New Zealanders live well, Better Later Life – He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034, was launched by Seniors Minister Tracey Martin today.

    “Better Later Life takes a fresh look at what is required to ensure everyone gets the chance to live well as they get older and help ensure we create opportunities for everyone to participate, contribute and be valued as they age,” Minister Martin says.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1911/S00007/better-later-life-launched.htm

    How good it would be if there was a Minister for Parents and Young Adults who was devoted to getting the resources they need to help them in their important tasks, so – 'we create opportunities for everyone to participate, contribute and be valued '. We have our ideas arse-about! We lay out deck chairs for the old age pensioners who are to be kept healthy so they can please themselves what they do for the community, of course remembering that taking interest in one’s own family is doing stuff for oneself. Some though may have to pick up their family from the total failure of the government's failure to have a well-run enterprising, sharing, distributive economy of a country that aims for vitality, creativity, well-being and opportunities for all its citizens.

  9. SPC 11

    The logic for the encouragement to vaping is to give nicotine addicts an alternative to tobacco (given the tar in tobacco is a carcinogen). Which sort of ignores the existence of nicotine patches and the fact that vaping is also a new means to addict young people to nicotine who have never smoked before.

    Then there is the fact that vaping is itself not without risk – so encouraging it is encouraging a product that will harm its users.

    For mine, vaping should only be allowed by prescription and only for tobacco addicts.

    There is growing evidence that vaping THC is particularly dangerous. And as time goes by the so called extent or degree to which vaping is deemed safer than tobacco is narrowing – as more reports come in of lung damage (and vaping is still fairly recent so this is a salutatory warning).

  10. greywarshark 12

    Edit
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/402337/cockleshell-design-still-part-of-dunedin-council-s-plan
    This Dunedin plan fits in with what I see as 20th century thinking. Nice design, grand in line with a Sydney Opera House special look. But those days are over, and more money than we know where to look, is going to be needed to resettle people and establish new transport routes with lots of planning and perhaps innovative engineering when the tide comes in and comes in and stays.. Where do these business people actually go to in their heads at night my lovely? A song coming on!

    We have a possible fire starter in the back wings of Nelson city on the Council table, with some ratepayer money and some private, and they have encouraged Ngati Koata to invest also, and a keen lot of councillors all excited about its future for tourism. Where will tourism be in 10-15 years and will they have recovered the $50 mill envisaged when it is to be built over 10 years?

    Do people remember the little harnesses that parents put on toddlers to ensure they didn't stray back in the 1960-70s? We need big ones for pollies local and central now.

    (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8JOi1q5ugs

  11. greywarshark 13

    What do you do when you live next door to people who do everything at the top of the decibel range? I can sympathise with this woman, having had such things happen, separately, and am lucky now that the man next door doesn't fly into many rages outside, telling his phone to fuck off. I can ignore it when it is just a few minutes of loud conversation.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/pet-cockatoo-centre-adelaide-neighbourhood-dispute-cleared-wrongdoing

    A pet cockatoo at the centre of a bitter neighbourhood dispute because of its screeching has been cleared of wrongdoing, in a case described by an Adelaide judge as "completely unjustified"….

    In the claim, she said the family's cockatoo screeches, their dogs bark "day and night", their young children play outside and "often scream as loud as they can" and the man whistles while he mows the lawn…

    Investigations by the City of Prospect council disproved the allegations, including a report that found the noise generated by the cockatoo was not excessive and there was no cause for complaint.

    The family, however, lodged a counter-claim, alleging the woman harassed them by needlessly calling the police to their property 15 times in five months, including six times because of "loud talking on Christmas Day".

  12. greywarshark 14

    Have guns, will shoot. Civilians or police, guns should be kept to the minimum, and knives etc are practically impossible to control.

    A 7 year old girl is out of intensive care in Chicago after being shot in the neck in a gang confrontation.

    The girl was one of several people shot in US cities during Halloween night activities. In the San Francisco Bay area community of Orinda, California, police said four people were killed in a shooting at a party. And in the eastern Utah community of Roosevelt, one man was fatally shot and a second man was stabbed to death at a party.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/young-girl-shot-in-neck-trick-treating-us

  13. greywarshark 15

    Are inmates still having to share cells. Changing back to single cells would be a significant and practical start. The guy up for violence has probably been threatened as a low-life in the system by the others for attacking a child. Get real government, pull your finger out and fix these blatant, obvious defects.

    Building a big credit balance from taking down reasonable welfare measures is loopy and anyone impressed by these savings is a degenerate, even when they look okay on the outside.

      • greywarshark 15.1.1

        Jail could be described as society admitting failure with socialisation. Some should be kept in for life, in some sort of isolation with safe communication with others, and some should be held for a month with the rest of the sentence suspended. There should be no double bunking.

        There should be the question – What do you want to do that is positive for you, and will help you to not get back in prison? And for some it will involve going to a different location so they are away from the situation that brought them back to prison.

        • Blazer 15.1.1.1

          What if they reply a Penthouse,a Porsche and some poontang?

          • greywarshark 15.1.1.1.1

            We could look at things, try things, differently – those things you mention are small-fry to desire compared to the very nasty crimes that have brought these people to be imprisoned, even taking drugs, (I'm not up with the street terms so imagine 'poontang' is some drug). If they can learn self-control, set themselves goals, acquire some idea of empathy for others including for their own inner consciousness, through holding those things in min

            This approach would also push for other less materialistic, less immoral or debauched thinking and encouraging more spiritual, naturistic, self-respecting and reflecting thinking. That would possibly be found in the Maori programs, but would encourage both personal growth and then being involved in group experiences, both passive and active as in haka, sports of a non-contact nature where old ways of anger and bullying did not find direct expression in violent acts. Often getting an ex-con to talk to such prisoners and run discussion groups where mindsets shift could be a major step to finding a new way.

            New ways have to be found in everything. The old ways have brought us to the brink of ruin.

  14. Eco maori 16

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    Papatuanuku is a real miracle that humans are literally turning into a nightmare

    There were heaps of fireworks getting lit were I was yesterday nite and the night before.

    A digger stuck in the mud I can remember someone give a bull CV first day he got the digger stuck.

    Early Child Education is a very important mahi.

    Ka kite Ano

  15. Eco maori 17

    I hope all countries can attend this vital meeting in Madrid as some with less putea will have bigger problems than wealthier countries hence their voices need to be heard.

    Greta Thunberg asks for lift back across Atlantic as climate meeting shifts to Madrid

    Swedish teenager needs help getting back to Europe following the COP25 meeting’s move from Chile to Spain.

    As delegates to the COP25 climate summit scramble to adjust to a last-minute change of venue from Santiago to Madrid, one of the highest-profile attendees has stuck out a metaphorical thumb on social media to ask for a lift across the Atlantic.

    Teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was speaking in California during a stop on her low-emissions journey from Sweden to Chile, tweeted that she was now in need of a ride to Spain.

    Thunberg, who refuses to fly because of the carbon emissions involved, had been travelling by boat, train and electric car when the new venue was announced

    “It turns out I’ve travelled half around the world, the wrong way:)…If anyone could help me find transport I would be so grateful,” she tweeted from Los Angeles.

    Thunberg arrived in New York for the UN climate summit in August after a 14-day journey across the Atlantic in a sailing boat. Since then she has been travelling via train and an electric car borrowed from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

    Harjeet Singh, of environmental group ActionAid International, said moving the summit from Chile to Spain with only four weeks’ notice “presents real barriers to participation” for delegates from the southern hemisphere.

    “Hotels in Madrid are already full. Last-minute flights are expensive. Visas can be difficult to obtain at short notice. This sudden decision is likely to shift the balance of power towards the wealthier countries of the global north,” he added in a statement.

    It is the second time that UN authorities have had to scramble to find a new meeting place. Brazil originally welcomed the gathering then backed out after rightwing president Jair Bolsonaro took office.

    Teresa Ribera, Spain’s ecological transition minister, said on Twitter on Saturday: “Dear Greta, it would be great to have you here in Madrid. You’ve made a long journey and help all of us to raise concern, open minds and enhance action. We would love to help you to cross the Atlantic back.”

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/03/greta-thunberg-asks-for-lift-back-across-atlantic-as-climate-meeting-shifts-to-madrid

  16. Eco maori 18

    We can see evedince of Ancient cultures collapseing I always thought that they collapsed because of their environment being compromised and not being able to sustain the population. Now here is the evidence of climate change collapseing society's

    SCIENTISTS have stumbled across what could answer the mysterious and sudden collapse of the powerful Mesopotamian Empire some 4,000 years ago.

    Mesopotamia was a huge empire that spanned much of the Middle East, including modern day Iraq, Kuwait, eastern Syria, south eastern Turkey and bordering regions. A kingdom settled on fertile lands within the Tigirs-Euphrates, Mesopotamia suddenly collapsed over a relatively short period time, eluding scientists and researchers through the age

    Now, however, a study’s findings may point towards a potential answer: that Mesopotamia was caught up in a giant dust storm that the empire couldn’t cope with, resulting in inability to grow crops, famine and mass social upheaval.

    Dr Tsuyoshi Watanabe of Hokkaido University, involved in the study, said in a statement: “Although the official mark of the collapse of the Akkadian Empire is the invasion of Mesopotamia by other populations, our fossil samples are windows in time showing that variations in climate significantly contributed to the empire’s decline.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1198516/ancient-history-latest-news-mesopotamia-iraq-syria-middle-east-dust-storm-archaeology-scie/amp

  17. Eco maori 19

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Smog carbon Air pollution is a big problem in most cities.

    We need to stop burning stuff to protect our futures environment.

    A new River Queen for Kaiapoi the locals seen quite happy.

    Ka kite Ano.

  18. Eco maori 20

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    I think that Iwi should be included in the discussion on our Wai Awa and Tangaroa.

    Catfish are in our Awa they are a fast breeders.

    Good to see someone savings some of the native fresh Wai species of Aotearoa.

    Ka pai to Waitaha for getting there Kapa Haka going.

    Ka kite Ano.

  19. Eco maori 21

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    You can not run a country like a business they are totally different business people run country for the wealthiest first and the rest get budget cuts.

    That's good the insolvency laws change to protect the small businesses that are owed money for their services.

    What amazes is why we are not taking about crime dropping in Aotearoa.

    That's cool A containerised education unit to educate tamariki about wool great quality's as we change to a carbon neutral society wool will become very important in our society. A lot of Aotearoa natural export will be sort after as well.

    I can remember when the 2 tennis Stars were new to the TV scene's.

    Our birds are very important part of our wildlife I like all birds species they can do what humans dream.

    Ka kite Ano

  20. Eco maori 22

    Aotearoa has a mild stable environment we should be grateful for the great weather we have.

    In Climate Lessons, a scientist explains what their research has taught them about climate change.

    We live on a collection of islands that straddle the cool waters of the Southern Ocean and the warmth of the subtropical Pacific – stretching all the way from the warm beaches of Northland to the rugged and windswept beauty of Stewart Island, with large mountains ranges running down the spines of both Te Ika a Maui and Te Wai Pounamu. This stark combination of geography and topography has a significant influence on how we experience the present impacts of climate change, and what we can expect into the future.

    It has been my life's work to use climate models to make predictions about New Zealand's future, but even more importantly to try and understand what they are telling us about how the world works. I believe that for us to make important decisions based on model predictions, we need to really understand them, and this matters even more as Artificial Intelligence becomes widespread in our lives.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/117080103/climate-lessons-how-global-warming-affects-new-zealands-wind-and-rain

  21. Eco maori 23

    You see all thing need to be respected and protected our Glacier provid water for billions the stability of local weather and trap carbon more than forest do.

    Glacial rivers absorb carbon faster than rainforests, scientists find

    ‘Total surprise’ discovery overturns conventional understanding of rivers

    Seascape: the state of our oceans is supported

    Ellesmere Island in Canada

    In the turbid, frigid waters roaring from the glaciers of Canada’s high Arctic, researchers have made a surprising discovery: for decades, the northern rivers secretly pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a rate faster than the Amazon rainforest.

    The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, flip the conventional understanding of rivers, which are largely viewed as sources of carbon emissions.

    It was a total surprise,” said Dr Kyra St Pierre, a biologist at the University of British Columbia and lead researcher on the project. “Given what we know about the rivers though … the findings are intuitive when you think about it. But we were initially very surprised to see what we did.”

    The discovery came from time spent collecting meltwater samples on Ellesmere Island, in Canada’s Nunavut territory, where several glaciers flow into Lake Hazen. The team of researchers also gathered samples in the Rocky Mountains and Greenland.

    “We have a pretty good understanding of the state of glaciers globally,” said St Pierre. “One thing we don’t know much about is the meltwaters and what happens when it … flows into rivers and downstream lakes.”

    In temperate rivers, a bounty of organic material – plant life and fish – results in higher levels of decomposition, meaning the bodies of water emit a far greater amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than they absorb.

    But glacial rivers, with their milky appearance and silt-laden composition, are not very hospitable to aquatic life, leading to far less organic decay – and little carbon output

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/25/scientists-glacial-rivers-absorb-carbon-faster-rainforests

  22. Eco maori 24

    Kia 1 NEWS

    That's awesome that Aotearoa and Australia are going to work together on tangata whenua issues I think Australia has a lot to do to give equality for their Tangata Whenua Aotearoa still has a bit to do to as well .

    Droughts and Global warming are hand in hand.

    Ka kite Ano

  23. Eco maori 25

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Its great to see Maori standing for Council seats. But you see Wairoa And Te Tairawhiti had very strong economy's in the 1970s there economy have not been nurtured at all by previous Government hence high unemployment that is not good for tangata.

    Cool Shotover adventures is introduceding Maori Culture into their operations.

    Ka pai to the 2 Maori playwrights writers winning their prize it will be good to see there mahi.

    Ka kite Ano.

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  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

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  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

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  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

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  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

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    23 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

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  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

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  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

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  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

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  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

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  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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  • Half a million people use tax calculator

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  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

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  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

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  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

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  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

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  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

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    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
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    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

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    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

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  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
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    1 week ago

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