Open mike 03/09/2024
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6:00 am, September 3rd, 2024 - 43 comments
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- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #51
A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 15, 2024 thru Sat, December 21, 2024. Based on feedback we received, this week's roundup is the first one published soleley by category. We are still interested in ...2 hours ago - Dance Magic
Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...13 hours ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...14 hours ago - Fact brief – Are we heading into an ‘ice age’?
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The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...1 day ago - Bernard’s last Saturday Soliloquy for 2024
The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...2 days ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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The Government can head off to the holidays, entitled to assure itself that it has done more or less what it said it would do. The campaign last year promised to “get New Zealand back on track.” When you look at the basic promises—to trim back Government expenditure, toughen up ...3 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #51 2024
Open access notables An intensification of surface Earth’s energy imbalance since the late 20th century, Li et al., Communications Earth & Environment: Tracking the energy balance of the Earth system is a key method for studying the contribution of human activities to climate change. However, accurately estimating the surface energy balance ...3 days ago
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“Like you said, I’m an unreconstructed socialist. Everybody deserves to get something for Christmas.”“ONE OF THOSE had better be for me!” Hannah grinned, fascinated, as Laurie made his way, gingerly, to the bar, his arms full of gift-wrapped packages.“Of course!”, beamed Laurie. Depositing his armful on the bar-top and selecting ...3 days ago
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Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed a significant slowdown in the economy over the past six months, with GDP falling by 1% in September, and 1.1% in June said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “The data shows that the size of the economy in GDP terms is now smaller ...3 days ago
- Cheeseburgers and Stunt Monkeys
One last thing before I quitI never wanted any moreThan I could fit into my headI still remember every single word you saidAnd all the shit that somehow came along with itStill, there's one thing that comforts meSince I was always caged and now I'm freeSongwriters: David Grohl / Georg ...3 days ago - MSD rejecting 220 pleas for food grants each day
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- The Wing Parties’ Economic Policies.
It is difficult to make sense of the Luxon Coalition Government’s economic management.This end-of-year review about the state of economic management – the state of the economy was last week – is not going to cover the National Party contribution. Frankly, like every other careful observer, I cannot make up ...4 days ago - Back on Track
This morning I awoke to the lovely news that we are firmly back on track, that is if the scale was reversed.NZ ranks low in global economic comparisonsNew Zealand's economy has been ranked 33rd out of 37 in an international comparison of which have done best in 2024.Economies were ranked ...4 days ago - Book Review: How Big Things Get Done
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- Wednesday 18 December
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Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...5 days ago - Member’s morning
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Some years ago, I found myself pondering the power of literature to endure. Or at least the power of some of it to endure, while the rest vanishes in mere decades: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/look-on-my-works-ye-mighty-and-despair-the-literary-future/. I have similarly had fun with the subject in some of my short stories, such as Another Alexandria ...5 days ago - Corrections is torturing prisoners again
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...5 days ago
- HYEFU and BPS data shows New Zealand is way off track
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...5 days ago
- “Better economic management”
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...5 days ago
- Shameless, clueless
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...5 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...6 days ago
- Crazy ’bout a Sharp-dressed Man
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...6 days ago - How much should you worry about a collapse of the Atlantic conveyor belt?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson In this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...6 days ago
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In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...6 days ago - When austerity worsens public debt & cuts GDP
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And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...6 days ago - A Lipstick Government
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Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...6 days ago
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- Thank You
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...1 week ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #50
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- Making Gravy
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Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...1 week ago
- 2 Men, 1 Haircut
Hi,“What I love about New Zealanders is that sometimes you use these expressions that as Americans we have no idea what those things mean!"I am watching a 30-something year old American ramble on about how different New Zealanders are to Americans. It’s his podcast, and this man is doing a ...1 week ago - Chris Penk’s Hate Parade
What Chris Penk has granted holocaust-denier and equal-opportunity-bigot Candace Owens is not “freedom of speech”. It’s not even really freedom of movement, though that technically is the right she has been granted. What he has given her is permission to perform. Freedom of SpeechIn New Zealand, the right to freedom ...1 week ago - Tell me a story
All those tears on your cheeksJust like deja vu flow nowWhen grandmother speaksSo tell me a story (I'll tell you a story)Spell it out, I can't hear (What do you want to hear?)Why you wear black in the morning?Why there's smoke in the air? Songwriter: Greg Johnson.Mōrena all ☀️Something a ...1 week ago
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National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...2 days ago - Release: Minister’s plan for tertiary sector a backwards step
Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...2 days ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
- Release: Rule-Czar bill a right-wing power grab
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...3 days ago
- Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...3 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...3 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...4 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...4 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...4 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...5 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...5 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...5 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...6 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...6 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2024/09/climate-change-least-cost-to-who.html
No Right Turn sums up the CoC pretty well:
And a $33Billion example…
Including his pet hate and a dogwhistle for his fellow fckwits….
Cycleways can/are also Walkways. And never mind our Planet burning….drill and mine, it will all be someone else's problem !
Well, it becomes ever more obvious why the CoC are delaying the Cook Straight ferry replacements–these vandals actually want to sever rail connection between the North and South Islands.
RUCs got slapped on EV owners immediately–do the fossil fuel people hate them or what…–while ICE cars are a couple of years out from RUCs if ever, given the difficulties of enforcement and admin. This is NZ’s version of MAGA and hopefully enough new gens will get into politics and voting for 2026 to boot them. But…it is going to be a hard several years with people in cars, tents, Doctors surgeries closing, boot camps, de funding of NGOs and all the rest of their vindictive agenda.
This country is now officially a “Tale of two cities”.
Yea, they certainly seem ideologically opposed to anything Sustainable..and everyone except the special Few. (IE cronies/funders, et al)
The RUC ICE thing was raised here recently….and the comments were, rather than helping the poor (ha) it was enabling the rich on their lifestyle blocks/boats/ etc…
Still, as with the "Tea and Toast", People need to Get Up, Stand Up.
Protest, and make your voice heard.
When I was part of the discussions at NZTA around RUC policy about 10 years ago, we always saw the existing petrol tax regime as incredibly regressive.
The reasons were that the FED was a tax on fuel consumption instead of travel, and that wealthier people that could afford newer, more fuel efficient cars were paying a disproportionately lower amount of tax.
The FED was always a weak (and bad) proxy for road use.
At least RUC somewhat correlates to the amount you use the road and the wear and tear you cause.
So if you own a Porsche Cayenne and use it to drive to your beach house every weekend, you'll pay for it.
Exactly.
RUC give much better tools to incentivise more responsible vehicle choices. It's a simple matter to graduate the charge based on weight, with a couple of graduations below 3.5 t , and probably dimension as well. Other jurisdictions don't have a problem with this.
When FED was dreamt up most vehicles used around 20 l/100km, now it's quarter to half that, and getting less if you've got the money.
To be fair, it's still regressive: a lower income taxpayer will still end up paying a higher proportion of their income on RUC than a rich prick and his Porsche.
But at least they'll be taxed on the same basis that isn't necessarily dependent on income. It became a charge for use rather than a tax on consumption.
Whether that's fair given the absolutely enormous top-ups given to transport out of crown funding is a different question entirely
Fair like for people who own light diesel vans and similar, as are now paying RUC?
You might think it will be fairer…IMO it wont benefit us poorer ones..much, if at all.
I don't disagree with your assertion. Universal RUC might be more equitable and at least more strongly linked to actual road use, but it's still extremely regressive and will still disporportionally affect poorer people.
Where does anyone think the poor will find hundreds of dollars to pay RUC. What will happen is what happens with deisel vehicles now, you take the risk of not paying or disconnect the speedometer or install a switch to turn it off and on if stopped by by police. The overall tax take will fall.
I'm picking cheaper rates for GPS monitored rucs,
As a near full-time public transport user, I strongly object to all the GST I have to pay on everything funding anything to so with more roads (being on a benefit, it's a bit difficult to call myself a hard-working taxpayer, but benefits are still taxed, it's just a giant money-go round, but that's for another day).
Especially since they've made it quite clear that public transport fares are going to 'have' to increase, and once again it's those at the bottom of the heap- and aren't going to get any use out of these roads- who pay the price.
Perhaps I should take up smoking and buy an investment property?
Hi Kay. In case you or others didnt see my other reply, here are some more Links also.
IMO well worth having your voice heard. And Like Minds too….
I'm waiting for the penny to drop that a very large proportion of that $33 billion isn't actually going into the road that Simeon drives on, but into 3 Waters infrastructure below the road, and the palaver that's involved in working on that under-road infrastructure. Not quite so much on rural regional highways, but once you get into town it could be most of the project.
In the much re-heated Queenstown Package it's going to take four years, and $250 million to remodel one intersection. Going to be fun.
But 3 Waters investment is still useful right?
Yes, probably more than the road over it.
It's the way that the inground infrastructure gets bundled in with, and labeled and cost allocated as roading. National, and others, are very quick to criticise the cost of cycleways, when most of the cost is what's under the cycleway.
Back in the bad old days 3 Waters upgrades were standalone projects and the bane of road users, possibly part of the reason 3 Waters projects get pushed back. Now 3 Waters, power and telecoms gets bundled in with roading projects cranking up the cost and timeframes.
Yep. Decades (I'd say many?) of, out of sight, out of mind are going to come into sight and mind big time !
Rates..already heading skyward will increasingly hit Superannuitants, and others on fixed incomes. Rents. Insurance.
New Mum's Tea and Toast are safe after Nicola mad Willis and Dr frustrated Reti step in stopping the maddening decision.
yea right Nic and Shane….I'm sure the backlash had a bit to do with it..
And hey guys…there are quite a few more mad ideas you creeps at NACT1 have made. Change them !
It's only a mad/bad idea when the public backlash (read: politically embarrassing) just isn't worth the fight anymore.
But of all the issues out there to kick up a serious fuss about, why is this the only one?
Ah..first up, Climate/Anti Fast track March ? Plenty more..maybe look?
And sadly…some people maybe need more..”motivation” to get activated? Not quite sure how bad it will get..before they do.
Doesnt have to be marching.
Even phone calls/emails/join groups ?
https://www.publictransportforum.nz/about
Other ideas?
I stand corrected.
I see this as part-protest, part media beat-up with quiet endorsement from “certain people”.
Timeline:
Well, of course. My point…dont complain quietly, get Motivated..and Activated !
Something to cheer about for some of us in the provinces.
Feilding High School 1st XV in the semis of the top four rugby schools in the country after beating Palmy Boys in the Hurricanes final 15-14, keeping PNBHS scoreless in the second half.
"Not bad for a co-ed school from a hick town" was heard on the sideline at full time.
FAHS play Hamilton Boys in Palmy on Friday arvo. Nelson College vs Kelston BHS in the other semi.
Meanwhile Mankura maitain a period of high achievement with their team in the girls top four against Hamilton Girls.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350399757/feilding-high-school-through-national-top-four-rugby-finals
I wonder if it's the farm boy boarders effect,
In the past yes, this years boarders vs day boys fixture at Feilding Ag the day boys had a rare win.
Before anyone throws the other common slur, the team isn't stacked with island boys with 5 o'clock shadow either.
Good to see, had to wait till I was playing under 19s at yellows to play Pnbhs. The FAHS 1st 15 wasnt near good enough in warrant a match in my day. They've done a great job for a bunch of years now every since the Whitelock brothers.
We've just had, what was dubbed 'The Royal Visit'.
Sam Whitelock came back to FAHS to do his book launch. A surprisingly humble and entertaining speaker.
And as an aside, such is the state of local club rugby, Feilding Yellows have merged with Oroua. Making for interesting bedfellows, games split between Johnson Park and the Kimbolton Domain.
Surely you mean Feilding Old Boys, but nothing like a cold wet afternoon in Kimbolton with a bit of sleet in the air…
But yeah club rugby is in big trouble think there we 3 under 21's teams at Yellows when I was playing then A's B's 3rds 4ths and Pressies place. Pretty sad to see the decline really sadly the powers that be don't seem to care that much. Bit foolish really need a big base to have a tall pyramid.
Yep, sorry got the wrong Feilding team. A cold arvo in Kim certainly sorts the wheat from the chaff.
I have heard a whisper that there are plans afoot to encourage youth towards clubs at the expense of school/1st XV rugby. Not sure where they have originated, I heard it from a high school principal. Makes sense as the youngsters don't do an 'apprenticeship' once they leave school, maybe some age grade stuff.
The game PNBHS fear so much, it is only ever played as part of the national competition at the end of the year (about once a decade or less).
Last year Scots "cheated" their way to a win to save PNBHS from "two" defeats in 2 years.
Yeah I saw that, was a complete disgrace from Scotts and the old boys club that run the game.
NACT1 MSD cut the funding to Advisory/Help services..but are still directing Clients to them ? Wtaf?!
Is anyone really surprised at this???
News item (3 Sept) says government to raise tourist visitor levy from $35 to $100.
Never thought I'd see that happen. Cue the usual howls of outrage from tourist industry reps, who will claim overseas tourists will be frightened off, or some such.
But it's long past the time when we should have imposed such a charge. If NZ's mountains, lakes and other scenery are worth visiting, they are worth protecting.
A levy is one way to do that.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350401436/tax-tourists-visiting-nz-will-almost-triple
Of course, the Tourist Industry is crying foul, poor things.
If people really want to come to NZ, they'll pay it. I recall something about a long-haul levy imposed by the UK government a few years back. Has it specifically stopped us from travelling there?
Ketamine delusion.
/
Elon Musk engaged in one of his regular habits on The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter, amplifying a controversial tweet by commenting that it was “interesting” — this time a right-wing account that called for democracy to be replaced with a government system run by “high status males” and “aneurotypical people.”
The account that originally shared the post in question, @AutismCapital, has many recent tweets that show support for former President Donald Trump, criticize Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, or otherwise promote those on the right and take swipes at those on the left.
The screenshot of text, apparently from 4chan, that was shared by @AutismCapital said:
https://www.mediaite.com/online/elon-posts-tweet-agreeing-with-call-to-replace-democracy-with-republic-run-by-high-status-males/
Why a republic? Let's have a system run by one hereditary male without the waste of elections, committees, parliaments, councils. Inbreedng should take care of the need for 'aneurotypical' brains and the consenting masses will have a cult consensus figure to adore.
Google gives this compelling argument. "One benefit of an absolute monarchy is the ability of the monarch to accomplish much-needed tasks without having to first get the consent of a legislature. For instance, if a road needs to be built, all the monarch has to do is command it to happen, and it will be done.
King Simeon, arise!
There could be palace coup led by Prince David the Pretender.
Even scarier!
More US larceny.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/350401143/us-government-seizes-plane-used-venezuelan-president-citing-sanctions
So, so pleased that the Marlborough District Council has voted unanimously to retain its Māori ward at a meeting attended by the largest public gallery in a long time. https://insidegovernment.co.nz/marlborough-council-votes-for-maori-wards/
What a waste of resources now to have to go to a referendum in 2025.