Paul, did you hear Rachel Stewart on Mora’s chat show yesterday? It was her first guest appearance on the Panel, and she spoke clearly and without any blather about the destruction of the environment being wrought by Dirty Dairy.
Interestingly, right at the end of the show, as Mora thanked his guests in the normal fashion, he seemed quite put out: she had walked away without waiting for pleasantries. I think she was upset by his crass and ignorant comments that technology was going to save us, and therefore her worries about pollution were unnecessary.
It will be intriguing to see if she is invited back on.
Gawd sounds horrendous eh.
Well I’m a dairy farmer so already the hairs on Pauls neck are standing on end, relax Paul.
I did watch this emotive stuff 4min through 10ish.
1st point On video,
Farmers require a constant supply of pregnant cows, this is achieved by repeatedly rapeing a cow on a rape rack.
Holy smoke, sounds terrible.
Reality on my farm is, we closely look out for “bulling” cows, this means we are looking for a group of cows hanging out together who are obviously sexually active (riding each other), the next day they are artificially inseminated, which is a 30secound encounter with the technician, no rape rack involved, whatever that is.
Or if they are late ovulating they will meet the bull.
2nd point on video
Baby’s taken away so we can steal mothers milk.
True calves are taken away almost immediately, we let new calves have one feed off mother cow.
However the reason for this is not so we can steal the calfs milk, the cow will produce enough milk for 20 calves.
Most cows but not all, will not call out or miss there calves at all, most wonder what the hell just happened (birth) and get on with eating grass.
3rd point on video, cows bond intensely with calves.
Not in my experience, cows are more interested in feeding/grazing than there own calf. Might not suit your world view, but it’s true.
4th point on video
Cows are regarded as spent at 4 or 5 years old
Not true a cow is regarded at her prime at 6 years old and is likely to be in the herd up to 12 years old
5th point on video
Cows are culled when they are pregnant,
In most cases not true a pregnant cow is valuable, and would not be culled.
6th point on video
Cows are pumped full of antibiotics and hormones
Not true in NZ, hormones to increase milk production are banned totally in NZ, antibiotics are used sparingly for cows that are suffering an injury or illness.
Please this anti farming vegan extremism is not true and not fair.
Have a great evening from the Naki
Hey mate, I’ve been vegan for more than 30 years and am fit and active. Take your preconceptions and shove them into the orifice you’re currently talking out of.
Take a more conciliatory approach, Sanctuary. At the low cost of just spending the rest of your life closely monitoring your food intake to ensure that you get sufficient nutrition to maintain your health, you could become the moral superior of most people on the planet and lecture them from that lofty perch. How can you resist?
I’m sure much can be done in the modern kitchen to ameliorate the boring tryanny of pulses and vegetables. But just as trying to camouflage a red bus in a paddock by putting some green branches on it would simply result in what looked like a camouflaged red bus, the basic beast remains, observable by all those disconsolate “guests” at vegan cafes as they lugubriously munch on their lentil porridge “enlivened” by curry powder and some rather glum cranberries. Still, I would imagine the cereals would positively dance, the green leafy things would twinkle like stars on frosty night with crunch, compared to the dire conversation of an earnest, fervent, engaged, concerned, and monumentally boring vegan host.
I wonder if any vegans voted for trump – can’t imagine it. I bet statistically most of the brainboxes that voted for him ate much meat, copious flesh, lovely blood and offal. I might see if any studies have been made…
I suspect there’re two major dietary schools amongst his voters:
those people who eat only processed foods and are surprised that “mince” comes from living furry animals; and
cannibals who enjoy fava beans and a nice chianti.
Robet Guyton
I have a scheme you might like. We are having a book reading over a month of E F Schumacher Small is Beautiful then we are going to have a post and discuss the best and worst bits and have a thinkfest, I hope. We are starting on Sunday 12th and will put up a post with more details and different ways to obtain the book simply.
Interested? Your brain ticks over pretty fast. And there is time over the month to get through it without bursting a foofoo valve. So what do you say?
Can you reply to this comment and let me know.
I hear on RNZ that US commentators expect Trump’s paternal attitude towards the poor, struggling pharmaceutical companies to cost countries like NZ a lot more than the deal that would have been included in the TPPA (which would already have put pressure on Pharmac). What a victory for all those who argued voting for the bully boy was the only way to stop the deal(which it wasn’t) & it would be worth it (which it won’t)!
no credible TPPA opponent in NZ that I am aware of ever advocated voting for Trump
it is a right wing meme doing the rounds that any position you hold that may coincide with all or part of one of Trumps means you are thereby a Trump supporter
I’m not sure CV ever explicitly said people should vote for Trump.
CV just obsessively slandered Trump’s opponents and incessantly praised trump’s intelligence and abilities bigly. But he was too slimy to actually endorse voting for trump.
“Actually plenty of people on this site made just that argument, CV being the most prominent/repetitive/enthusiastic.”
+1 Even at the level of Tr*mp being the lesser of evils compared to Clinton. And yes there were enthusiastic supporters of Tr*mp who also opposed the TPPA. I have also talked to people in real life who oppose the TPPA and who would have voted Tr*mp if they were US voters. Like those on TS, they are people that would otherwise vote on the left or for Peters.
Actually plenty of people on this site made just that argument, CV being the most prominent/repetitive/enthusiastic.
Well, if there were “plenty” then name them and link to their comments advocating a vote for Trump on the basis of his position on the TPPA (or, indeed, on any basis whatsoever). I’d be surprised if you come up with any more than 2 or 3 Lefties.
Even CV explicitly qualified his support … with a particular emphasis on averting WWIII with Russia and Hillary’s murderous foreign adventures (and an acknowledgement that Trump’s domestic policies would be less than pleasant).
Sure you’re not confusing principled criticism of Clinton’s abysmal record with explicit support for Trump ?
Or are you one of those dishonest little Clintonista McCarthyites who cheerfully conflate those two things ? (while, at the same time, claiming to be “liberal” and “progressive”).
red-blooded
Life is just too complicated complex and constantly changing for you to understand.
It certainly is hard for you when you have just made up your mind to have to alter it to meet differing circumstances. Why don’t you give up and let other people do the worrying.
Looking forward to a reply (on NBR – subscriber only) from Gareth Morgan to my following question:
“Gareth – do you and your Opportunities Party support transparency in the spending of public monies on private consultants and contractors (at both local and central government level)?
Do you agree that the following information on awarded contracts should be made available for public scrutiny?
* The unique contract number.
* The name of the consultant or contractor.
* A brief description of the scope of the contract.
* The contract start and finish dates.
* The exact dollar value of every contract, including those sub-contracted.
* How the contract was awarded – by direct appointment or public tender.
Kind regards
Penny Bright
‘Fair’, fiery and ferociously Independent future MP for Mt Albert 🙂 “
Lol at Flavell here: “He’ll have to resign from positions! That’s really hard! He couldn’t possibly do that!”
Desperately trying to make it seem like Jackson can’t run for parliament.
Yes a stupid flippant comment from WJ.
As for Labour……Willie always watches to see which side his bread is buttered (Brown or White bread) ….. Example, he’s against a lot of Natz policies, but happy to have Shonkey around to his place for a BBQ.
Yeah, but I expect for lesser offences he’d just give her the bash.
He had some pretty awesome contributions to rape culture following the Roastbusters case, as well. From what I remember he and Tamihere got sacked from Radio Live after that one, in which their considered opinion was that boys will be boys and girls only have themselves to blame if they get drunk at parties.
You obviously realise that if they were to put up an idiot, rather than some intelligent, humane, rational, sensible person, there would be no difference in the voting. He/she/it would win.
Hi ianmac and marty mars
This idea came to me as we have to think hard about ways to go for the future, first the election and beyond. We could spark new ideas and old ones reworked with some new perspectives gained from a reading group where we all read the same book and had a great post on it at the end. The suggestion is a month to read the first book which would be E F Schumacher Small is Beautiful.
Would you both like to be in and get the first book group going? I have been talking about it, getting some good feedback and am now looking for a core group of committed people to ensure that we get enough good thinking. I have asked a few regular commenters who could be interested and put this blurb below about it. Could you let me know by replying to this comment today. Thanks.
You always bring good political ideas and vision to the problems facing us.
We need new approaches to get through this maze we wander in. I had the idea that new ideas and thoughts could spring from studying books on the important subjects relating to our politics. Could you find the time to be in this – over a month first reading and noting about E F Schumaker and his Small is Beautiful and then having a great discussion on a Sunday post at end of month? It would be great if you could be in. Could you reply to this comment today if poss. Thanks.
I am writing similarly to other regular commenters who I feel would be interested, but of course it is a matter of time available. Regards.
What do we know about the McGuinness Institute? that did a survey relating to social engineering that National is interested in?
Mentioned on Radionz this morning I think when they did a peice on the Three Mayors – Far North (National John Carter), Rotorua (Labour Steve Chadwick) and – can’t remember. They are going to sort out their pockets of social problems from cradle to grave, babes to grandparents. I hope in a caring and co-operative way with a community leader in charge to co-ordinate. Sort of like these unaccountable czars that get appointed in neo Lib society.
Could be good, but being given authority to look at every aspect of life. Sounds too top-down to me.
You can find out about the McGuinness Institute by googling it, greywarshark.
It sounds like its full of heavyweight intellectuals all with good intentions providing a great many reports on essential subjects like poverty, public policy etc.
But what results from all those reports and workshops they undertake ?
I’ve just had a quick look at the McGuiness website, greywarshark – and I’m thinking like you – a bit too top-down to the bottom, and perhaps also a bit unrealistic.
For instance, a workshop on poverty in the Far North had a comment about how local business couldn’t compete with BIG business rolling into town. But absolutely no sign that Big business would have been wooing, and been welcomed, by the local council to the detriment of the local start-up enterprises such as CBEC which developed over 20 years – with local people – a business of waste management, only to have the whole lot transferred to incoming Big business by the Far North Council a few years ago.
No wonder people leave their towns when their councils remove their livelihoods.
An interesting, if naive, comment from the summary of that report –
When big businesses arrived in provincial towns without a local mandate, some local independent businesses could not compete and were forced to shut down. Money spent at these big businesses has simply left town, leaving behind empty high streets. Both Kaitaia and Kaikohe have recently seen waning populations…..
Exactly Jenny – when you’ve got a report being brooded on then you’ve got something hatching. Or so everyone expects. Only everyone’s eggs are addled if
they assume that. Thanks for info. When thinking of something else on here it pays to ask while one remembers and someone will know. And if that goes on the post then everyone knows. So that’s an advantage of asking one of the gurus? here. Collectively the site is a near-complete guru anyway.
And I think, why not get universities who study up that sort of thing to do it? Trouble might be, they might come up with the wrong sort of statistics. So, best idea is shut down the Humanities and let the private sector find out the necessary information to match the planned policies (one of which is to do nothing at all.)
greywarshark – the McGuinness Institute was set up by Mark and Wendy McGuinness (Willis Bond & Co.) who are property speculators whose projects are significantly financed by ACC and the Superannuation Fund. You might want to draw your own conclusions.
Houthi rebels from Yemen attacked a Saudi frigate; White House spokesman Sean Spicer falsely claimed that this was Iranian forces attacking a US Naval ship and thus an act of war; no one from the White House press corps corrected him or followed up.
The White House Press corps wanted to know what being put “on notice” entailed, and Spicer responded by claiming that Iran’s government took actions against a U.S. naval vessel, which would be an act of war. “I think General Flynn was really clear yesterday that Iran has violated the Joint Resolution that Iran’s additional hostile actions that it took against our navy vessel are ones that we are very clear are not going to sit by and take,” he said.
Pentagon Spokesman Christopher Sherwood confirmed to The Intercept that the attack was in fact conducted against a Saudi warship, and that the Pentagon suspects Houthi rebels. “It was a Saudi ship – it was actually a frigate” said Sherwood. “It was [conducted by] suspected Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen.”
Meet Gina Haspel, new deputy director of CIA, who ran the agency's first black site in Thailand where detainees were tortured. Background pic.twitter.com/XhAWZJXpXq— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) February 2, 2017
New Deputy CIA Director was officer who carried out order by Jose Rodriguez to destroy torture tapes https://t.co/qyDAtXdcGK— Mark Mazzetti (@MarkMazzettiNYT) February 2, 2017
I wondered if you would have time to be in the book reading that is being set up and starting on Sunday 12 February, all going well. A month to read and note stuff to comment on in a discussion on a special Sunday post. Starting off with E F Schumacher Small is Beautiful. Could get some interesting ideas to look at from today’s viewpoint. Would you indicate on reply to this today. Thanks
This is the blurb explaining it in general.
You always bring good political ideas and a breadth of vision to the problems facing us. We need new approaches to get through this maze we wander in. I had the idea that new ideas and thoughts could spring from studying books on the important subjects relating to our politics.
Could you find the time to be in this – over a month first reading and noting about E F Schumaker and his Small is Beautiful: Economics as if people mattered – and then there will be a big discussion on a Sunday post at end of month? It would be great if you could be in. Could you reply to this comment today if poss.
I am writing similarly to other regular commenters who I feel would be interested, but of course it is a matter of time available. Regards.
It was a 2008/9 hacked version of a plug in. It didn’t survive a wordpress upgrade last year(?). Either the newer version of the plug in to sphinx needs hacking (bad idea – I have tried) or I need to write something maintainable on top of sphinx.
Awaiting time to do it. Between work and their frequent demands to go offshore, and the rest of my life, I haven’t found the required block of free time.
What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture.
Quoted from Neil Postman’s book ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death’ in an article published in the Guardian by his son, Andrew.
That Huxley stuff, reminds me of a Walter Benjamin quote that came into my twitter feed this morning. I had a brief discussion about Benjamin and the Frankfurt School of Marxists a few days ago.
Benjamin said that, underlying cultural activities (entertainment, art, movies, shopping arcade signages) was capitalism and material relationships (who owned property etc).
He called the cultural expressions (art, popular culture) “aesthetics”. He talked about the aestheticisation of politics. ie. use of propaganda by the Third Reich where popular culture, art etc were used to influence the masses.
Throughout the 2nd half of the twentieth century we got an increase in the aestheticisation of politics: ie the use of marketing techniques to manipulate voters. Trump, reality TV celebrity, become president, is the latest stop on this journey.
It’s basically about diverting people from the underlying power structure where those at the top of the property ownership hierarchy retain their power. Meanwhile, it’s all cultural distractions for the masses. But also, it allows people to express themselves through art (social media these days?), etc, but doesn’t allow them to change the property relationship of capitalism.
The growing proletarianization of modern man and the increasing formation of masses are two aspects of the same process. Fascism attempts to organize the newly created proletarian masses without affecting the property structure which the masses strive to eliminate. Fascism sees its salvation in giving these masses not their right, but instead a chance to express themselves. The masses have a right to change property relations; Fascism seeks to give them an expression while preserving property. The logical result of Fascism is the introduction of aesthetics into political life.
NB: Benjamin was a German Jew who tried to escape the Third Reich to Spain. When he believed he was going to be captured and returned to Germany, he killed himself.
Thanks Bill for recalling us to Orwell and Huxley.
My notable memory is that Huxley wrote to Orwell after `1984′ I think, not Animal Farm, and said it conveyed the looming shadow of autocratic politics and control well, but in Huxley’s opinion it would be the continuing quest for efficiency that would dehumanise and strip us of our spirit and potential.
“Who can be appalled when the coin of the realm in public discourse is not experience, thoughtfulness or diplomacy but the ability to amuse – no matter how maddening or revolting the amusement?”
It has been thusly for a couple of hundred years. The writer should sit back and reflect on the histories of political movements. They are run a different way now, and it’s not a bad thing.
The stratification of different kinds of thinking from scholars and specialists, to television commentariat, to water-cooler and twitter chatter, seems to be the same as ever to me.
You could also argue however far less pessimistically for the power of the relational networks that are only now possible. People complain about how Twitter surges and distorts public opinion – but as we can see even with Trump, we quickly get inured to different levels of outrage. The outrage instigators peak, burn out, fade away, like a 1990s boy band.
The outrage instigators also get held to account far faster – usually on the same media. (The same old limits of what mass protest can do in realpolitik terms still apply however, even if they are more diverse).
We do see the newer communicative technologies forming relational networks of shared interest and political activism as never before. Sure, old-style parties are dying, and the old-style centralised town hall of single civic dialogue is pretty much dead. But what has taken its place is a revolution in message distribution and connection.
Sooner or later Critical Theory will catch up with the fact that we are beyond oligopolies of opinion from newspapers and television, and we are also well past the historical conditions for fascism. This era needs newer, fresher theorising.
I’ve been hearing about this great Habermasian democratic space of new digital technologies, at least since the 1980s. But the corporate take over of digital technologies has increased. Ditto,the technologies of invasive surveillance.
Sure we get some counter-resistance.
But, in the last decades we have been delivered a deterioration in democratic political processes; an increase of all pervasive neoliberal values and politics; Tony Blair; the Bushes; John Key; David Cameron; Donald Trump; Theresa May; rise in the alt-right; increased wealth and income gaps between the top and bottom deciles; increased homelessness; wars; civilian “collateral damage”; widespread refugee displacements; etc, etc.
And all the time we get first hand knowledge of it via digital technologies.
Don’t think this great democratisation through new digital technologies has actually been happening. Just more celebrity culture, circuses, and digital technology diversions.
Time for some on the ground collaborative engagement; a focus political direction, and ways to provide an alternative to the technologies of distraction.
“Sooner or later Critical Theory will catch up with the fact that we are beyond oligopolies of opinion from newspapers and television, and we are also well past the historical conditions for fascism. This era needs newer, fresher theorising.”
Dear Sam Mahon, we would love to see your sculpture in Nelson, September is a wonderful time of year funnily enough it could coincide nicely with Nickoffs Street Corner evening meetings, which he likes to do during election time.
THIS IS SOOOO GOOD… love ART, if it creates a talking point, then it’s art, no matter if it offends or flatters the person viewing it. 😀
“Winston Peters betrayed Maori – here’s the proof. The questions are (1) Why does he refuse to even answer questions on these facts? and (2) Why don’t Maori leaders call him out on his betrayal?”
One is, how will this go down with Māori? It’s a front on attack, and is basically a Pākehā man telling Māori what to do about another Māori. I don’t know what connections if any Morgan has within Māoridom, or where he gets his advice from on Māori issues, so I’ll be interested to see what the response is.
Two, the video itself is smart and well thought through, and if taken separately from Morgan or TOP is a pretty interesting history of Peters’ politics around Māori and ethnicity in NZ. It’s easy to forget how radical he is, because he’s all grin, right?
Three, he’s obviously timing this for Waitangi Weekend, but I’m not quite seeing the strategy. Do NZF get party votes from Māori that TOP wants?
Four, I care. Both because TOP could end up being highly influential in this election, and because he’s addressing Māori and treaty issues strongly. I also think that Peters is a huge problem politically for NZ so am not unhappy with someone calling him on his integrity.
Recently Morgan said something else controversial. On RNZ Morgan pretty much said it was basically calculated to get attention and start a conversation.
I suspect Morgan is aiming to take a leaf from Trump’s campaign. Get attention by stirring up some race-based controversy.
I guess, but I’m still trying to figure out how attacking Peters over his position on Māori is going to get TOP votes. I mean, I think what he says about Peters is useful, and I’m certainly in favour of Peters being called on those things, but I doubt he’s going after the white liberal greenie vote with this move. Not so sure about Morgan’s framing it as a challenge to Māori. Which votes is he after? NZF’s? Māori votes, from where? etc
If it’s just noise to raise his profile, that’s a different thing.
The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to overturn an Obama-era regulation preventing people with severe mental illnesses from buying guns.
The vote on Thursday (local time) was 235-180 – mostly along party lines.
Under the Obama administration’s rule, people who receive disability benefits and have severe mental disorders would be reported by the Social Security Administration to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
This database is used to determine eligibility for buying a firearm.
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I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
The PSA have released a survey of 4000 public service workers showing that budget cuts are taking a toll on the wellbeing of public servants and risking the delivery of essential services to New Zealanders. Economists predict that figures released this week will show continued increases in unemployment, potentially reaching ...
The Prime Minister’s speech 10 days or so ago kicked off a flurry of commentary. No one much anywhere near the mainstream (ie excluding Greens supporters) questioned the rhetoric. New Zealand has done woefully poorly on productivity for a long time and we really need better outcomes, and the sorts ...
President Trump on the day he announced tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, unleashing a shock to supply chains globally that is expected to slow economic growth and increase inflation for most large economies. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 9 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 3Politics: New Zealand Government cabinet meeting usually held early afternoon with post-cabinet news conference possible at 4 pm, although they have not been ...
Trump being Trump, it won’t come as a shock to find that he regards a strong US currency (bolstered by high tariffs on everything made by foreigners) as a sign of America’s virility, and its ability to kick sand in the face of the world. Reality is a tad more ...
A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 26, 2025 thru Sat, February 1, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
What seems to be the common theme in the US, NZ, Argentina and places like Italy under their respective rightwing governments is what I think of as “the politics of cruelty.” Hate-mongering, callous indifference in social policy-making, corporate toadying, political bullying, intimidation and punching down on the most vulnerable with ...
If you are confused, check with the sunCarry a compass to help you alongYour feet are going to be on the groundYour head is there to move you aroundSo, stand in the place where you liveSongwriters: Bill Berry / Michael Mills / Michael Stipe / Peter Buck.Hot in the CityYesterday, ...
Shane Jones announced today he would be contracting out his thinking to a smarter younger person.Reclining on his chaise longue with a mouth full of oysters and Kina he told reporters:Clearly I have become a has-been, a palimpsest, an epigone, a bloviating fossil. I find myself saying such things as: ...
Warning: This post contains references to sexual assaultOn Saturday, I spent far too long editing a video on Tim Jago, the ACT Party President and criminal, who has given up his fight for name suppression after 2 years. He voluntarily gave up just in time for what will be a ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is global warming ...
Our low-investment, low-wage, migration-led and housing-market-driven political economy has delivered poorer productivity growth than the rest of the OECD, and our performance since Covid has been particularly poor. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty this ...
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.As far as major government announcements go, a Three Ministers Event is Big. It can signify a major policy development or something has gone Very Well, or an absolute Clusterf**k. When Three Ministers assemble ...
One of those blasts from the past. Peter Dunne – originally neoliberal Labour, then leader of various parties that sought to work with both big parties (generally National) – has taken to calling ...
Completed reads for January: I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson The Black Spider, by Jeremias Gotthelf The Spider and the Fly (poem), by Mary Howitt A Noiseless Patient Spider (poem), by Walt Whitman August Heat, by W.F. Harvey Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White The Shrinking Man, by Richard Matheson ...
Do its Property Right Provisions Make Sense?Last week I pointed out that it is uninformed to argue that the New Zealand’s apparently poor economic performance can be traced only to poor regulations. Even were there evidence they had some impact, there are other factors. Of course, we should seek to ...
Richard Wagstaff It was incredibly jarring to hear the hubris from the Prime Minister during his recent state of the nation address. I had just spent close to a week working though the stories and thoughts shared with us by nearly 2000 working people as part of our annual Mood ...
Odd fact about the Broadcasting Standards Authority: for the last few years, they’ve only been upholding about 5% of complaints. Why? I think there’s a range of reasons. Generally responsible broadcasters. Dumb complaints. Complaints brought under the wrong standard. Greater adherence to broadcasters’ rights to freedom of expression in the ...
And I said, "Mama, mama, mama, why am I so alone"'Cause I can't go outside, I'm scared I might not make it homeWell I'm alive, I'm alive, but I'm sinking inIf there's anyone at home at your place, darlingWhy don't you invite me in?Don't try to feed me'Cause I've been ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ star is on the rise, having just added the Energy, Local Government and Revenue portfolios to his responsibilities - but there is nothing ambitious about the Government’s new climate targets. Photo: SuppliedLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
It may have been a short week but there’s been no shortage of things that caught our attention. Here is some of the most interesting. This week in Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt took a look at public transport ridership in 2024 On Thursday Connor asked some questions ...
The East Is Red: Journalists and commentators are referring to the sudden and disruptive arrival of DeepSeek as a second “Sputnik moment”. (Sputnik being the name given by the godless communists of the Soviet Union to the world’s first artificial satellite which, to the consternation and dismay of the Americans, ...
Hi,Back on inauguration day we launched a ridiculous RFK Jr. “brain worms” tee on the Webworm store, and I told you I’d be throwing my profits over to Mutual Aid LA and Rainbow Youth New Zealand. Just to show I am not full of shit, here are the receipts. I ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump over Gaza and Ukraine.Health expert and author David Galler ...
In an uncompromising paper Treasury has basically told the Government that its plan for a third medical school at Waikato University is a waste of money. Furthermore, the country cannot afford it. That advice was released this week by the Treasury under the Official Information Act. And it comes as ...
Back in November, He Pou a Rangi provided the government with formal advice on the domestic contribution to our next Paris target. Not what the target should be, but what we could realistically achieve, by domestic action alone, without resorting to offshore mitigation. Their answer was startling: depending on exactly ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guest David Patman and ...
I don't like to spend all my time complaining about our government, so let me complain about the media first.Senior journalistic Herald person Thomas Coughlan reported that Treasury replied yeah nah, wrong bro to Luxon's claim that our benighted little country has been in recession for three years.His excitement rose ...
Back in 2022, when the government was consulting internally about proactive release of cabinet papers, the SIS opposed it. The basis of their opposition was the "mosaic effect" - people being able to piece together individual pieces of innocuous public information in a way which supposedly harms "national security" (effectively: ...
With The Stroke Of A Pen:Populism, especially right-wing populism, invests all the power of an electoral/parliamentary majority in a single political leader because it no longer trusts the bona fides of the sprawling political class among whom power is traditionally dispersed. Populism eschews traditional politics, because, among populists, traditional politics ...
I’ve spent the last week writing a fairly substantial review of a recent book (“Australia’s Pandemic Exceptionalism: How we crushed the curve but lost the race”) by a couple of Australian academic economists on Australia’s pandemic policies and experiences. For all its limitations, there isn’t anything similar in New Zealand. ...
Mr Mojo Rising: Economic growth is possible, Christopher Luxon reassures us, but only under a government that is willing to get out of the way and let those with drive and ambition get on with it.ABOUT TWELVE KILOMETRES from the farm on the North Otago coast where I grew up stands ...
You're nearly a good laughAlmost a jokerWith your head down in the pig binSaying, 'Keep on digging.'Pig stain on your fat chinWhat do you hope to findDown in the pig mine?You're nearly a laughYou're nearly a laughBut you're really a crySongwriter: Roger Waters.NZ First - Kiwi Battlers.Say what you like ...
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Climate denial is dead. Renewable energy denial is here. As “alternative facts” become the norm, it’s worth looking at what actual facts tell us about how renewable energy sources like solar and wind are lowering the price of electricity. As ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords once again. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission. “Jon Kroll has been an ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households. Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive ...
Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today. “I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to ...
The new minister of transport has opened the door for public consultation on at least some of the speed limit changes the government said would be automatic. ...
Officially, they’re called ‘memecoins,’ but Kōura Wealth founder Rupert Carlyon says the crypto world has another name for them: ‘shitcoins’.In digital finance, that phrase is used for tokens that have no true value – in essence, a money-grab.A few days before his inauguration, US President Donald Trump launched his own ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. Guy Williams has made a whole show off the joke that he is a “volunteer” journalist. So getting publicly owned by David Seymour while trying to act as a journalist is a good and timely reminder not to underestimate the nuance and ...
Many of Sāmoa’s beloved dishes are the result of cultural collaboration, writes Madeleine Chapman. All photos by Jin FelletIf you ever find yourself at a barbecue in a Sāmoan home, there’s 99% chance that sapasui (chop suey) will be on the table. For the past century, sapasui has ...
The funnyman takes us through his life in television, including Jono and Ben mayhem, live Telethon flubs, and funnelling all those experiences into his new comedy Vince. There’s an inciting incident in Three’s new comedy Vince where morning television presenter Vince Walters (Jono Pryor) is visiting sick kids in hospital ...
People often claim they just want Waitangi Day to be a celebration. At Waitangi, away from the headlined political acrimony and the marae ātea, celebrating is what most people are doing. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous ...
Is there anything more fashionable than a Māori get together? One of the best things about Northland is that nobody cares what they look like — probably because they’re all naturally more stylish than the rest of us, famously. Māori from the Far North, especially. In 27 degree heat, wearing ...
I’ve been in love with him since last July, but it’s only now in this tepid hotel room that I find myself wondering why. The first thing he does when we arrive is smoke a cone in the bathroom – he emerges, hacking up a lung, fists thrust into his ...
MONDAY“Name,” barked a representative of the lower orders.I regarded him with a look of stern disapproval, and told him from up high, “May I remind you that I have name suppression. I shall also thank you to ask with more respect as befits a former president of the Act Party, ...
Books of Mana: 180 Māori-Authored Books of Significance, edited by Jacinta Ruru, Angela Wanhalla and Jeanette Wikaira has just been released by Otago University Press. In this essay, Books are Taonga, Jeanette Wikaira explores her personal relationship to books and their value.For me, books are taonga. The knowledge ...
Get to know Tara, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Tara’s human for their support! Dog name: Tara Age: Two Breed: Mostly Border Collie and a little bit Catahoula Leopard dog If dog ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Gail Duncan, Chairperson of the St Peter’s on Willis Social Justice Group, one of the organisations invited to submit on the Bill, says the Government’s actions are unprecedented. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amani Kasherwa, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland In late January, a rebel group that has long caused mayhem in the sprawling African nation of Democratic Republic of Congo took control of Goma, a major city of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University An ad falsely depicting independent candidate Alex Dyson as a Greens member.ABC News/Supplied The highly pertinent case of a little-known independent candidate in the Victorian seat of Wannon has exposed a gaping ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Nik/Unsplash You might have heard that eating too many eggs will cause high cholesterol levels, leading to poor health. Researchers have examined the science behind this myth again, and ...
Everything you missed from the third day of the Treaty principles bill hearings, when the Justice Committee heard four hours of oral submission. Read our recaps of day one of the hearings here, and day two here. Parliament was quiet on Friday for the third day of hearings on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University Tijana Simic/Shutterstock The news last week that three people in Sydney were hospitalised with botulism after receiving botox injections has raised questions about the regulation of the cosmetic injectables industry. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jens Blotevogel, Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader for Remediation Technologies, CSIRO Mino Surkala, Shutterstock Lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life. They power small rechargeable devices such as mobile phones and laptops. They enable electric vehicles. And larger versions store ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edith Jennifer Hill, Associate Lecturer, Learning & Teaching Innovation, Flinders University Netflix Netflix’s new limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar, tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson. The first episode opens with Gibson’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Greece’s government has just declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini, as earthquakes shake the island multiple times a day and sometimes only minutes apart. The “earthquake swarm” is also affecting other ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Western Australian state election will be held on March 8. A Newspoll, conducted January 29 to February 4 from a sample ...
She’s back behind the wheel, and this time, she wants to find out what it is that makes us tick. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. After a prolific career on stage and screen, 83-year-old Miriam Margolyes is on the road again. ...
A new poem by Jordan Hamel. Real Poet Every word earned its place and so did he, so should you. Real poet lives in the capital but writes himself into the Mackenzie country golden hour, man of the paper land, he neglects to mention his pollen ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Understanding Te Tiriti by Roimata Smail (Wai Ako Press, $25) No better time to get ...
The committee has published this list to inform the public about its work, and to give clarity to submitters who have contacted the committee asking if they will be invited to make an oral submission. ...
Alex Casey and Gabi Lardies dissect their Laneway 2025 experience. Gabi Lardies: Hi Alex :))))))) Congratulations on not getting sunburnt. Everyone I talked to at Laneway yesterday was braving the sun for one thing. Charli XCX. How was your brat experience?Alex Casey: We will talk about the rest of ...
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Dairy farmers claim that recent criticisms are unfair and that they love their animals.
Watch this video from 4:30 to 10:30 and decide for yourself whether dairy farmers really care for animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrlfkxvJNj0
[link fix – weka]
Paul, did you hear Rachel Stewart on Mora’s chat show yesterday? It was her first guest appearance on the Panel, and she spoke clearly and without any blather about the destruction of the environment being wrought by Dirty Dairy.
Interestingly, right at the end of the show, as Mora thanked his guests in the normal fashion, he seemed quite put out: she had walked away without waiting for pleasantries. I think she was upset by his crass and ignorant comments that technology was going to save us, and therefore her worries about pollution were unnecessary.
It will be intriguing to see if she is invited back on.
Gawd sounds horrendous eh.
Well I’m a dairy farmer so already the hairs on Pauls neck are standing on end, relax Paul.
I did watch this emotive stuff 4min through 10ish.
1st point On video,
Farmers require a constant supply of pregnant cows, this is achieved by repeatedly rapeing a cow on a rape rack.
Holy smoke, sounds terrible.
Reality on my farm is, we closely look out for “bulling” cows, this means we are looking for a group of cows hanging out together who are obviously sexually active (riding each other), the next day they are artificially inseminated, which is a 30secound encounter with the technician, no rape rack involved, whatever that is.
Or if they are late ovulating they will meet the bull.
2nd point on video
Baby’s taken away so we can steal mothers milk.
True calves are taken away almost immediately, we let new calves have one feed off mother cow.
However the reason for this is not so we can steal the calfs milk, the cow will produce enough milk for 20 calves.
Most cows but not all, will not call out or miss there calves at all, most wonder what the hell just happened (birth) and get on with eating grass.
3rd point on video, cows bond intensely with calves.
Not in my experience, cows are more interested in feeding/grazing than there own calf. Might not suit your world view, but it’s true.
4th point on video
Cows are regarded as spent at 4 or 5 years old
Not true a cow is regarded at her prime at 6 years old and is likely to be in the herd up to 12 years old
5th point on video
Cows are culled when they are pregnant,
In most cases not true a pregnant cow is valuable, and would not be culled.
6th point on video
Cows are pumped full of antibiotics and hormones
Not true in NZ, hormones to increase milk production are banned totally in NZ, antibiotics are used sparingly for cows that are suffering an injury or illness.
Please this anti farming vegan extremism is not true and not fair.
Have a great evening from the Naki
Since when did teh Standard suddenly get infested by enthusiastic, pasty looking and probably anaemic people who tire easily?
Hey mate, I’ve been vegan for more than 30 years and am fit and active. Take your preconceptions and shove them into the orifice you’re currently talking out of.
If only the fish were so easy.
Lean a bit closer, Sanctuary; I can smell the death on your breath.
Well, that got erotic pretty quickly…
hopefully this is not needed
http://sayitwithbeef.com/
Trump just needs a nap, ok.
Take a more conciliatory approach, Sanctuary. At the low cost of just spending the rest of your life closely monitoring your food intake to ensure that you get sufficient nutrition to maintain your health, you could become the moral superior of most people on the planet and lecture them from that lofty perch. How can you resist?
I’m sure much can be done in the modern kitchen to ameliorate the boring tryanny of pulses and vegetables. But just as trying to camouflage a red bus in a paddock by putting some green branches on it would simply result in what looked like a camouflaged red bus, the basic beast remains, observable by all those disconsolate “guests” at vegan cafes as they lugubriously munch on their lentil porridge “enlivened” by curry powder and some rather glum cranberries. Still, I would imagine the cereals would positively dance, the green leafy things would twinkle like stars on frosty night with crunch, compared to the dire conversation of an earnest, fervent, engaged, concerned, and monumentally boring vegan host.
I wonder if any vegans voted for trump – can’t imagine it. I bet statistically most of the brainboxes that voted for him ate much meat, copious flesh, lovely blood and offal. I might see if any studies have been made…
I suspect there’re two major dietary schools amongst his voters:
those people who eat only processed foods and are surprised that “mince” comes from living furry animals; and
cannibals who enjoy fava beans and a nice chianti.
I suspect there would be a very large group among Trump voters who only eat organic free range meat.
Otherwise known as “hunters”
lol
not if the EPA gets whacked – even wildlife will be basted in pesticides and carcinogens #funnycoztrue
hunters and greenies joining forces.
Cheese Whizz is a dietary staple over there, so fava beans and mince are probably too fancy.
Cranberries, glum ???
U jest, shorely.
Robet Guyton
I have a scheme you might like. We are having a book reading over a month of E F Schumacher Small is Beautiful then we are going to have a post and discuss the best and worst bits and have a thinkfest, I hope. We are starting on Sunday 12th and will put up a post with more details and different ways to obtain the book simply.
Interested? Your brain ticks over pretty fast. And there is time over the month to get through it without bursting a foofoo valve. So what do you say?
Can you reply to this comment and let me know.
I know, right???? #sadcranberries #damnyouvegans
I hear on RNZ that US commentators expect Trump’s paternal attitude towards the poor, struggling pharmaceutical companies to cost countries like NZ a lot more than the deal that would have been included in the TPPA (which would already have put pressure on Pharmac). What a victory for all those who argued voting for the bully boy was the only way to stop the deal(which it wasn’t) & it would be worth it (which it won’t)!
no credible TPPA opponent in NZ that I am aware of ever advocated voting for Trump
it is a right wing meme doing the rounds that any position you hold that may coincide with all or part of one of Trumps means you are thereby a Trump supporter
Actually plenty of people on this site made just that argument, CV being the most prominent/repetitive/enthusiastic.
nonononononononono
I’m not sure CV ever explicitly said people should vote for Trump.
CV just obsessively slandered Trump’s opponents and incessantly praised trump’s intelligence and abilities bigly. But he was too slimy to actually endorse voting for trump.
“Actually plenty of people on this site made just that argument, CV being the most prominent/repetitive/enthusiastic.”
+1 Even at the level of Tr*mp being the lesser of evils compared to Clinton. And yes there were enthusiastic supporters of Tr*mp who also opposed the TPPA. I have also talked to people in real life who oppose the TPPA and who would have voted Tr*mp if they were US voters. Like those on TS, they are people that would otherwise vote on the left or for Peters.
Well, if there were “plenty” then name them and link to their comments advocating a vote for Trump on the basis of his position on the TPPA (or, indeed, on any basis whatsoever). I’d be surprised if you come up with any more than 2 or 3 Lefties.
Even CV explicitly qualified his support … with a particular emphasis on averting WWIII with Russia and Hillary’s murderous foreign adventures (and an acknowledgement that Trump’s domestic policies would be less than pleasant).
Sure you’re not confusing principled criticism of Clinton’s abysmal record with explicit support for Trump ?
Or are you one of those dishonest little Clintonista McCarthyites who cheerfully conflate those two things ? (while, at the same time, claiming to be “liberal” and “progressive”).
Theres always the option of not accepting any deal offered.
strangely that doesn’t appear to be an option for the current lot…
red-blooded
Life is just too complicated complex and constantly changing for you to understand.
It certainly is hard for you when you have just made up your mind to have to alter it to meet differing circumstances. Why don’t you give up and let other people do the worrying.
Looking forward to a reply (on NBR – subscriber only) from Gareth Morgan to my following question:
“Gareth – do you and your Opportunities Party support transparency in the spending of public monies on private consultants and contractors (at both local and central government level)?
Do you agree that the following information on awarded contracts should be made available for public scrutiny?
* The unique contract number.
* The name of the consultant or contractor.
* A brief description of the scope of the contract.
* The contract start and finish dates.
* The exact dollar value of every contract, including those sub-contracted.
* How the contract was awarded – by direct appointment or public tender.
Kind regards
Penny Bright
‘Fair’, fiery and ferociously Independent future MP for Mt Albert 🙂 “
One can hope this will happen. As the Dakota pipe line is a bad joke.
http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/latest-news/seattle-puts-major-us-bank-on-notice-it-may-lose-3-billion-over-dakota-pipeline
Follow the money, and in this case you can’t completely. Who funded the trump inauguration?
https://www.publicintegrity.org/2017/01/31/20651/donald-trumps-inauguration-fueled-tobacco-oil-and-drug-company-money
It would appear we have to wait till Sunday to get the truth from Willie Jackson.
http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/conflicts-interest-may-arise-if-willie-jackson-stands-labour
Good luck with that
Lol at Flavell here: “He’ll have to resign from positions! That’s really hard! He couldn’t possibly do that!”
Desperately trying to make it seem like Jackson can’t run for parliament.
Yeah that was what I was thinking too. Bit of desperation from Flavell.
Except of course, Flavell and/or the rest of the Māori Party want/ed Jackson running for parliament for their party…. soooo…. yeah, nah.
He wants to go to heaven,
But he doesn’t want to die.
Ad sometimes you are a bad bad man, but it’s worth the giggles 🙂
Might be of interest to all the Trumpeters, It appears he is keeping up the good work started by Mr Obama.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/02/trump-approved-yemen-raid-five-days-after-inauguration
The Labour Party needs Willie Jackson like it needs a hole in the head
One day on the Willie and J.T. show, RadioLive, about seven years ago….
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-08062013/#comment-645516
Like it needed Shane jones…..
Yes a stupid flippant comment from WJ.
As for Labour……Willie always watches to see which side his bread is buttered (Brown or White bread) ….. Example, he’s against a lot of Natz policies, but happy to have Shonkey around to his place for a BBQ.
Yeah, but I expect for lesser offences he’d just give her the bash.
He had some pretty awesome contributions to rape culture following the Roastbusters case, as well. From what I remember he and Tamihere got sacked from Radio Live after that one, in which their considered opinion was that boys will be boys and girls only have themselves to blame if they get drunk at parties.
Indeed, Milt. If you and I can remember these incidents, it’s easy to imagine how the Whaleoil-run National Party would use them.
Can you select this idiot, National. Please.
Whanganui barrister Harete Hipango is seeking the National Party nomination to become its next Whanganui electorate candidate.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11793256
What’s her stance on knife killing?
Pay her and she’ll tell you herself.
You obviously realise that if they were to put up an idiot, rather than some intelligent, humane, rational, sensible person, there would be no difference in the voting. He/she/it would win.
Does anyone know what happened to Dim-Post? It was at dim-post.wordpress.com, but has apparently been marked private
Ed-The explanation I got was that Danyl was taking a time out so his site is in neutral. He will return – I hope.
Thanks. I don’t always agree with him, but he is always worth reading.
science geekery
https://qz.com/296941/interactive-graphic-every-active-satellite-orbiting-earth/
so many of the wee buggers and that was as at a year or so ago
Staggering marty!
Hi ianmac and marty mars
This idea came to me as we have to think hard about ways to go for the future, first the election and beyond. We could spark new ideas and old ones reworked with some new perspectives gained from a reading group where we all read the same book and had a great post on it at the end. The suggestion is a month to read the first book which would be E F Schumacher Small is Beautiful.
Would you both like to be in and get the first book group going? I have been talking about it, getting some good feedback and am now looking for a core group of committed people to ensure that we get enough good thinking. I have asked a few regular commenters who could be interested and put this blurb below about it. Could you let me know by replying to this comment today. Thanks.
You always bring good political ideas and vision to the problems facing us.
We need new approaches to get through this maze we wander in. I had the idea that new ideas and thoughts could spring from studying books on the important subjects relating to our politics. Could you find the time to be in this – over a month first reading and noting about E F Schumaker and his Small is Beautiful and then having a great discussion on a Sunday post at end of month? It would be great if you could be in. Could you reply to this comment today if poss. Thanks.
I am writing similarly to other regular commenters who I feel would be interested, but of course it is a matter of time available. Regards.
What do we know about the McGuinness Institute? that did a survey relating to social engineering that National is interested in?
Mentioned on Radionz this morning I think when they did a peice on the Three Mayors – Far North (National John Carter), Rotorua (Labour Steve Chadwick) and – can’t remember. They are going to sort out their pockets of social problems from cradle to grave, babes to grandparents. I hope in a caring and co-operative way with a community leader in charge to co-ordinate. Sort of like these unaccountable czars that get appointed in neo Lib society.
Could be good, but being given authority to look at every aspect of life. Sounds too top-down to me.
You can find out about the McGuinness Institute by googling it, greywarshark.
It sounds like its full of heavyweight intellectuals all with good intentions providing a great many reports on essential subjects like poverty, public policy etc.
But what results from all those reports and workshops they undertake ?
I’ve just had a quick look at the McGuiness website, greywarshark – and I’m thinking like you – a bit too top-down to the bottom, and perhaps also a bit unrealistic.
For instance, a workshop on poverty in the Far North had a comment about how local business couldn’t compete with BIG business rolling into town. But absolutely no sign that Big business would have been wooing, and been welcomed, by the local council to the detriment of the local start-up enterprises such as CBEC which developed over 20 years – with local people – a business of waste management, only to have the whole lot transferred to incoming Big business by the Far North Council a few years ago.
No wonder people leave their towns when their councils remove their livelihoods.
An interesting, if naive, comment from the summary of that report –
When big businesses arrived in provincial towns without a local mandate, some local independent businesses could not compete and were forced to shut down. Money spent at these big businesses has simply left town, leaving behind empty high streets. Both Kaitaia and Kaikohe have recently seen waning populations…..
http://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/20170202-TPNZ-Far-North-Discussion-paper.pdf
Exactly Jenny – when you’ve got a report being brooded on then you’ve got something hatching. Or so everyone expects. Only everyone’s eggs are addled if
they assume that. Thanks for info. When thinking of something else on here it pays to ask while one remembers and someone will know. And if that goes on the post then everyone knows. So that’s an advantage of asking one of the gurus? here. Collectively the site is a near-complete guru anyway.
And I think, why not get universities who study up that sort of thing to do it? Trouble might be, they might come up with the wrong sort of statistics. So, best idea is shut down the Humanities and let the private sector find out the necessary information to match the planned policies (one of which is to do nothing at all.)
greywarshark – the McGuinness Institute was set up by Mark and Wendy McGuinness (Willis Bond & Co.) who are property speculators whose projects are significantly financed by ACC and the Superannuation Fund. You might want to draw your own conclusions.
aom
Thanks. I take your point and what I had e.s.p about.
aom – that clarifies it !! thanks.
Spoiling for a fight?.
Houthi rebels from Yemen attacked a Saudi frigate; White House spokesman Sean Spicer falsely claimed that this was Iranian forces attacking a US Naval ship and thus an act of war; no one from the White House press corps corrected him or followed up.
http://boingboing.net/2017/02/02/sean-spicer-claims-that-houthi.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident
Back in business.
Hi joe90
I wondered if you would have time to be in the book reading that is being set up and starting on Sunday 12 February, all going well. A month to read and note stuff to comment on in a discussion on a special Sunday post. Starting off with E F Schumacher Small is Beautiful. Could get some interesting ideas to look at from today’s viewpoint. Would you indicate on reply to this today. Thanks
This is the blurb explaining it in general.
You always bring good political ideas and a breadth of vision to the problems facing us. We need new approaches to get through this maze we wander in. I had the idea that new ideas and thoughts could spring from studying books on the important subjects relating to our politics.
Could you find the time to be in this – over a month first reading and noting about E F Schumaker and his Small is Beautiful: Economics as if people mattered – and then there will be a big discussion on a Sunday post at end of month? It would be great if you could be in. Could you reply to this comment today if poss.
I am writing similarly to other regular commenters who I feel would be interested, but of course it is a matter of time available. Regards.
Has the search function that used to live on The Standard disappeared? Or is it just me
I hear a voice. But I see…I see nothing. Spooky.
It was a 2008/9 hacked version of a plug in. It didn’t survive a wordpress upgrade last year(?). Either the newer version of the plug in to sphinx needs hacking (bad idea – I have tried) or I need to write something maintainable on top of sphinx.
Awaiting time to do it. Between work and their frequent demands to go offshore, and the rest of my life, I haven’t found the required block of free time.
Cheers Lynn
I use google’s advanced by site search. You get better control over key words, and the results are better too.
Quoted from Neil Postman’s book ‘Amusing Ourselves to Death’ in an article published in the Guardian by his son, Andrew.
Well worth the read.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/feb/02/amusing-ourselves-to-death-neil-postman-trump-orwell-huxley
That Huxley stuff, reminds me of a Walter Benjamin quote that came into my twitter feed this morning. I had a brief discussion about Benjamin and the Frankfurt School of Marxists a few days ago.
Benjamin said that, underlying cultural activities (entertainment, art, movies, shopping arcade signages) was capitalism and material relationships (who owned property etc).
He called the cultural expressions (art, popular culture) “aesthetics”. He talked about the aestheticisation of politics. ie. use of propaganda by the Third Reich where popular culture, art etc were used to influence the masses.
Throughout the 2nd half of the twentieth century we got an increase in the aestheticisation of politics: ie the use of marketing techniques to manipulate voters. Trump, reality TV celebrity, become president, is the latest stop on this journey.
Today’s Benjamin tweet:
It’s basically about diverting people from the underlying power structure where those at the top of the property ownership hierarchy retain their power. Meanwhile, it’s all cultural distractions for the masses. But also, it allows people to express themselves through art (social media these days?), etc, but doesn’t allow them to change the property relationship of capitalism.
The tweeted quoted is from Benjamin’s The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
NB: Benjamin was a German Jew who tried to escape the Third Reich to Spain. When he believed he was going to be captured and returned to Germany, he killed himself.
Thanks Bill for recalling us to Orwell and Huxley.
My notable memory is that Huxley wrote to Orwell after `1984′ I think, not Animal Farm, and said it conveyed the looming shadow of autocratic politics and control well, but in Huxley’s opinion it would be the continuing quest for efficiency that would dehumanise and strip us of our spirit and potential.
From the article:
“Who can be appalled when the coin of the realm in public discourse is not experience, thoughtfulness or diplomacy but the ability to amuse – no matter how maddening or revolting the amusement?”
It has been thusly for a couple of hundred years. The writer should sit back and reflect on the histories of political movements. They are run a different way now, and it’s not a bad thing.
The stratification of different kinds of thinking from scholars and specialists, to television commentariat, to water-cooler and twitter chatter, seems to be the same as ever to me.
You could also argue however far less pessimistically for the power of the relational networks that are only now possible. People complain about how Twitter surges and distorts public opinion – but as we can see even with Trump, we quickly get inured to different levels of outrage. The outrage instigators peak, burn out, fade away, like a 1990s boy band.
The outrage instigators also get held to account far faster – usually on the same media. (The same old limits of what mass protest can do in realpolitik terms still apply however, even if they are more diverse).
We do see the newer communicative technologies forming relational networks of shared interest and political activism as never before. Sure, old-style parties are dying, and the old-style centralised town hall of single civic dialogue is pretty much dead. But what has taken its place is a revolution in message distribution and connection.
Sooner or later Critical Theory will catch up with the fact that we are beyond oligopolies of opinion from newspapers and television, and we are also well past the historical conditions for fascism. This era needs newer, fresher theorising.
I’ve been hearing about this great Habermasian democratic space of new digital technologies, at least since the 1980s. But the corporate take over of digital technologies has increased. Ditto,the technologies of invasive surveillance.
Sure we get some counter-resistance.
But, in the last decades we have been delivered a deterioration in democratic political processes; an increase of all pervasive neoliberal values and politics; Tony Blair; the Bushes; John Key; David Cameron; Donald Trump; Theresa May; rise in the alt-right; increased wealth and income gaps between the top and bottom deciles; increased homelessness; wars; civilian “collateral damage”; widespread refugee displacements; etc, etc.
And all the time we get first hand knowledge of it via digital technologies.
Don’t think this great democratisation through new digital technologies has actually been happening. Just more celebrity culture, circuses, and digital technology diversions.
Time for some on the ground collaborative engagement; a focus political direction, and ways to provide an alternative to the technologies of distraction.
“Sooner or later Critical Theory will catch up with the fact that we are beyond oligopolies of opinion from newspapers and television, and we are also well past the historical conditions for fascism. This era needs newer, fresher theorising.”
Last i checked critical theorists were regularly appearing here, https://mobile.twitter.com/realpeerreview?lang=en
Is that the kind of fresh new thinking we need to be on the lookout for?
Artist and activist Sam Mahon is raising funds to make a giant sculpture of Environment Minister Nick Smith doing a poo.
Oh yeah… and check it out.. it’s a talking point that’s for sure
Dear Sam Mahon, we would love to see your sculpture in Nelson, September is a wonderful time of year funnily enough it could coincide nicely with Nickoffs Street Corner evening meetings, which he likes to do during election time.
THIS IS SOOOO GOOD… love ART, if it creates a talking point, then it’s art, no matter if it offends or flatters the person viewing it. 😀
I’d suggest a poopier-mache of dessicated cowshit and epoxy as the contruction media…
I like his style and a I like how it revolves too!
Wow!
http://live.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Trump-warns-Israel-Stop-announcing-new-settlements-480446
Trump Tells Israel to Hold Off on Building New Settlements
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/world/middleeast/iran-missile-test-trump.html?_r=0
Inside a month every leader will have learned to discount shouty-ranty thing into proper scale.
He’s crying wolf on such a broad field it may as well be to the moon.
Titles of video says it all, but wait for the guy at the end. Truly classic. 4:37 min video.
“Winston Peters betrayed Maori – here’s the proof. The questions are (1) Why does he refuse to even answer questions on these facts? and (2) Why don’t Maori leaders call him out on his betrayal?”
Just now, on facebook…from Gareth Morgan.
Why Gareth?? Who cares?
It gets Gareth some much-needed publicity, Siobhan – that’s the main thing he’s after.
https://www.facebook.com/garethmorgannz/videos/1390155431026291/
Just having a look at context.
Wow. Ok, a few thoughts.
One is, how will this go down with Māori? It’s a front on attack, and is basically a Pākehā man telling Māori what to do about another Māori. I don’t know what connections if any Morgan has within Māoridom, or where he gets his advice from on Māori issues, so I’ll be interested to see what the response is.
Two, the video itself is smart and well thought through, and if taken separately from Morgan or TOP is a pretty interesting history of Peters’ politics around Māori and ethnicity in NZ. It’s easy to forget how radical he is, because he’s all grin, right?
Three, he’s obviously timing this for Waitangi Weekend, but I’m not quite seeing the strategy. Do NZF get party votes from Māori that TOP wants?
Four, I care. Both because TOP could end up being highly influential in this election, and because he’s addressing Māori and treaty issues strongly. I also think that Peters is a huge problem politically for NZ so am not unhappy with someone calling him on his integrity.
Recently Morgan said something else controversial. On RNZ Morgan pretty much said it was basically calculated to get attention and start a conversation.
I suspect Morgan is aiming to take a leaf from Trump’s campaign. Get attention by stirring up some race-based controversy.
Attention from the media?
Well, if it’s on facebook, then maybe attention from both mainstream media and social media, I guess?
Ultimately, Morgan uses social media, plus mainstream media. The aim is surely to get attention of voters.
I guess, but I’m still trying to figure out how attacking Peters over his position on Māori is going to get TOP votes. I mean, I think what he says about Peters is useful, and I’m certainly in favour of Peters being called on those things, but I doubt he’s going after the white liberal greenie vote with this move. Not so sure about Morgan’s framing it as a challenge to Māori. Which votes is he after? NZF’s? Māori votes, from where? etc
If it’s just noise to raise his profile, that’s a different thing.
I suspect he’s after any votes not committed to the bigger parties. And yes, to create noise and get some attention in the lead up to Waitangi Day
The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to overturn an Obama-era regulation preventing people with severe mental illnesses from buying guns.
The vote on Thursday (local time) was 235-180 – mostly along party lines.
Under the Obama administration’s rule, people who receive disability benefits and have severe mental disorders would be reported by the Social Security Administration to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
This database is used to determine eligibility for buying a firearm.
However it was strongly opposed by both the Republican Party and the National Rifle Association.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2017/02/republicans-allow-severely-mentally-ill-to-buy-guns.html
It looks like any regulations the last administration passed are on the way out no matter how sensible they were.
Hillary will be at fault.
Or will they blame Bernie?
Wadaya reckon about this CV ?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11794343