Open mike 04/08/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 4th, 2019 - 114 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

114 comments on “Open mike 04/08/2019 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  3. The Fairy Godmother 3
    4 August 2019 at 10:00 am

    I am so happy Weka one of my favourite authors is back. She makes me want to look at the standard more often.

    • Morrissey 3.1
      4 August 2019 at 11:25 am

      weka?

      https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/weka-has-go-at-john-pilger-aug-22-2015.html

      https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/12/standardistas-debate-merits-or.html

      [Is there something you want or have to say about an Author of this site? Spit it out in your own words instead of hiding behind old comments by others archived on your own blog site like John Key’s bottom drawer. To me, it looks like the actions of a prejudiced coward but you may have something of interest to say so here is your opportunity; don’t blow it – Incognito 😉 ]

      • Andre 3.1.1
        4 August 2019 at 11:36 am

        This pathetic "look at moi" need you have to link back to your own site – is that what's known as linkwhoring?

      • Incognito 3.1.2
        4 August 2019 at 11:42 am

        See my Moderation note @ 11:25 AM.

        • OnceWasTim 3.1.2.1
          4 August 2019 at 12:04 pm

          Do you know if RNZ's 'The Panel' hold auditions? and What's the difference between a "prejudiced coward" and an embittered old curmudgeon?

          Or maybe it's all an act

          • Incognito 3.1.2.1.1
            4 August 2019 at 12:17 pm

            I don’t know. All I care about here is behaviour here; what people do in their own sandpits is up to them.

          • Morrissey 3.1.2.1.2
            4 August 2019 at 3:11 pm

            I believe they do, Tim. I'll recommend you to the producer if you like. You couldn't be worse than I was when I appeared on the program back in 2013…

            CHRISTINE RANKIN: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

            MORRISSEY BREEN: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Um.

            JIM MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! It’s time to find out what our Panelists have been thinking about. Christine Rankin, what’s been on YOUR mind lately?

            CHRISTINE RANKIN: Well, Jim, look, I’ve been so busy working for the reintroduction of corporal punishment for the under-fives that I haven’t had TIME to do any thinking at all for several years now. I really can’t think of one thing to talk about.

            JIM MORA: [long, irritated silence] Mmmmm-kay. Morrissey, have YOU got something on your mind?

            MORRISSEY BREEN: Ummm, ahhhh, I’m going to abandon my, uh, carefully prepared speech about foreign policy, and comment on Christine’s failure to ummm, errr, honour her, ummmm, commitments to your show.

            CHRISTINE RANKIN: [indignant] I’ve been BUSY.

            MORRISSEY BREEN: Ummmm, ahhhh, yeah. Ummm…to paraphrase Dr. Johnson, I will say this about Christine: “This woman’s thinking is like a dog’s walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.”

            JIM MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! That’s very funny! I think he’s talking about you Christine!

            MORRISSEY BREEN: And that’s all I have to say, Jim. Um.

            JIM MORA: Short and sweet. That’s the way we like them on the Panel! Okay, next up, Lanthanide will tell us why he thinks a nuclear reactor in the middle of Christchurch would be a good idea. First, though, what do the Panelists think of this?

            RANKIN: [fervently] That’s a SPLENDID idea. At last, somebody talking some sense….

            https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-victims-rights-advocate-garth.html

            https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2019/01/moras-gone-but-panel-is-still-bedeviled.html

            • OnceWasTim 3.1.2.1.2.1
              4 August 2019 at 4:24 pm

              I was half hoping I might hear you go head to head with someone like Joe Bennett sometime.

              (I like a healthy dose of cynicism with an ounce of ridicule, just as long as one can be equally cynical and questioning of themselves. Otherwise it's so holier-than-thou. And as you will know, I'm the most perfectist specimen ever to grace the place that I could rival Sir John or Soimun. I just can't seem to find a decent interpreter at the moment).

      • Morrissey 3.1.3
        4 August 2019 at 3:01 pm

        Thanks for giving me the opportunity, Incognito. My relationship with our good friend and colleague weka goes back a long way. It reached a bit of a nadir a few times when she banned me, but we usually kissed and made up.

        I thought she'd gone for good when, during another ban late last year, I penned the following for D.P. Farrar's dodgy site….

        https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-clobbering-machine-strikes-again.html

        I must say that, in spite of our rather chequered history, I'm glad to see weka back with us.

        [I warned you not to blow it yet you lit the fuse and guess what happened?

        KABOOM!!

        Just a few weeks ago (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-19-07-2019/) you were in the midst of a pile up and putting the boot into the same Author and (former) Moderator of this site. I left several Moderator warnings, which you would have seen despite they were not directed at you specifically.

        Today, again, you couldn’t help yourself and you linked to a contemptable piece of narcissistic ‘writing’ destined for KiwiBlog attacking not one but several Authors and Moderators of TS. Indeed, that is where it belongs and where it ended up, I see. Good for you.

        Yet today you claim “I’m glad to see weka back with us”!?

        I counted 11 links today from and to your bottom drawer of which you seem to be immensely proud and of the fact that share this questionable habit with infamous historical figures such as Muldoon, Joe McCarthy, and Joe Stalin. If you read this site’s policy https://thestandard.org.nz/policy/#banning you’ll see that link-spamming is a self-martyrdom offense. But you already knew that, didn’t you?

        I’ll save the moderators here, i.e., moi, a lot of time by sending you back to KiwiBlog, where you belong IMHO.

        Banned for six months – Incognito]

    • Psycho Milt 3.2
      4 August 2019 at 11:52 am

      Also chuffed to see weka writing here again!

    • weka 3.3
      4 August 2019 at 12:11 pm

      Thank-you TFG heart

    • halfcrown 3.4
      4 August 2019 at 12:11 pm

      +1

    • Puckish Rogue 3.5
      4 August 2019 at 4:27 pm

      Second that 🙂

    • Stuart Munro. 3.6
      4 August 2019 at 5:03 pm

      Yes I'm glad to see her too – she often lifts the standard of conversation.

  4. Muttonbird 4
    4 August 2019 at 10:23 am

    The extreme right wing are at it again. White supremacists get a pretty easy ride on forums like Kiwiblog, with various commenters suggesting they are just 'standing up for their culture'.

    But there is an inherent violence and hatred festering inside them, and the right wing in general, and it is this violence against ordinary innocents which manifests itself with increasing regularity…

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/114736833/us-police-warn-of-an-active-shooter-at-mall-in-el-paso-texas

  5. ianmac 5
    4 August 2019 at 10:24 am

    I agree with this defence of Oranga Tamariki

    Sadly, it seems we have forgotten who those social workers really are, what they do and, most importantly, why they must do it.

    Darroch Ball says Oranga Tamariki social workers are hard-working, dedicated and right-minded people.

    While the protesters were chanting "not one more child to be taken", I am incredulous that even though a child is admitted to hospital with non-accidental injuries every two days, we don't hear any protesters chanting "not one more child to be beaten".

    It seems incredible that people somehow truly believe social workers can just decide one day to knock on a door and uplift a child. There are many steps social workers must take before the process of uplifting a child takes place, including the fact that a court must make that decision – not the social worker.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/114678991/stop-blaming-oranga-tamariki-for-child-uplifts

    • Prickles 5.1
      4 August 2019 at 11:39 am

      indeed. In my line of work I frequently deal with social workers – DHB as well as Oranga Tamariki. I have yet to meet one who does not care passionately about their work and the people they work with. Without exception, the situations in which they find themselves cause much soul searching, stress and distress. Most are heartbroken that they can only do so much for the children and families they work with.

      • greywarshark 5.1.1
        4 August 2019 at 1:39 pm

        The problem is that too little is being done to help the people who are struggling at the bottom and resorting to drugs and showing the distress caused by an uncaring nation. And some of those social workers are Maori. Things don't improve because a constipated government system that can't eliminate austerity and prejudicial thinking and get on to creating work schemes and bring young people back into school to get training for work, and advice on how to cope with the demands of a very young child on the immature parent.

        We know about the children taken from their aborigine parents in Australia. And the cases here of the state swooping in like vultures rather than on angelic wings. It is a bad business that Oranga Tamirki has been set up to carry out, and the workers trying to cope in a humane way have a hard job.

        But it is the system that has failed the parents, all their sorrows have not been forgotten and they have grown up unready to find their own secure and happy maturity and just cannot plan for the future they would choose, it given the support and training that they need.

    • gsays 5.2
      4 August 2019 at 12:11 pm

      My significant other comes into contact daily with situations of children living with neglect, deprivation and poverty.

      Some of the stories are heartbreaking.

      In trying to understand where the nay-sayers are coming from, I think it has to do more with the system. Perhaps making it a little less Pakeha.

      • ianmac 5.2.1
        4 August 2019 at 12:45 pm

        My suspicious mind wonders if there is a bit of stirring out of sight from a political party?

        • gsays 5.2.1.1
          4 August 2019 at 4:03 pm

          Which party are you referring to Ian?

          I am scratching my head to think which one benefits.

          • ianmac 5.2.1.1.1
            4 August 2019 at 4:11 pm

            It is just that the turbulence suggests unrest, and unrest must mean that the Government is somehow responsible. Look at Government failure to solve land use problems or failure to Kiwibuild. Shout it through the media and those who don't look at the detail can be swayed and therefore Opposition benefits.

            How's that for Convoluted Gsays?

            • marty mars 5.2.1.1.1.1
              4 August 2019 at 10:23 pm

              there are real problems that real people have identified and are trying to change – it would be very sad if the heartfelt feelings of those affected were not respected.

              A call for "not one baby more, not one acre more, not one whānau more" led speeches as about 400 rallied on Parliament's lawn on Tuesday to hand an open letter signed by 17,000 thousand people to Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

              Organising group Hands off our Tamariki Network is calling for a halt to children being removed from their families and iwi by Oranga Tamariki, in a debate spurred by a Newsroom video showing the trauma of an attempted uplift in Hastings this year.

              "It's time for us to take control, as whānau, of our own wellbeing. It's time for us to take control as hapu, as iwi, as Māori for the wellbeing of our Tamariki and mokopuna," organiser Leonie Pihama told the crowd to cheers.

              https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12254170

    • Incognito 5.3
      4 August 2019 at 12:41 pm

      Yes, good piece. We need to get past the blame games and get to the core of the problem:

      The reality is we have a huge problem in New Zealand with child abuse and child deaths.

      I see Oranga Tamariki as the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

    • joe90 5.4
      4 August 2019 at 12:58 pm

      As my SO says, not a sausage about the three children who've died since the uplift story aired.

    • Shadrach 5.5
      4 August 2019 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks for linking to this Ian.

  6. joe90 6
    4 August 2019 at 11:47 am

    In 2012 Boris Johnson wrote about the dreadful fate awaiting Greece.

    Every day we read of fresh horrors: of once proud bourgeois families queuing for bread, of people in agony because the government has run out of money to pay for cancer drugs. Pensions are being cut, living standards are falling, unemployment is rising, and the suicide rate is now the highest in the EU – having been one of the lowest.

    By any standards we are seeing a whole nation undergo a protracted economic and political humiliation; and whatever the result of yesterday’s election, we seem determined to make matters worse. There is no plan for Greece to leave the euro, or none that I can discover. No European leader dares suggest that this might be possible, since that would be to profane the religion of Ever Closer Union. Instead we are all meant to be conniving in a plan to create a fiscal union which (if it were to mean anything) would mean undermining the fundamentals of Western democracy.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9337911/Dithering-Europe-is-heading-for-the-democratic-dark-ages.html

    Schools may have to close, exams could be disrupted and fresh food for pupils’ meals could run short because of panic buying with prices soaring by up to 20%, according to a secret Department for Education analysis of the risks of a no-deal Brexit obtained by the Observer.

    The five-page document – marked “Official Sensitive” and with the instruction “Do Not Circulate” – also raises the possibility of teacher absences caused by travel disruption, citing schools in Kent as particularly at risk.

    On the dangers of food shortages to schools, it suggests that informing the public of the risks could make matters even worse.

    In a section entitled School Food, it talks of the “risk that communications in this area could spark undue alarm or panic food buying among the general public”.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/03/secret-education-report-no-deal-brexit-school-chaos

    • greywarshark 6.1
      4 August 2019 at 1:52 pm

      Pollies set us up to be pigeons encouraged to push buttons to get stories of how bad things are elsewhere and not notice that our own walls are shrinking inwards.

      I would suggest don't listen to Boorish echoing being a comedian, watch the real ones. You will get the same feeling of happy confusion, but from professionals on Black Books.

  7. The Al1en 7
    4 August 2019 at 1:33 pm

    What happened toTRP? Is he still about here?

    I miss his insight and take on things.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 8.1
      4 August 2019 at 4:02 pm

      James, please clarify, is there any evidence (in that RNZ news link) for a "Green MP thinking they won’t make 5% next election.", or is that wishful speculation on your part?

      • James 8.1.1
        4 August 2019 at 4:13 pm

        no evidence – just a reasonable guess given that they are on 6%.

        [Making up shit is very naughty, James, even when you think it is reasonable shit. Naughty commenters have to sit on the naughty step so give me a good reason why you should escape this treatment. After all, you were quite rude to Robert when he challenged you. Perhaps you didn’t know that the person you had in mind is not a Green MP? – Incognito]

        • Drowsy M. Kram 8.1.1.1
          4 August 2019 at 4:15 pm

          Thanks for clarifying; just an evidence-free guess, and reasonable in your opinion.

          • Dennis Frank 8.1.1.1.1
            4 August 2019 at 4:57 pm

            Yeah, he jumped to the wrong conclusion. I've had several conversations with Jack (at our conferences) and I'm really impressed – enough to rate him as #2 after James for the party list last time.

            However, I suspect he is misreading the situation. Intelligence isn't the problem: he's right up there. Impatience due to youth. I had that too, still often gets me.

            I believe the more consensus-building he engages in, the more he will learn that impatient radicals don't achieve much. For some reason, he's not acquiring the gnosis from James as role model. I have faith he'll suss it out eventually.

            • Carolyn_Nth 8.1.1.1.1.1
              4 August 2019 at 6:22 pm

              Or Jack is sounding out whether there's the will for a change of male co-leader – given he's not leaving the party.

              • Dennis Frank …
                4 August 2019 at 7:19 pm

                Did you see the reports from One News & 3News? The former was better. Had a clip of a bearded Gareth Hughes notably refraining from either endorsing Jack or criticising James. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/green-party-candidate-resigns-over-dissatisfaction-co-leader-james-shaw?auto=6067823611001

                Given that Gareth is the only self-declared leftist in the leadership group (to the media/public, I mean, and with the caveat that as far as I've seen), and he was the one who did stand against James & didn't leave when defeated, I'm taking it as not a leftist plot!

                As always, I could be wrong, but reading Gareth's demeanour & body language as much as what he actually said makes me confident I'm not. Other than Jack, I've seen no sign that the group has lost confidence in James's leadership. If the left was clearly polling well, there would be.

                The left isn't polling very well in other western countries either. I believe the perception that they need to build common ground with centrists has been spreading. Only residual leftist ideology is preventing consensus from firming up decisively throughout the west, and marginalising the right.

        • Robert Guyton 8.1.1.2
          4 August 2019 at 4:16 pm

          "No-Evidence James"

          Fits like a glove!

        • Incognito 8.1.1.3
          4 August 2019 at 9:47 pm

          See my Moderation note @ 4:13 PM.

    • Robert Guyton 8.2
      4 August 2019 at 4:13 pm

      Wot twaddle from Troll-James @ 3:53!

      You should fire your Headline Editor, James; he's hopeless.

    • mauī 8.3
      4 August 2019 at 5:45 pm

      I feel for Jack, the centrist drift is a concern… This is not the party for the radical left.

  9. Sacha 9
    4 August 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Paywalled so I can't read much, but it looks like scumbag Nottingham is denied an appeal against his limp sentence: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12235806

  10. Sacha 10
    4 August 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Not much pickup yet, but Marama Davidson's speech to the Greens conference includes a rent-to-own housing policy proposal.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1908/S00043/speech-marama-davidson-green-party-agm.htm

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1908/S00042/greens-to-focus-on-supporting-new-zealanders-who-rent.htm

    This phrase is hardly reassuring:

    We are ready to negotiate our Rent-to-own policy as part of the Kiwibuild reset

    Guess that means Labour and Winston First get to veto or dilute it..

    • James 10.1
      4 August 2019 at 5:29 pm

      ”We are ready to negotiate our Rent-to-own policy as part of the Kiwibuild reset”

      Lol hard to believe kiwibuild could be more of a mess – but now the greens are negotiating policy in there. It’s the gift that keeps delivering.

      • Incognito 10.1.1
        4 August 2019 at 6:00 pm

        Laugh all you like, James, but it is about addressing an unmet need. A bumbling toddler learning to walk can be funny to watch and they have to learn to crawl before they can learn to walk, but one day they’ll walk …

        • James 10.1.1.1
          4 August 2019 at 6:13 pm

          sadly however incognito- to use your analogy kiwibuild was born with legs that don’t work.

          • Incognito 10.1.1.1.1
            4 August 2019 at 8:05 pm

            Such limited defeatist thinking, James. Heard of the Paralympics? Seen what amazing things some people can do with just their arms? Ever seen the famous documentary Child of Our Time and the disabled solo mother Alison Lapper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Lapper? You may want to adjust your thinking about people and their appearances; they can be deceiving …

        • Sacha 10.1.1.2
          4 August 2019 at 6:13 pm

          Greens are the only party to have consistently promoted policies for renters rather than owners or speculators. Fingers crossed something useful gets past the resisters.

    • weka 10.2
      4 August 2019 at 7:57 pm

      "We are ready to negotiate our Rent-to-own policy as part of the Kiwibuild reset"

      Is this the Greens putting it out there so it's more obvious what will get removed by Labour or NZF? (I haven't listened to the speech yet).

      • Sacha 10.2.1
        4 August 2019 at 8:06 pm

        True, good for differentiation in 2020 and may drag Winston's bunch and Labour's righties further to the left – but not much consolation for renters in the meantime.

    • Muttonbird 11.1
      4 August 2019 at 7:38 pm

      This is exactly why the Nat's are furious with Shaw's speech and appearance on The Nation.

      They realise Shaw has drawn a line and the Nats are on the wrong side of it.

  12. Ad 12
    4 August 2019 at 5:54 pm

    I'm all in favour of new radiation machines, but what we were promised by Labour at the last election was a comprehensive cancer-fighting strategy, and Clarke himself was in favour of a standalone cancer-fighting agency.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12255486

    This announcement just looks like ordinary plant asset management.

    No connection to a broader anything, and otherwise looks like a little tv news capture on a slow Sunday news cycle.

    • chris T 12.1
      4 August 2019 at 6:11 pm

      Labour promised a lot of things.

      I look forward to others bringing more up.

    • Sacha 12.2
      4 August 2019 at 6:18 pm

      The commitment to spreading machines around regions rather than further centralising specialist services is significant. Something the last govt could easily have done.

      Clark has said his views on the value of a separate cancer agency have shifted now that he has access to internal information as a Minister. Also clear in recent interviews that an overall cancer strategy is coming in a few weeks.

    • Incognito 12.3
      4 August 2019 at 8:42 pm

      "A cancer plan that works has to be comprehensive and must include radiation treatment as well as pharmaceuticals and preventative measures," Ardern told media in a press conference at Wellington Regional Hospital.

      "Radiation is an effective form of cancer treatment, and one-in-two people with cancer would benefit from its use. But in New Zealand only one-in-three are currently accessing these services.

      "That's why we are making the single largest Government capital investment in it."

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114741570/government-announces-package-to-aid-cancer-treatment-in-the-regions

      I also like to note that the PM was working on Sunday 😉

    • Incognito 12.4
      4 August 2019 at 9:19 pm

      I hope they will have an effective strategy to ensure sufficient staffing levels and a resilient workforce otherwise these expensive machines could be sitting idle for much of the time. I think that is a much harder issue to deal with than buying expensive kit.

      • Ad 12.4.1
        4 August 2019 at 10:29 pm

        +100

        A billion or so into mental health, no one trained to do the extra work.

        No improvement to people.

        • Incognito 12.4.1.1
          4 August 2019 at 11:13 pm

          This Government is promising the Earth but no spades and no extra pairs of hands to do the digging. The billion trees to be planted, KiwiBuild, mental health, et cetera. In education, they at least made an effort to increase the much-needed capacity but it did not go down well with the people that already existed on the ground. If they keep this up, they’ll erode (political) goodwill and credit and even JA won’t be able to save them.

  13. Muttonbird 13
    4 August 2019 at 7:03 pm

    NZ Māori Council calls for Simon Bridges to apologise for Tokelau comments

    “What this man said about a whole section of New Zealand citizens is an absolute disgrace, but also highlights his performance on all issues related to Iwi Māori," he said in a statement.

    "Let me be really clear here: Bridges was a member of a nine-year-old Government whereby our people resembled more of a third-world population. It was under his Government's watch that gave rise [to] record numbers of Māori committing suicide.

    "It was under his Government's watch that homeless numbers rose, the health system began to falter under the weight of financial mismanagement, that Pharmac became a laughing joke, that more of our children than ever were taken by the state.”

    – Matthew Tutaki

    Matthew Tutaki another unimpressed with Simon Bridges.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/nz-m-ori-council-calls-for-simon-bridges-to-apologise-for-tokelau-comments.html

    Do you think Bridges will apologise?

    • Rapunzel 13.1
      4 August 2019 at 7:32 pm

      No he won't – there is another shooting in the US, people must be becoming mindful of the part heavy handed, reckless, dirty politicking is having on people's lives. NZers need to recognise what is leadership and how and why it must be made to work for the country and put their full support behind that and be active in engaging with each other.

  14. Muttonbird 14
    4 August 2019 at 7:47 pm

    Make America Safe Again.

    😢

  15. greywarshark 15
    4 August 2019 at 8:08 pm

    You've got a nice feature about your area. I want to start a business using it and it will mean that you have to share it with us, we will need the major part say 80/20, but there are a few jobs in it, and investment in luxury homes so there will be growth for you.

    But these Waiheke Islanders aren't your ordinary sheeple.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/395950/sheep-heading-to-parliament-for-waiheke-petition

  16. weston 16
    4 August 2019 at 9:10 pm

    About the same time i guess as Peter Ellis was being granted leave to appeal to the supreme court the crown was busy opposing it .The several reasons they gave to oppose it were fairly threadbare i thought but one really stands out !!they said that they doubted that the science of the time had changed very much in the interim wtf !!!i had to laugh albeit darkly according to Lynley Hood who has done exhaustive work on ellis's case and of the professional therapists of the time it was common to measure a little girls hymen and finding it to be more than four mil provided conclusive proof of sexual abuse .Well unsurprisingly [since the experts of the time were not very expert ]the science went on to find eventually that hymens come in all shapes an sizes quite naturally.The chief witness for the prosecution at ellis's trial was one of these above mentioned practitioners she practiced this sort of what can only be described imo as quackery for a living yet was held up by the crown as the last word in the study of sexual abuse .Seems the only thing that REALLY hasnt changed in the last twenty years is Crown Bias

    • greywarshark 16.1
      5 August 2019 at 12:08 pm

      'Crown bias' and general ignorance continues probably because of an unwillingness of 'experts' to examine their learnings to see if they are up to date, and then accept they have been at fault in the part.

      Because of a lack of willingness by authorities to accept that mistakes may happen in medical proceedings, those involved are understandably reluctant to admit that their methods might be faulty. This is a problem for medical people believing they are following best practice, or who have made a rare error. Medical people should be able to report themselves or also if others do so, and be investigated and cautioned and would probably be placed under supervision of the general medical authorities from designated peers, rather than have to go through the usual rigid judgments that the public face.

      An example is Semmelweiss and the extra and preventable deaths of mothers who were denied the hygienic care that he trialled and proved was effective. It appears that his mistreatment by the medical establishment is still not fully owned by history. One report says he was placed in an asylum due to possible alzheimers disease and there was beaten by staff, and died of a diseased wound. Another was that he was enticed into an asylum and then imprisoned on the basis he 'had lost his mind.'

      The poor man had so many detractors who refused to accept the facts, and preferred to 'denigrate the man' that he became depressed, and lost his way in life I think. However, to some extent, he was the author of his own misfortune in that he delayed publishing his treatment and providing the information needed to prevent false stories and opinions to circulate.

      His successor – János Diescher was appointed Semmelweis's successor at the Pest University maternity clinic. Immediately, mortality rates jumped sixfold to 6%, but the physicians of Budapest said nothing; there were no inquiries and no protests. Almost no one — either in Vienna or in Budapest — seems to have been willing to acknowledge Semmelweis's life and work.

      His remains were transferred to Budapest in 1891. On 11 October 1964, they were transferred once more to the house in which he was born. The house is now a historical museum and library, honoring Ignaz Semmelweis.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis

  17. Muttonbird 17
    4 August 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Campaign spokesperson Pania Newton said they “should be chasing white supremacists, not Māori protectors”.

    Oooh! Shot of the day by Pania Newton.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/395944/police-remove-guns-from-ihumatao-protesters-worried

    • marty mars 17.1
      4 August 2019 at 9:20 pm

      yep fucken true that – the lines are hardening – bad stupid police move – ffs how about put the guitar AND the weapons down police.

  19. Eco maori 19
    6 August 2019 at 7:43 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    I agree Sam dept can be a trap tangata lending money on credit card just to survive .I see people using money stupidly all the time one should live like they are broke all the time to save money.

    I think that the government should build minny housing smart small whare add that to the lower house perches prices for first house buyers prices. Im quite lucky I can build a whare in Hawksbay and Te Waiapu Valley to I will build them from recycled materials and make them carbon neutral to.

    Keep those POLICE UNDER control Jacinda the Ihumatao issue is a international story now.

    The Coalition Government has invested more in Aotearoa Healthcare systems in 2 years than national did in 9 so point your criticism to them.

    Duncan you are being rude talking over the top of Jacinda that tells me a story.

    Artificial intelligence will take JOBS off the common people don't bullshit its is going to hand more power to the 00.1% unless good laws are made to counteract that phenomenon Artificial Intelligence and robotics automation Will Be A Major Game Changer so a universal WAGE is needed to counteract that phenomenon The major effects of Artificial intelligence won't happen overnight but it will happen in the near future Ma te wa.

    That business man with the bruising on his head is actually a national puppet whanau don't listen to his and duncans rhetoric about Our business economy its is going great the government has increased investment in the economy through higher wages and investment in Infrastructure this will flow through the economy and back to the government in tax take they increase investment in the MANY the 99.0% who pay most of the tax take .Not like national who invested heavily in the Wealth 00.1% who have accountants who hide their new money they got from national tax cuts ECT under their pillow .Consequence less tax take for the government LESS money to spend on the Tangata.

    Ka kite ano

  20. Eco maori 20
    6 August 2019 at 11:54 am

    Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.

    https://youtu.be/PWoDSGfSu6o

  21. Eco maori 21
    6 August 2019 at 11:55 am

    People across the lower North Island have reported feeling an early morning 4.1-magnitude earthquake, centred 20 kilometres south of Wellington.

    The quake struck at 3.38am on Tuesday and was centred at a depth of 38km, GeoNet said. Ka kite ano link below.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/114775129/41magnitude-quake-felt-across-lower-north-island

  22. Eco maori 22
    6 August 2019 at 2:30 pm

    Some Eco Maori music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/mOFvJVroAJE

  23. Eco maori 23
    6 August 2019 at 6:31 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Have the Police got any video footage to back up there allegations of bad behavior by the protesters at Ihumatao did you see that they put a Wahine up to make their statement.????????.

    That would be good for the Wahine who are getting treatment for breast cancer a trial of a new drug that will stop the side effects of hot flushes ka pai.

    Eco Maori has no power bill now cost me $1800 to build quite easy to so long as the sandflys stop stuffing with it I went to cut wood again and my system had been turned on the battery were run down lucky I got a second battery from the Stihl shop in Naiper he has got a great product and a great price. My new battery was in the system

    That's funny the drug lord trying to break out of jail impersonating his daughter

    Sir Ngata was treated very badly by the crown if he was White he would have not even been charged.

    Ka kite ano

  24. Eco maori 24
    6 August 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    I,,,,Whanau the police love using there intimidation practices and propaganda to try and upset people Whanau be cool like ME. They have heaps of police following Me around they use the public to try and intimidate me to but the fools are just giving Eco Maori more MANA thanks.

    I think sitting on your hands and not changing the way trade training whanaga is stupid especially if some are failing in their business plans and failing to give te tangata the correct skills that are lacking in Aotearoa. I think it's stupid having to import people with the skills when we just have to train our OWN.

    Ka kite ano

  25. Eco maori 25
    6 August 2019 at 7:21 pm

    Kia Ora The Crowd Goes Wild.

    Ka pai Annan for running that Waka Ama story ka kite ano

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 hour ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

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

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

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

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

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

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

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

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

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T01:29:32+00:00