Open mike 05/06/2020
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- Pacific languages funding reopensMinister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the reopening of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ (MPP) Languages Funding in 2021 will make sure there is a future for Pacific languages. “Language is the key to the wellbeing for Pacific people. It affirms our identity as Pasifika and ...4 days ago
- ERANZ speech April 2021It is a pleasure to be here tonight. Thank you Cameron for the introduction and thank you for ERANZ for also hosting this event. Last week in fact, we had one of the largest gatherings in our sector, Downstream 2021. I have heard from my officials that the discussion on ...4 days ago
- Strengthening Māori knowledge in science and innovationResearch, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has today announced the 16 projects that will together get $3.9 million through the 2021 round of Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, further strengthening the Government’s commitment to Māori knowledge in science and innovation. “We received 78 proposals - the highest ...4 days ago
- Government delivers next phase of climate actionThe Government is delivering on a key election commitment to tackle climate change, by banning new low and medium temperature coal-fired boilers and partnering with the private sector to help it transition away from fossil fuels. This is the first major announcement to follow the release of the Climate Commission’s ...4 days ago
- Continued investment in Central Otago schools supports roll growthSix projects, collectively valued at over $70 million are delivering new schools, classrooms and refurbished buildings across Central Otago and are helping to ease the pressure of growing rolls in the area, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. The National Education Growth Plan is making sure that sufficient capacity in the ...4 days ago
- Two more Christchurch schools completeTwo more schools are now complete as part of the Christchurch Schools Rebuild Programme, with work about to get under way on another, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. Te Ara Koropiko – West Spreydon School will welcome students to their new buildings for the start of Term 2. The newly ...4 days ago
- Independent experts to advise Government on post-vaccination futureThe Government is acting to ensure decisions on responding to the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic are informed by the best available scientific evidence and strategic public health advice. “New Zealand has worked towards an elimination strategy which has been successful in keeping our people safe and our economy ...4 days ago
- Supporting Māori success with Ngārimu AwardsSix Māori scholars have been awarded Ngārimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships for 2021, Associate Education Minister and Ngārimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The prestigious Manakura Award was also presented for the first time since 2018. “These awards are a tribute to the heroes of the 28th ...5 days ago
- Global partnerships propel space tech researchNew Zealand’s aerospace industry is getting a boost through the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), to grow the capability of the sector and potentially lead to joint space missions, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has announced. 12 New Zealand organisations have been chosen to work with world-leading experts at ...5 days ago
- Government backs more initiatives to boost food and fibre workforceThe Government is backing more initiatives to boost New Zealand’s food and fibre sector workforce, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “The Government and the food and fibres sector have been working hard to fill critical workforce needs. We've committed to getting 10,000 more Kiwis into the sector over the ...5 days ago
- Minister welcomes Bill to remove Subsequent Child PolicyMinister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the first reading of the Social Security (Subsequent Child Policy Removal) Amendment Bill in the House this evening. “Tonight’s first reading is another step on the way to removing excessive sanctions and obligations for people receiving a Main Benefit,” says ...5 days ago
- Mental Health Amendment Bill passes first readingThe Government has taken a significant step towards delivering on its commitment to improve the legislation around mental health as recommended by He Ara Oranga – the report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment ...6 days ago
- Whenua Māori Rating Amendment Bill passes third readingLocal Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has welcomed the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill passing its third reading today. “After nearly 100 years of a system that was not fit for Māori and did not reflect the partnership we have come to expect between Māori and the Crown, ...6 days ago
- Trans-Tasman bubble to start 19 AprilNew Zealand’s successful management of COVID means quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia will start on Monday 19 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the conditions for starting to open up quarantine free travel with Australia have ...6 days ago
- Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill passes Third ReadingMinister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little welcomed ngā uri o Ngāti Hinerangi to Parliament today to witness the third reading of their Treaty settlement legislation, the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill. “I want to acknowledge ngā uri o Ngāti Hinerangi and the Crown negotiations teams for working tirelessly ...6 days ago
- Independent group announced to advise on firearms mattersMinister of Police Poto Williams has announced the members of the Ministers Arms Advisory Group, established to ensure balanced advice to Government on firearms that is independent of Police. “The Ministers Arms Advisory Group is an important part of delivering on the Government’s commitment to ensure we maintain the balance ...6 days ago
- Kiri Allan to take leave of absenceKiri Allan, Minister of Conservation and Emergency Management will undertake a leave of absence while she undergoes medical treatment for cervical cancer, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “I consider Kiri not just a colleague, but a friend. This news has been devastating. But I also know that Kiri is ...6 days ago
- Excellent progress at new Waikeria prison buildExcellent progress has been made at the new prison development at Waikeria, which will boost mental health services and improve rehabilitation opportunities for people in prison, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says. Kelvin Davis was onsite at the new build to meet with staff and see the construction first-hand, following a ...1 week ago
- Expert panel proposes criminal limits for drug drivingTo reduce the trauma of road crashes caused by drug impaired drivers, an Independent Expert Panel on Drug Driving has proposed criminal limits and blood infringement thresholds for 25 impairing drugs, Minister of Police Poto Williams and Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill ...2 weeks ago
- Covid-19 imgration powers to be extendedTemporary COVID-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, providing continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Over the past year, we have had to make rapid decisions to vary visa conditions, extend expiry dates, and ...2 weeks ago
- Covid-19 immigration powers to be extendedTemporary COVID-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, providing continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Over the past year, we have had to make rapid decisions to vary visa conditions, extend expiry dates, and ...2 weeks ago
- More support for mums and whānau struggling with alcohol and other drugsThe Government is expanding its Pregnancy and Parenting Programme so more women and whānau can access specialist support to minimise harm from alcohol and other drugs, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “We know these supports help improve wellbeing and have helped to reduce addiction, reduced risk for children, and helped ...2 weeks ago
- Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition Field Day – Tātaiwhetū Trust at Tauarau Marae, Rūātoki*** Please check against delivery *** It’s an honour to be here in Rūātoki today, a rohe with such a proud and dynamic history of resilience, excellence and mana. Tūhoe moumou kai, moumou taonga, moumou tangata ki te pō. The Ahuwhenua Trophy competition is the legacy of a seed planted ...2 weeks ago
- Crown accounts again better than forecastThe economic recovery from COVID-19 continues to be reflected in the Government’s books, which are again better than expected. The Crown accounts for the eight months to the end of February 2021 showed both OBEGAL and the operating balance remain better than forecast in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal ...2 weeks ago
- FIFA Women’s World Cup to open in New ZealandSport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson and Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash have welcomed confirmation New Zealand will host the opening ceremony and match, and one of the semi-finals, of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Grant Robertson says matches will be held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin, ...2 weeks ago
- 1 April changes raise incomes for 1.4 million New ZealandersChanges to the minimum wage, main benefit levels and superannuation rates that come into force today will raise the incomes for around 1.4 million New Zealanders. “This Government is committed to raising the incomes for all New Zealanders as part of laying the foundations for a better future,” Minister for ...2 weeks ago
- New Dunedin Hospital – Whakatuputupu approved for fast track consenting processThe New Dunedin Hospital – Whakatuputupu has been approved for consideration under the fast track consenting legislation. The decision by Environment Minister David Parker signifies the importance of the project to the health of the people of Otago-Southland and to the economy of the region. “This project ticks all the ...2 weeks ago
- Next steps for Auckland light railTransport Minister Michael Wood is getting Auckland light rail back on track with the announcement of an establishment unit to progress this important city-shaping project and engage with Aucklanders. Michael Wood said the previous process didn’t involve Aucklanders enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism fund to prioritise hard-hit regionsThe Minister of Tourism is to re-open a government fund that supports councils to build infrastructure for visitors, with a specific focus on regions hardest hit by the loss of overseas tourists. “Round Five of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund will open for applications next month,” said Stuart Nash. It ...2 weeks ago
- Governance Group to lead next phase of work on a potential new public media entityA Governance Group of eight experts has been appointed to lead the next phase of work on a potential new public media entity, Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi announced today. “The Governance Group will oversee the development of a business case to consider the viability of a new ...2 weeks ago
- New funding to keep tamariki and rangatahi Māori activeMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today helped launch a new fund to provide direct financial support for tamariki and rangatahi Māori throughout the South Island who is experiencing financial hardship and missing out on physical activity opportunities. “Through Te Kīwai Fund, we can offer more opportunities for Māori to ...2 weeks ago
- Single tāne, sole parent dads supported into papakāinga housingSix whānau in Pāpāmoa receive the keys to their brand-new rental homes today, in stage four of a papakāinga project providing safe and affordable housing in the regions. Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson congratulates Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated on the opening of three affordable rentals and three social housing ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to Disarmament and Security CentreKia ora tatou. It’s great to be here today and to get a conversation going on the disarmament issues of greatest interest to you, and to the Government. I’m thrilled to be standing here as a dedicated Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, which I hope reinforces for you all ...2 weeks ago
- Investor optimism pushes US markets higher
Business & Investing: Fear levels are down and optimism up in the US markets, Plus: Kiwi cancer diagnostic company Pacific Edge boosted by approval from US insurer ...9 mins ago - National calls for all unvaccinated border workers to be removed
The National Party wants all border workers who aren't vaccinated against Covid-19 to be removed from the front line immediately. ...17 mins ago - Choose your kaimoana wisely
Just because you don't have to know the origin of your food doesn't mean you shouldn’t. Veronica Rotman provides a guide on what decisions we can make at the supermarket to avoid harming the oceans. Fifty years ago, we understood the ocean to be an infinite bowl of sashimi and snapper. The ...1 hour ago - The book everybody is talking about
We devote much of this week to the Charlotte Grimshaw memoir that everyone is talking about. Today: an excerpt from The Mirror Book It was those banal, mundane life events that changed everything for me. My marriage blew up, I found myself alone, and in the aftermath I lost some ...1 hour ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 12 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...1 hour ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Monday 12 April
...1 hour ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Monday 12 April
...1 hour ago - Black Sticks relieved to have Sam Charlton back
One of the most capped Black Sticks players in history, Sam Charlton, is seeing her hockey career through fresh eyes. It wouldn’t have been a shock had Sam Charlton decided to wind up her Black Sticks career a few months ago. So much has happened in the 251-test defender’s life since the ...1 hour ago - The School Strikes generation wants change – and they want it now
The nationwide rallies of students and other New Zealanders are showing the Government there's a mandate for climate action and changing the strikers themselves. ...1 hour ago - High-tech tool to help scientists see the wood for the trees
Decision-makers faced with environmental issues now have an artificial intelligence tool to make the science more accessible than ever Jim McLeod first used aerial images to see what was happening in the bush in 1995. “You could probably make out a house on it, but nothing smaller,” said the Waikato Regional ...1 hour ago - New Website To Hear Housing Stories
“A flood of stories about the likely impacts of new interest deductibility rules has necessitated a new website to hear them all,” says ACT Housing spokesperson Brooke van Velden. “Labour’s interest deductibility changes represent a stealth ...1 hour ago - Fed up with NZ’s out-of-control housing market? Come to Australia
Watching from the other side of the Tasman as housing back home goes from bad to worse, Paul Davies has one thing to say to his fellow New Zealanders: where the bloody hell are ya?It’s impossible to ignore the headlines. They keep revolving but seldom evolving. Derelict houses selling for ...2 hours ago - Grams on the ’gram: Why drug dealers are plying their wares on InstaInstagram was once a place for holiday snaps and influencers’ brunch pics. These days, accounts galore are dedicated to drug dealing – and they’re advertising to the masses.Dealing drugs online is not new. The dark web has been a hive of illicit content for years: hosting child pornography, as a ...2 hours ago
- The Contact Tracer app just got gamified. Here’s what that means for youPokémon Go it’s not. But from swirly success icons and live stats to a flashlight option, Andrew Chen explains what’s changed, and why. Last week, the Ministry of Health released a new version of the NZ Covid Tracer app. After a lot of public debate and discussion in ...2 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles: The data behind the decision to suspend arrivals from India in NZThe temporary halt on travel from India to New Zealand is unprecedented. But so is the state of Covid-19 in India, writes Siouxsie Wiles.As of yesterday, travellers from India are prohibited from entering Aotearoa New Zealand. The ban is temporary and due to be lifted at the end of April. ...2 hours ago
- Anti-Asian issues in NZ
The spotlight on anti-Asian attacks in America is spilling over to New Zealand, and has highlighted the fact that such sentiments lurk beneath the surface here too The rise of Asian hate crimes is growing in America, with the White House introducing new measures to stop it. New Zealand may ...2 hours ago - Govt’s First Home Loan scheme 'totally redundant'
Comment: The Government’s much-touted Kāinga Ora First Home Loan scheme is all-but-useless in many parts of the country because unrealistic house price caps mean buyers can’t find a house cheap enough to qualify. It’s nuts. ...2 hours ago - Hints of new leadership model for Greens
The Green Party is embarking on a big conversation about whether its co-leadership model is fit for purpose. ...2 hours ago - Study: School streaming destroys kids' self-belief
Pressure mounts to end academic streaming as a report reveals the practice disadvantages Māori ...2 hours ago - Social platforms should be captured in new media regulations – officials
After 12 years of indecision, government officials have renewed a push for more cohesive controls for social media. ...2 hours ago - Housing affordability is a problem. Here’s why super-for-housing isn’t a solution
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Coates, Program Director, Household Finances, Grattan Institute The idea that young Australians should be able to dip into their super to help buy their first home keeps going round and round. The most recent iteration put forward by the Coalition’s Tim ...14 hours ago - Rawiri Waititi: “Rotorua Council Needs To Clean It’s Shit Up”, After Sewerage CatastropheThis week MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi was invited to attend a community hui at Hurungaterangi Marae in Ngapuna, Rotorua - where locals spoke of the physical and psychological suffering they are experiencing, caused by faulty sewerage plant ...16 hours ago
- An ode to … Mike Hosking
Dunedin writer Victor resumes his Sunday odes to public figures. Today: Mike Hosking The Hosky and Cindy Show I want you on my show. And then I do not. I’ve fired you again. You’ve had your shot. You cancelled yourself. You’re on the shelf. But now ...23 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Sunday 11 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...1 day ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Sunday 11 April
...1 day ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Sunday 11 April
...1 day ago - The sexiest lines from New Zealand’s sexiest new book, Devil’s TrumpetSex is life in acclaimed Waikato writer Tracey Slaughter’s latest short story collection. Of course it’s there in Slaughter’s stories about affairs. In those pieces sex thumps and pants and dominates, it goes so hard it knocks grit off the ceiling and onto the bed, it sets fire to a marriage, ...1 day ago
- The Sunday Essay: What to get rid ofBathroom, kitchen, sitting room, bookshelves, friends, memories – Linda Burgess ponders the decluttering of life. Made possible thanks to the support of Creative New ZealandOriginal illustrations by Gary Venn Go to the second drawer down in your bathroom. Open it. In it are countless small bottles of shampoo and skin cream ...1 day ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Rumours of Collins being rolled by Luxon and BridgesAnalysis by Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Judith Collins’ National Party leadership is under more scrutiny, with increased talk in the media of her being replaced by brand new MP Christopher Luxon. For many commentators it’s just a question of “when” rather than “if” Collins is replaced. While ...1 day ago
- Kiwi Seafarers Endangered By Vaccine PolicyKiwi Seafarers continue to feel shortchanged by the New Zealand Government. On the 1st of December 2020 the UN general Assembly called for all Seafarers to be designated as Key Workers . International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack ...2 days ago
- Trading Military Equipment With Israel Is A Human Rights OutrageRevelations that foreign affairs officials have approved the sale of military equipment to a host of human-rights-abusing countries, including Israel, is an outrage. In recent years foreign affairs has been dominated by trade priorities with concerns ...2 days ago
- Too hot, heading south: how climate change may drive one-third of doctors out of the NTSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Quilty, Senior Staff Specialist, Alice Springs Hospital. Honorary, Australian National University A sizeable chunk of Northern Territory’s doctors are thinking about leaving the territory because of climate change, our new research shows. Our study, just published in The Lancet Planetary Health, ...2 days ago
- A tale of two terminals – splitting Auckland Airport in half
With the trans-Tasman bubble on the way, Auckland Airport has undertaken the unique challenge of splitting one airport into two. Matthew Scott went along to see what the parallel worlds look like. Birdsong is piped into an empty hallway. A message to nobody plays on the intercom. Luxury stores ...2 days ago - College Of General Practitioners Marks Death Of PatronThe Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is today marking the death of their patron, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Phillip had been patron of the College for 47 years, since he formally handed over ...2 days ago
- Short story: Tunnel Beach, by Rebecca Styles
"People are walking up the hill, as we walk down, with their hands on their hips, their faces red, or looking directly at the path, not game enough to look up to see how far they’ve got to go": a portrait of a relationship set in a Dunedin landmark, by ...2 days ago - Public Statement By The Governor-General – For HRH Prince PhilipIt was with great sadness that I received notification from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness Prince Philip has died at Windsor Castle. The death of His Royal Highness is a great loss to Her Majesty the Queen, the members of the Royal Family ...2 days ago
- RCS Statement On The Passing Of HRH The Duke Of EdinburghThe Royal Commonwealth Society expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal Commonwealth Society expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to our Patron, Her Majesty ...2 days ago
- MNZ Expresses Sadness At Passing Of Prince Philip9 April 2021 Monarchy New Zealand today expresses its sadness at the passing of Queen of New Zealand’s consort, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Prince Philip died aged 99. Prince Philip is the longest-serving consort in New Zealand’s history. ...2 days ago
- Seymour Statement On Prince Philip"On behalf of ACT, I would like to express sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family. "Prince Philip will be remembered for his long dedication to public service. He has selflessly contributed to a long period of stability ...2 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Saturday 10 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...2 days ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Saturday 10 April
...2 days ago - Voyeurism beyond Hitchcock's wildest dreams
Critic's Chair: Guy Somerset salutes Losing Alice, a compelling eight-part psychological thriller showing on Apple TV+ Who doesn’t like a compliment, a bit of flattery? But, unless you happen to be Donald J Trump, when the flattery spills over into sycophancy you tend to get suspicious. Alice Ginor (Ayelet Zurer) ...2 days ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Saturday 10 April
...2 days ago - Pure As: Monica Falkner
WATCH: Silver Ferns shooter Monica Falkner talks about the pain of losing her dad, then fighting back from injury in part three of Pure As. Monica Falkner knows her dad, David, would have shed tears watching her finally play for the Silver Ferns against England last year - after five harrowing ...2 days ago - The laughable quest of saving a first home deposit in 2021Rampant house prices mean saving money for a deposit on a home is becoming increasingly fruitless. But just how long does it take in today’s market compared to a few years ago?Of all the essential and obscure pecuniary concepts that we learn throughout life, saving is one of those things ...2 days ago
- Moving on while looking back: How I dealt with unspeakable griefFrom the trauma of loss, Jean Sergent built a stage production that offers an invitation to others to embrace the radical possibility that things can get better.I’ve always been interested in death and dying – not the mechanics of it, but the social conditions. How death is prepared for, announced, ...2 days ago
- Brian Turner and the open spaceArdent disciple of mountain, valley, river and sky, Brian Turner is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated poets. Michelle Langstone travelled to his central Otago home to meet and hear the man who commands the language of the landscape.The landscape starts speaking to you from the turnoff on to the ...2 days ago
- Whatever happened to Onzo bikes?For almost three years, Onzo’s black and yellow fleet littered New Zealand’s streets with an accessible and affordable two-wheel option. Then it vanished, leaving behind a trail of angry and perplexed customers. Auckland’s first dockless bike-share scheme has disappeared in much the same way it first arrived – quietly, mysteriously and ...2 days ago
- An introvert’s ultimate birthday party: 24 hours alone in InvercargillGeorge Driver heads to the end of the Earth to spend his birthday alone in New Zealand’s forgotten city.“Don’t go to Invercargill.”I’d spent most of my life a couple of hours’ drive from Invercargill. But every time I considered going I was confronted with this advice: “Don’t go, it’s not ...2 days ago
- We found methane-eating bacteria living in a common Australian tree. It could be a game changer for ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Jeffrey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Southern Cross University Trees are the Earth’s lungs – it’s well understood they drawdown and lock up vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But emerging research is showing trees can also emit methane, and it’s ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Voters could wreak vengeance if Scott Morrison can’t get rollout back on trackSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Last week, people were falling over themselves to get vaccination appointments and had to be told, by their doctors and their government, to be patient. Patience is still needed — indeed, more than ever — ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Voters could extract vengeance if Scott Morrison can’t get rollout back on tra...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A week ago, people were falling over themselves to get vaccination appointments and had to be told, by their doctors and their government, to be patient. Patience is still needed — indeed, more than ever ...2 days ago
- A balancing act between benefits and risks: making sense of the latest vaccine newsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Last night, the federal government announced substantially revised plans for the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia. Due to concerns about the vaccine’s possible links to a rare blood-clotting disorder, and following advice from ...2 days ago
- There’s a long and devastating history behind the proposal for a nuclear waste dump in South Austr...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Aigner, PhD candidate Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy, Australian National University On Saturday at the Adelaide Festival there will a public showing of Australian Atomic Confessions, a documentary I co-directed about the tragic and long-lasting effects of the atomic weapons testing ...3 days ago
- Transparency Needed On Temporary Suspension Of Travel Says Human Rights CommissionThe Human Rights Commission is calling for more information on the justification behind the temporary suspension of travel from India. “Temporarily banning New Zealanders from returning home from India is a significant limitation on their freedom ...3 days ago
- Resort developers found guilty over Fiji island disaster
The Chinese developers who caused an environmental disaster on an idyllic Fijian island have been found guilty on two counts of undertaking unauthorised developments in relation to a planned 370-bure resort and casino. The Suva Magistrates Court delivered its verdict against Freesoul Real Estate today, after the ruling date was pushed out twice with no ...3 days ago - Australian vaccine rollout needs all hands on deck after the latest AstraZeneca news, mass vaccinati...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Hanly, Research Fellow, UNSW Australia’s vaccine rollout is due to be reset after the news last night the AstraZeneca vaccine would not be recommended for people under 50. Instead, this age group will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, with the federal ...3 days ago
- Australia’s bungled COVID vaccine rollout suffers another setback. Here’s how we can get it back...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia Australia’s vaccine rollout is in chaos. The news last night the AstraZeneca vaccine, the only one Australia has guaranteed supply of, would not be recommended for people under 50 due to ...3 days ago
- Design makes a place a prison or a home. Turning ‘human-centred’ vision for aged care into reali...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Golembiewski, Researcher, University of Technology Sydney The Royal Commission into Aged Care left organisations that provide housing for aged care wondering how they will put its recommendations into effect. Most of these recommendations relate to the models of care and levels ...3 days ago
- We should brace for the boiler ban – but $22.88m has been handed out to help businesses decarbonis...
Our Beehive bulletin The Government’s ban on new low and medium temperature coal-fired boilers and partnering with the private sector to help it transition away from fossil fuels perhaps ranked as the most important Beehive announcement yesterday. It was the first major announcement to follow the release of the Climate ...3 days ago - Vaccination alone will not provide full protection. When borders open, NZ will still be managing COV...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nikki Turner, Professor, University of Auckland From next week, unvaccinated staff working at managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities will be moved to low-risk jobs, following a case of a worker who missed vaccination appointments and then tested positive for COVID-19. The ...3 days ago
- Efforts To Improve Quality Of Law-making WelcomedThe proposed Regulatory Standards Bill has been welcomed by Energy Resources Aotearoa as a useful tool in developing better public policy. The Bill was drawn from the members ballot at Parliament on Thursday. "This should help deliver better policy ...3 days ago
- Golriz Ghahraman: Why NZ South Asian communities are so nervous about the halt on all arrivals from ...Division and social discord has undermined Covid-19 responses in other western nations. We must do everything we can to prevent that taking seed here, writes Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman. The Ministry of Health has done a stellar job in keeping us all safe. I have no doubt that the latest ...3 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller list for the week ending April 9The 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 The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw (Vintage, $38)Excerpt from Emma Espiner’s fantastic Spinoff review of this fantastic ...3 days ago
- Capital thinking on decolonisation – give voting rights to tribal appointees on council committee...
Eight Wellington City Councillors – given the critical constitutional choice of Treaty partnership or democracy – yesterday voted in favour of further undermining the council’s democratic election and decision-making structures by granting voting rights to the representatives appointed by Maori tribes to sit on council committees. Only six councillors voted ...3 days ago - Yesterdaze: Bailing, running and waffling at the wheel
Mike Hosking did, didn’t, does, doesn’t, will and won’t want to have the PM on his radio show, while simultaneously accusing the New Zealand media of being asleep at the wheel, writes James Elliott It was reported in the news this week that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere ...3 days ago - Green Party Mp “Attack Dog” Comment Prime Example Of Loopy Left’s LogicGreen Party MP Ricardo Menendez March’s labelling of police dogs as being “attack dogs” is as out of touch as it is insulting to our entire police force, says Darroch Ball co-leader of Sensible Sentencing Trust. “A bill seeking to increase the maximum ...3 days ago
- Here’s why the Coalition favours optional preferential voting: it would devastate LaborSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Reilly, Professor, University of Western Australia Could a change be afoot in the way Australians vote in federal elections? The Coalition government may be eyeing a shift to optional preferential voting — as used in New South Wales — which allows ...3 days ago
- Kiwi Who Allegedly Ripped Off German Taxpayers Must Face JusticeThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is urging action in the case against New Zealand-born Paul Mora, who allegedly fraudulently claimed €113 million in German tax credits. Paul Mora is wanted by Interpol in relation to the Cum-Ex tax affair after failing ...3 days ago
- The Haka Party Incident masterfully brings to life a bold act of resistanceAn almost forgotten moment in our history, brought into the spotlight by a gutsy new theatre show, reveals uncomfortable truths about the history of race relations in Aotearoa.In a country that has until very recently avoided teaching its own history in schools, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a confrontation between university ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on India travel suspension: 'I want people to be safe in their jo...Jacinda Ardern spoke to media a day after announcing a suspension of travel from India because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases. ...3 days ago
- The Friday Poem: Ode to Mons Pubis, by Claudia JardineA new poem from Ōtautahi-based poet Claudia Jardine.Ode to Mons Pubisfatty tissue, edifice of overturesjoints, ligaments, bones, cartilagedark turns to stars when I think aboutthe buttress of pubic symphysisyes! paths of faery lights, yes! brambly wadsyes! tracks of calligraphic gastropodsyes! tender grasses, yes! boxed bedsclippings from a crooner’s greenhousetopiary of ...3 days ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to mediaPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media a day after announcing a suspension of travel from India because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases. ...3 days ago
- Govt increases Air NZ loan by $600mThe government has increased how much money Air New Zealand can borrow, as it defers its plan for a capital raise until September. ...3 days ago
- Educators' Union Supports Tamariki Striking For Climate ActionThe country's largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, is backing the school students striking for climate action across the country today. NZEI Te Riu Roa President Liam Rutherford says the organisation "fully supports tamariki and educators who ...3 days ago
Torture, well I suppose you have to expect it when you expose war crimes. This is ugly use of power by the US government
https://thegrayzone.com/2020/05/14/american-sheldon-adelsons-us-spy-julian-assange/
and it's looking more and more like those show trials they put on the third world or the former soviet union.
https://thegrayzone.com/2020/05/29/british-court-assanges-physical-deterioration/
Mind you, if they keep treating him like crap they may get their wish, and he will die.
Just remember don't speak out, stay at home and do nothing, obey your masters they know best. Nothing to see here, scroll on.
Thanks for posting, Adam.
An informative read, first thing in the morning, but an important one.
I can only think of this as the true state of American politics and interference being exposed. Disturbingly, it also exposes the true state of the 'free' press and journalism, in how it has been reported.
Or just speaking out can be quite dangerous for some
https://prachatai.com/english/node/8561
So it goes
Thanks for posting, Adam.
An informative read, first thing in the morning, but an important one.
I can only think of this as the true state of American politics and interference being exposed. Disturbingly, it also exposes the true state of the 'free' press and journalism, in how it has been reported.
Damn. Can someone delete this? Meant to reply to adam on 1.
I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, first thing in the morning, either.
… if it was only the morning…
Poor Dunc. He was blubbering into his microphone again this morning about the state of the National Party.
And look, he's taken to quoting David Farrar's new paywalled polling and research data. That is a cosy relationship.
Remember, Farrar is in the Simon Bridges camp and will have been devastated by the change of leadership.
He and Garner have thrown in the towel and are now actively reducing public expectation for National’s performance in September.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/opinion-how-is-mr-nothing-to-see-here-todd-muller-going-to-beat-jacinda-ardern.html
That is a really poor piece of writing. I wouldn't publish it in a school magazine. It's not even writing, it's a talkback call full of cliches.
Basic factual errors too. In no way is Muller "liberal". His voting record is 100% conservative. But Duncan Garner is too lazy and/or stupid to check or care.
That's what I thought Observer, I feel dumber after reading that. He got to mention that Labour are useless though, but yes what an utterly pointless piece, glad I didn't pay for that!
Old goat puts "sanctity of contracts" above wellbeing of small businesses in a global emergency. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/418254/new-zealand-first-flexes-coalition-muscles-over-commercial-rent-deal
On undermining govt. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/418328/week-in-politics-ardern-under-pressure-as-peters-fuels-opposition-attacks
This government needs hard political critique because it's not getting any from the Opposition.
Winston is pretty good at it.
Winston is treading a very fine line. He and Jones have had a pretty cushy number as a part of this government, but the patience of the government and the voters may wear a bit thin if he's not careful. Maybe it's time to call his bluff. Get with it or get out.
Meh.
It's just election season.
At 2.3% even old Lazarus the Liquid-Pickled Lizard is staring deep into the FInal Goodbye.
They'll try anything now.
and Smoked …
Haha. Very good.
Police haven't been making too flash a job of recording armed response callout info apparently. Apparently there aren't going to be cameras on fishing boats as a matter of course for a fair old while. Just as well we have a dynamic, inspiring minister of police and an honest reliable minister of fisheries to get this shit sorted.
Not much of a 'trial' when they refuse to collect data. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/418308/armed-response-teams-trial-bizarre-holes-in-callout-data
Might have been too busy changing their undies.
Pretty chilling – and not recording guns at traffic stops. Well what's the new commissioner going to do? This just reinforces the "police are out of control & don't think they have to answer to anyone"
Completely unacceptable..and not terribly 'kind'…luckily it happened in neighbourhoods that the nations Media and Politicians are collectively pretending can't really be helped..meantime..lets all look over at American racism and inequality as practiced by the police with the silent co operation of the political class..and tut loudly..incidentaly ..the Waikato Police have a nice image on their fb geared up and armed..time better spent doing the paperwork maybe
Latest UMR not good for Muller…
In the NZ Herald report on the poll, this is the bit that really tells:
"It is understood National's caucus is yet to be shown any of the National Party's internal polling by Curia since the leadership change. Two sets of polling will have been delivered since Muller took over on May 22."
Simon has taught you well, Todd.
Get polled, get rolled.
The armed response teams were disciplined enough to carry firearms all the time, but couldn't be arsed doing their basic paperwork.
What's the point of having a rigid pseudo-military hierarchy if you can't even make them use an app?
This isn't precision-like Germany you know. This is cowboy NZ, yeehah, chase 'em boy – faster.
14 – 0 – 1
Last community transmission was way back in late April.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121727981/coronavirus-is-new-zealands-covid19-elimination-date-june-15
This strikes me as being very premature and very dumb .Not only assuming that international tourism will bounce back to pre Covid levels, but can also acommodate new tourism ventures
Really, time to take stock and get real .
"The party's leader, Todd Muller, pitched the policy at Coronet Peak in Queenstown, on Friday afternoon, saying tourism operators needed "direct cash support" and confidence the industry would rebound.
"Once the border re-opens we need to be ready to invite visitors back," he said, in a press statement.
The cash would not be provided to businesses to cover their usual costs, but would fund up to 70 per cent of new projects that would drive new demand for tourism."
What a weird policy? It looks like a straight cash giveaway to "wealthy people with a minimal business plan" to start developing something " model farm stays perhaps" and then when the tourists don't eventuate it can go bust and all the new assets pass into the hands of the provider of the business plan.
What rubbish – nor does it do anything to preserve existing tourist infrastructure. And when the overall tourist economic impact figures start coming in we may well find that a lot of the industry just simply wasn't worth having.
I also think that Nact are seriously overestimating the public appetite for admitting anybody that may be carrying covid.So the border is going to remain pretty shut for quite a while I expect.
Do I feel a lavender farm coming upon me???
What rubbish – nor does it do anything to preserve existing tourist infrastructure. And when the overall tourist economic impact figures start coming in we may well find that a lot of the industry just simply wasn't worth having.
This Radionz link seems to fit your concerns here RBCV. This chap explains in easy to understand language, the problems he is having over high rent, and intransigent landlord, which explains what many are experiencing. He said he couldn't achieve a fairer lease, it seems you had to take what you were given. This is actually an Act of God that no-one could envisage and though there are many trying to prove Chinese activity, it still is a completely unexpected worldwide event.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018749399/struggling-business-doubts-rent-arbitration-scheme-will-help
Yes, that is one of the biggest – if not the biggest issue of the businesses that will go out of business. They can't get out of their leases. And they don't need 'rent arbitration' they need a legal way to break their lease or dissolve it before they loose everything they own to a landlord who can't be bothered working with their tenants because they don't have to. How many bankrupted ex business people does the country need and can afford?
And will often have a personal guarantee, which is where the bankruptcy comes from – we need to ban those because they pierce the corporate veil.
"Do I feel a lavender farm coming upon me???"
That made me laugh!
The 'not so pretty communist' intends to throw other people's money at an exploitative sunset industry. Will Muller be able to get that past Winston if the unimaginable happens at election time since it hasn't got anything to do with horse racing of fishing?
That's a very cynical (funny) comment about Winston aom!
Sports Sponsorship and the pandemic.
It seems that some people do not quite get that New Zealand appears to have dodged a bullet through the expert management of the pandemic. They seem to think that everything will be back to normal before we know it.
It will be interesting to see how many prominent sponsors of sporting events who immediately laid off staff or who took the various subsidies available, will jump straight back into dealing out sponsorship for these sporting clubs and events.
The pandemic has really exposed the low quality of a large number of our upper private sector managers. Hands out for subsidies while they keep their own income up then utterly unrealistic decisions about the way forward.
Sorry
The link
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/121734810/national-promises-100m-tourism-accelerator-fund-for-businesses-willing-to-grow-out-of-covid19-recession
Some fortunate proximity for NZ …
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/csl-pledges-manufacture-uq-covid-19-vaccine-if-successful-20200605-p54zs4.html
'CSL said it would use its allocation to supply Australians in the first instance and then look to its regional neighbours.
Biotech giant CSL will produce the first batches of the University of Queensland's COVID-19 vaccine if it is shown to work, with the company throwing funding support behind the vaccine's development and saying millions of doses could be available by 2021.'
Coordinated fuckery.
http://archive.li/7iy3O (wapo)
A wave of social media posts and images have claimed that pallets of bricks have been appearing near the locations of protests in cities all over the United States. This sparked rampant speculation that the bricks are part of a coordinated effort to incite violence as a way to entrap protesters and instigate chaos.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/investigating-bricks-at-protests
Washington (CNN)The White House posted and then deleted a tweet on Wednesday that falsely suggested a synagogue's rock-filled anti-terrorism barrier had been placed on the street by domestic terrorists.
The tweet featured a compilation of video clips from around the country in which people expressed suspicion of the presence of bricks or other objects on the streets. The tweet claimed that "Antifa and professional anarchists are invading our communities, staging bricks and weapons to instigate violence. These are acts of domestic terror."
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/fact-check-white-house-rocks-bricks-antifa-synagogue-chabad/index.html
There was a bunch of "I've heard the rioters are carjacking white women" tweets for the last few days.
I hope the black women are claiming racism. I think only humour and ridicule can make any impact on the 'duh' mindset. There must be more Homers out there than I thought possible.
Perhaps this really is how USA people are:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJO2hRyefNs
check out Portlandia if you can, "put a bird on it" & "bicycle rights" & "where's my free range chicken come from?" & so many more…
piles of bricks are due to construction shutdowns for COVID
Racism is a tool of division. Remember the divide and conquer strategy of ancient battles?