Open mike 05/09/2024
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6:00 am, September 5th, 2024 - 51 comments
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- Vegas Baby
Good morning, lovely people. Don’t worry. This isn’t really a newsletter, just a quick note. I’m sitting in our lounge, looking out over a gloomy sky. Although being Rotorua, the view is periodically interrupted by steam bursting from pipes and dispersing—like an Eastern European industrial hellscape during the Cold War.Drinking ...2 hours ago - Why Entrust Needs New Leadership
I am part of a new team running in the Entrust election in October. Entrust is a community electricity trust representing a significant part of Auckland, set up to serve the community. It is governed by five trustees are elected every three years in an election the trust itself oversees. ...3 hours ago - London Bridge is falling down
In the UK, London is the latest of council groups to signal potential bankruptcy.That’s after Birmingham, Britain’s second largest city, went bankrupt in June, resulting in reduced sanitation services, libraries cut, and dimmed streetlights.Some in the city described things as “Dickens” like.Please, Sir, Can I have some more?For families with ...4 hours ago - Govt may kick elderly out of hospitals
The Government is considering how to shunt elderly people out of hospitals, and also how to cut their access to other support. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, ...4 hours ago - Getting the nephs off the couch
The so-called “Prince of the Provinces”, Shane Jones, went home last Friday. Perhaps not quite literally home, more like 20 kilometres down the road from his house on the outskirts of Kerikeri. With its airport, its rapidly growing (mostly retired) population, and a commercial centre with all the big retail ...6 hours ago - De moralibus orcorum: Sargon of Akkad, Rings of Power, Evil, and George R.R. Martin
I have noted before that The Rings of Power has attracted its unfortunate share of culture war obsessives. Essentially, for a certain type of individual, railing on about the Wokery of Modern Media is a means of making themselves a online livelihood. Clicks and views and advertising revenue, and all ...12 hours ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #37
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Yesterday, I ruminated about the effects of being a political follower.And, within politics, David Seymour was smart enough on Friday to divert attention from “race blind” policies [what about gender blind I thought - thinking of maternity wards] and cutting school lunches by throwing meat to the media. Teachers were ...1 day ago - A warm embrace
Far, far away from here lives our King. Some of his subjects can be quite the forelock tuggers, but plenty of us are not like that, and why don't I wheel out my favourite old story once more about Kiwi soldiers in the North African desert?Field Marshal Montgomery takes offence ...1 day ago - Literal clowns are running the place, we must put a timeout on this stupidity… right Aotearoa?
These people are inept on every level. They’re inept to the detriment of our internal politics, cohesion and increasingly our international reputation. And they are reveling in the fact they are getting away with it. We cannot even have “respectful debate” with a government that clearly rejects the very ...2 days ago - Fact brief – Does manmade CO2 have any detectable fingerprint?
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- Judge Not.
2 days ago - Managed Democracy: Letting The People Decide, But Only When They Can Be Relied Upon To Give the Righ...
Uh-uh! Not So Fast, Citizens! The power to initiate systemic change remains where it has always been in New Zealand’s representative democracy – in Parliament. To order a binding referendum, the House of Representatives must first to be persuaded that, on the question proposed, sharing its decision-making power with the people ...2 days ago
- Looking For Labour’s Vital Signs.
Flatlining: With no evidence of a genuine policy disruptor at work in Labour’s ranks, New Zealand’s wealthiest citizens can sleep easy.PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN has walked a picket-line. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has threatened “price-gauging” grocery retailers with price control. The Democratic Party’s 2024 platform situates it well to the left of Sir ...2 days ago
- Forty Years Of Remembering To Forget.
The Beginning of the End: Rogernomics became the short-hand descriptor for all the radical changes that swept away New Zealand’s social-democratic economy and society between 1984 and 1990. In the bitterest of ironies, those changes were introduced by the very same party which had entrenched New Zealand social-democracy 50 years earlier. ...2 days ago
- Kōrero Mai – Speak to Me.
Good morning all you lovely people. 🙂I woke up this morning, and it felt a bit like the last day of school. You might recall from earlier in the week that I’m heading home to Rotorua to see an old friend who doesn’t have much time. A sad journey, but ...2 days ago - Winning ways
2 days ago - 48 seconds on a plan that would reverberate for a million years
Despite fears that Trump presidency would be disastrous for progress on climate change, the topic barely rated a mention in the Presidential debate. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey ...2 days ago
- Using blunt instruments and magical thinking to ignore evidence of harm
The abrupt cancellations and suspensions of Government spending also caused private sector hiring, spending, and investment to freeze up for the first six months of the year. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāThis week we learned:The new National/ACT/NZ First Coalition Government ignored advice from Treasury that it didn’t have to ...2 days ago - Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power Episode 5 (Seaso...
Another week of The Rings of Power, season two, and another confirmation that things are definitely coming together for the show. The fifth Episode of season one represented the nadir of the series. Now? Amid the firmer footing of 2024, Episode Five represents further a further step towards excellent Tolkien ...3 days ago - In Open Seas; A Book
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The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the climate implications of the US Presidential elections; and special guests Janet ...3 days ago
- Do or do not. There is no try
1. Upon receiving evidence that school lunches were doing a marvellous job of improving outcomes for students, David Seymour did what?a. Declared we need much more of this sort of good news and poured extra resources and funding into them b. Emailed Atlas network to ask what to do next c. Cut ...3 days ago - Dangerous ground
The Waitangi Tribunal has reported back on National's proposed changes to gut the Marine and Coastal Area Act and steal the foreshore and seabed for its greedy fishing-industry donors, and declared it to be another huge violation of ti Tiriti: The Waitangi Tribunal has found government changes to the ...3 days ago - Climate Change: National wants to cheat on Paris
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- Treasury warned Govt lower debt limits meant less ‘productivity-enhancing investment’
3 days ago - Is the Media Complicit?
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I liked what Kieran McAnulty had to say about the Treaty Principles bill this morning so much I've written it down and copied it out for you. He was saying that rather than let this piece of ordure spend six months in Select Committee, the Prime Minister could stop making such ...4 days ago - A government-funded hate campaign
Cabinet discussed National's constitutionally and historically illiterate "Treaty Principles Bill" this week, and decided to push on with it. The bill will apparently receive a full six month select committee process - unlike practically every other policy this government has pushed, and despite the fact that if the government is ...4 days ago
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- Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable
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- Voters love this climate policy they’ve never heard of
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- ACC wants to administer inflation at more than double the RBNZ’s target rate
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4 days ago - Treaty Bill “a political stunt”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appears to have given ACT Leader David Seymour more than he has been admitting in the proposals to go forward with a Treaty Principles Bill.All along, Luxon has maintained that the Government is proceeding with the Bill to honour the coalition agreement.But that is quite specific.It ...4 days ago
- An average 219 NZers migrated each day in July
Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, September 11:Annual migration of New Zealanders rose to a record-high 80,963 in the year to the end of July, which is more than double its pre-Covid levels.Two ...5 days ago - What you’re wanting to win more than anything is The Narrative
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Synopsis: Today - we explore two different realities. One where National lost. And another - which is the one we are living with here. Note: the footnote on increased fees/taxes may be of interest to some readers.Article open.Subscribe nowIt’s an alternate timeline.Yesterday as news broke that the central North Island ...5 days ago - Member’s Day
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- Never Enough
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- Why is God Obsessed with Spanking?
Hi,If you’ve read Webworm for a while, you’ll be aware that I’ve spent a lot of time writing about horrific, corrupt megachurches and the shitty men who lead them.And in all of this writing, I think some people have this idea that I hate Christians or Christianity. As I explain ...5 days ago - Inside the public service
In 2023, there were 63,117 full-time public servants earning, on average, $97,200 a year each. All up, that is a cost to the Government of $6.1 billion a year. It’s little wonder, then, that the public service has become a political whipping boy castigated by the Prime Minister and members ...5 days ago
- New Models Show Stronger Atlantic Hurricanes, and More of Them
This is a re-post from This is Not Cool Here’s an example of some of the best kind of climate reporting, especially in that it relates to impacts that will directly affect the audience. WFLA in Tampa conducted a study in collaboration with the Department of Energy, analyzing trends in ...6 days ago
- Where ever do they find these people?
A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, is how Winston Churchill described the Soviet Union in 1939. How might the great man have described the 2024 government of New Zealand, do we think? I can't imagine he would have thought them all that mysterious or enigmatic. I think ...6 days ago - Motorway madness
How mad is National's obsession with roads? One of their pet projects - a truck highway to Whangārei - is going to eat 10% of our total infrastructure budget for the next 25 years: Official advice from the Infrastructure Commission shows the government could be set to spend 10 ...6 days ago
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Ever since Wayne Brown became mayor (nearly two years ago now) he’s been wanting to progress an “integrated transport plan” with the government – which sounded a lot like the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) with just a different name. It seems like a fair bit of work progressed ...6 days ago
- Thou Shalt Not Steal
And they taught usWhoa-oh, black woman, thou shalt not stealI said, hey, yeah, black man, thou shalt not stealWe're gonna civilise your black barbaric livesAnd we teach you how to kneelBut your history couldn't hide the genocideThe hypocrisy to us was realFor your Jesus said you're supposed to giveThe oppressed ...6 days ago - How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a ...6 days ago
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Chris Bishop has enthusiastically dubbed himself and Simeon Brown “the Infra Boys”, but they need to take note of the sums around their roading dreams. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, September ...6 days ago - Media Link: “AVFA” on the politics of desperation.
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Just over two years ago, when worries about immediate mass-death from covid had waned, and people started to talk about covid becoming "endemic", I asked various government agencies what work they'd done on the costs of that - and particularly, on the cost of Long Covid. The answer was that ...7 days ago
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For paid subscribers“Aotearoa is not as malleable as they think,” Lynette wrote last week on Homage to Simeon Brown:In my heart/mind, that phrase ricocheted over the next days, translating out to “We are not so malleable.”It gave me comfort. I always felt that we were given an advantage in New ...7 days ago - Unstoppable Minister McKee
All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this townI'll do it 'til the sun goes downAnd all through the nighttimeOh, yeahOh, yeah, I'll tell you what you wanna hearLeave my sunglasses on while I shed a tearIt's never the right timeYeah, yeahSong by SiaLast night there was a ...1 week ago - Could outdoor dining revitalise Queen Street?
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Hipkins says when considering tax settings and the size of government, the big question mark is over what happens with the balance between the size of the working-age population and the growing number of Kiwis over the age of 65. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s ...1 week ago - Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)
Hi,One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you. The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments ...1 week ago - Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous
A delay in reappointing a top civil servant may indicate a growing nervousness within the National Party about the potential consequences of David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Dave Samuels is waiting for reappointment as the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, but POLITIK understands that what should have been a ...1 week ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36
A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 1, 2024 thru Sat, September 7, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is about how peopele are not born stupid but can be fooled ...1 week ago
- Time for a Change
You act as thoughYou are a blind manWho's crying, crying 'boutAll the virgins that are dyingIn your habitual dreams, you knowSeems you need more sleepBut like a parrot in a flaming treeI know it's pretty hard to seeI'm beginning to wonderIf it's time for a changeSong: Phil JuddThe next line ...1 week ago - Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Six.
The “double shocks” in post Cold War international affairs. The end of the Cold War fundamentally altered the global geostrategic context. In particular, the end of the nuclear “balance of terror” between the USA and USSR, coupled with the relaxation … Continue reading ...1 week ago
- Buried deep
Here's a bike on Manchester St, Feilding. I took this photo on Friday night after a very nice dinner at the very nice Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, on Manchester Street.I thought to myself, Manchester Street? Bicycle? This could be the very spot.To recap from an earlier edition: on a February night ...1 week ago - Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies, Excerpt Five.
Military politics as a distinct “partial regime.” Notwithstanding their peripheral status, national defense offers the raison d’être of the combat function, which their relative vulnerability makes apparent, so military forces in small peripheral democracies must be very conscious of events … Continue reading ...1 week ago
- Leadership for Dummies
If you’re going somewhere, do you maybe take a bit of an interest in the place? Read up a bit on the history, current events, places to see - that sort of thing? Presumably, if you’re taking a trip somewhere, it’s for a reason. But what if you’re going somewhere ...1 week ago - Home again
1 week ago - Dead even tie for hottest August ever
Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...1 week ago
- Release: Māori business not a priority for this Govt
Scrapping the Progressive Procurement programme designed to support and grow Māori businesses is a missed opportunity. ...20 hours ago - Release: March 15 inquiry grants cut by Government
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has cut grants helping overseas family of victims to attend the next phase of the Coronial Inquiry into the 15 March 2019 Christchurch Masjidain Attack. ...20 hours ago
- Minister of Injustice seeks to Entrench largest land confiscation in History
The Waitangi Tribunal has released an Urgent Report on the Government’s proposed amendments to the Takutai Moana Act 2011. The report calls out Paul Goldsmith’s proposal for what it is: a “gross breach of the Treaty” and an “illegitimate exercise of kāwanatanga”. The Tribunal is recommending the Crown step down ...3 days ago
- Takutai Moana changes another assault on Te Tiriti
The Government must abandon its Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act interventions after the Waitangi Tribunal found it was committing gross breaches of the Treaty. ...3 days ago - Greens call on Govt to leave Te Reo in schools alone
As Te Wiki o te Reo Māori approaches, the Government is considering deprioritising teaching Te Reo Māori in our schools. ...3 days ago
- Govt cannot ignore racism
The Government’s directive to the public service to ignore race is nothing more than a dog whistle and distraction from the structural racism we need to address. ...3 days ago
- Release: Lemauga Lydia Sosene to take medical leave
Labour’s Mangere MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will shortly take medical leave. ...3 days ago
- Potential intelligence sharing with Israel must be investigated
Concerns have been raised that our spy arrangements may mean that intelligence is being shared between Aotearoa and Israel. An urgent inquiry must be launched in response to this. ...4 days ago
- Release: Charter schools undermine our education system
The Government is taking a wrecking ball to our public education system by reinstating charter schools. ...4 days ago
- Youngest MP to travel to Canada to accept Politician of the Year Award
Aotearoa’s Youngest Member of Parliament, and Te Pāti Māori MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, will travel to Montreal to accept the One Young World Politician of the Year Award next week. The One Young World Politician of the Year Award was created in 2018 to recognise the most promising young politicians between ...4 days ago
- Greens celebrate huge step forward for ADHD community
The Greens welcome today’s long-coming announcement by Pharmac of consultation to remove the special authority renewal criteria for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and modafinil and to fund lisdexamfetamine. ...4 days ago
- Release: Millions to be spent dividing NZ for no reason
The National Party is wasting millions of dollars allowing David Seymour’s Treaty Principals Bill to be drafted and go to Select Committee. ...4 days ago
- Release: New Zealanders departing our shores at a record rate
The Migration figures released by Stats NZ today show National is continuing to drive Kiwis away from New Zealand in record numbers. ...4 days ago
- Te Tai Tokerau MP Slams Govt Overreach in Scrapping Māori Wards
Mema Paremata for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, has reflected on the decisions made by the councils of the North amidst the government’s push to remove Māori Wards and weaken mana whenua representation. “Actions taken by the Kaipara District Council to remove Māori Wards are the embodiment of the eradication ...4 days ago
- Govt already seeking advice on Treaty referendum
On one hand, the Prime Minister has assured Aotearoa that his party will not support the Treaty Principles Bill beyond first reading, but on the other, his Government has already sought advice on holding a referendum on our founding document. ...5 days ago
- Release: Aged care will be worse off if redesign rushed
New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care. ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...5 days ago
- Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction
Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. ...6 days ago
- Ngarewa-Packer devastated for Ruapehu following WPI closure
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...6 days ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...7 days ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...7 days ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 week ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 week ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...1 week ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...2 weeks ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...2 weeks ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...2 weeks ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...2 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party pays respects to Kiingi Tuuheitia
The Green Party is paying tribute to the Māori King, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero XVII, after he passed away earlier this morning. ...2 weeks ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...2 hours ago - Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...16 hours ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...17 hours ago
- Draft critical minerals list released for consultation
A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...19 hours ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...1 day ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...2 days ago
- Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...3 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...3 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...4 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...4 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...4 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...4 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...4 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...4 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...4 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...4 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...5 days ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...5 days ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...5 days ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...5 days ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...5 days ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...5 days ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...5 days ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...6 days ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...6 days ago
- Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test
More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...6 days ago
- Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction
Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...6 days ago
- Māori Education Advisory Group established
The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...6 days ago
- Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review
The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...6 days ago
- First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...6 days ago
- Have your say on suicide prevention
Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...6 days ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...7 days ago
- Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...7 days ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...7 days ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...1 week ago
- Passport wait times back on-track
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...1 week ago
- New appointments to the FMA board
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...1 week ago
- District Court judges appointed
Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...1 week ago
- Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...1 week ago
- New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender
New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...2 weeks ago
- NZ could have 58,000 fewer electric cars by 2035 due to weaker carbon emissions standards
The drop will lead to two megatonnes more emissions in the next decade, clean car lobby group says. ...43 mins ago - High-speed rail plans may finally end Australia’s 40-year wait to get on board
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philip Laird, Honorary Principal Fellow, University of Wollongong Japan has had high-speed rail since 1964. Blanscape/Shutterstock Australia has debated and studied high-speed rail for four decades. The High Speed Rail Authority has begun work on a project that could finally deliver some ...1 hour ago - More rooftop solar in cities would help solve NZ’s energy crisis – and build disaster resilience
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Priscila Besen, Lecturer in Sustainable Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images New Zealad’s current electricity supply crisis requires immediate solutions. But we argue the government’s emphasis on importing natural gas and construction of centralised solar farms is a missed ...1 hour ago
- The best way to regulate AI might be not to specifically regulate AI. This is why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen King, Professor of Economics, Monash University The new wave of artificial intelligence – so-called AI – is bringing with it promises as well as threats. By assisting workers, it can raise productivity and boost real wages. By making use of ...1 hour ago
- What is a trained clown and what does the training look like?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna-Sophie Jürgens, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication (Pop Culture Studies), Australian National University Where do clowns come from? In popular culture, they may come from alien worlds, such as Killer Klowns from Outer Space, peer out from drains like Pennywise from Stephen ...1 hour ago
- Contract law changes: Simplifying or complicating?
A major union and a big business group are at odds over whether planned changes to employment law will simplify or complicate matters. ...2 hours ago
- Who will miss Auckland Transport the most if it goes? The most anti-AT councillors
A bill aimed at getting rid of AT might go before parliament. No one will miss AT more than the local politicians who use it as an easy blame sponge. Auckland Transport staffers pretended to take notes as the councillor lectured them about buses. Their organisation had approved a plan ...2 hours ago - Firearms Minister Nicole McKee won’t rule out trying to bring back banned guns
Nicole McKee won't promise not to re-introduce banned semi-automatics, saying instead she's committed to listening to stakeholders. ...3 hours ago
- Cancer can’t stop woman of Steele
Watching the legendary Ironman New Zealand event in Taupō earlier this year, Harriet Steele had her first “big wobble”.She’d coped with a shock breast cancer diagnosis in January, followed by an emergency mastectomy and chemotherapy getting underway. But being sidelined at an Ironman event, watching her partner compete, was almost ...4 hours ago - Taiwan on a mission to win hearts and minds at ‘critical moment’
Polite but frank diplomat Joanne Ou speaks about her hope of a better future for Taiwan and offers a warning from the frontlines The post Taiwan on a mission to win hearts and minds at ‘critical moment’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- No one ends up in Waiau Pa by accident
No one ends up in Waiau Pa by accident. A small dot on the edge of South Auckland near the coast. A town you’ll never pass through unless you come to stay, or to fish, or to come back to after a long time away, having grown and expanded while ...4 hours ago
- Justice ministry battles leaks and ministers over Treaty bill
Officials from other agencies can only look at hard copies of Cabinet papers on the Treaty Principles Bill in an effort to prevent new leaks The post Justice ministry battles leaks and ministers over Treaty bill appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Has David Seymour ‘saved’ school lunches – or enshittified them?
The Act leader’s scheme to cut spending on the free school lunch programme not only subtly shift costs from central government to schools, it also risks damaging the very thing that makes the programme work, writes Max Rashbrooke. You mightn’t think that giving kids free lunches would be “one of ...6 hours ago
- ‘It was quite baffling’: Police call driver on motorway to say ‘stop using your phone’
A roadside police officer spotted a driver allegedly on his phone – so searched his number plate, found his details and called him up. Stewart Sowman-Lund has the details in this special report for The Bulletin. An Auckland motorist was surprised to receive a phone call from a police officer ...6 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 16 September
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 16 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
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Opinion: The dog is being whistled to and it hears ‘race’ and ‘Māori’ loud and clear The post Coalition policies are not about ‘needs’ or ‘race’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
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Opinion: New Zealand has a reputation as a country of innovators, outside-the-box thinkers with a can-do approach to tackling big problems. Yet that reputation belies a huge (and growing) hole in funding for research, science and innovation. On a global scale, our investment in R&D pales woefully in comparison to ...6 hours ago
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Three decades after the historic Sealord fisheries deal – the grand-daddy of all Treaty settlements – the Govt faces paying compensation for unstitching it by stealth The post ‘Regrettable’: Judge sends shot across bow of fisheries minister appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
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Grocery Duopoly. Have to say I was never optimistic with ComCom and the appointment of Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden.
It all seemed…just a hand wave at the problem. Which was never going to be willingly sorted by the Duopolists ! 2 Years back…
And…QED.
More vague hand waving….
FFS get real! The Grocery Duopoly could give a fuck about fines…they are reaping a $million plus a day ! They are not giving that up…
Something needs to happen in real terms. I did last year raise that Labour/Green could have done something much more about it ? IMO would have resonated with Voters. Meh.
Anyway….Grocery Action Group chair Sue Chetwin (who I rate)
And..Aye. Those Grocery Duopolists foodstuff and woolworths with their fake as fuck Carewashing , will have to be led kicking and screaming or..just bypass them.
Competition, Now !
The supermarket duopoly dominance was created by the ComCom with the approval of the takeover of Foodtown by Woolworths.
In Banking it approved the ANZ taking over both Postbank and the National Bank, it also approved National Australia Bank (which operated a distinct presence in NZ) taking over the BNZ.
While in Hardware, the Com Com didn't even bother to consider the Fletcher Building Takeover of Tasman building products,….
In Fuel, it approved the takeover of Caltex by Z.
Often the argument is used that we have to pay international market prices for our food in New Zealand. Presumably as the result of trade agreements.
I would like to know how true this is and what impact this really has, if any.
When the local dairy can buy items cheaper from the supermarket than directly from the manufacturer then this hardly seems true. Clearly the supermarket is paying less.
Many supplier contracts pay a fixed price in advance with produce not needed to be destroyed or not picked and left on trees i.e. can't be sold elsewhere. So supply can be up but not allowed to be put into the market place so the usual rules of supply and demand are interfered with (just like the diamond cartels do). How much surplus food is never allowed to reach the supermarkets in the first place?
I love our supermarket system. It is a place where even the poorest people can purchase a vast array of quality food and groceries at very reasonable prices.
The real problem to me anyway is the stagering rental and house prices which have gone up 100%-200% in just 7 years. Nothing else compares. You need to be earning a minimum 100k p/a to get an 80% mortgage (unless you have boarders) or some other scheme. While $500 p/wfor a 2 bed flat is just normal.
For me Supermarkets with the warehouse and subsidised DR visits. freeview TV, internet , libraries, op shops markets and cheap public transport are life saving.
Please don't change one of our only real places of joy our supermarkets..
WTF? Did you even read my comment? And the Links? troll on….
Calling some one a troll is so childish, I read your comments. You have offered nothing new. Heard it all before years ago and have my own take.. You seem to be so angry that any one would have another view on life. You poor sensitive soul, And yes I love our supermarkets and am looking forward to another wonderful supermarket visit this afternoon,
Do remember to give thanks to your redeemer that you can afford the prices and don't have to queue up at Zilch every afternoon like many who can't afford the prices have to do.
I think about that every time I have another "wonderful" supermarket visit. Do you?
Well said Koina. Until eye gouging in the rental market is outlawed, a few cents that might be saved in a supermarket enquiry is just pretense of "doing something". Food would be easily afforded if housing as an investment were made to pay the social costs that wreck nz society.
We are witnessing with this government, the serious degrading of health and infrastructure that the rerouting of public money to landlords entails. As expected, there has been no movement down in rental prices. Its a very sick joke.
Lol, really? "Koina" who enjoys NZ's wonderful supermarket pricing….could just as easily have started a comment themselves about…Rentals,Housing, Health, etc, etc. Its not like I havent already made many comments about same and with supporting Links. : )
Given the cartel, maybe a windfall profits tax of 5% (thus a 33% total).
And use the money to support regulation, competition and growers.
The outrageous profits the Grocery Duopoly/(Cartel !) make…..we need some major pushback.
Grocery…
insiderCommissioner notwithstanding…..How did we in the West get to this place where criticism of an ongoing Israeli genocide can lead to terrorism charges:
Well, history I guess. We prefer to forget it along the same old colonialist Atlas Dave lines. From AlbertoToscano in a piece titled Genocide and the English Language:
It's not hard to argue that the "drift to war" is the logic behind the US unconditional support of Israel since no moral argument can any longer stand up. From Caitlin Johnstone
Which brings us back to some final words from Alberto:
One could note these two issues during the Trump presidency
1.an embasssy in Jerusalem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_recognition_of_Jerusalem_as_capital_of_Israel
2.and while not recognising the annexation of Crimea, recognition of the annexation of the Golan Heights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_recognition_of_the_Golan_Heights_as_part_of_Israel
(walked back a little by the Biden presidency).
Oh great. The proposition that unconditional support of a genocide is the lesser evil. Precisely the sort of statement that the above post is aimed at.
The GOP position is notably the more extreme.
A GOP POTUS would be even less inclined to try and moderate Netanyahu.
1.Most of the West did not support either of the two measures.
2.The EU has offered to work with the PA to manage the Rafah crossing – to ease the IDF out of Gaza.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/us-readies-last-ceasefire-push-benjamin-netanyahu-digs-in-on-border-demands/XMLLPXSYPVFL5G47JCEWICQFFI/
This is farce. There is no "less inclined" than unconditional support. If genocide is acceptable then there are no red lines and the only takeaway, in the immortal words of Madelaine Albright is that we think the slaughter of children is "worth it"
It depends how you define unconditional support and genocide.
It can be called too much support for the continuance of war crimes, but it could still get worse or have been worse.
14 children under 10 died on Oct 7 2023.
Good point. And 2,100+ infants and toddlers under 2 have died since then, despite the IDF doing its level best to minimise civilian casualties.
Israel and its occupied territories would be safer without Hamas, and the Gaza Strip would be safer without Netanyahu and IDF munitions.
For the sake of children in Gaza, pray that Netanyahu gets his 'win' soon.
If Benjamin Netanyahu didn't end the war after killing the previous head of Hamas.
Do you really believe Krammy, that Netanyahu will end the war after killing the current head of Hamas?
If you believe that, then I have a bridge in London I can sell you.
For the sake of the children of Gaza, pray that Netanyahu is ousted from office. So that a ceasefire deal can be concluded.
No Jenny – even the implausible total elimination of 'Hamas' would just be the start. Let's hope saner heads prevail soon, or at least eventually.
The saner heads were over ruled.
This, from the 'Times Of Israel'
Let's hope saner heads prevail soon, or at least eventually.
Saner heads risk getting chopped off.
By coming out publicly as Hamas chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya risks the fate of Hamas previous chief negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh.
Nothing signals refusal to negotiate quite like killing the other side's chief negotiator.
<
p style=”text-align:center”>Hope>
If
I must die
You must live\
To tell my tale
To sell my things
To buy some cloth
And some strings
Make it white with a long tail
So that some child, somewhere in Gaza
While looking heaven in the eye, awaiting his Dad
Who left in a Blaze, never saying goodbye
Not even to himself, not even to his flesh
Sees my kite, the kite you made, up above
Thinks, just for a moment,
That it is an angel
Bringing back love
If I must die
Let it bring
Hope
I think Netanyahu is stretching things out til the Nov US elections before making any firm promises internationally. With Trump in, Netanyahu will get carte blanche.
Let's hope saner heads prevail soon, or at least eventually.
The western media agonizes about the dead hostages who are named as victims of horrific acts. Scarcely mentions the thousands of innocent children also killed who are just nameless casualties of war.
Some families may have been killed by the IDF on Oct 7, although Hamas did kill other children.
Sort of, they were places where hostages were taken by the "combatants" and civilians of various families died (in that case two 12 year olds).
The "proscription" appears to have been the lead to a restriction on arms sales to the IDF.
So the public perceive there to be a "balanced" position.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2np2l5mlko
Dear old Barely Sober uses his NZME platform to scribble something about Luxon's first year, or that's what you might think. In fact, he used his crayons to do three things:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/its-been-one-hell-of-a-year-for-christopher-luxon-barry-soper/XMAJBMF5LBHTPNI443F6RIPAZQ/
They must be taking pity on the doddery old fool. If you are unfortunate enough to hear the misogynistic ramblings on his wife's right wing radio show, there's multiple signs of approaching dementia; forgetfulness, stumbling, frustration and temper.
She needs to pull him off the air to protect him from the public.
A crusty old, barely intelligible piece of Mainland cheese long past its used-by date!
It still gets right up my nose that the Nats claim the economy was in a mess when in fact they inherited an economy with excellent ratings from Fitch, Standard an Poor's and Moody's
This has to be repeated ad infinitum.
It is true that if you tell a big lie often enough it becomes the truth. The Nats talked down the economy so much that it became in effect a self fulfilling prophecy.
True Mike….and as I said in a post the other day Luxon may have miscalculated here as by 2026 the economy will still look listless.
Why?
.
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden will withhold findings from the first phase of the Royal Commission into the Covid-19 response for many months after she receives it in November.
It is possible that the report, written by epidemiologist Tony Blakely, economist John Whitehead and litigator Grant Illingworth KC, may even be kept private by the minister until the second phase reports back in February 2026.
The revelation has prompted outrage from Labour Party leader and former Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, who said it was “unprecedented” and “a flagrant violation of the law”
https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/09/04/minister-to-sit-on-covid-royal-commission-report-for-months/
It probably says labour did a good job.
And/or it will say that National were a most unhelpful opposition in a time of pandemic.
Like Boris Johnson…. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/504096/former-uk-pm-boris-johnson-says-he-vastly-underestimated-covid-dangers
Note that the British get to hear the results of an enquiry there!
Here's what the NYT said of the report. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/uk-covid-pandemic-inquiry-report.html
To be fair, the Nats first wanted a bipartisan approach to the Covid response, but were turned down by the coalition government at the time, no reason given.
Too many decisions in too short a timeframe, I presume, or maybe Winston threw a tanty?
The Nats and NZF loved it later, though, when they could harvest anti-Ardern and anti covid-response feeling in their election campaigns.
Were they though – turned down? I can’t remember.
I remember reading about it at the time, enough to hmm? And file it away in my brain. If the government of the day HAD taken a bi-partisan approach to decision-making, we would have had Nats on that daily briefing podium too.
There WAS a whole-of-government approach to legislation. Which is what popped up in my search for a ref. I couldn't be faffed searching more extensively on my phone for what I remember as one sentence or two in an article. So you can choose if you believe it or not. I do have a good memory for the printed word.
Sorry, …whole-of-legislature, non-partisan….
Govt/oppo MPs singing from the same Covid response hymn sheet would have been good – perhaps irreconcilable (political) priorities got in the way?
Err….because they did do a good job…one of the best worldwide.
And off to the Ombudsman we go.
King Tuheitia's youngest child and only daughter.
@WaikatoOz
Our new Māori Queen Kuini Ngawai Hono I Te Po
https://x.com/WaikatoOz/status/1831453851540713609
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/who-new-m%C4%81ori-queen
A unanimous decision apparently. Kotahitanga
I was hoping that would happen. A commendable choice. Long and successfully may she reign.
What started as a very sad week has turned into a wonderful week of celebration where the vibrant Maori culture and language has dominated the airwaves.
Best of all l've lost track of the number of comments that have begun this week with something like "given the current anti Maori climate propagated by Seymour….".
Shame on Seymour and shame on Luxon for not standing up to him.
ACT< Seymour, Gibbs and the Atlas Group are on another Planet IMHO.
If Jo Biden was going to raise taxes, why can’t we??
Rhetorical question.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-will-kamala-harris-do-about?r=aax0&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true