It is going to be interesting to see if the anti-abortion crowd have any clout or if they'll be exposed like the gun lobby as full of humbug and hot air. I am picking the government will find surprisingly little resistance to the law reforms it is proposing.
Right to life. Life doesn't get a choice of whom talks for it! really. What would life say when the foetal whisper asks them? When the mother knows best, the lifers who neither ask for, explain how, or expect debate upon the issue, are told by the baby whisper, the mum that abortion is best. Are they really lifers, when choosers say without prodding, that abortion being a medical procedure should not be over used, that choosers are antilife. Mums die giving birth, mums have to live with the reality of aborting or not. Yes, not abort can be a fatal choice too. So what are we to do when bottom of the cliff ambulance chasers declare they are the only unborn whispers. Miscarriages, caused by industrualization, abort by big corp? Or driving accidents? Sure a women can have god abort, the local drunk, or big industry, but not the choice themselves despite the plain fact that they will live with decision, not the prolifer sic. A senior exec, a drunk, hell even the nonexistent god all are more culpable to their statements that the prolifer who cuts and runs at all the deaths from pregnancy, all the disasters of choosing to keep the baby. The question therefore really do you believe infreed will, that an inalienable right to choose, exists. Or that we free people's should favor religion. Lifers are pro life, they aren't even proliberty, or God. It's just a disgusting display of vanity being better people. Nobody wants an abortion, that the lie they push.
so what is it: conscious vote or referendum? Would have thought Jacinda and co sorted this out before calling a media conference. Or is that mere detail?
David Seymour of all people show Jacinda Ardern and Labour what standing up to China looks like, as it turns out that Labours pragmatism also extend to allowing the Chinese dictatorship to encourage violence on our own shores in the name of protecting the almighty dollar and business…guttless fucking liberals.
'China Consulate praises 'patriotism' of students in Auckland' Universityscufflehttps://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/08/china-consulate-praises-patriotism-of-students-in-auckland-university-scuffle.html
One can only imagine the shit hitting the fan on this site if this had happened under Nationals watch…or the moral outrage if this had been Russia or the US encouraging this violence vis a vie Putin/Trump..disappointing but not unexpected at how fluid some peoples moral and ethical positions are.
What a stupid wrongheaded piece of logic..if one extrapolates your position, you are saying that any citizen who is not in a position of power of some sort or another is a nobody and I assume shouldn't be heard.
@Sacha, So to be clear, you are fine with the Chinese dictatorship encouraging violence on New Zealand soil?
So I assume then you would just as fine if it where Putin or Trump encouraging violence on New Zealand soil..or is it just OK if we have X amount of trade with the country in question?
If this is the case, how much trade does a country have to do with New Zealand before it's OK with you and Labour NZ to allow this state sanctioned violence…give us a number, an amount you think if fair for us to sell our morals and dignity…I am interested to know that dollar value you think your (and NZ's) morals and ethical values are worth selling for on the open market of free trade?
When real judges judge based on assumptions we know justice is not going to be served (well).
The same applies to our own judgements and ‘natural justice’ and we need to be careful with our assumptions, opinions, prejudices, and the likes, before we jump to conclusions IMHO.
There's the problem, right there. It's a common problem and those who practice "assuming" usually can't see what they've done, even when it's pointed out to them. See, walk and chew!
There's nothing wrong with the logic. Seymour is standing up to China now he's an opposition MP and the NZ government can't be held responsible for his statements. When he was part of the government and the NZ government therefore could be held responsible for his statements, he behaved differently – rather like the government is behaving now, for example.
OK so we agree, both Labour and National and their proxies place higher value on uninterrupted trade and commerce than they do on standing up for any kind of supposed moral or ethical position that most New Zealanders would probably expect a sitting government to defend and stand for as sovereign nation.
As suggested earlier, typical liberal behaviour…always profits before people, both the ideology of National and sadly our own spineless useless third way Labour party, no wonder they are polling so badly.
What stupidity. Diplomacy is not all about public sabre-rattling – often more can be achieved by polite, private, but firm, discussions. This is not an issue that I would any New Zealand government to be publicly involved in. New Zealand's position regarding Hong Kong is undoubtedly known to China.
Are you saying that standing up to China who have publicly supported the assault of a protester on New Zealand soil is saber rattling?
I would say that China are the ones who are openly saber rattling, and bulling,obviously testing this weak government on it's resolve…but for some bizarre reason most Labour sycophants here seems to think that is quite OK?
What a bunch of arselickers…grow some fucking backbone for crying out loud.
I'm curious, if we are willing to turn a blind eye to State endorsed violence being perpetrated upon foreign born visitors/residents in New Zealand at what point would we intervene.
I seem to recall some New Zealand citizens on TS being really really really upset at the thought of the Russian State supposedly targeting Russians in the UK..maybe we should clarify the rules with the Chinese ..a bit of niggle, a bit of biff, thats okay..but you know, keep it seemly pretty please..
Meantime I would imagine the female victim of this State endorsed violence is shit scared of returning to Hong Kong….then again I'm not sure anywhere is safe..
Every New Zealand government of any stripe is basically a Kakapo when it comes to China – it's only natural defense mechanism is to freeze in place when scared.
I don't think so – there was Lange and anti-nuclear standing up to the US and Australia straight and strong.. plus Kirk facing down the French with two frigates. Plus Clark refusing to join the 'coalition of the aggressive'. It seems Jacinda is a rung or two below these previous strong Labour leaders. (Nat leaders don't come close of course)
We are not that small and powerless you know.. we command a place on the globe and have influence…
and we need to stand up when required, like we have done in the past.
China takes half our exports and props up our housing market as well by providing most of the people in the new fifth column that keeps the housing ponzi spluttering along.
Upsetting them will take a lot of balls and an existential threat.
I haven't tried to influence the GP since winning the battle against the leftists on the waka-jumping legislation. Since I've won every major battle against groupthink that I've undertaken in the Greens, your misread doesn't bother me.
Okay there's the leftist alignment still in place, but since I've already owned up to convincing the GP to adopt it back when it was actually necessary (several times here), I just have to wear the karmic consequence until the Greens decide to retreat from isolation…
""We're likening our response to climate change as our response to Te Korokoro o te Parata, to move beyond that challenge and survive," says Te Arawa Lakes Trust Environmental Manager Nicki Douglas."
The legal threat and the big opportunity in Māori engagement on climate change response
In the clip on that page he says "these sinister ideologies must be defeated". Better late than never. I look forward to all the commentators here who have in the past called him a racist white supremacist (while consistently providing no proof of that) apologising in unison for getting it wrong. What? Really? You mean they'll keep on denying the facts?
James will be busy composing his explanation as to why Sarah Dowie isn't to be investigated/charged with inciting a person to self-harm. Coz James is very sensitive to cover-ups.
i find it sad how many on here accept accusations as fact (some even after it’s been proven false) if it’s a national member – yet are happy to ignore such a large issue and so many complaints of a serious nature in labour’s office. ‘Not proven mate – we ran another dodgy process – move on – no appeals’
Like the five victims of the other mass sexual assault at a labour youth camp – that is still unproven- but lucky after labour did little the police got involved and now he’s in court in a few weeks.
Lets all hope name suppression isn’t granted if he gets convicted.
Perhaps the police will get involved in this one as well.
[Off topic James. Please deal with this topic in open mike – MS]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
"Lets all hope name suppression isn’t granted" suggests to me you are not interested in the good of an intelligent positive resolution for all involved but a vindictive partisan political outcome.
Same as they did when a man was found running naked down the street claiming rape / sexual assault from Darren Hughes at labour’s deputy leaders house.
I guess you would be ok with that one tho huh?
[Off topic James. Please deal with this topic in open mike – MS]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Radio stations usually have a 'back up track' in case they have to vacate the building for such as a fire alarm. I woke in the night and newstalkZB had the situation. They had a carping, grating track on which had the intellectual level of a child, (at the time any kid should've been in bed though).
I don't know where they got it or if they could their money back for the faulty product. Apparently it was a 'Bruce Russell.'
The level of seriousness of the senior Labour staffer's claimed behaviour would surely have warranted a police investigation but apparently it hasn’t happened.
Then I saw the origins of the story. Newstalk ZB plus Barry Soper and Mike Hosking.
I recall the first stand up interview with P.M.Jacinda Ardern, where Soper tried to throw her off balance. He failed and you could see the anger and hatred written all over his face. It's been there ever since.
If, as I suspect, it is a story which has been distorted for political purposes, then it is incumbent on the party personnel involved to front up with the results.
Indeed, some (the usual) culprits in MSM try to politicise, polarise, and sensationalise this situation. Unfortunately, a few commenters here are trying to do the same thing. Even more unfortunately, it seems to be working and is driving a wedge between good people some of whom are being accused of being an “enabler” of sexual violence. In my view, this does absolutely nothing to deal with the issue of sexual violence.
However, Soper said he'd discovered the man at the centre of the allegations had hired a lawyer who told him "that he is innocent, there was an inquiry, he has nothing to answer for and they warned us to leave this issue alone otherwise they will be suing".
Call their bluff. Make them sue. The whole sad and sorry saga aired in a Court of Law.
I hesitate to refer you to last night's Daily Review and the very long thread under 2 loosely based on an earlier Tova O'Brien Newshub "Exclusive", i.e.
Here are two excerpts from the Newshub report which make me smell a rat:
As far back as August 2018, Labour Party president Nigel Haworth was informed the staffer told a woman she was elected within the party because she "would be nice to sleep with".
He was also told a senior ministerial staffer had warned an alleged victim that if she told anyone about the staffer's behaviour she would be shut-down.
I had a shocking experience back in the early 1990s (and I later realised it had occurred previously) where a malicious woman laid complaints against me to my Public Service bosses (and elsewhere) which caused me to be placed under surveillance and routinely bullied and intimidated. She had twisted and distorted my actions and words to fit a totally false narrative. Her motivation had been in large part political.
This is why I'm deeply suspicious of the extent of the claims being made in this case. But I agree, we will have to wait and see what the outcome is before we can pass firm judgement.
Something sounds fishy alright. Of course even if the issue turns out to be hollow, the damage will already have been done. Can you imagine Soper withdrawing and apologising?
"Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper said that there were 12 alleged complainants and the allegations involved not only sexual assault, but also rape and offers to pay for sex."
I agree we need to wait and see the outcome (If Labour actually release it, which given their "Most open and transparent govt ever" record, is highly unlikely), but it would have to be a pretty massive conspiracy theory if there wasn't some truth to it.
I accept there is likely to be a grain of truth, but the level of seriousness could have been ratcheted up a notch or three to make it appear worse than it was. If so, it was done for political purposes and the journos involved only increase that suspicion.
Example:
The staffer's alleged comment "she would be nice to sleep with". He said something I'm sure, but it could have been in the form of a quip and the actual wording altered.
"There are 12 complaints". The article indicates there were 12 complaints following an incident some time ago; there has been one complaint recently, and four resignations recently – with an implication without any facts that these may possibly be somehow related. Very often complainants will not want any publicity, whatever the results of an enquiry – it is reasonable to expect that privacy of those involved will be protected – (but not to protect the political party or parliamentary services). Being a good employer has obligations; we should not criticise an employer for not bending over backwards to sate our prurient interests. Let us be cautious . . .
You do know that the Labour Party and the Labour-led Government are not the same thing, don’t you? You seem be confused about it all or you are trying to confuse. You see, James also struggled with the distinction between a member of a party and an MP. Sometimes it pays to be a pedant and strive for accuracy …
You would have thought so. The days when women were too frightened to go to the police for fear of being disbelieved are now over. The cops have changed their culture re-rape cases in large part due to Louise Nicholas.
They say they have given up on the Labour Party so why didn't one of them turn to the police? Instead they go running off to the rightest of right wing media. That's what is fishy.
So a woman’s choice to go to the police or not directly links to her credibility according to Anne.
[You put that as an assertion, not as a question, which means that you were making up shit again. However, it is even worse that you did this on a sensitive topic and to a commenter who had shared her personal experience @ 9.3.1 with a work bully in the Public Service who “had twisted and distorted my actions and words to fit a totally false narrative. Her motivation had been in large part political.” That sounds remarkably similar to your behaviour here, certainly over the last couple of days. Take a week off and stop stirring – Incognito]
Ordinary people need to care about what the elites are doing to the planet and its animals, and play our part in protecting and sustaining both. Ane remember if we don't stay aware and take care, we are next. Countries are being bombed almost out of existence, and the people left from the wrecks of their homes, fields, and water sources – where do they go? Stay alert, stay alive, or we will be next. And share some of what we have where there is need. That's the important theme of these days I believe.
RNZ’s Alison Ballance, a zoologist and film maker, has been documenting the highs and lows of kākāpō conservation over 22 podcast episodes. When asked about the value for money spent on trying to save this funny little parrot, she says – “they’re priceless”.
Conservation biologist Rochelle Constantine is another looking for solutions to save species – her speciality is in the marine environment. She has a successful track record of helping with conservation efforts for Brydes whales in the Hauraki Gulf….
DOC categorised the whales as nationally critical, which is when population numbers dip below the 200 mark. “This is the highest listing you can get for a conservation concern.”
When a number of the mammals started washing up dead, Constantine investigated. “When we did a necropsy on them it became pretty apparent that a lot of these whales, up to 84 percent, were dying from ship strike. Clearly large vessels.”…
Constantine says a working group of DOC, local iwi, shipping companies, Ports of Auckland and academics were able to gather, argue freely and reach a solution. International shipping companies agreed to voluntarily slow to a pace of 10 knots when entering the port.
If we try, we may find a solution, and have cause for another high-five. Multiply those, and we have done our best to overcome today’s problems – and be ready for the next!
South Otago mayor supports Hipkin's reforms. From Stuff
Cadogan said many of the other polytechnics had been quite accepting of Thursday's announcement and he would prefer a similar approach from those in the deep south."At the moment we should be working to discuss the positives and what we can do to position us for the future."
He said SIT's strength put it in a strong position when working through the detail of the merger.Rather than fighting it, Cadogan said the focus should centre on working with the Establishment Board for a positive outcome for the lower South Island.
He has applauded Hipkins' "bold" move to restructure what Cadogan said was a broken polytechnic and training institute system.
He said he had watched closely over the past five years as that broken model had delivered 'misery' on Telford, a Balclutha based training campus. First when Telford came under Lincoln University, and then under Taratahi.Telford was granted a lifeline by the SIT this year when the Government agreed for SIT to take over the running of Telford for a year.
Telford and the like must not be allowed to fade away with a lack of concern and proper funding. After all why would people go to university to gain higher specialised learning when there are no jobs in NZ for them when they graduate? If NZ is not interested in being a thriving country of capable people at an advanced level of development drawing on a range of educational disciplines, why should students invest their good money in our education system? It could be that there will be more foreign students than NZ ones the way that National and RW Labour had been driving the higher education system – towards a cliff.
A great documentary on the Maori Channel last night. This is the sort of compulsory viewing that we don't see on 1,2, or 3. And if you watch this you'll see why.
For real journalism, it's necessary to follow the alternative media outlets, many of them online. We are lucky to have Democracy Now! on Freeview, then there areThe Young Turks, The Real News, Consortium News, and others. Some of these are quite long – the latest CN report on youtube being 2.5hrs long, and featuring Kim Dotcom, William Binney, Mike Gravel, and George Szamuely. I know many are turned of by KDC but Binney is a voice of reason and always worth listen to.
Now is the time to build that infrastructure that the evidence shows that we need, so come on government, and keep doing your keep-fit exercises Robertson. We don't want fat, contented finance ministers round here.
Keep Our Assets Canterbury (KOA) will announce it is standing John Minto in a campaign for the Christchurch mayoralty at a media conference to be held
Today Tuesday 6th August, 2pm at WEA (Room 3), 59 Gloucester Street
We have decided to stand John because Christchurch faces unprecedented challenges:
Global warming from greenhouse gas emissions has created a climate catastrophe which threatens us all.
Our precious drinking water is tainted with contaminants and threatened by nitrates.
Deep divisions across the city mean many people struggle on poverty incomes without dignity or self-respect. Housing conditions and social impacts for many are as bad as the 1930s depression
Is the tide ready to turn on US gun control? When even 45 is obliged to express concern the matter is coming to a head. It may be that strategic repeal of legislation defunding research into gun deaths would be a productive step.
With immigration as high as it is, new people will be looking to make some changes on our electoral system where it is moribund. Such as a longer term – 4 years makes sense to me, 5 mmm bit long. But 4 years enables the resident government to probably get good policies through and ticking before the next election.
However, it should be noted that the composition of New Zealand electorates has changed dramatically since then. Particularly in the 1990s, when the changes to immigration policy based on the selection of immigrants based on skills, not country of origin, were introduced in 1986 and 1987, and the proportion of the ethnic migrant population significantly increased.
According to a recent population projection by Statistics NZ, nationally the Asian population will make up 21 percent of the population by 2038 (up from 12 percent in 2013).
Herald online (aka the Hosking Blower) is doing its best to ignore the Labour Stats released today. The lowest unemployment and biggest rise in wages for 10 years since, well since the last Labour government actually.
They also now have an unsubstantiated headline running re another matter but have removed the content, the whole page should be gone instead just the accusation remains.
I am fed up with media thinking they are judge and jury on matters that are not even before police let alone up for judgment.
so wages went up over 4%lat year… great for those who benefited, and teachers were rewarded with no pay increase over the same period, and now they should be thankful for what they Fought tooth and nail to achieve. I gather that given what has just been achieved that teachers, nurses etc will be going backwards in real terms😤
US ramps up the pressure for regime change in Venezuela. The Chinese and Russian reply will be interesting. Am guessing the UN will be its usual spineless self on this.
"On Tuesday Bolton, and US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, represent the United States at the International Conference for Democracy in Venezuela."
Nice of Maduro to be so warm & cozy with Trump by inviting two of his cabinet ministers to come & chat about democracy. I presume he's still struggling to figure out how to do it, and needs high-level explanations from the experts…
Great a change to our drug laws The police at there own discretion can send drugs addicts to get drug rehabilitation.
The problem I have is that this law actually gives the police more power to manipulate these people ie you do this you get to go to a rehab facility if not off to the hinaki jail. Its good that the police are going to target the organized drug sellers ka pai they are poisoning tangata with PEE.
You see whanau they use people like that to try and intimidate me brown people gangster the Hawskbay lot must have a close link to the gangster they are throwing them at me all the time here.
A intelligent person will know that the ORC drop is needed with the trade war going on with Te Papatuanuku 2 biggest economies that could drag Aotearoa economies to a slower growth rates It's not ROCKET SCIENCE.
You have just lost all your credibility looking through your $$ glasses making that statement about trump.
Aziza that is cool a phone with A accessories becomes a computer I gather that the device will be able to cast the phone screen to a big monitor for lectures and large ordinances . ???? One can already do that with a Chrome Cast.or smart TV????????. we need more information on the device
We must protect these beautiful creatures of Tangaroa and stop the trade in shark fins . Humans only live on Papatuanuku for a fraction of time compared to other fantastic creatures of Papatuanuku and Tangaroa we must preserve our whenua land and Tangaroa sea for all creatures not just thinking about WEALTHY humans alone we are all in this environment TOGETHER.
400-year-old Greenland shark is oldest vertebrate animal
This article is more than 2 years old
Shark, which would have reached sexual maturity at around 150 years, sets new record for longevity as biologists finally develop method to determine age
She was born during the reign of James I, was a youngster when René Descartes set out his rules of thought and the great fire of London raged, saw out her adolescent years as George II ascended the throne, reached adulthood around the time that the American revolution kicked off, and lived through two world wars. Living to an estimated age of nearly 400 years, a female Greenland shark has set a new record for longevity, scientists have revealed.
Forget Nessie, now is the time to spot basking sharks in Scottish waters
The discovery places the lifespan of the Greenland shark far ahead of even the oldest elephant in captivity, Lin Wang, who died aged 86. It is also far longer than the official record for humans, held by 122-year-old Frenchwoman
“That indicates that most of our analysed sharks were actually older than the time mark, meaning that they were older than 50 years,” said Nielsen
The scientists then combined the carbon dating results with estimations of how Greenland sharks grow, to create a model that allowed them to probe the age of the 25 sharks born before the 1960s.
Their findings revealed that the largest shark of the group, a female measuring just over five metres in length, was most likely around 392 years old, although, as Nielsen points out, the range of possible ages stretches from 272 to 512 years.
“The Greenland shark is now the best candidate for the longest living vertebrate animal,” he said. Ka kite ano link below.
Its cool that Aotearoa gave Sir Brian a service that he deserved 5000 people attended ka pai.
Some people are going to be unhappy about the drugs floating ashore in Auckland good job.
I agree with Joe Biden.
It would be cool if Lumsden South Land got there maturity units back its quite hard for Wahine to give birth having to travel far to a hospital would add more stress to mum and baby.
Ka kite ano it been warm weather here today can not say the same about the authority's
Its a great move Wally to lower the police numbers at Ihumatao .
Kirama I can read you piece of piss .
It should be good to have a top down approach to our polytechnics and other training organizations 16 being run under one umbrella we need to give our youth the correct skills to help them climb up high on their ladders of life.
Tracy I think it's awesome that te tamariki are going be accessed at 7 years old to see if they have dyslexic a lot of times there parents have not figured out that their tamariki has a learning disorder. When one knows there is a problem well that is when things can be put in place to solve it.
I remember my Mama trying to teach me to spell it was hard mahi for her.
Awesome Pacific Art is being displayed at the Auckland museum the place with the largest Pacific population in te Papatuanuku beautiful looking Art to .
Spirit Wrestler Art studio who is hosting and helping Pacific artists to market their great Art cool Piripi
The way it works is that 99.9 % of TE TANGATA get to see the TRUTH about climate change and we put pressure on the authorities to change the way we live ie carbon neutral. Students strike is changing the political minds on climate change. Once trump is voted out American will switch back to mitagating climate change China is making huge changes to combat climate change thanks to them SOLAR POWER is the cheapest form of Electricity generation. European is changing the way they live to they are 10 years ahead of most countries with their Mitigation of climate change. climate change And is India they are building the Papatuanuku biggest SOLAR Farms Eco calls them because we are harvesting energy straight from TE RA stop being a naysayer it Friday days off for you.
Its great that Brendon Hartley is driving in E Car racing E cars are faster cleaner and the FUTURE of private transportation.
I think paula is manufacturing that situation I agree she is politicizing the situation just to gain votes. The Coalition government didn't attack national over the Ross situation that national had .That's the difference between the left and the right the right will throw anything under the bus to get votes the left no what RESPECT is .national would have had the cops arrest everyone at Ihumatao.
Aotearoa Farmers lead the Papatuanuku with their farming practices they don't get massive subsidies to keep on farming un sustainable like the rest of Papatuanuku the production efficiency gains over 30 years has been MASSIVE.
Eco Maori has Already given up flying on Planes you know 2 reasons.
Sir David Fagin is a great ambassador for Aotearoa all his feats in winning Papatuanuku Shearing competition. The previous government have dropped the ball on training and providing the correct skills .
I think it's stupid that we have to import workers how stupid or callous by the people who have been ruling Aotearoa .
Here you go whanau people are already suffering because of the Oil barons blocking tangata reality and the TRUTH about the scientific facts on Human caused climate change. Water is getting scarce as Papatuanuku heats up the problem of water for the common poor tangata is going to multiply very fast.
'People are dying': how the climate crisis has sparked an exodus to the US
As part of the Running Dry series, the Guardian looks at how drought and famine are forcing Guatemalan families to choose between starvation and migration
At sunrise, the misty fields around the village of Guior are already dotted with men, women and children sowing maize after an overnight rainstorm.
After several years of drought, the downpour brought some hope of relief to the subsistence farmers in this part of eastern Guatemala.
But as Esteban Gutiérrez, 30, takes a break from his work, he explains why he is still willing to incur crippling debts – and risk his life – to migrate to the United States.
“My children have gone to bed hungry for the past three years. Our crops failed and the coffee farms have cut wages to $4 a day,” he says, playing nervously with the white maize kernels in a plastic trough strapped to his waist
The United Nations report is good but it doesn't mean Aotearoa should not stop farming the way we do. I say we could reduce our farming carbon footprint quite a lot if we focused on that task .
Ka pai to our Coalition Governments for making big companies responsible for their recycling that will make them make their products and packaging more recyclable Awesome.
I don't think Wahine should be consuming to much alcohol during breast feeding the Wahine in my whanau pump breast milk before they drink and don't feed off their bread for a day .
Radio Hauraki was a great way to break the way Aotearoa handled the radio waves. Condolences to Mr Mcgain Whanau he was part of the changes that needed to happen with Aotearoa Radio.
There you go shonky had the government agency hire a private eye company spie on good Kiwis .
That was a big mess in that Australian truck crash.
Good on Tama Iti for going to Ihumatao and see for himself what the kauppa is Eco Maori has a lot of respect for Tama .
Ka pai To Kuakaupapa the total immersion in Te reo came just in time to save our te reo and Maori Culture from collapsing my generation and my mother generation lost te reo now we have heaps of tamariki who can carry our cultural into THEIR FUTURE its cool that the teachers are getting pay parity
I DON'T think that nurse or anyone should be shunned for speaking te reo I don't do that to anyone. Heads turn when I greet people with a kia ora .
The measles is still going on in the year 2019 who dropped the ball on that dease .
I think it's great to have the wayward young people getting a lesson in respect and learning how to be a good citizen of Aotearoa in the army based camps Ron.
Mana Wahine Cherise great that you won the bucthers championship tangata whenua are good at bucthering meat I prosessed my first mutton at 12 years old me and a m8 the same age .
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Right now low waged and insecure workers are feeling the economic brunt of the looming #Covid19 Recession. In response legal advocate Toby Cooper* and hospitality and worker’s rights advocate Chloe Ann-King, are putting together a series of legal blogs about your employment rights:In this legal blog we outline some ...
by Equipo Jurídico Pueblos and Gearóid Ó Loingsigh (25/03/2020) An escape plan in question On the night of March 21st and the early morning of the 22nd, the forces of the Colombian state stormed into the Modelo prison in Bogotá, murdering 23 prisoners and injuring 83, in response to the ...
When the government banned semi-automatic weapons in response to a terrorist atrocity, gun-nuts were outraged. Mired in toxic American gun culture, they thought owning weapons whose sole purpose was killing people was some sort of "constitutional right", a necessity for "defending themselves" against the government. Now, the Court of Appeal ...
Just before midnight on Wednesday March 25, Aotearoa New Zealand entered a countrywide alert level four lockdown. For at least the next four weeks, everyone who isn’t an essential worker is confined to their bubble. We are doing this to stop the explosive growth in people contracting and dying from ...
. . Lock Down: Day 1 – A photo essay with observations . Day one of the Level 4 nationwide lock-down (or, DefCon 4 as I sometimes cheekily call it) started at 11.59PM on 25 March. For a moment, most of the nation held it’s collective breath. In that brief ...
Broad, Sunlit Uplands: How those words fired my young imagination! Or, perhaps, it is more accurate to say: how those words fused, in my young mind, with the image printed on every packet of Fielder’s Cornflour. Always fascinated by history, especially modern history, I cannot hear Churchill’s wonderfully evocative words, even ...
. . 24 March 2020 9.46AM Number of covid19 cases in Aotearoa New Zealand: 102 . As of 11.59 on Thursday, most of New Zealand will go into “lock down”. People will be expected not to travel to work; not to socialise; and to stay home. I will not be ...
It will pass. What happens next? Not immediately, but longer term. There are many opinions, fewer certainties. Will it “change everything!” as many confidently, and contradictorily predict? In this post I look at how foresight can help bound some of the uncertainties so you can more objectively consider the future. ...
We’ve been meaning t write something on Cuba and the coronavirus but have just discovered a very good article on the subject in the US left publication Jacobin. The article looks at how Cuba, a poor country but one where capitalism has been done away with, is leading the way ...
In 2018, El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey - two British citizens who had purportedly been stripped of their citizenship by the British government - were captured while fighting for Isis in Syria. The British government then conspired to hand them over to the US, and agreed to provide evidence ...
Transformers: The disaster of the Great Depression was transformed into a new and fairer society by the democratic socialism of the First Labour Government. The disaster of the Covid-19 Pandemic offers a similar transformative possibility to the Labour-NZ First-Green Government. Seize the time, Jacinda! You will never have a better ...
Tamper with The System? Well, we already are. But there's a difference between accidentally trickling sand into a precision gearbox versus formulating a plan to alter it on the fly with improvements in mind. One action is more or less innocently unscrupulous, the other amenable to earning an easy ...
Associate Prof George Thomson, Louise Delany, Prof Nick WilsonWhile it is possible that New Zealand can use intense public health controls to eradicate COVID-19 from the country – we must also plan for other scenarios where thousands of New Zealanders are sick – including many urgently hospitalised.1 Better resilience ...
Kia ora my name is Chloe Ann-King* and I am the founder of Raise the Bar, a campaign and non-profit that gives free legal aid, advocacy and tautoko to hospitality workers in Aotearoa. Right now all over our country hospo workers are being fired at will, having shifts cut or being ...
We're about to do something unprecedented as a nation. We hope that by taking this extraordinary action before a single life in New Zealand has been lost to the deadly novel virus we will save tens of thousands of lives. Our lives. We'll do it together, in households, in isolation ...
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”So writes the author of Ecclesiastes, a book in the Old Testament that’s counted as a ‘wisdom’ book and written as if by an unnamed king of Jerusalem. But who would have thought there would be a time ...
I was surprised when the prime minister described the Economic Response to Covid-19 package as the ‘largest peacetime government spend in New Zealand's history’. Reflecting – checking through history – I realised that the term ‘spend’ was crucial and the package had no income tax cuts. Even so, it has ...
Years ago the Argentine sociologist Carlos Weisman wrote a book titled “Living within our Means.” It was a critique of Argentine society that focused on the paradoxical question of why, in a land of plenty, there was so much economic instability, inequality, corruption and political turmoil. His conclusion was basically ...
Parliament will be leading by example and adjourning tomorrow after a special sitting to consider an epidemic notice and state of emergency. Day-to-day oversight of the government will be delegated to a select committee. But that's not the only overight mechanism. The OIA will still be law, and (so far) ...
Michael Baker, University of OtagoOverjoyed. That’s not a word epidemiologists normally use, but that’s how I felt after hearing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement about New Zealand’s COVID-19 shutdown of everything except essential services for at least four weeks from midnight on Wednesday. More than anything, I just ...
How much homelessness is caused by house hoarding? We're about to find out. The pandemic has destroyed tourism, which means that house hoarders who put their hoarded properties up as short-term tourist rentals are now offering them on the ordinary rental market:Property investors are pulling properties from Airbnb to offer ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bruce Lieberman It seems like such a simple, straightforward, empowering idea: plant trees – a lot of trees – all over the world, and watch the planet’s temperature fall. Who doesn’t love a tree or two, even far more – the right ...
According to Newshub, Simon Bridges is open to joining a “grand coalition” with Labour as we hunker down to go into a month long lockdown. The idea is sound. Before now, the role of the opposition was to scrutinise and oppose. In the context of what almost amounts to a ...
Kia ora my name is Chloe Ann-King* and I am the founder of Raise the Bar, a campaign and non-profit that gives free legal aid, advocacy and tautoko to hospitality workers in Aotearoa. Right now all over our country hospo workers are being fired at will, having shifts cut or ...
We need to be lifting our game against COVID-19. You and I need to help those working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while they’re trying to lift the testing and treatment efforts. We don’t want to be playing this game running backwards. Best to play it solidly forward, from ...
Prof Tony Blakely, Prof Michael Baker, and Prof Nick WilsonThe NZ Government must do more to clearly articulate its COVID-19 strategy: eradication or ‘flattening the curve’ mitigation. But to do so means understanding the maths and ethics of both these strategies. In this blog, we adapt our work for ...
A few days ago I was starting to write something about the pandemic, which now seems unconscionable. It took the form of a letter to an agony aunt:“Dear Deidre, I have an ugly confession. I am quite excited by Covid-19.”This is how the piece went:“I’m not a psychopath, honest. Although the ...
Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... Climate Feedback Article Review... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Reviews... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... In Just 10 Years, Warming Has Increased the Odds of DisastersThe likelihood of extreme events ...
Last week, the government announced a $12 billion initial package to support people during the pandemic. Today, the Reserve Bank is buying government bonds - effectively printing money - to keep up the money supply during the crisis. Normally such moves would have the right apoplectic. Instead, the National Party ...
I am a pundit, somebody who opines and comments on the news. There are no real qualifications to punditry though having a rudimentary way with words and good general knowledge helps. That is one reason there is a constant oversupply of would-be pundits and why it is quite hard to ...
I recently encountered the following prescription from a Faculty of Education at a leading New Zealand University. At first I wondered if it was another product of the postmodern generator (http://www.elsewhere.org/journal/pomo/), designed to create gibberish in the postmodern form, but I’m told it is real: The “schooled” society: Towards the ...
The coronavirus pandemic has of course had a major impact on individual lives and on societies as a whole. But, long after the crisis has passed (assuming it does), we will begin to realise that its real and lasting significance lies in the lessons it has taught us, if only ...
COVID-19 has plunged Aotearoa New Zealand (indeed, the world) into territory that, while maybe not totally unprecedented, certainly hasn’t been seen during the lifetimes of most of us here today. Our borders are closed to non-citizens, we’re being told not to gather in groups of more than 500 outside/100 inside, ...
For the last few weeks, I’ve been urging you to prepare yourself, your family, business, and community for Covid-19. Now it’s time for real action. Yesterday the director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced another 13 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, bringing our total to date to 52. ...
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Mar 15, 2020 through Sat, Mar 21, 2020 Editor's Pick Now Isn’t the Time to Forget About Our Climate Change EffortsTasha Tilberg, Lindsey Wixson, and Liu Wen photographed ...
by Jan Rivers The article has been corrected to show that it was Ewen MacAskill, former Guardian journalist and not Luke Harding who travelled to meet Edward Snowden with journalist Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras. Some of the Guardian’s well-known journalists who did not sign the protest letter are ...
by Cultural Worker Late March 2020 amidst the virus. With gigs crashing and burning all around it was without much hope that I called a long standing rest home booking: “ Hi, I’m supposed to be entertaining at your place this afternoon – is it still on?” “”If you don’t ...
Whenever people demand real change from their politicians, we're told that "politics is the art of the possible". The implication is that change isn't possible, so we'd better just get used to the sucky status quo. But now that there's a pandemic, a lot of things we were previously told ...
Together: In leading New Zealand through the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Prime Minister could do a lot worse than allow herself to be guided by the spirit of collective sacrifice and co-operation that animated the New Zealanders of 80 years ago. Most Kiwis alive today have had no opportunity to prove their ...
It is said that generals fight the last war. In the case of the early stages of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) they had learned from the Great Depression of the 1930s and they fought intelligently and successfully. Later their advice would be ignored in favour of the Austerians who ...
Solidarity Forever: All over the world, the arrival of the Covid-19 virus has exposed the fragility of the walls we erect around ourselves and our loved ones. It has shattered our illusions of autonomy and revealed to us how utterly dependent we all are on other human-beings. Finally, we see ...
Looking across the various arguments for/against the leading candidates to take the Democratic Nomination, you might honestly be very hard pressed to tell. There are a number of things that have now started happening since Amy Klobuchar and “Mayor Pete” Buttigieg both threw the towel in and immediately (and ...
by Daphna Whitmore Abortion is no longer in the Crimes Act in New Zealand. The law reform passed yesterday and now abortion is a medical matter between a woman and her doctor. Many women’s groups and progressive people have campaigned for reform for decades. The women’s liberation movement and some ...
Doug Specht, University of Westminster and Julio Gimenez, University of Westminster When fake news, misreporting and alternative facts are everywhere, reading the news can be a challenge. Not only is there plenty of misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and other scientific topics floating around social media, you also ...
Michael Baker, University of Otago and Nick Wilson, University of OtagoWith some of the toughest border restrictions and a newly-announced NZ$500 million boost to health services, New Zealand is among a small number of countries with a strategy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand is also fortunate in ...
As expected, the government has introduced a sessional order to allow Parliament to operate during the pandemic. You can read it on the Order Paper here, but the short version is that questions and motions can be filed electronicly, select committees can work remotely, and the the Business Committee can ...
Axel Bruns, Queensland University of Technology; Daniel Angus, Queensland University of Technology; Timothy Graham, Queensland University of Technology, and Tobias R. Keller, Queensland University of Technology News and views about coronavirus has spread via social media in a way that no health emergency has done before. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, ...
So you’ve recently returned from overseas, come into contact with someone who tested positive, got a bit of a dry cough yourself or perhaps just want to self isolate for 14 days to avoid other people who might have COVID-19. Here are a few tips and tricks to help get ...
Our Good Fortune: Precisely because she has never been an ideologue (she calls herself a “pragmatic idealist”) Jacinda Ardern has a political nimbleness and spontaneity which, when infused with her exceptional emotional intelligence, produces spectacular demonstrations of leadership. Jacinda's empathic political personality contrasts sharply with the less-than-sunny ways of her ...
The Abortion Legislation Bill has just passed its third reading, 68-51. NZ First MPs bailed because their referendum amendment didn't pass, but there were plenty of MPs to provide a majority without them. The bill is a long way from perfect - most significantly, it subjects pregnant people who need ...
As most of the world tries to suppress the coronavirus spread, some countries are going it alone – trying to manage the pandemic through so-called “herd immunity”. Herd immunity means letting a large number of people catch a disease, and hence develop immunity to it, to stop the virus spreading. ...
So, as I sit at home with a very, very slight headache (i.e. not at work when I would otherwise be so), the now familiar figure of Ashley Bloomfield reports eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 including two in Waikato. A surprise, given that we had just twelve yesterday? No. ...
Many who advocated for, and voted for, the current Coalition – particularly those who voted Labour and the Green Party – expected to see a sea change in the reality of social services. A real, deep change of attitude, approach of process through which the system negotiates the difficult and ...
New Zealand’s border restrictions will come with significant job and business losses in the tourism sector, both at home and in the Pacific. But the new travel rules are absolutely necessary to protect the health of New Zealanders and people right across Pacific Islands, because New Zealand is a gateway ...
Professor Philip Hill and Associate Professor James UssherMost infectious diseases have an Achilles heel, the secret is to find it. The question is if we don’t have a drug or a vaccine for COVID-19, is there something else we can do to beat it? Some people estimate that, without ...
The Coalition Governments $12.1 billion economic package to help combat the financial effects of COVID-19 was generally well received across the board, even amongst many business leaders who would normally be critical of a Labour led Government.However there was one glaringly obvious exception, Simon Bridges. The so-called leader of the ...
With confirmed cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand up to 12, many influential people are writing open letters and opinion pieces and doing press conferences asking why we aren’t pulling out all the stops and testing thousands of people a day like they are in South Korea. The thing is, ...
by Daphna Whitmore The willingness to put human life before business shows that sometimes capitalism is capable of suspending its relentless drive for profit. For a short time it can behave differently. Flatten the curve is the public health message since COVID-19 suddenly overwhelmed the hospital system in northern Italy. ...
Worldwide, the 1918 influenza epidemic – wrongly called ‘Spanish’ flu – lasted about two years. However, it lasted about six weeks in New Zealand (remembered as ‘Black November’, because the dead turned a purplish-black). It is thought about 7000 Pakeha died and 2,500 Maori. The population mortality rate was about ...
In a world and a time when the worst off and most vulnerable have been asked, time and again, to foot the bill for the complete subjugating to the will of the 1% thanks to the GFC, at a point where the world as a whole is now seeing quite ...
With the economy already reeling from a crisis that’s barely begun, the Government today sought to provide reassurance to workers and businesses in the form of a massive phallic pun to insert much-needed cash into the private sector and help fight the looming pandemic. Here are the key components: $5.1 ...
I am a member of the working poor and so still need state welfare to make rent. So I had booked an appointment for yesterday with my caseworker at Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) to apply for a transition to work grant. However the current health advice in New ...
The COVID-19 situation in New Zealand is moving fast - and to avoid what we've seen overseas - the Government's response must be to move fast too. We're committed to keeping New Zealanders safe and well-informed every step of the way. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is encouraging New Zealanders overseas to stay where they are amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are.” "This includes following the instructions ...
Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Minister Winston Peters is encouraging the tens of thousands of New Zealanders travelling overseas to consider sheltering in place, in light of COVID-19. “Since 18 March, we have been warning New Zealanders offshore that the window for flying ...
Ground-breaking law has passed that will decriminalise abortion and ensure women and pregnant people seeking abortions have compassionate healthcare. ...
The Green Party says that the measures announced by the Government today will help families and businesses to prioritise our collective health and wellbeing in the response to COVID-19. ...
As New Zealanders brace for a global downturn due to Covid-19, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says his Coalition Government’s rescue package "more significant" than any other he's seen around the world. The Coalition is to reveal a multi-billion-dollar stimulus plan on Tuesday afternoon designed to cushion the economic blow ...
We know some people are feeling anxious about COVID-19. While the situation is serious, New Zealand has a world-class health system and we’re well-prepared to keep New Zealanders safe. ...
Darroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Law and Order A New Zealand First member’s bill drawn from the ballot today seeks to overhaul the youth justice system by instigating a system of demerit points for offences committed by young offenders. “The ‘Youth Justice Demerit Point System’ will put an end to ...
Hon. Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentThe Provincial Growth Fund is investing $6 million in a land-based aquaculture pilot to see whether yellowtail kingfish can be commercially farmed in Northland, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today.A recirculating land-based aquaculture system will be built and operated ...
Hon. Shane Jones, Minister for ForestryForestry Minister Shane Jones has announced two One Billion Trees programme grants of more than $1.18 million to help hapu and iwi in Northland restore whenua and moana.“Many communities around Aotearoa have benefited from One Billion Trees funding since the programme was launched ...
Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign AffairsAhead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to establish truth, accountability and justice for the downing of Flight MH17 ...
Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime MinisterThe Government is investing $19.9 million through the Provincial Growth Fund in a game-changing hydrogen energy facility in South Taranaki, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters announced today.“The development of alternative energy initiatives like this one is vital for the Taranaki region’s economy. ...
Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Minister for Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is partnering with countries in the Pacific to ensure they are prepared for, and able to respond to the global threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19).“There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the ...
New Zealand will temporarily remove tariffs on all medical and hygiene imports needed for the COVID-19 response. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said today that the New Zealand Customs Service will apply tariff concessions to all diagnostic reagents and testing ...
Minister of Finance Grant Robertson has clarified that the changes to the wage subsidy scheme announced yesterday mean that employers should be passing on the full subsidy to workers, except in the case where the person’s normal income is less than the level of the subsidy. “We still want employers ...
Medical face masks from the national reserve supply are now being distributed to District Health Boards, while at the same time local production is being ramped up. Yesterday more than 640,000 masks were sent to DHBS – that is an immediate two week supply, with more to follow in coming ...
The Government has made modifications to the wage subsidy scheme to ensure people don’t lose their jobs during the national lockdown. These changes will soften the impact of COVID-19 on workers, families and businesses, and position them to exit the lockdown and look to recovery, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. ...
Farmers whose herds were culled in response to the outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis will be able to minimise the tax treatment of their income in some circumstances. Revenue Minister Stuart Nash says Cabinet has agreed to change the law. It means farmers may be eligible to spread their income over ...
A $27 million dollar package, effective immediately, is being provided to social sector services and community groups to ensure they can continue to provide essential support to communities as we stay at home as a nation to stop the spread of COVID-19, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced. “At ...
“The guilty plea today will provide some relief to the many people whose lives were shattered by what happened on March 15,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “These guilty pleas and conviction bring accountability for what happened and also save the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, ...
The Prime Minister is holding daily press conferences to update New Zealanders on the Government's response to COVID-19. Links to videos and transcripts of these updates below. These transcripts also include All of Government press conferences led by Director Ministry of Health's Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. 25 March: Live update from the Prime ...
Frontline Police numbers have broken through the 10,000 mark for the first time in history as officers step forward to keep the community safe during the COVID19 lockdown. “Two Police graduations in Auckland and Wellington in the past week have been conducted in unprecedented circumstances,” Police Minister Stuart Nash said. ...
Urgent legislation has been passed to support the package of economic and social measures needed to recover from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. “The COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Bill will cushion New Zealanders from the worst economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Revenue Minister ...
From tomorrow, Government support for farmers and growers affected by drought will be expanded and extended across the country, with access to Rural Assistance Payments (RAPS) available throughout the North Island, parts of the South Island and the Chatham Islands, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced. “These challenging conditions have ...
Parliament has passed amendments to legislation that give the Secretary of Education stronger powers to act in the fight to limit the spread of COVID-19, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “They are part of a suite of changes passed under the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Bill,” Chris ...
Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar have joined forces with New Zealand and Singapore by committing to keep supply chains open and remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker today welcomed ...
Immediate freeze on rent increases Tenancies will not be terminated during the lock-down period, unless the parties agree, or in limited circumstances Tenants who had previously given notice can stay in their if they need to stay in the tenancy during the lock-down period Tenants will still be able to ...
As New Zealand unites to lock-down in the fight against COVID-19, the Finance Minister is urging all businesses and workers to stay connected over the next four weeks. “We understand the extreme pressure many businesses are under right now. I know most business owners think of their workers as family ...
A State of National Emergency has been declared across the country as the Government pulls out all the stops to curtail the spread of COVID-19. “Today we put in place our country’s second ever State of National Emergency as we fight a global pandemic, save New Zealanders’ lives and prevent ...
Mr Speaker I wish to make a Ministerial Statement under Standing Order 347 in relation to the recent declaration of a State of National Emergency. Having considered the advice of the Director Civil Defence Emergency Management, the Minister of Civil Defence declared a State of National Emergency for the whole of ...
People needing to travel on domestic flights, trains and Cook Strait ferries to get home before the country moves into level 4 lock-down tomorrow night will be able to continue using the passenger services until midnight on Friday, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said today. Domestic passenger services, particularly ferries, have ...
The Government, retail banks and the Reserve Bank are today announcing a major financial support package for home owners and businesses affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19. The package will include a six month principal and interest payment holiday for mortgage holders and SME customers whose incomes have been ...
Minister of Transport Phil Twyford has today announced details of the Government’s support package to keep key air freight moving and ensure New Zealanders retain access to essential goods during the four-week level 4 lockdown. “The Government is working with airlines and air freight operators to ensure New Zealand’s key ...
New Zealand moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 – Restrict New Zealand to move up to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 – Eliminate, in 48 hours Two-staged approach to give people and businesses time to prepare Level 3, from tomorrow Non-essential businesses must close All events and gatherings must be ...
Good afternoon The Cabinet met this morning to discuss our next actions in the fight against COVID-19. Like the rest of the world, we are facing the potential for devastating impacts from this virus. But, through decisive action, and through working together, do we have a small window to get ...
The Government is announcing significant further support for the economy, workers and businesses as the country unites to prepare for Alert Level 4 in the fight against COVID-19. Cabinet today agreed to remove the cap on the Government’s wage subsidy scheme, which will inject a further $4 billion into the ...
The Government is backing the Reserve Bank’s latest action to support the economy by reducing longer-term interest rates, meaning lower costs for businesses and mortgage holders, and a lower currency to help our exporters. The Minister of Finance has signed a memorandum of understanding and a letter of indemnity with ...
The Government has asked the Commerce Commission to take account of the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19 when monitoring business behaviour in coming weeks. “The purpose of my request to the Commerce Commission is to make sure businesses can work together in ways that will allow them to provide ...
The New Zealand Government has temporarily closed its High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados and its Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Due to the increasing scarcity of air links in and out of Bridgetown and Yangon, and the pressure COVID-19 is placing ...
Associate Health and Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare has today announced the Government’s plan to support Māori communities and businesses in the face of COVID-19. “Our Government’s $12.1 billion economic package will help many Māori whānau, workers and businesses, whether it’s through wage subsidies, income support and worker redeployment, or ...
The Government and the hospitality industry have worked together to produce guidelines to assist with managing and reducing transmission of COVID-19, Health Minister David Clark announced today. The guidelines developed between the Government, Hospitality New Zealand and SkyCity Entertainment Group, set out how the new restrictions on physical distancing and ...
Four stage Alert System for COVID-19 announced New Zealand moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 – Reduce Contact New Zealanders over 70 and those with certain medical conditions told to stay at home as much as they can to reduce risk of contact with the virus Workplaces to implement ...
Kia ora koutou katoa I’m speaking directly to all New Zealanders today to give you as much certainty and clarity as we can as we fight Covid-19. Over the past few weeks, the world has changed. And it has changed very quickly. In February it would have seemed unimaginable to ...
New Zealand and Singapore have jointly committed to keep supply chains open and to remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker welcomed the commitment. “This is an important collective response, and ...
JOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT BY SINGAPORE AND NEW ZEALAND AFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO ENSURING SUPPLY CHAIN CONNECTIVITY AMIDST THE COVID-19 SITUATION The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global crisis. As part of our collective response to combat COVID-19, Singapore and New Zealand are committed to maintaining open and connected supply chains. We ...
Travel restrictions, closing our border to almost all travelers came into force from 23:59 on Thursday 19 March 2020 (NZDT). All airlines were informed of these restrictions before they came into force. Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says “The transit of passengers between Australia and New Zealand has been agreed upon and ...
The Government has allocated $100 million to help redeploy workers affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, with the hard-hit region of Gisborne-Tairāwhiti to be the first helped, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford, Forestry and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson announced today. Phil Twyford ...
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is ramping up support for Tairāwhiti’s wood processing sector to bolster the region’s economy at a time of heightened uncertainty, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. Following earlier announcements today of a regional support package for Tairāwhiti, Minister Jones has also announced a ...
The Coalition Government has stepped in to protect Air New Zealand with a significant financial deal that protects essential routes and allows the company to keep operating. The Government and Air New Zealand have agreed a debt funding agreement through commercial 24-month loan facilities of up to $900 million*. The ...
The Government has taken further measures to protect New Zealanders from the COVID-19 virus, effectively stopping all people from boarding a plane to New Zealand from 11:59pm today, except for returning New Zealanders, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. New Zealanders’ partners, legal guardians or any dependent children travelling with ...
The Government has reinforced its commitment to protecting the health of New Zealanders from COVID-19 through the cancellation of indoor events with more than 100 people. “Protecting the health of New Zealanders is our number one priority, and that means we need to reduce the risks associated with large gatherings,” ...
The New Zealand Government is advising New Zealanders not to travel overseas due to COVID-19, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “We are raising our travel advice to the highest level: do not travel,” Mr Peters said. “This is the first time the New Zealand Government has advised New Zealanders ...
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier this week as part of the Government’s $12.1 billion COVID-19 economic response. The initial part of the aviation package aims to secure the operators of New Zealand’s aviation security system, and ...
It’s time to lower traffic speeds to reduce crashes and free up hospital beds, say cycling advocates. "This will reduce harm and ease the burden on our health workers and emergency services," says Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network. ...
By RNZ Pacific The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in French Polynesia has risen by four to 34. The update from the government said the hospitalisation rate is unchanged with one person in care. Last night a curfew was declared for the first time, forcing residents across ...
It’s a town where people often feel the rest of the country has given up on them, in the middle of a region where every place feels isolated. So how did Ohura become an unlikely centre of Medieval Combat sports in New Zealand? Alex Braae spent three days there finding ...
If you want to understand some of the thinking behind the policy response to the spread of coronavirus, you might want to read the paper from the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team, which is credited with accelerating the introduction of the current lockdown measures in the UK.The paper builds ...
‘It seems like someone else’s dream of my past.’ For Emma Neale, the painting ‘Wanderlust’ by Dunedin artist Sharon Singer stirs memories of her childhood, and new understandings of guilt and forgiveness.There were gifts from my father when he came home from overseas trips. Love offerings; a bit like those ...
Westpac is forecasting 200,000 jobs will be lost in NZ as a result of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Chief economist Dominick Stephens estimates economic activity during the four week lock-down would decline by a third, despite the government and the Reserve Bank having “done a lot to calm ...
In our new series The Lockdown Letters, some of New Zealand’s best writers tell us what they’ve been up to in the days of Covid-19 alert level four. Today, Ōtaki author Renée.I have a wild tomato flopping all over the path down the back of the veg garden. I picked a ...
For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level four. The country is shut down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here. The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this ...
Online criminals have been making the most of Covid-19 by preying on people’s fear and doubt. Here are some of the calling cards of these con artists.With most New Zealanders tucked up at home, digital devices are proving to be critical tools for staying connected with each other, making good ...
Author and illustrator Sarah Laing draws a rite of passage in The Lockdown.Reprinted with the permission of the author from Let Me Be Frank, Sarah Laing's blog devoted to "Reading. Writing. Parenting. Angsting." Let Me Be Frank is also the ...
As New Zealand adjusts to a month of lockdown, many pet owners have questions about their furry friends. Alex Casey had a chat with the SPCA – here’s what she learned.AC: My cat had a disgusting abscess on his tail and now has to get his stitches out. ...
Books editor Catherine Woulfe takes an energising walk around the lockdown block of New Zealand books. When the bubbles settled over us they settled over the books too. Libraries were the first to shut down, then the physical bookstores and finally, the hammer blow: online sales and indeed any notion of ...
Convincing its citizens to take lockdown seriously will be a major challenge for Fiji’s government, writes Mandy De Vries. My husband, Howie, and I are lucky enough to live on the beautiful Coral Coast in Fiji. We started a tourism operation here two years ago which was, until recently, booming. ...
New Zealand’s businesses and government are far better prepared for the rapidly escalating global health and economic crisis than they were for the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-09 or the stock market crash in 1987, says Rob Campbell, one of the country’s most experienced corporate leaders. “Executive teams and boards ...
Journalism commentator and former editor Gavin Ellis says media organisations play a vital role in keeping the community informed and, if possible, safe. They also have a crucial part to play in the maintenance of public order and morale, just as they did in the 1940s. With the country in ...
The country has millions of protective gowns, gloves and eyewear – midwives ask: Where are they? David Williams reports Two days into a national lockdown some midwives didn’t have any protective equipment, adding to concerns about safeguards for frontline health workers. On Friday, announcements were made by the Health Ministry ...
Covid-19 lockdown provides valuable time for planning a new business, as Dr Mary-Ellen Gordon explains You have a great idea for a business. You’ve been working to get it up and going. Then, just as you were starting to gain traction, the entire country and much of the rest of ...
Low-income workers whose jobs have disappeared thanks to Covid-19 will increasingly need to access benefit income. When this happens, however, they lose a tax credit for their children. As a direct result of the Covid-19 crisis, the Government has improved its rescue policies for business. We now need to see urgent ...
The strange energy of preparing for level four is over, now the dystopian reality has kicked in. Danyl Mclauchlan writes an essay about home life during a ‘cosy catastrophe’.We start by setting up our home workspaces, covering the kitchen table with such a thick mass of black cables and USB ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison will unvieil on Sunday a $1.1 billion set of measures to make Medicare telehealth services generally available during the coronavirus pandemic and to support mental health, domestic violence and community services. The “Medicare ...
How is Covid-19 spreading within the country? Newsroom is collating information as it's available to paint a picture of what's happening. There were 83 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, down from the previous day's 85 new cases. Details of how many tests have been completed are now bing released ...
By RNZ News New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke to her followers on Facebook today from her office in Premier House. Her chat lasted about 15 minutes and garnered more than 310,000 views. She discussed wage subsidies for full-time and part-time workers, personal protection equipment (PPE) supplies for ...
COMMENTARY:By Bob Howarth (self-isolating in Australia after his latest trip to Timor-Leste) After days of web surfing for Covid-19 coronavirus news around the Asia-Pacific, two areas that appear to need improving in some countries are official communication and fact checking. So here’s my two cents, rupiah, kina or ...
Whether it’s a robot uprising, a woman catfishing into the publishing world or a bunch of lovestruck islanders, NEON has you covered. Here’s what we’re bingeing on NEON for the foreseeable future.WestworldJust in time for lockdown, there’s a buzz-worthy show with endless discussion points coming out on a weekly basis. ...
There’s been a lot of talk about PPE of late – do we have enough, is it getting to the right people, and who exactly are the right people, anyway? Here’s the latest official advice.The Ministry of Health has now circulated updated advice on the appropriate use of PPE (personal ...
A month ago, not many had heard of Ashley Bloomfield. But as the Covid-19 response has ramped up, the director-general of health has become a calm, reassuring presence in a time of uncertainty and fear. Rachel Thomas profiles him, in a piece first published on RNZ.Today, Saturday, director-general of health ...
Jim Kayes tests the waters of social media to see how people are coping with being told to avoid their favourite pastime.“There is something ridiculously exhilarating about catching a fish. The thrill might have faded for the salty angler, but for this rookie, the novice still snagging fish hooks ...
The Government yesterday reassured us there are plenty of masks for front line staff dealing with the public. Yet it seems home care workers, who provide up-close personal care for tens of thousands of people every day, won’t be given them. Yesterday two documents hit my inbox. One was a ...
Hobson’s Choice spokesman Don Brash (a former leader of the National and ACT Parties) is not alone in challenging the justification for tribes claiming to have closed roads to protect their people against Covid. Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters – his remarks apparently ignored by ...
Preliminary results from a survey investigating how well-equipped Māori whānau in the South Island are to stay at home for extended periods show that the majority are prepared to manage their short-term needs, but have increasing anxiety about ...
"The risk of fraud and corruption is compounded during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. When quick decisions are necessary to move vast amounts of resources, bribery, fraud and corruption abound," says Suzanne Snively, Chair of Transparency International ...
By RNZ Pacific Guam remains the Pacific pandemic hot spot with the number of Covid-19 coronavirus cases climbing above 50. On Friday six people tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total to 51. Thirteen of the cases are currently in hospital. READ MORE: Al Jazeera live updates – ...
By Mong Palatino Many Indonesian internet users have expressed anger over the decision of the House of Representatives (DPR) to test its 575 members for Covid-19. Indonesia has a population of more than 260 million. As of today, the country has 913 Covid-19 positive cases with 87 deaths. But ...
New Zealand has 78 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and five probable cases, the Government has announced today, taking the total to 451. Civil Defence Emergency Management director Sarah Stuart-Black said 12 people are in hospital and two are in intensive care, including one on a ventilator. Twelve are in ...
New Zealand has 78 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and five probable cases, the Government has announced today, taking the total to 451. Civil Defence Emergency Management director Sarah Stuart-Black said 12 people are in hospital and two are in intensive care, including one on a ventilator. Twelve are in ...
By Michelle Steven in Port MoresbyPacific New Guinea’s National Capital City Covid-19 Task Force team is preparing ahead should there be a possible coronavirus case during the 14-day lockdown. NCD Governor Powes Parkop told a media conference that the capital city would be in total lockdown with no public ...
Leading immigration lawyer Aaron Martin assesses the impact of the announcement of the epidemic notice for migrants. Immigration New Zealand announced that the government epidemic management notice relating to immigration matters comes into effect on 2 ...
Just a tiny handful of print publications will continue through the lockdown, with only daily newspapers specifically identified as being able to continue. Duncan Greive spoke to publishers of magazines and community newspapers about the impact on them and their communities.Publishers of magazines and community newspapers are reeling, after a ...
Just a tiny handful of print publications will continue through the lockdown, with only daily newspapers specifically identified as being able to continue. Duncan Greive spoke to publishers of magazines and community newspapers about the impact on them and their communities.Publishers of magazines and community newspapers are reeling, after a ...
Jacinda Ardern has pleaded with the Australian Prime Minister to make an exception to the rule that bars many of the 650,000 New Zealanders there from receiving a benefit. ...
In our new series The Lockdown Letters, some of New Zealand’s best writers tell us what they’ve been up to in the days of Covid-19 alert level four. Today, political commentator and essayist Morgan Godfery.I’M TWEETING AT 2AM.The responsible part of my brain is sending sleep signals. Inconvenient yawns. The ...
Take a vicarious roadie via Attraction, the novel by Ruby Porter that was longlisted for the country’s biggest fiction prize. Released last year, it’s now a slightly eerie snapshot of Aotearoa as we were. Attraction is a New Zealand road trip novel with a heavy dose of postcolonial guilt. Whitewashing, cultural ...
Iwi everywhere put support plans into action, focusing on their kaumātua, writes Kayne Ngātokowhā Peters. Iwi are ramping up support services to assist their people in need following the closure of Ministry of Social Development offices and the move to online and phone assistance from Work and Income. Central North Island ...
It’s been 10 years since the release of Dane Rumble’s solo album The Experiment. Josie Adams looks back on why New Zealand fell so hard and fast.At The Experiment’s launch, a decade ago yesterday, Dane Rumble had only one wish: “I just want to write the best album that I ...
"She blindfolded each of the children with a scarf, saying, ‘There’s going to be a surprise!'": a horror story set at a children's birthday party, by Dunedin writer Emma Neale. As soon as the last child arrived at Bevan’s ninth birthday party, the bashing began. Allan walloped Bevan with a ...
As New Zealand adjusts to our new normal, one thing from the old world remains – commercial breakfast radio. We tuned into the first morning of lockdown on the airwaves. In a time when the world seems completely upside-down, you can thankfully still count on commercial breakfast radio to be there ...
Dynamic Silver Ferns defender Jane Watson shares her heartrending and brave story in the final episode of the Pure As documentary series. The fading scar just below Jane Watson's left shoulder is the only clue to her until-now untold story, of the challenges that have tormented the netball world champion. The dynamic, tenacious ...
By now, everybody should know about staying in their bubble and leaving the house only for essential services and exercise, provided social distancing rules are followed. Does this mean people can still take the boat out, or go surfing? “Staying at home will save lives,” said Jacinda Ardern in a question ...
For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here.New Zealand is currently in alert level four. The country is shut down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this work, join The ...
Donald Trump and Boris Johnson's response to coronavirus has revealed some disturbing attitudes towards segments of the population As New Zealand enters a period of indeterminate lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we (and I mean us as a global population) have learned a lot about the importance of ...
As New Zealand entered national lockdown, The Spinoff commissioned social media polling company Stickybeak to measure the mood of the nation. Stickybeak co-founder David Brain reveals what the poll results show.As soon as the PM made her Monday afternoon announcement that the country was going to alert level three and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra All Australians arriving from overseas will be quarantined in hotels or other facilities under strict supervision for a fortnight, under the latest crackdown in the battle against the coronavirus. Announcing the measure after Friday’s meeting ...
By RNZ News As the number of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic cases in New Zealand increases, daily demand for protective clothing for medical workers has come under pressure. On the second day of the country’s lockdown, the number of New Zealand’s Covid-19 cases has jumped by 85, with a man ...
Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr and Bernard Hickey 'Zoom' out to talk about the once-in-a-lifetime shock to the global economy this week and what it means for businesses and investors. Just as many other businesses are adjusting to the lockdown, so too are Kiwibank and Newsroom. Chief ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon MacKay, Lecturer, Business Analytics, University of Auckland New Zealand and much of the world is now under an unprecedented lockdown. Public health experts say this is the best way to suppress the spread of the virus. But how long will such ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Allen Cheng, Professor in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Monash University According to Google Trends, the top globally trending topic this week is “orthohantavirus”, as spurious sites claim it’s the next pandemic on the horizon. Take it from me: it’s not. This baseless claim ...
As soon as the Prime Minister announced that the country had moved to a Level Three alert and would then move to a full Level Four lockdown, the only thing on most people's minds in downtown Wellington was how to prepare for living and working from home for at least ...
Two Cents' Worth hosts Bernard Hickey, Nikki Mandow and Gyles Beckford reflect on the most turbulent week in New Zealand’s economic history. They look at two new tools for business and online working advice that were built over a weekend to help deal with the Covid-19 crisis. They also talk ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erica Mealy, Lecturer in Computer Science, University of the Sunshine Coast These past few weeks have shown the brittleness of Australia’s online systems. It’s not surprising the federal government’s traditionally slow-moving IT systems are buckling under the pressure. On Sunday, the federal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arindam Basu, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University of Canterbury The number of New Zealanders testing positive for COVID-19 will continue to rise despite the strict conditions of the four-week lockdown that began this week. As of today, there are 368 ...
Advocates say they’re drowning in complaints of exploitation brought on by the lockdown, Dileepa Fonseka reports Migrant associations and unions have been swamped with allegations that some employers have abused the Government’s wage subsidy scheme or skirted their obligations. Indian Workers Association spokesman Mandeep Bela said he had been “flooded” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fiona MacDonald, Senior Research Fellow, Victoria University For children, school is about more than just learning. This is even more the case for children living in disadvantage as many schools also provide vital food and a welcoming environment. As the COVID-19 pandemic ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Walker, Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University Leaders of the world’s largest economies came together at a virtual G20 this week to “do whatever it takes to overcome the coronavirus pandemic”. But the reality is that global capacity to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Sonnemann, Fellow, Grattan Institute Australian schools and teachers are preparing to shift classes online – some independent schools already have. Remote learning is likely to be the norm in the second term and possibly longer. Even if done well, there are ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dilan Thampapillai, Senior Lecturer, ANU College of Law, Australian National University The coronavirus and its attendant emergency measures are set to deliver a profound shock to the residential tenancy market. How it will work out is anybody’s guess, but it is looking ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Gibney, NHMRC early career fellow, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity In three short months, more than half a million cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have been reported worldwide. The US now has the highest number of COVID-19 ...
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific journalist A 43-year-old woman has reportedly died due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Indonesian-administered West Papua province. It is the first recorded death from Covid-19 in the Papua region, and adds to fears that a looming surge in cases could overwhelm the health ...
By JC Gotinga in Manila Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff General Felimon Santos Jr has tested positive for the Covid-19 novel coronavirus. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana shared the information today with reporters covering defence issues. General Santos said yesterday that he was on home quarantine after coming ...
The Fold podcast returns for March into a media world transformed by the impact of Covid-19. Host Duncan Greive records a monopod to assess its impact.In last month’s edition of this podcast, The Spinoff editor Toby Manhire and I discussed RNZ’s Concert debacle. At the time, it was the biggest ...
As New Zealand faces the most brutal recession in living memory, the battle to preserve the core of the economy deepens. Companies are cancelling dividends to protect what cash they have, others are reaching for financial aid from their banks or the government. Yet for some businesses, notably the big ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s contentPublic health strategy Henry Cooke (Stuff): New model shows coronavirus could kill 80,000 Kiwis without lockdown Kate Newton (RNZ): Modelling shows ...
Shoppers are ignoring physical distancing rules, while rule-flouters face jail time in Sāmoa and the Cook Islands, writes Teuila Fuatai. Scenes from one of Fiji’s best-known fresh produce markets illustrate the difficulties of clamping down on Covid-19. Footage captured at the Sigatoka markets on Viti Levu on Thursday March 26 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology, Bond University As coronavirus continues to affect all aspects of life, law enforcement agencies are playing a more pivotal role in enforcing new health and social regulations while ensuring society continues to function in a civil ...
Open mike 06/08/2019 
. . Lock Down: Day 3 – A photo essay with observations . March 28: First day of the first weekend in Lock Down. It feels like it’s been weeks since only Level 3 was declared last Tuesday, only four days ago. Woke up this morning to RNZ; coffee; toast, ...1 hour ago
I’m here in lockdown with my flatmate and her two girls (6 and 2) and it. is. a time. They’re usually really active so to start with the only boardgame in the house is the copy of Guess Who that the 6 year old got for her birthday. Flatmate commented ...17 hours ago
The CV-19 (COVID) pandemic has seen the imposition of a government ordered national quarantine and the promulgation of a series of measures designed to spread the burden of pain and soften the economic blow on the most strategically important and most vulnerable sectors of society. The national narrative is framed ...22 hours ago
Fortune's Children: Under extraordinary pressure, the leader of the Government and the leader of the Opposition will each show us what they are made of. Have they been blessed with intelligence, grace, wit, poise, toughness, empathy and humour – and in what measure? More importantly, to what extent have they ...1 day ago
1 day ago
Society-wise, aside from the specific morbidity shall we say of the medically-oriented aspects of this COVID-19 crisis, what is unfolding before the world is in more than one way an instructive study of humanity and reactions to a high intensity, high stress environment in real time. Friends, we are at ...2 days ago
Right now low waged and insecure workers are feeling the economic brunt of the looming #Covid19 Recession. In response legal advocate Toby Cooper* and hospitality and worker’s rights advocate Chloe Ann-King, are putting together a series of legal blogs about your employment rights: In this legal blog we outline some ...2 days ago
by Equipo Jurídico Pueblos and Gearóid Ó Loingsigh (25/03/2020) An escape plan in question On the night of March 21st and the early morning of the 22nd, the forces of the Colombian state stormed into the Modelo prison in Bogotá, murdering 23 prisoners and injuring 83, in response to the ...2 days ago
When the government banned semi-automatic weapons in response to a terrorist atrocity, gun-nuts were outraged. Mired in toxic American gun culture, they thought owning weapons whose sole purpose was killing people was some sort of "constitutional right", a necessity for "defending themselves" against the government. Now, the Court of Appeal ...2 days ago
Just before midnight on Wednesday March 25, Aotearoa New Zealand entered a countrywide alert level four lockdown. For at least the next four weeks, everyone who isn’t an essential worker is confined to their bubble. We are doing this to stop the explosive growth in people contracting and dying from ...2 days ago
Tamper with The System? Well, we already are. But there's a difference between accidentally trickling sand into a precision gearbox versus formulating a plan to alter it on the fly with improvements in mind. One action is more or less innocently unscrupulous, the other amenable to earning an easy ...3 days ago
Kia ora my name is Chloe Ann-King* and I am the founder of Raise the Bar, a campaign and non-profit that gives free legal aid, advocacy and tautoko to hospitality workers in Aotearoa. Right now all over our country hospo workers are being fired at will, having shifts cut or being ...4 days ago
We're about to do something unprecedented as a nation. We hope that by taking this extraordinary action before a single life in New Zealand has been lost to the deadly novel virus we will save tens of thousands of lives. Our lives. We'll do it together, in households, in isolation ...4 days ago
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”So writes the author of Ecclesiastes, a book in the Old Testament that’s counted as a ‘wisdom’ book and written as if by an unnamed king of Jerusalem. But who would have thought there would be a time ...4 days ago
According to Newshub, Simon Bridges is open to joining a “grand coalition” with Labour as we hunker down to go into a month long lockdown. The idea is sound. Before now, the role of the opposition was to scrutinise and oppose. In the context of what almost amounts to a ...6 days ago
Kia ora my name is Chloe Ann-King* and I am the founder of Raise the Bar, a campaign and non-profit that gives free legal aid, advocacy and tautoko to hospitality workers in Aotearoa. Right now all over our country hospo workers are being fired at will, having shifts cut or ...6 days ago
A few days ago I was starting to write something about the pandemic, which now seems unconscionable. It took the form of a letter to an agony aunt:“Dear Deidre, I have an ugly confession. I am quite excited by Covid-19.”This is how the piece went:“I’m not a psychopath, honest. Although the ...6 days ago
I am a pundit, somebody who opines and comments on the news. There are no real qualifications to punditry though having a rudimentary way with words and good general knowledge helps. That is one reason there is a constant oversupply of would-be pundits and why it is quite hard to ...7 days ago
The coronavirus pandemic has of course had a major impact on individual lives and on societies as a whole. But, long after the crisis has passed (assuming it does), we will begin to realise that its real and lasting significance lies in the lessons it has taught us, if only ...1 week ago
COVID-19 has plunged Aotearoa New Zealand (indeed, the world) into territory that, while maybe not totally unprecedented, certainly hasn’t been seen during the lifetimes of most of us here today. Our borders are closed to non-citizens, we’re being told not to gather in groups of more than 500 outside/100 inside, ...1 week ago
by Jan Rivers The article has been corrected to show that it was Ewen MacAskill, former Guardian journalist and not Luke Harding who travelled to meet Edward Snowden with journalist Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras. Some of the Guardian’s well-known journalists who did not sign the protest letter are ...1 week ago
Looking across the various arguments for/against the leading candidates to take the Democratic Nomination, you might honestly be very hard pressed to tell. There are a number of things that have now started happening since Amy Klobuchar and “Mayor Pete” Buttigieg both threw the towel in and immediately (and ...1 week ago
Some fave speeches: ...1 week ago
Many who advocated for, and voted for, the current Coalition – particularly those who voted Labour and the Green Party – expected to see a sea change in the reality of social services. A real, deep change of attitude, approach of process through which the system negotiates the difficult and ...2 weeks ago
In a world and a time when the worst off and most vulnerable have been asked, time and again, to foot the bill for the complete subjugating to the will of the 1% thanks to the GFC, at a point where the world as a whole is now seeing quite ...2 weeks ago
With the economy already reeling from a crisis that’s barely begun, the Government today sought to provide reassurance to workers and businesses in the form of a massive phallic pun to insert much-needed cash into the private sector and help fight the looming pandemic. Here are the key components: $5.1 ...2 weeks ago
I am a member of the working poor and so still need state welfare to make rent. So I had booked an appointment for yesterday with my caseworker at Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) to apply for a transition to work grant. However the current health advice in New ...2 weeks ago
The COVID-19 situation in New Zealand is moving fast - and to avoid what we've seen overseas - the Government's response must be to move fast too. We're committed to keeping New Zealanders safe and well-informed every step of the way. ...23 hours ago
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The scale of what we face right now is unlike anything we have ever seen before. Overcoming it is our common purpose. ...4 days ago
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is encouraging New Zealanders overseas to stay where they are amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are.” "This includes following the instructions ...5 days ago
New Zealand will temporarily remove tariffs on all medical and hygiene imports needed for the COVID-19 response. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said today that the New Zealand Customs Service will apply tariff concessions to all diagnostic reagents and testing ...23 hours ago
It’s time to lower traffic speeds to reduce crashes and free up hospital beds, say cycling advocates. "This will reduce harm and ease the burden on our health workers and emergency services," says Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network. ...20 mins ago
By RNZ Pacific The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in French Polynesia has risen by four to 34. The update from the government said the hospitalisation rate is unchanged with one person in care. Last night a curfew was declared for the first time, forcing residents across ...1 hour ago
It’s a town where people often feel the rest of the country has given up on them, in the middle of a region where every place feels isolated. So how did Ohura become an unlikely centre of Medieval Combat sports in New Zealand? Alex Braae spent three days there finding ...2 hours ago
If you want to understand some of the thinking behind the policy response to the spread of coronavirus, you might want to read the paper from the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team, which is credited with accelerating the introduction of the current lockdown measures in the UK. The paper builds ...2 hours ago
The Māori Party is delaying the launch of its new-look party to fight Covid-19 in Māori communities. ...3 hours ago
Westpac is forecasting 200,000 jobs will be lost in NZ as a result of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Chief economist Dominick Stephens estimates economic activity during the four week lock-down would decline by a third, despite the government and the Reserve Bank having “done a lot to calm ...4 hours ago
Author and illustrator Sarah Laing draws a rite of passage in The Lockdown. Reprinted with the permission of the author from Let Me Be Frank, Sarah Laing's blog devoted to "Reading. Writing. Parenting. Angsting." Let Me Be Frank is also the ...6 hours ago
Convincing its citizens to take lockdown seriously will be a major challenge for Fiji’s government, writes Mandy De Vries. My husband, Howie, and I are lucky enough to live on the beautiful Coral Coast in Fiji. We started a tourism operation here two years ago which was, until recently, booming. ...7 hours ago
New Zealand’s businesses and government are far better prepared for the rapidly escalating global health and economic crisis than they were for the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-09 or the stock market crash in 1987, says Rob Campbell, one of the country’s most experienced corporate leaders. “Executive teams and boards ...7 hours ago
Journalism commentator and former editor Gavin Ellis says media organisations play a vital role in keeping the community informed and, if possible, safe. They also have a crucial part to play in the maintenance of public order and morale, just as they did in the 1940s. With the country in ...7 hours ago
The country has millions of protective gowns, gloves and eyewear – midwives ask: Where are they? David Williams reports Two days into a national lockdown some midwives didn’t have any protective equipment, adding to concerns about safeguards for frontline health workers. On Friday, announcements were made by the Health Ministry ...7 hours ago
Covid-19 lockdown provides valuable time for planning a new business, as Dr Mary-Ellen Gordon explains You have a great idea for a business. You’ve been working to get it up and going. Then, just as you were starting to gain traction, the entire country and much of the rest of ...8 hours ago
Low-income workers whose jobs have disappeared thanks to Covid-19 will increasingly need to access benefit income. When this happens, however, they lose a tax credit for their children. As a direct result of the Covid-19 crisis, the Government has improved its rescue policies for business. We now need to see urgent ...8 hours ago
How is Covid-19 spreading within the country? Newsroom is collating information as it's available to paint a picture of what's happening. There were 83 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, down from the previous day's 85 new cases. Details of how many tests have been completed are now bing released ...16 hours ago
Jim Kayes tests the waters of social media to see how people are coping with being told to avoid their favourite pastime. “There is something ridiculously exhilarating about catching a fish. The thrill might have faded for the salty angler, but for this rookie, the novice still snagging fish hooks ...21 hours ago
The Government yesterday reassured us there are plenty of masks for front line staff dealing with the public. Yet it seems home care workers, who provide up-close personal care for tens of thousands of people every day, won’t be given them. Yesterday two documents hit my inbox. One was a ...22 hours ago
Hobson’s Choice spokesman Don Brash (a former leader of the National and ACT Parties) is not alone in challenging the justification for tribes claiming to have closed roads to protect their people against Covid. Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters – his remarks apparently ignored by ...22 hours ago
New Zealand has 78 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and five probable cases, the Government has announced today, taking the total to 451. Civil Defence Emergency Management director Sarah Stuart-Black said 12 people are in hospital and two are in intensive care, including one on a ventilator. Twelve are in ...1 day ago
Iwi everywhere put support plans into action, focusing on their kaumātua, writes Kayne Ngātokowhā Peters. Iwi are ramping up support services to assist their people in need following the closure of Ministry of Social Development offices and the move to online and phone assistance from Work and Income. Central North Island ...1 day ago
"She blindfolded each of the children with a scarf, saying, ‘There’s going to be a surprise!'": a horror story set at a children's birthday party, by Dunedin writer Emma Neale. As soon as the last child arrived at Bevan’s ninth birthday party, the bashing began. Allan walloped Bevan with a ...1 day ago
Dynamic Silver Ferns defender Jane Watson shares her heartrending and brave story in the final episode of the Pure As documentary series. The fading scar just below Jane Watson's left shoulder is the only clue to her until-now untold story, of the challenges that have tormented the netball world champion. The dynamic, tenacious ...1 day ago
Donald Trump and Boris Johnson's response to coronavirus has revealed some disturbing attitudes towards segments of the population As New Zealand enters a period of indeterminate lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we (and I mean us as a global population) have learned a lot about the importance of ...1 day ago
Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr and Bernard Hickey 'Zoom' out to talk about the once-in-a-lifetime shock to the global economy this week and what it means for businesses and investors. Just as many other businesses are adjusting to the lockdown, so too are Kiwibank and Newsroom. Chief ...2 days ago
As soon as the Prime Minister announced that the country had moved to a Level Three alert and would then move to a full Level Four lockdown, the only thing on most people's minds in downtown Wellington was how to prepare for living and working from home for at least ...2 days ago
Two Cents' Worth hosts Bernard Hickey, Nikki Mandow and Gyles Beckford reflect on the most turbulent week in New Zealand’s economic history. They look at two new tools for business and online working advice that were built over a weekend to help deal with the Covid-19 crisis. They also talk ...2 days ago
Advocates say they’re drowning in complaints of exploitation brought on by the lockdown, Dileepa Fonseka reports Migrant associations and unions have been swamped with allegations that some employers have abused the Government’s wage subsidy scheme or skirted their obligations. Indian Workers Association spokesman Mandeep Bela said he had been “flooded” ...2 days ago
Shoppers are ignoring physical distancing rules, while rule-flouters face jail time in Sāmoa and the Cook Islands, writes Teuila Fuatai. Scenes from one of Fiji’s best-known fresh produce markets illustrate the difficulties of clamping down on Covid-19. Footage captured at the Sigatoka markets on Viti Levu on Thursday March 26 ...2 days ago
It is going to be interesting to see if the anti-abortion crowd have any clout or if they'll be exposed like the gun lobby as full of humbug and hot air. I am picking the government will find surprisingly little resistance to the law reforms it is proposing.
Could be just the thing to whip up another religious political party..
I do hope so. Always enjoy watching the religious bigot parties implode into scandals and hypocrisy.
Right to life. Life doesn't get a choice of whom talks for it! really. What would life say when the foetal whisper asks them? When the mother knows best, the lifers who neither ask for, explain how, or expect debate upon the issue, are told by the baby whisper, the mum that abortion is best. Are they really lifers, when choosers say without prodding, that abortion being a medical procedure should not be over used, that choosers are antilife. Mums die giving birth, mums have to live with the reality of aborting or not. Yes, not abort can be a fatal choice too. So what are we to do when bottom of the cliff ambulance chasers declare they are the only unborn whispers. Miscarriages, caused by industrualization, abort by big corp? Or driving accidents? Sure a women can have god abort, the local drunk, or big industry, but not the choice themselves despite the plain fact that they will live with decision, not the prolifer sic. A senior exec, a drunk, hell even the nonexistent god all are more culpable to their statements that the prolifer who cuts and runs at all the deaths from pregnancy, all the disasters of choosing to keep the baby. The question therefore really do you believe infreed will, that an inalienable right to choose, exists. Or that we free people's should favor religion. Lifers are pro life, they aren't even proliberty, or God. It's just a disgusting display of vanity being better people. Nobody wants an abortion, that the lie they push.
so what is it: conscious vote or referendum? Would have thought Jacinda and co sorted this out before calling a media conference. Or is that mere detail?
David Seymour of all people show Jacinda Ardern and Labour what standing up to China looks like, as it turns out that Labours pragmatism also extend to allowing the Chinese dictatorship to encourage violence on our own shores in the name of protecting the almighty dollar and business…guttless fucking liberals.
'China Consulate praises 'patriotism' of students in Auckland' Universityscufflehttps://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/08/china-consulate-praises-patriotism-of-students-in-auckland-university-scuffle.html
ACT leader David Seymour demands Chinese Consulate General explain 'encouraging violent behaviour'https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/act-leader-david-seymour-demands-chinese-consulate-general-explain-encouraging-violent-behaviour.html
One can only imagine the shit hitting the fan on this site if this had happened under Nationals watch…or the moral outrage if this had been Russia or the US encouraging this violence vis a vie Putin/Trump..disappointing but not unexpected at how fluid some peoples moral and ethical positions are.
You can afford to make noise when you are a nobody.
What a stupid wrongheaded piece of logic..if one extrapolates your position, you are saying that any citizen who is not in a position of power of some sort or another is a nobody and I assume shouldn't be heard.
China is smart enough to know who to pay attention to.
Are they? I thought they were human like the rest of us ….
A small child would spot the yapping of a chihuahua.
@Sacha, So to be clear, you are fine with the Chinese dictatorship encouraging violence on New Zealand soil?
So I assume then you would just as fine if it where Putin or Trump encouraging violence on New Zealand soil..or is it just OK if we have X amount of trade with the country in question?
If this is the case, how much trade does a country have to do with New Zealand before it's OK with you and Labour NZ to allow this state sanctioned violence…give us a number, an amount you think if fair for us to sell our morals and dignity…I am interested to know that dollar value you think your (and NZ's) morals and ethical values are worth selling for on the open market of free trade?
Never said that.
It most certainly looks that way…
I trust that others here can read better.
Your implied defense of Labours silence is what I am sure most will judge your comments, thereby your position by.
Most people can walk and chew gum at the same time.
When real judges judge based on assumptions we know justice is not going to be served (well).
The same applies to our own judgements and ‘natural justice’ and we need to be careful with our assumptions, opinions, prejudices, and the likes, before we jump to conclusions IMHO.
"So I assume then "
There's the problem, right there. It's a common problem and those who practice "assuming" usually can't see what they've done, even when it's pointed out to them. See, walk and chew!
There's nothing wrong with the logic. Seymour is standing up to China now he's an opposition MP and the NZ government can't be held responsible for his statements. When he was part of the government and the NZ government therefore could be held responsible for his statements, he behaved differently – rather like the government is behaving now, for example.
OK so we agree, both Labour and National and their proxies place higher value on uninterrupted trade and commerce than they do on standing up for any kind of supposed moral or ethical position that most New Zealanders would probably expect a sitting government to defend and stand for as sovereign nation.
As suggested earlier, typical liberal behaviour…always profits before people, both the ideology of National and sadly our own spineless useless third way Labour party, no wonder they are polling so badly.
What stupidity. Diplomacy is not all about public sabre-rattling – often more can be achieved by polite, private, but firm, discussions. This is not an issue that I would any New Zealand government to be publicly involved in. New Zealand's position regarding Hong Kong is undoubtedly known to China.
Are you saying that standing up to China who have publicly supported the assault of a protester on New Zealand soil is saber rattling?
I would say that China are the ones who are openly saber rattling, and bulling,obviously testing this weak government on it's resolve…but for some bizarre reason most Labour sycophants here seems to think that is quite OK?
What a bunch of arselickers…grow some fucking backbone for crying out loud.
It's certainly an effective way to let the local Chinese community know who's running the show.
I'm curious, if we are willing to turn a blind eye to State endorsed violence being perpetrated upon foreign born visitors/residents in New Zealand at what point would we intervene.
I seem to recall some New Zealand citizens on TS being really really really upset at the thought of the Russian State supposedly targeting Russians in the UK..maybe we should clarify the rules with the Chinese ..a bit of niggle, a bit of biff, thats okay..but you know, keep it seemly pretty please..
Meantime I would imagine the female victim of this State endorsed violence is shit scared of returning to Hong Kong….then again I'm not sure anywhere is safe..
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/03/29/the-disappeared-china-renditions-kidnapping/
You would know.
Indeed.
Exactly Adrian, I agree 100%. I am astounded that Jacinda's government has not done something public about this.
Another weakness showing. And poor governance on this matter.
Jacindaites better watch out her useless weak spots don't catch up on her
Every New Zealand government of any stripe is basically a Kakapo when it comes to China – it's only natural defense mechanism is to freeze in place when scared.
A Rod Donald-led Government wouldn't have kakapo'd it.
I don't think so – there was Lange and anti-nuclear standing up to the US and Australia straight and strong.. plus Kirk facing down the French with two frigates. Plus Clark refusing to join the 'coalition of the aggressive'. It seems Jacinda is a rung or two below these previous strong Labour leaders. (Nat leaders don't come close of course)
We are not that small and powerless you know.. we command a place on the globe and have influence…
and we need to stand up when required, like we have done in the past.
Jacinda is starting to look weak and useless imo
China takes half our exports and props up our housing market as well by providing most of the people in the new fifth column that keeps the housing ponzi spluttering along.
Upsetting them will take a lot of balls and an existential threat.
Yeah sure, I see that. And China has form in using levers like that if they don't like what others don't like about them.
But this is an age-old issue isn't it. It is like standing up to the bully in the classroom….
… don't stand up and forever be marked down and declining
not the route to take
Jacinda needs to stand up imo, and strongly
" props up our housing market"
Foreign buyers like those from China are essentially banned from buying houses AND land.
plus larger parcels are being investigated for a change
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/business/overseas-owned-business-to-pay-over-500k-in-fines-for-buying-five-hectares-of-auckland-land/
Jacinda is starting to look weak and useless imo
Just wait. As soon as the communists invade Hong Kong she'll grow a spine & call it Winston.
What !
Make sense man …no wonder you dont make any traction in the Green Party.
I haven't tried to influence the GP since winning the battle against the leftists on the waka-jumping legislation. Since I've won every major battle against groupthink that I've undertaken in the Greens, your misread doesn't bother me.
Okay there's the leftist alignment still in place, but since I've already owned up to convincing the GP to adopt it back when it was actually necessary (several times here), I just have to wear the karmic consequence until the Greens decide to retreat from isolation…
" she'll grow a spine & call it Winston." ….a classic line right there.
""We're likening our response to climate change as our response to Te Korokoro o te Parata, to move beyond that challenge and survive," says Te Arawa Lakes Trust Environmental Manager Nicki Douglas."
The legal threat and the big opportunity in Māori engagement on climate change response
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/114282945/the-legal-threat-and-the-big-opportunity-in-mori-engagement-on-climate-change-response
"President Donald Trump called on the nation to condemn racism and white supremacy in a speech on Monday". https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/05/politics/donald-trump-mass-shooting-response/
In the clip on that page he says "these sinister ideologies must be defeated". Better late than never. I look forward to all the commentators here who have in the past called him a racist white supremacist (while consistently providing no proof of that) apologising in unison for getting it wrong. What? Really? You mean they'll keep on denying the facts?
It was surprising but very pleasing to read that Trump had condemned racism and white supremacy.
Without it, these groups had been emboldened, threatening us all.
He also claimed the cause of the frequent mass murders is just individual mental health. Guess which message his supporters will hear?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/exclusive-labour-forced-to-review-investigation-into-bullying-sexual-assault-allegations-against-staffer.html
four positions available as labour staffers.
Applicants must be willing to be sexually harassed, bullied and / or sexuality assaulted.
Promotions will be given to staff who “look good to sleep with”.
Applications to senior labour staffer who will be given your personal details and application letter.
Your timing with with this is a bit off today micky
[Off topic James. Please deal with this topic in open mike – MS]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Unproven allegations are just that. Maybe you believe all those allegations from Jami Lee Ross. Do try harder, James.
James will be busy composing his explanation as to why Sarah Dowie isn't to be investigated/charged with inciting a person to self-harm. Coz James is very sensitive to cover-ups.
i find it sad how many on here accept accusations as fact (some even after it’s been proven false) if it’s a national member – yet are happy to ignore such a large issue and so many complaints of a serious nature in labour’s office. ‘Not proven mate – we ran another dodgy process – move on – no appeals’
Like the five victims of the other mass sexual assault at a labour youth camp – that is still unproven- but lucky after labour did little the police got involved and now he’s in court in a few weeks.
Lets all hope name suppression isn’t granted if he gets convicted.
Perhaps the police will get involved in this one as well.
[Off topic James. Please deal with this topic in open mike – MS]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
"Perhaps the police will get involved in this one as well. "
As they did the Sarah Dowie case?
Why do YOU think that one was dropped, James?
"Lets all hope name suppression isn’t granted" suggests to me you are not interested in the good of an intelligent positive resolution for all involved but a vindictive partisan political outcome.
i don’t have to – the police already said why.
Same as they did when a man was found running naked down the street claiming rape / sexual assault from Darren Hughes at labour’s deputy leaders house.
I guess you would be ok with that one tho huh?
[Off topic James. Please deal with this topic in open mike – MS]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Just say no to drugs jimbo, always the wise choice.
Radio stations usually have a 'back up track' in case they have to vacate the building for such as a fire alarm. I woke in the night and newstalkZB had the situation. They had a carping, grating track on which had the intellectual level of a child, (at the time any kid should've been in bed though).
I don't know where they got it or if they could their money back for the faulty product. Apparently it was a 'Bruce Russell.'
Something smells big time here.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12255887
The level of seriousness of the senior Labour staffer's claimed behaviour would surely have warranted a police investigation but apparently it hasn’t happened.
Then I saw the origins of the story. Newstalk ZB plus Barry Soper and Mike Hosking.
I recall the first stand up interview with P.M.Jacinda Ardern, where Soper tried to throw her off balance. He failed and you could see the anger and hatred written all over his face. It's been there ever since.
If, as I suspect, it is a story which has been distorted for political purposes, then it is incumbent on the party personnel involved to front up with the results.
Indeed, some (the usual) culprits in MSM try to politicise, polarise, and sensationalise this situation. Unfortunately, a few commenters here are trying to do the same thing. Even more unfortunately, it seems to be working and is driving a wedge between good people some of whom are being accused of being an “enabler” of sexual violence. In my view, this does absolutely nothing to deal with the issue of sexual violence.
However, Soper said he'd discovered the man at the centre of the allegations had hired a lawyer who told him "that he is innocent, there was an inquiry, he has nothing to answer for and they warned us to leave this issue alone otherwise they will be suing".
Call their bluff. Make them sue. The whole sad and sorry saga aired in a Court of Law.
I hesitate to refer you to last night's Daily Review and the very long thread under 2 loosely based on an earlier Tova O'Brien Newshub "Exclusive", i.e.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/exclusive-labour-forced-to-review-investigation-into-bullying-sexual-assault-allegations-against-staffer.html
Personally at present, I am trying to keep an open (slightly) mind on this situation …
Hi veutoviper,
Here are two excerpts from the Newshub report which make me smell a rat:
I had a shocking experience back in the early 1990s (and I later realised it had occurred previously) where a malicious woman laid complaints against me to my Public Service bosses (and elsewhere) which caused me to be placed under surveillance and routinely bullied and intimidated. She had twisted and distorted my actions and words to fit a totally false narrative. Her motivation had been in large part political.
This is why I'm deeply suspicious of the extent of the claims being made in this case. But I agree, we will have to wait and see what the outcome is before we can pass firm judgement.
Something sounds fishy alright. Of course even if the issue turns out to be hollow, the damage will already have been done. Can you imagine Soper withdrawing and apologising?
There are 12 complainants
"Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper said that there were 12 alleged complainants and the allegations involved not only sexual assault, but also rape and offers to pay for sex."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12256021
I agree we need to wait and see the outcome (If Labour actually release it, which given their "Most open and transparent govt ever" record, is highly unlikely), but it would have to be a pretty massive conspiracy theory if there wasn't some truth to it.
I accept there is likely to be a grain of truth, but the level of seriousness could have been ratcheted up a notch or three to make it appear worse than it was. If so, it was done for political purposes and the journos involved only increase that suspicion.
Example:
The staffer's alleged comment "she would be nice to sleep with". He said something I'm sure, but it could have been in the form of a quip and the actual wording altered.
"There are 12 complaints". The article indicates there were 12 complaints following an incident some time ago; there has been one complaint recently, and four resignations recently – with an implication without any facts that these may possibly be somehow related. Very often complainants will not want any publicity, whatever the results of an enquiry – it is reasonable to expect that privacy of those involved will be protected – (but not to protect the political party or parliamentary services). Being a good employer has obligations; we should not criticise an employer for not bending over backwards to sate our prurient interests. Let us be cautious . . .
You do know that the Labour Party and the Labour-led Government are not the same thing, don’t you? You seem be confused about it all or you are trying to confuse. You see, James also struggled with the distinction between a member of a party and an MP. Sometimes it pays to be a pedant and strive for accuracy …
I'm going to try to avoid discussing this issue with the salivating tories.
You don't need a telescope to see where they're coming from. Any conflation or inaccuracy from them is by design, in my opinion.
There are a broad range of behaviours described, some of which are completely unacceptable in a workplace or a party, let alone both.
"I'm going to try to avoid discussing this issue with the salivating tories."
Ditto. Bloody tempting though eh! It's interesting to just watch at times.
tou thinking it’s a conspiracy with seven people making complaints?
Surely at least one of them (if serious) would have gone to police?
You would have thought so. The days when women were too frightened to go to the police for fear of being disbelieved are now over. The cops have changed their culture re-rape cases in large part due to Louise Nicholas.
They say they have given up on the Labour Party so why didn't one of them turn to the police? Instead they go running off to the rightest of right wing media. That's what is fishy.
The cops have changed their culture re-rape cases in large part due to Louise Nicholas.
Yeah, nah.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12110733bra
(Don't panic. From the pen of Kirsty Johnston.)
So a woman’s choice to go to the police or not directly links to her credibility according to Anne.
[You put that as an assertion, not as a question, which means that you were making up shit again. However, it is even worse that you did this on a sensitive topic and to a commenter who had shared her personal experience @ 9.3.1 with a work bully in the Public Service who “had twisted and distorted my actions and words to fit a totally false narrative. Her motivation had been in large part political.” That sounds remarkably similar to your behaviour here, certainly over the last couple of days. Take a week off and stop stirring – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 8:51 PM.
That might depend on the connexions of the alleged offender.
Maybe, but it hasn't stopped them from being interviewed by Soper for public consumption.
Radionz – https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018706959/what-s-the-point-in-trying-to-save-a-dying-species
Ordinary people need to care about what the elites are doing to the planet and its animals, and play our part in protecting and sustaining both. Ane remember if we don't stay aware and take care, we are next. Countries are being bombed almost out of existence, and the people left from the wrecks of their homes, fields, and water sources – where do they go? Stay alert, stay alive, or we will be next. And share some of what we have where there is need. That's the important theme of these days I believe.
RNZ’s Alison Ballance, a zoologist and film maker, has been documenting the highs and lows of kākāpō conservation over 22 podcast episodes.
When asked about the value for money spent on trying to save this funny little parrot, she says – “they’re priceless”.
Conservation biologist Rochelle Constantine is another looking for solutions to save species – her speciality is in the marine environment.
She has a successful track record of helping with conservation efforts for Brydes whales in the Hauraki Gulf….
DOC categorised the whales as nationally critical, which is when population numbers dip below the 200 mark.
“This is the highest listing you can get for a conservation concern.”
When a number of the mammals started washing up dead, Constantine investigated.
“When we did a necropsy on them it became pretty apparent that a lot of these whales, up to 84 percent, were dying from ship strike. Clearly large vessels.”…
Constantine says a working group of DOC, local iwi, shipping companies, Ports of Auckland and academics were able to gather, argue freely and reach a solution.
International shipping companies agreed to voluntarily slow to a pace of 10 knots when entering the port.
If we try, we may find a solution, and have cause for another high-five. Multiply those, and we have done our best to overcome today’s problems – and be ready for the next!
South Otago mayor supports Hipkin's reforms. From Stuff
Cadogan has it right and is calling out the Southern mayors and other players for their political posturing.
Wouldn't be the first time Otago saw a chance to grab some southern assets bobs.
Telford and the like must not be allowed to fade away with a lack of concern and proper funding. After all why would people go to university to gain higher specialised learning when there are no jobs in NZ for them when they graduate? If NZ is not interested in being a thriving country of capable people at an advanced level of development drawing on a range of educational disciplines, why should students invest their good money in our education system? It could be that there will be more foreign students than NZ ones the way that National and RW Labour had been driving the higher education system – towards a cliff.
A great documentary on the Maori Channel last night. This is the sort of compulsory viewing that we don't see on 1,2, or 3. And if you watch this you'll see why.
All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, and the Spirit of I.F. Stone
Yes aj. A terrifying documentary which shows the decline of honesty in journalism. Shades of The Herald apparent policy.
You have to sign on to watch free:
https://www.maoritelevision.com/shows/feature-documentaries/S01E001/all-governments-lie-truth-deception-and-spirit-i-f-stone
For real journalism, it's necessary to follow the alternative media outlets, many of them online. We are lucky to have Democracy Now! on Freeview, then there areThe Young Turks, The Real News, Consortium News, and others. Some of these are quite long – the latest CN report on youtube being 2.5hrs long, and featuring Kim Dotcom, William Binney, Mike Gravel, and George Szamuely. I know many are turned of by KDC but Binney is a voice of reason and always worth listen to.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/396051/nzx-opens-down-1-point-3-percent-after-us-hit-by-falling-yuan
Now is the time to build that infrastructure that the evidence shows that we need, so come on government, and keep doing your keep-fit exercises Robertson. We don't want fat, contented finance ministers round here.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/08/06/minto-for-mayor-for-a-future-which-makes-sense/
Keep Our Assets Canterbury (KOA) will announce it is standing John Minto in a campaign for the Christchurch mayoralty at a media conference to be held
Today Tuesday 6th August, 2pm at WEA (Room 3), 59 Gloucester Street
We have decided to stand John because Christchurch faces unprecedented challenges:
We have decided
Are you part of KOA or is that all meant to be a quote from them?
The whole thing is a quote from the link above.
Okay I should have put quote marks to be sure.
Thanks.
Minto for Mayor!
This is fun!
Is the tide ready to turn on US gun control? When even 45 is obliged to express concern the matter is coming to a head. It may be that strategic repeal of legislation defunding research into gun deaths would be a productive step.
With immigration as high as it is, new people will be looking to make some changes on our electoral system where it is moribund. Such as a longer term – 4 years makes sense to me, 5 mmm bit long. But 4 years enables the resident government to probably get good policies through and ticking before the next election.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/395651/should-new-zealand-do-away-with-a-three-year-parliamentary-term
However, it should be noted that the composition of New Zealand electorates has changed dramatically since then. Particularly in the 1990s, when the changes to immigration policy based on the selection of immigrants based on skills, not country of origin, were introduced in 1986 and 1987, and the proportion of the ethnic migrant population significantly increased.
According to a recent population projection by Statistics NZ, nationally the Asian population will make up 21 percent of the population by 2038 (up from 12 percent in 2013).
Herald online (aka the Hosking Blower) is doing its best to ignore the Labour Stats released today. The lowest unemployment and biggest rise in wages for 10 years since, well since the last Labour government actually.
They also now have an unsubstantiated headline running re another matter but have removed the content, the whole page should be gone instead just the accusation remains.
I am fed up with media thinking they are judge and jury on matters that are not even before police let alone up for judgment.
Anyway here is the link to the employment stats.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12256022
so wages went up over 4%lat year… great for those who benefited, and teachers were rewarded with no pay increase over the same period, and now they should be thankful for what they Fought tooth and nail to achieve. I gather that given what has just been achieved that teachers, nurses etc will be going backwards in real terms😤
Horeskin will be working out how to spin this as a bad thing.
charming
US ramps up the pressure for regime change in Venezuela. The Chinese and Russian reply will be interesting. Am guessing the UN will be its usual spineless self on this.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/06/trump-freezes-all-venezuelan-government-assets-in-us
"On Tuesday Bolton, and US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, represent the United States at the International Conference for Democracy in Venezuela."
Nice of Maduro to be so warm & cozy with Trump by inviting two of his cabinet ministers to come & chat about democracy. I presume he's still struggling to figure out how to do it, and needs high-level explanations from the experts…
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Great a change to our drug laws The police at there own discretion can send drugs addicts to get drug rehabilitation.
The problem I have is that this law actually gives the police more power to manipulate these people ie you do this you get to go to a rehab facility if not off to the hinaki jail. Its good that the police are going to target the organized drug sellers ka pai they are poisoning tangata with PEE.
You see whanau they use people like that to try and intimidate me brown people gangster the Hawskbay lot must have a close link to the gangster they are throwing them at me all the time here.
A intelligent person will know that the ORC drop is needed with the trade war going on with Te Papatuanuku 2 biggest economies that could drag Aotearoa economies to a slower growth rates It's not ROCKET SCIENCE.
You have just lost all your credibility looking through your $$ glasses making that statement about trump.
Aziza that is cool a phone with A accessories becomes a computer I gather that the device will be able to cast the phone screen to a big monitor for lectures and large ordinances . ???? One can already do that with a Chrome Cast.or smart TV????????. we need more information on the device
Ka kite ano
We must protect these beautiful creatures of Tangaroa and stop the trade in shark fins . Humans only live on Papatuanuku for a fraction of time compared to other fantastic creatures of Papatuanuku and Tangaroa we must preserve our whenua land and Tangaroa sea for all creatures not just thinking about WEALTHY humans alone we are all in this environment TOGETHER.
400-year-old Greenland shark is oldest vertebrate animal
This article is more than 2 years old
Shark, which would have reached sexual maturity at around 150 years, sets new record for longevity as biologists finally develop method to determine age
She was born during the reign of James I, was a youngster when René Descartes set out his rules of thought and the great fire of London raged, saw out her adolescent years as George II ascended the throne, reached adulthood around the time that the American revolution kicked off, and lived through two world wars. Living to an estimated age of nearly 400 years, a female Greenland shark has set a new record for longevity, scientists have revealed.
Forget Nessie, now is the time to spot basking sharks in Scottish waters
The discovery places the lifespan of the Greenland shark far ahead of even the oldest elephant in captivity, Lin Wang, who died aged 86. It is also far longer than the official record for humans, held by 122-year-old Frenchwoman
“That indicates that most of our analysed sharks were actually older than the time mark, meaning that they were older than 50 years,” said Nielsen
The scientists then combined the carbon dating results with estimations of how Greenland sharks grow, to create a model that allowed them to probe the age of the 25 sharks born before the 1960s.
Their findings revealed that the largest shark of the group, a female measuring just over five metres in length, was most likely around 392 years old, although, as Nielsen points out, the range of possible ages stretches from 272 to 512 years.
“The Greenland shark is now the best candidate for the longest living vertebrate animal,” he said. Ka kite ano link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/11/400-year-old-greenland-shark-is-the-oldest-vertebrate-animal
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
The sandflys think Eco Maori Doesn't KNOW who there RATS ARE
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
Kia Ora Newshub.
Its cool that Aotearoa gave Sir Brian a service that he deserved 5000 people attended ka pai.
Some people are going to be unhappy about the drugs floating ashore in Auckland good job.
I agree with Joe Biden.
It would be cool if Lumsden South Land got there maturity units back its quite hard for Wahine to give birth having to travel far to a hospital would add more stress to mum and baby.
Ka kite ano it been warm weather here today can not say the same about the authority's
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Its a great move Wally to lower the police numbers at Ihumatao .
Kirama I can read you piece of piss .
It should be good to have a top down approach to our polytechnics and other training organizations 16 being run under one umbrella we need to give our youth the correct skills to help them climb up high on their ladders of life.
Tracy I think it's awesome that te tamariki are going be accessed at 7 years old to see if they have dyslexic a lot of times there parents have not figured out that their tamariki has a learning disorder. When one knows there is a problem well that is when things can be put in place to solve it.
I remember my Mama trying to teach me to spell it was hard mahi for her.
Awesome Pacific Art is being displayed at the Auckland museum the place with the largest Pacific population in te Papatuanuku beautiful looking Art to .
Spirit Wrestler Art studio who is hosting and helping Pacific artists to market their great Art cool Piripi
Ka kite ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
The way it works is that 99.9 % of TE TANGATA get to see the TRUTH about climate change and we put pressure on the authorities to change the way we live ie carbon neutral. Students strike is changing the political minds on climate change. Once trump is voted out American will switch back to mitagating climate change China is making huge changes to combat climate change thanks to them SOLAR POWER is the cheapest form of Electricity generation. European is changing the way they live to they are 10 years ahead of most countries with their Mitigation of climate change. climate change And is India they are building the Papatuanuku biggest SOLAR Farms Eco calls them because we are harvesting energy straight from TE RA stop being a naysayer it Friday days off for you.
Its great that Brendon Hartley is driving in E Car racing E cars are faster cleaner and the FUTURE of private transportation.
I think paula is manufacturing that situation I agree she is politicizing the situation just to gain votes. The Coalition government didn't attack national over the Ross situation that national had .That's the difference between the left and the right the right will throw anything under the bus to get votes the left no what RESPECT is .national would have had the cops arrest everyone at Ihumatao.
Aotearoa Farmers lead the Papatuanuku with their farming practices they don't get massive subsidies to keep on farming un sustainable like the rest of Papatuanuku the production efficiency gains over 30 years has been MASSIVE.
Eco Maori has Already given up flying on Planes you know 2 reasons.
Sir David Fagin is a great ambassador for Aotearoa all his feats in winning Papatuanuku Shearing competition. The previous government have dropped the ball on training and providing the correct skills .
I think it's stupid that we have to import workers how stupid or callous by the people who have been ruling Aotearoa .
Ka kite ano
Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.
Here you go whanau people are already suffering because of the Oil barons blocking tangata reality and the TRUTH about the scientific facts on Human caused climate change. Water is getting scarce as Papatuanuku heats up the problem of water for the common poor tangata is going to multiply very fast.
'People are dying': how the climate crisis has sparked an exodus to the US
As part of the Running Dry series, the Guardian looks at how drought and famine are forcing Guatemalan families to choose between starvation and migration
At sunrise, the misty fields around the village of Guior are already dotted with men, women and children sowing maize after an overnight rainstorm.
After several years of drought, the downpour brought some hope of relief to the subsistence farmers in this part of eastern Guatemala.
But as Esteban Gutiérrez, 30, takes a break from his work, he explains why he is still willing to incur crippling debts – and risk his life – to migrate to the United States.
“My children have gone to bed hungry for the past three years. Our crops failed and the coffee farms have cut wages to $4 a day,” he says, playing nervously with the white maize kernels in a plastic trough strapped to his waist
Ka kite ano link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/29/guatemala-climate-crisis-migration-drought-famine
Kia Ora Newshub.
The United Nations report is good but it doesn't mean Aotearoa should not stop farming the way we do. I say we could reduce our farming carbon footprint quite a lot if we focused on that task .
Ka pai to our Coalition Governments for making big companies responsible for their recycling that will make them make their products and packaging more recyclable Awesome.
I don't think Wahine should be consuming to much alcohol during breast feeding the Wahine in my whanau pump breast milk before they drink and don't feed off their bread for a day .
Radio Hauraki was a great way to break the way Aotearoa handled the radio waves. Condolences to Mr Mcgain Whanau he was part of the changes that needed to happen with Aotearoa Radio.
There you go shonky had the government agency hire a private eye company spie on good Kiwis .
That was a big mess in that Australian truck crash.
Ka kite ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Good on Tama Iti for going to Ihumatao and see for himself what the kauppa is Eco Maori has a lot of respect for Tama .
Ka pai To Kuakaupapa the total immersion in Te reo came just in time to save our te reo and Maori Culture from collapsing my generation and my mother generation lost te reo now we have heaps of tamariki who can carry our cultural into THEIR FUTURE its cool that the teachers are getting pay parity
I DON'T think that nurse or anyone should be shunned for speaking te reo I don't do that to anyone. Heads turn when I greet people with a kia ora .
The measles is still going on in the year 2019 who dropped the ball on that dease .
I think it's great to have the wayward young people getting a lesson in respect and learning how to be a good citizen of Aotearoa in the army based camps Ron.
Mana Wahine Cherise great that you won the bucthers championship tangata whenua are good at bucthering meat I prosessed my first mutton at 12 years old me and a m8 the same age .
Ka kite ano