"Trusted, impartial and independent? Or largely unaccountable and part of the Establishment? Sociologist Tom Mills considers the evidence on the enormously influential British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC."
A very interesting interview which goes a long way to explaining some of the very biased reporting from the BBC through some good old fashioned historical analysis…
The BBC has soiled its reputation so many times–Iraq WMD, Tony Blair, Russia, China, Mid East, Wikileaks etc. etc. it is amazing anyone takes it seriously as an accurate news source.
The Beeb has an old school tory class based internal culture (with a fair share of pervs of various persuasions).
I watch some BBC dramas, nicely produced usually–for a change from Netflix–but they too can have a sting–like submarine based whodunnit “Vigil” which has an interesting subtext supporting US and British Imperialism!
I remember my father telling me that the BBC did not report anti-nuclear testing activity by NZ against France in the Pacific….at a time the UK was hoping to join the EC and didn't want to offend the French (1970s)!
The head of Waikato's Mongrel Mob chapter was given an essential workers exemption to travel in and out of Auckland last weekend.
Newstalk ZB can reveal the exemption was granted to Sonny Fatupaito – who's been working with some of the harder to reach communities in the city, such as those with gang affiliations.
In a statement, via a spokesperson, Fatupaito said he has been liaising with health officials and police to assist in reaching people in communities within the gang's chapters and their whanau in Auckland.
He was asked to travel to Auckland by South Seas Healthcare, who have been co-ordinating much of the response to the South Auckland clusters.
I loathe the gangs. But I think this was probably a good thing to try. Will be interesting to see if it prompts any Auckland Mongrel Mob members to front up for Covid vaccinations.
But National's Police spokesman Simeon Brown is not convinced, and has called on the Government to front up on why Fatupaito was allowed to travel in and out of Auckland.
predictable knee jerk reaction from National. The answer's already in the news article. As many incentives as possible should be tried to get vax rates up as high as possible.
During my recent, admittedly brief, interaction with the Mongrel Mob, or the 'Kingdom' as they refer to themselves as.
What struck me most forcefully about the Mongrel Mob, was their poverty.
They say power corrupts. Well so does poverty.
My respect to Sonny Fatupaito for attempting to lift his people out of their degradation.
I heard him give a talk about the rise of P in the Waikato, which he claimed to have been against. Resorting to vigilante justice against the dealers. For which he was jailed. He said that when he was in prison many of younger 'Kingdom' members became P dealers.
Sonny Fatupaito recounted, that one day when he wasn't expecting any visitors he was called from his cell because there were visitors who wanted to see him.
As he told it, the visitors were senior Waikato police officers who told him we may have made a mistake.
Inequality and Shared Prosperity For more than two decades, extreme poverty was steadily declining. Now, for the first time in a generation, the quest to end poverty has suffered its worst setback.
There are exceptions, but it seems to me that most people with wealth and power don't really want society to change for the better, as they don't perceive that change to be in their own best interests, at least in the short-to-medium term. And who wants to think any further ahead these days?
If one aspires to extreme wealth then go for it – whatever floats your yacht. But it seems so pointless and short-sighted – an ‘own goal’ even.
Why poverty in New Zealand is everyone's concern
Liang describes poverty as a "heritable condition" that perpetuates and amplifies through generations: "It is also not hard to see how individual poverty flows into communities and society, with downstream effects on economics, crime and health, as well as many other systems. Loosen one strand and everything else unravels."
A Kete Half Empty Poverty is your problem, it is everyone's problem, not just those who are in poverty. – Rebecca, a child from Te Puru
I think the ever so slight loosening of restrictions is in recognition that at about 50% people need encouragement and hope that things are on the move and that contacts would become more surreptitious anyway. This is no way a” giving up” otherwise even at 95% the whining arseholes would be saying the Government was giving up the elimination strategy.
“Open up and let it rip” has been a relentless campaign in the media channels, which broke cover perhaps when sirkey was wheeled out. Brian Tamaki to some extent did what Judith Collins would liked NZ National to have done!
The sheer ratio of whingers to those quietly getting on with lockdown and vaccination, showed the establishment campaign is a reality. Elements included privatising MIQ, ending restrictions on foreign students and migrant workers, opening up free in and outflow of capital, and generally business as usual. The bad news for this lot is some people will not resume eating out, shows, sports or cinema for a long time yet.
In the end the NZ petit bourgeois sector with their well stocked pantrys, will get what they think they want, but at what cost? Owner operators, SMEs and corporates who espouse the superiority of the market were quick to put their hands out for State assistance. The Govt. bent over to appease them with wage subsidies and even a second tier unemployment benefit!
A lot of people are going to pay for this bullying of the Govt.–including those with non COVID healthcare and social needs.
For at least 20 years the CCP has deeply subsidised industries with incredibly damaging results across the rest of the democratic world, hurting workers and the middle classes.
As a small example – here in Australia the company I was working for found that it could buy steel skid frames (about 400kg of laser cut, drilled, fabricated and painted framework as equipment bases) delivered from China – cheaper than buying the raw steel locally. There was no way this was possible unless the Chinese govt was deeply subsidising their own industry. This story has been repeated millions of time across the developed world this past few decades and finally someone is saying enough.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai lays out the Biden-Harris Administration's policy approach to US-China trade relations this speech. The language is measured as you might expect – the implications are wide ranging:
"The core of our strategy is to ensure that we work with our allies to create fair and open markets."
Her use of the word "allies" is instructive and unhelpful. Trade partners are not allies; they are simply entities who agree to rules to trade by. "Allies" conflates security with trade interests.
Trade Representative Tai didn't mention either CPTPP or RCEP. China is a member of RCEP. Neither China nor the United States are members of CPTPP. Instead she focuses on the World Trade Organisation, and doesn't acknowledge that the US went out of its way to kill it over 4 years.
Both CPTPP and RCEP have strong things to say about intellectual property protection, tariffs, market access by category, and bunches of other good stuff.
It would be a strong diplomatic signal for international trade and for multilateralism generally if the US and China jointly signed up to these (albeit imperfect) agreements.
The key insight here is that Biden's experience under Obama in dealing with the PRC on trade issues clearly comes through. He's no longer interested in promises.
And her reference to ‘allies’ aligns with the idea that the US is now going to start defining it’s interests much more narrowly. AUKUS is probably a very good example of this – and of the more transactional nature of these alliances.
The US can neither afford, nor is all that interested in, providing a security umbrella more or less for free. And sooner or later NZ is going to find this out. Of course all the anti-US types here will delight in this prospect – but will remain silent on the alternative.
Trade agreements aren't generally tied to security agreements and nor should they be.
New Zealand's only useful contribution to Trade Representative Tai is to do what we have successfully done before, which is to build mechanisms that enable countries and companies to make good and fair money. We've done that very well over 20 years.
Once countries consistently conflate trade agreements with security agreements by selling huge new arms technologies to opponents, all they do is militarise trade. You yourself have pointed out many times that China has every economic reason not to go to war in any form.
US war materiel is over-priced. I’ve sometimes wondered if we can’t get F16s, what the Russians might have on offer. I believe they still build their hi-performance warplanes as solid & dependable as brick shithouses.
The F16 Lease Deal brokered by Bill Clinton & Jenny Shipley in the late 90’s, was a very good deal, as the 28 F16’s had very low hrs on the clock with highest of F16’s was about 7hrs. Funding had already been set aside by then National Government & the RNZAF of between $250m & $350m NZD for Kahu 2 which was the planned A4 upgrade, but the money was then transferred to up grading the F16’s once they had been bedded in 75SQN & 2SQN’s respectively.
My Uncle who was the FSGT & acting. WOE in the RNZAF Ohakea at Base SQN Avionics, was heavily involved with the Kahu 2 Project which became the F16 Project & the later when the F16 Project got canned the Macchic Project until the bloody Greens jump up & down demanding that 14SQN got disbanded as well.
The Russian Aircraft aka the Su27- 30’s & Mig 29’s were actually studied by the RNZAF, but were dropped for a number of reasons when talked to Malaysia AF who operate the Mig29, TNIAF operating the Su27’s, the Indian AF who doing some crazy stuff on their Su30’s and the both the Luftwaffe & Poles as well.
1, Was the very poor after sales service from Russia,
2, The time it took to translate the various manuals & training the Tech’s
3, the mean time between technical failures & engine overhauls was very very low compared to their contemporaries with Western built Aircraft.
4, the small numbers of Aircraft being used the RNZAF was another issue, the RNZAF would’nt been unable to tap in the NATO Stores System if it was operating alongside Oz, the Poms, Canada or other like minded nations.
If NZ did decide to get back into the Fast Jet game ie Maritime Strike/ Interdiction
My pick would either be the Super Hornet similar to the RAAF ones, or failing that
The French Dassault Rafale B F3-R Two Seater
SAAB Gripen or this wee hot ship from
Sth Korea https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAI_T-50_Golden_Eagle.
Eventually the NZG will have to go down the UAV route at some stage if it wants to get the full use out of its for P8’s and whatever 2nd Tier Maritime Patrol Aircraft it choses under the 2018 DCP which both have to be Networked in with the Navy.
There are some major technical, including Security (both Active& Passive measures) issues to operating a UAV in NZ given the huge area that both the NZ Navy & RNZAF are likely to Patrol & operate in NZ before we even discuss the Moral & Ethical reasons to operate UAV’s.
I agree the US will probably only require NZ to continue to operate as the 'good citizen' it has in the past – but it doesn't take too much to imagine some other more subtle things they might ask of us.
And yes I agree that rationally Xi Xinping has no intention of going to war with the rest of the world – but if he continues his high stakes game of chicken over Taiwan, or elsewhere, events could easily run away from even his grasp.
PRC, as any country, has to deal with the global trade reality of blocs and agreements and “rules” organisations–which is in a bit of a mess when you tote them all up.
Various US producers were quick enough to move to China for cheaper production costs off the back of the Chinese working class, and still the free marketeers complain when China maximises its production strategies.
Essentially the US is complaining about a centrally planned economy, and it is rich indeed for the world centre of union busting (e.g. Amazon), and a poverty level federal minimum wage ($7.25 since 2009!) to criticise how workers are treated elsewhere.
and a poverty level federal minimum wage ($7.25 since 2009!) to criticise how workers are treated elsewhere.
Of course the actual story is more complex than this. And you might want to take a look at the data before painting the US as a poverty striken hell-hole. In reality it's a large diverse economy that defies simplistic characterisations.
Essentially the US is complaining about a centrally planned economy,
And yes – I gave an example above of precisely why this should be opposed. The Chinese workers who made those steel frames were not necessarily low paid – but that the companies involved in the supply chain could access unlimited state subsidies by various means to cover the fact that they were selling their product at a loss.
In essence this policy was a zero sum game that transferred jobs from one country to another – which is how China became the 'workshop of the world'. And then you wonder where the decent working class jobs in our part of the world went to.
As for the 'China bashing' – you may want to note the ethnicity of the person making the speech. Fail.
Also to note New Zealand is currently sending a frigate and an Orion to participate in Operation Bersama Gold 21, which is a big operation between the navies of Australia, New Zealand, UK, US, Malaysia and Singapore. Looks to be quite a big exercise.
It should actually read Ex Bersama Gold not Op Bersama Gold as there is no 2 Way Range. Ex Bersama Gold is the Annual 5 Power Defence Ex which has combined Ex Spearfish & Ex Vanguard together which were from memory 1-2 mth long Ex’s. The Yanks are not involved with 5 FPDA Ex, as it’s an all Commonwealth of Nations Affair & there has been talk of involving India over the last few yrs..
Delta beat the lockdown policy and the vaccines. It's endemic and you need to face up to the reality that like say the common cold or flu – we're all going to catch it sooner or later.
This speech faces this truth square on – regardless of who was saying it.
Delta did not beat the lockdown. It was those who wanted 'Freedom' (from what?), the conspiracy theorists and God Squaders along with the screamers of 'I want to make a profit' and the "I want to come home' moaners that have compromised the lockdown.
We should all now be ready to hear from those who can't come back to NZ for funerals or whose surgery is endlessly postponed, to start kicking up a ruckus?
Long term Pfizer (BNT162b2) immunity is better against hospitalisation (figure B) in California against SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (now it's been around long enough to tell, at least for 16+ age groups) than infection (figure A). Which suggests that boosters may come more in the form of natural infections, than yearly vaccines.
Effectiveness of BNT162b2 against infections caused by the delta variant, which became the predominant strain in KPSC {the health-care organisation Kaiser Permanente Southern California} by July, 2021, was 75% (95% CI 71–78) over the study period. Effectiveness against delta infections at 1 month after being fully vaccinated was high at 93% (85–97) but fell to 53% (39–65) up to 5 months after being fully vaccinated. Effectiveness against other (non-delta) variants within 1 month of being fully vaccinated was also high at 97% (95–99) and also waned, to 67% (45–80) up to 5 months after being fully vaccinated. Effectiveness against delta-related hospital admissions over the entire study period was high, at 93% (84–96) and was similar to effectiveness against hospital admissions for other (non-delta) variants.
I still haven't got the knack of posting images though! The second graph displays fine on mobile, but half of July is cut-off on laptop. The buttons where gone when I tried to edit and strange tech gibberish in its place (which I didn't dare touch).
This is also an interesting read on the Lancet (endemic coronaviruses = common colds; SARS-CoV = SARS) :
Reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 under endemic conditions would likely occur between 3 months and 5·1 years after peak antibody response, with a median of 16 months. This protection is less than half the duration revealed for the endemic coronaviruses circulating among humans (5–95% quantiles 15 months to 10 years for HCoV-OC43, 31 months to 12 years for HCoV-NL63, and 16 months to 12 years for HCoV-229E). For SARS-CoV, the 5–95% quantiles were 4 months to 6 years
I called the cops yesterday to do a welfare check on a young women (natal women) who got 'man' handled in front of our shops. – I don't think i ever felt more like a true Karen ever. But what is one to do when that shit happens, and fwiw, it is escalating in our fair wee town.
I did get a call from an officer later that day – rehashing the events that let to my call, and i did precise that i called for a 'welfare' check, essentially for both of them, the young women and the young bloke, as both were obviously not able to resolve what was going on without violence. Also that the guy bought booze at opening time of the booze shop.
So here we are, we have lost 4 women to violence in the last month. And yet, i still feel stink about calling the police. And i truly hope, that the young women has someone in her life that will tell her that getting the bash is not a sign of how he loves you, but rather is a sign of how he believes he ownes her and she is his to do as he likes, as i hope that the young bloke (natal) has a person in his life that will help him overcome what ever led him to bash his girlfriend in front of our shops.
I would have done the same and I did so earlier in the year as a male was explosive toward a female outside my home. More than one person reported it. I always shudder to think what goes on behind closed doors. Intervention is required and ongoing support. The shortage of affordable housing contributes to not having somewhere to be safe.
"Ardern’s perpetual struggle is transforming her care and compassion into public policy. Thus, the contradiction where she thrives in a crisis yet falters in its aftermath … the prime minister’s personal care and compassion do not always align with her public policy decisions."
But then – the young, brown, medically-compromised and disabled are not Ardern’s targeted voters.
A contrast of her gift of inspiring people when a political response aligns with her personal values, and her political work that is centrist at its core. She'll need her gift to regain that political capital she's just spent on changing tack, because Collins and Seymour don't even have to change their Covid policy to gain disenchanted who left National last election for the promises of Ardern – Labour has come to National/ACT (granted, ACT policy is a bit more blatant about everybody for themselves). They just have to convince people they can do Covid better and the opening is now there.
There are big questions for the Left that believes in social cohesion and equity.
The biggest danger is the buy-in of Nat/Act attitudes in Media and the business forum. The promotion of stories which point up every bump in the road, the wailing about MIQ, returnees and low rent supports and costs in general. Saying changing to the next step is a sign of failure, just generally white anting the elimination strategy. The stories about money for Gangs, Covid in the gangs. Certain Suburbs, so it goes.
It wasn't the entitled couple who flew south, it was not the Lawyer who went to the races over the border, it was not the entitled who spread covid, no no it was the poor.
Well wow!! What part of ghettoizing people is still not understood? If you live in large airy well ventilated warm housing with a full pantry reliable internet and respect from all health and other services… you live in a world of plenty with your expectations the Government will smooth any difficulties that you can't deal with then you conform to social norms generally, unless you are one of the spoiled entitled.!!
If you live in a crowded neighbourhood with older smaller homes without central kitchens food in the pantry money in the bank, poor transport, poor health with co-morbidities, and you are not trusted by a large section of the community because… you are poor, surly through past experiences, hungry, full of mis-information reinforced by facebook or in the certain religions/black economy/ gang communities , with bad experiences when you turn to "Social services", generally non-conforming to social norms.
How do we change that? Definitely NOT by austerity programmes. We have to practice inclusivity. If people opt out we separate them for special intensive assistance, as they have a social disorder.
We continue to increase education initiatives and investment, we increase health home visits and investment. We provide to mothers a suitable sum on the birth of a child to help with expenses universally. We listen to what communities want more actively and create a Welfare Ombudsperson.
We don't fall for PR letters and speeches written by vested interests… when did they work in the community? rather manipulating the view to a politically skewed window?
However, we have a PM who said the most important part of our Covid-19 response was health and that they were following the science.
Now, we know have some of those same scientists worried, disappointed and hoping for a bit of good luck to see us through this.
"If you live in a crowded neighbourhood with older smaller homes without central kitchens food in the pantry money in the bank, poor transport, poor health with co-morbidities, and you are not trusted by a large section of the community because…"
These are the people who are likely to be most severely impacts by this approach that includes crossed fingers and hope.
Moreover, we have a new health system on the way – why oh why did the government not recognise the spirit of the new system and (visibly?) bring in Māori to share the decision-making at the highest level around this response?
Barfly, your comment has really made me stop and consider. It’s not an “I reckon” or a political salvo, a sermon or a serve.
Rather, to me it is a true use of the word 'need'. Instead of reading someone opining "They need", I have read that someone said "I need" and acted upon that realisation. Thanks.
Bloody Brilliant.!! We know the struggle you faced. Our son faces that as well. Well done Barfly. I know you have other health issues, but that is a huge win. Made my day.. Suggest new monica Flying Free
That mallard hen knows where she's going, weka. Around the back of the buildings a little way further ahead of her there's a brook, one of several, that feeds, via a very large under-the-township culvert, straight into my stream.
The media have never liked strong, powerful woman.
They always try to bring them down but I'm confident that, like the Phoenix, JC will rise from the ashes and attain her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.
Sorry about that freudian slip, I mean as the Prime Minister.
All this talk of female empowerment and getting more females (sorry is that the correct term or should I say person who chest feeds) into politics but as soon as a person with XX chromosomes joins the "wrong" party its pitchforks and torches time
one of my customer is anti mask and anti vax, she is also african / american.
So anyways, we get to talk about things, and end up talking masks. I ask her why she did not wear them, and she said she did not see the point. Then she asked me why i wore mine. lol….I said, its simple really, i am vaccinated and thus might become a carrier of the virus but stay a-symptomatic not even a sniffle, thus risking the spread of the virus unknowingly. So i told her, that is why you should wear a mask, to protect yourself from someone like me.
Today she came to the shop wearing a N95 mask. Good girl. Good girl.
That is one thing us vaccinated people really must understand that we might become unwitting carriers. So testing is essential, which is why i hope that saliva tests will become a standard household item. My partner goes to test once every week and is considering doing it twice. His territory that he looks after is large, very large. He could potentially infect the lower half of the north island in a busy day. And he is an essential worker. As for myself, the shop is not open to anyone, its no contact pickup and will be for a long time coming.
I like this customer, she is a lovely lady and due to her own particular trauma as an african american women she has her own reasons to worry about this particular vaccine. But i am happy to see her now in a Mask everytime she is outside, rather then only wearing a flimsy cloth masks when in her office and nothing when out and about.
I ran across a recent essay from The Brothers Krynn, which attempts to map common horror monsters onto the Seven Deadly Sins: https://canadianculturecorner.substack.com/p/horror-monsters-and-vice My interest, however, is not in the meat of the piece, but rather the opening paragraph: It is an interesting fact that in recent decades, Vampires have ...
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The furore. In case you didn’t notice there was a controversy in the weekend involving dolphins in a little town off the South Island. Don’t panic, they haven’t declared independence and resumed whaling, this was simply a sailing event.The problem began when racing was cancelled on the opening day of ...
For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
COMMENTARY:By Ronny Kareni Since the atrocious footage of the suffering of an indigenous Papuan man reverberates in the heart of Puncak by the brute force of Indonesia’s army in early February, shocking tactics deployed by those in power to silence critics has been unfolding. Nowhere is this more evident ...
Analysis - Nicola Willis is holding firm on tax cuts despite the economic outlook being worse than forecast and critics urging her to wait, writes Peter Wilson for The Week In Politics. ...
Opposition MPs and unions are criticising a proposal by New Zealand’s Ministry of Pacific Peoples to cut staff by 40 percent. The country’s largest trade union — The Public Service Association — says the ministry has informed staff that it is looking to shed 63 of 156 positions. Opposition MPs ...
A poem by Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 featured poet Carin Smeaton. Daughtr of the 90s when she gets promoted to usherette a baby blu eel carries her all the way up to mothership she’s hovering high she lets the underaged in to see keanu reeves she lets the only lonely ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
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One of my favourites, mary.
Boss Tui breakfasts on sugar water at Gezza's Cafe
https://i.imgur.com/f6Gg5j5.gif
He lets me get so close, it feels like a real privilege.
Tui trolling the cat with that bowl 😈
🙊 Tee hee. I wondered if anyone would notice that. 🙂
Boss Tui is the one who attacked the pūkeko who was stealing his sugar water.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he dive-bombed any cat on my property. 👷🏼
Nice
Your Tui is one magnificent bird. You have quite an amazing menagerie of wildlife where you are Gezza. Thanks again for sharing.
"Trusted, impartial and independent? Or largely unaccountable and part of the Establishment? Sociologist Tom Mills considers the evidence on the enormously influential British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC."
A very interesting interview which goes a long way to explaining some of the very biased reporting from the BBC through some good old fashioned historical analysis…
https://kpfa.org/episode/against-the-grain-september-1-2021/
The BBC has soiled its reputation so many times–Iraq WMD, Tony Blair, Russia, China, Mid East, Wikileaks etc. etc. it is amazing anyone takes it seriously as an accurate news source.
The Beeb has an old school tory class based internal culture (with a fair share of pervs of various persuasions).
I watch some BBC dramas, nicely produced usually–for a change from Netflix–but they too can have a sting–like submarine based whodunnit “Vigil” which has an interesting subtext supporting US and British Imperialism!
Yep the BBC has got plenty of good points (like The Guardian) which is what makes them so dangerous (politically) I guess.
I remember my father telling me that the BBC did not report anti-nuclear testing activity by NZ against France in the Pacific….at a time the UK was hoping to join the EC and didn't want to offend the French (1970s)!
BBC corruption is nothing new.
I loathe the gangs. But I think this was probably a good thing to try. Will be interesting to see if it prompts any Auckland Mongrel Mob members to front up for Covid vaccinations.
predictable knee jerk reaction from National. The answer's already in the news article. As many incentives as possible should be tried to get vax rates up as high as possible.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-delta-outbreak-mongrel-mob-boss-granted-essential-worker-exemption-to-come-to-auckland/BJZJRLGN3GQHAXOCMD5EB7INTE/
During my recent, admittedly brief, interaction with the Mongrel Mob, or the 'Kingdom' as they refer to themselves as.
What struck me most forcefully about the Mongrel Mob, was their poverty.
They say power corrupts. Well so does poverty.
My respect to Sonny Fatupaito for attempting to lift his people out of their degradation.
I heard him give a talk about the rise of P in the Waikato, which he claimed to have been against. Resorting to vigilante justice against the dealers. For which he was jailed. He said that when he was in prison many of younger 'Kingdom' members became P dealers.
Sonny Fatupaito recounted, that one day when he wasn't expecting any visitors he was called from his cell because there were visitors who wanted to see him.
As he told it, the visitors were senior Waikato police officers who told him we may have made a mistake.
"They say power corrupts. Well so does poverty."
A question – are people in gangs because of poverty, or they in poverty because of the gangs?
Both? That said, one of the major reasons to join a gang is loss of hope in a prospect's future, and poverty plays a big part in that loss of hope.
True that.
That's two questions – yes to both, I reckon.
Wealth, power, inequality and poverty can all contribute to the breeding grounds for corruption and other antisocial behaviours, that's for sure.
There are exceptions, but it seems to me that most people with wealth and power don't really want society to change for the better, as they don't perceive that change to be in their own best interests, at least in the short-to-medium term. And who wants to think any further ahead these days?
If one aspires to extreme wealth then go for it – whatever floats your yacht. But it seems so pointless and short-sighted – an ‘own goal’ even.
Thanks Drowsy, a thoughtful response.
I think the ever so slight loosening of restrictions is in recognition that at about 50% people need encouragement and hope that things are on the move and that contacts would become more surreptitious anyway. This is no way a” giving up” otherwise even at 95% the whining arseholes would be saying the Government was giving up the elimination strategy.
“Open up and let it rip” has been a relentless campaign in the media channels, which broke cover perhaps when sirkey was wheeled out. Brian Tamaki to some extent did what Judith Collins would liked NZ National to have done!
The sheer ratio of whingers to those quietly getting on with lockdown and vaccination, showed the establishment campaign is a reality. Elements included privatising MIQ, ending restrictions on foreign students and migrant workers, opening up free in and outflow of capital, and generally business as usual. The bad news for this lot is some people will not resume eating out, shows, sports or cinema for a long time yet.
In the end the NZ petit bourgeois sector with their well stocked pantrys, will get what they think they want, but at what cost? Owner operators, SMEs and corporates who espouse the superiority of the market were quick to put their hands out for State assistance. The Govt. bent over to appease them with wage subsidies and even a second tier unemployment benefit!
A lot of people are going to pay for this bullying of the Govt.–including those with non COVID healthcare and social needs.
Hell pizza always seem to 'push the envelope' when it comes to advertising and marketing. This is a bold move.
How dare they! 'Greta Thunberg can go to Hell' – Kiwi company's message to environmentalist – NZ Herald
Yeah – I saw that yesterday. Had a smile on my dial as I idly wondered whether Greta would get to hear of it & know what it was really all about. 😎
For at least 20 years the CCP has deeply subsidised industries with incredibly damaging results across the rest of the democratic world, hurting workers and the middle classes.
As a small example – here in Australia the company I was working for found that it could buy steel skid frames (about 400kg of laser cut, drilled, fabricated and painted framework as equipment bases) delivered from China – cheaper than buying the raw steel locally. There was no way this was possible unless the Chinese govt was deeply subsidising their own industry. This story has been repeated millions of time across the developed world this past few decades and finally someone is saying enough.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai lays out the Biden-Harris Administration's policy approach to US-China trade relations this speech. The language is measured as you might expect – the implications are wide ranging:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBugxVfxpDA
"The core of our strategy is to ensure that we work with our allies to create fair and open markets."
Her use of the word "allies" is instructive and unhelpful. Trade partners are not allies; they are simply entities who agree to rules to trade by. "Allies" conflates security with trade interests.
Trade Representative Tai didn't mention either CPTPP or RCEP. China is a member of RCEP. Neither China nor the United States are members of CPTPP. Instead she focuses on the World Trade Organisation, and doesn't acknowledge that the US went out of its way to kill it over 4 years.
Both CPTPP and RCEP have strong things to say about intellectual property protection, tariffs, market access by category, and bunches of other good stuff.
It would be a strong diplomatic signal for international trade and for multilateralism generally if the US and China jointly signed up to these (albeit imperfect) agreements.
https://www.nber.org/papers/w26877
Signatories to those agreements should call for the strengthening of multilateral trade law that this would achieve.
The key insight here is that Biden's experience under Obama in dealing with the PRC on trade issues clearly comes through. He's no longer interested in promises.
And her reference to ‘allies’ aligns with the idea that the US is now going to start defining it’s interests much more narrowly. AUKUS is probably a very good example of this – and of the more transactional nature of these alliances.
The US can neither afford, nor is all that interested in, providing a security umbrella more or less for free. And sooner or later NZ is going to find this out. Of course all the anti-US types here will delight in this prospect – but will remain silent on the alternative.
Trade agreements aren't generally tied to security agreements and nor should they be.
New Zealand's only useful contribution to Trade Representative Tai is to do what we have successfully done before, which is to build mechanisms that enable countries and companies to make good and fair money. We've done that very well over 20 years.
Once countries consistently conflate trade agreements with security agreements by selling huge new arms technologies to opponents, all they do is militarise trade. You yourself have pointed out many times that China has every economic reason not to go to war in any form.
US war materiel is over-priced. I’ve sometimes wondered if we can’t get F16s, what the Russians might have on offer. I believe they still build their hi-performance warplanes as solid & dependable as brick shithouses.
The F16 Lease Deal brokered by Bill Clinton & Jenny Shipley in the late 90’s, was a very good deal, as the 28 F16’s had very low hrs on the clock with highest of F16’s was about 7hrs. Funding had already been set aside by then National Government & the RNZAF of between $250m & $350m NZD for Kahu 2 which was the planned A4 upgrade, but the money was then transferred to up grading the F16’s once they had been bedded in 75SQN & 2SQN’s respectively.
My Uncle who was the FSGT & acting. WOE in the RNZAF Ohakea at Base SQN Avionics, was heavily involved with the Kahu 2 Project which became the F16 Project & the later when the F16 Project got canned the Macchic Project until the bloody Greens jump up & down demanding that 14SQN got disbanded as well.
The Russian Aircraft aka the Su27- 30’s & Mig 29’s were actually studied by the RNZAF, but were dropped for a number of reasons when talked to Malaysia AF who operate the Mig29, TNIAF operating the Su27’s, the Indian AF who doing some crazy stuff on their Su30’s and the both the Luftwaffe & Poles as well.
1, Was the very poor after sales service from Russia,
2, The time it took to translate the various manuals & training the Tech’s
3, the mean time between technical failures & engine overhauls was very very low compared to their contemporaries with Western built Aircraft.
4, the small numbers of Aircraft being used the RNZAF was another issue, the RNZAF would’nt been unable to tap in the NATO Stores System if it was operating alongside Oz, the Poms, Canada or other like minded nations.
👍🏼 Thanks for that Scud.
Very informative. I’d forgotten Clinton offered a sweet deal on the F-16s.
If NZ did decide to get back into the Fast Jet game ie Maritime Strike/ Interdiction
My pick would either be the Super Hornet similar to the RAAF ones, or failing that
The French Dassault Rafale B F3-R Two Seater
SAAB Gripen or this wee hot ship from
Sth Korea https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAI_T-50_Golden_Eagle.
Eventually the NZG will have to go down the UAV route at some stage if it wants to get the full use out of its for P8’s and whatever 2nd Tier Maritime Patrol Aircraft it choses under the 2018 DCP which both have to be Networked in with the Navy.
There are some major technical, including Security (both Active& Passive measures) issues to operating a UAV in NZ given the huge area that both the NZ Navy & RNZAF are likely to Patrol & operate in NZ before we even discuss the Moral & Ethical reasons to operate UAV’s.
I agree the US will probably only require NZ to continue to operate as the 'good citizen' it has in the past – but it doesn't take too much to imagine some other more subtle things they might ask of us.
And yes I agree that rationally Xi Xinping has no intention of going to war with the rest of the world – but if he continues his high stakes game of chicken over Taiwan, or elsewhere, events could easily run away from even his grasp.
Another day, another China bash.
PRC, as any country, has to deal with the global trade reality of blocs and agreements and “rules” organisations–which is in a bit of a mess when you tote them all up.
Various US producers were quick enough to move to China for cheaper production costs off the back of the Chinese working class, and still the free marketeers complain when China maximises its production strategies.
Essentially the US is complaining about a centrally planned economy, and it is rich indeed for the world centre of union busting (e.g. Amazon), and a poverty level federal minimum wage ($7.25 since 2009!) to criticise how workers are treated elsewhere.
I thought you'd love it.
and a poverty level federal minimum wage ($7.25 since 2009!) to criticise how workers are treated elsewhere.
Of course the actual story is more complex than this. And you might want to take a look at the data before painting the US as a poverty striken hell-hole. In reality it's a large diverse economy that defies simplistic characterisations.
Essentially the US is complaining about a centrally planned economy,
And yes – I gave an example above of precisely why this should be opposed. The Chinese workers who made those steel frames were not necessarily low paid – but that the companies involved in the supply chain could access unlimited state subsidies by various means to cover the fact that they were selling their product at a loss.
In essence this policy was a zero sum game that transferred jobs from one country to another – which is how China became the 'workshop of the world'. And then you wonder where the decent working class jobs in our part of the world went to.
As for the 'China bashing' – you may want to note the ethnicity of the person making the speech. Fail.
Also to note New Zealand is currently sending a frigate and an Orion to participate in Operation Bersama Gold 21, which is a big operation between the navies of Australia, New Zealand, UK, US, Malaysia and Singapore. Looks to be quite a big exercise.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300423965/hmnzs-te-kaha-joins-uk-carrier-strike-group-in-south-china-sea
It should actually read Ex Bersama Gold not Op Bersama Gold as there is no 2 Way Range. Ex Bersama Gold is the Annual 5 Power Defence Ex which has combined Ex Spearfish & Ex Vanguard together which were from memory 1-2 mth long Ex’s. The Yanks are not involved with 5 FPDA Ex, as it’s an all Commonwealth of Nations Affair & there has been talk of involving India over the last few yrs..
Cheers Scud on point with the military detail as ever. A bit more detail here.
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/news/nzdf-exercises-with-international-counterparts-in-south-east-asia/
If anyone wonders why Act is rising so fast and so high, well, it's got something to do with David Seymour’s speechwriter:
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2110/S00055/the-speech-ardern-should-have-given-yesterday.htm
Yup. That nails it.
Yeah, nail it to a coffin. That Act contribution is piffle – the virus doesn't comply with set dates.
Delta beat the lockdown policy and the vaccines. It's endemic and you need to face up to the reality that like say the common cold or flu – we're all going to catch it sooner or later.
This speech faces this truth square on – regardless of who was saying it.
Damn straight 💪🏼
Delta did not beat the lockdown. It was those who wanted 'Freedom' (from what?), the conspiracy theorists and God Squaders along with the screamers of 'I want to make a profit' and the "I want to come home' moaners that have compromised the lockdown.
We should all now be ready to hear from those who can't come back to NZ for funerals or whose surgery is endlessly postponed, to start kicking up a ruckus?
Simplistic nonsense – typical of the black and white mentality so prevalent among ACT supporters. I know this from personal and historical experience.
They are not able to see all the grey areas… or human intransigence together with a virus that is elusive and constantly changing direction.
God help us if they ever gain the treasury benches.
Elimination is not dead, it is merely a flesh wound!
On the money. Again. Never voted ACT, but it's getting tempting.
Long term Pfizer (BNT162b2) immunity is better against hospitalisation (figure B) in California against SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (now it's been around long enough to tell, at least for 16+ age groups) than infection (figure A). Which suggests that boosters may come more in the form of natural infections, than yearly vaccines.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02183-8/fulltext
And this one is just neat for showing how Delta took over other variants:
Thanks FN that's a great summary. Hope that it convinces vaccine hesitant friends on Facebook.
Forget now Most informative Thank You.
I still haven't got the knack of posting images though! The second graph displays fine on mobile, but half of July is cut-off on laptop. The buttons where gone when I tried to edit and strange tech gibberish in its place (which I didn't dare touch).
This is also an interesting read on the Lancet (endemic coronaviruses = common colds; SARS-CoV = SARS) :
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(21)00219-6/fulltext
On the Gibberish. I got the same when I tried to edit a comment to Barfly. It did not put the smiley up.. just the word! You do great from a phone.
I called the cops yesterday to do a welfare check on a young women (natal women) who got 'man' handled in front of our shops. – I don't think i ever felt more like a true Karen ever. But what is one to do when that shit happens, and fwiw, it is escalating in our fair wee town.
I did get a call from an officer later that day – rehashing the events that let to my call, and i did precise that i called for a 'welfare' check, essentially for both of them, the young women and the young bloke, as both were obviously not able to resolve what was going on without violence. Also that the guy bought booze at opening time of the booze shop.
So here we are, we have lost 4 women to violence in the last month. And yet, i still feel stink about calling the police. And i truly hope, that the young women has someone in her life that will tell her that getting the bash is not a sign of how he loves you, but rather is a sign of how he believes he ownes her and she is his to do as he likes, as i hope that the young bloke (natal) has a person in his life that will help him overcome what ever led him to bash his girlfriend in front of our shops.
Good bold step there Sabine. Never been in that situation myself.
And yet, i still feel stink about calling the police.
Understood – but it was still the least worst choice in that moment.
I would have done the same and I did so earlier in the year as a male was explosive toward a female outside my home. More than one person reported it. I always shudder to think what goes on behind closed doors. Intervention is required and ongoing support. The shortage of affordable housing contributes to not having somewhere to be safe.
Sometimes calling the cops has to be done. That stuff needs to be addressed quickly and unequivocally. Good job.
Morgan Godfery in The Guardian
"Ardern’s perpetual struggle is transforming her care and compassion into public policy. Thus, the contradiction where she thrives in a crisis yet falters in its aftermath … the prime minister’s personal care and compassion do not always align with her public policy decisions."
But then – the young, brown, medically-compromised and disabled are not Ardern’s targeted voters.
A contrast of her gift of inspiring people when a political response aligns with her personal values, and her political work that is centrist at its core. She'll need her gift to regain that political capital she's just spent on changing tack, because Collins and Seymour don't even have to change their Covid policy to gain disenchanted who left National last election for the promises of Ardern – Labour has come to National/ACT (granted, ACT policy is a bit more blatant about everybody for themselves). They just have to convince people they can do Covid better and the opening is now there.
There are big questions for the Left that believes in social cohesion and equity.
The biggest danger is the buy-in of Nat/Act attitudes in Media and the business forum. The promotion of stories which point up every bump in the road, the wailing about MIQ, returnees and low rent supports and costs in general. Saying changing to the next step is a sign of failure, just generally white anting the elimination strategy. The stories about money for Gangs, Covid in the gangs. Certain Suburbs, so it goes.
It wasn't the entitled couple who flew south, it was not the Lawyer who went to the races over the border, it was not the entitled who spread covid, no no it was the poor.
Well wow!! What part of ghettoizing people is still not understood? If you live in large airy well ventilated warm housing with a full pantry reliable internet and respect from all health and other services… you live in a world of plenty with your expectations the Government will smooth any difficulties that you can't deal with then you conform to social norms generally, unless you are one of the spoiled entitled.!!
If you live in a crowded neighbourhood with older smaller homes without central kitchens food in the pantry money in the bank, poor transport, poor health with co-morbidities, and you are not trusted by a large section of the community because… you are poor, surly through past experiences, hungry, full of mis-information reinforced by facebook or in the certain religions/black economy/ gang communities , with bad experiences when you turn to "Social services", generally non-conforming to social norms.
How do we change that? Definitely NOT by austerity programmes. We have to practice inclusivity. If people opt out we separate them for special intensive assistance, as they have a social disorder.
We continue to increase education initiatives and investment, we increase health home visits and investment. We provide to mothers a suitable sum on the birth of a child to help with expenses universally. We listen to what communities want more actively and create a Welfare Ombudsperson.
We don't fall for PR letters and speeches written by vested interests… when did they work in the community? rather manipulating the view to a politically skewed window?
All of what you say is true.
However, we have a PM who said the most important part of our Covid-19 response was health and that they were following the science.
Now, we know have some of those same scientists worried, disappointed and hoping for a bit of good luck to see us through this.
"If you live in a crowded neighbourhood with older smaller homes without central kitchens food in the pantry money in the bank, poor transport, poor health with co-morbidities, and you are not trusted by a large section of the community because…"
These are the people who are likely to be most severely impacts by this approach that includes crossed fingers and hope.
Moreover, we have a new health system on the way – why oh why did the government not recognise the spirit of the new system and (visibly?) bring in Māori to share the decision-making at the highest level around this response?
Thanks Patricia, best thing I've seen written on the Standard in a long time, appreciated!
At least she is trying.. Boris???
Well not that it's news or an opinion or a discussion point but congratulations to me one year without alcohol today.
Well done! Time for a pseudonym change? 🙂
New handle suggestion: FreedomDay
Respect.
well done 😎
Barfly, your comment has really made me stop and consider. It’s not an “I reckon” or a political salvo, a sermon or a serve.
Rather, to me it is a true use of the word 'need'. Instead of reading someone opining "They need", I have read that someone said "I need" and acted upon that realisation. Thanks.
Well done!
Bloody Brilliant.!! We know the struggle you faced. Our son faces that as well. Well done Barfly. I know you have other health issues, but that is a huge win. Made my day.. Suggest new monica Flying Free
Congratulations, indeed. Well done!
I am now thee years – its great as it only gets better. Good on you.
Well done! You deserve a drink to celebrate a great achievement.
Jimmy that is not reflecting well.Thoughtless or cruel.
It was obviously sarcasm. I'll have a drink for him tonight.
onya
Good stuff,Freedom day.
Happy anniversary.
Congratulations for sure!
Have I missed anything?
Only this, at my Chemist's yesterday:
https://i.imgur.com/DN0gVoy.gif
I like your posts, best things on here
love how she stops on the other side of the car park and they all congregate towards her and wait.
That mallard hen knows where she's going, weka. Around the back of the buildings a little way further ahead of her there's a brook, one of several, that feeds, via a very large under-the-township culvert, straight into my stream.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/452419/judith-collins-sinks-below-david-seymour-as-preferred-pm
Well, you did ask 😇
Welcome back PR.
The media have never liked strong, powerful woman.
They always try to bring them down but I'm confident that, like the Phoenix, JC will rise from the ashes and attain her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.
Sorry about that freudian slip, I mean as the Prime Minister.
Chloe before Collins
is that Nat/JC's smiley icon?
Other options: 🤡 🃏
😀
Typical.
All this talk of female empowerment and getting more females (sorry is that the correct term or should I say person who chest feeds) into politics but as soon as a person with XX chromosomes joins the "wrong" party its pitchforks and torches time
Poor Jude
Part of Judith’s problem is that most of “The Girls” (who seem to make up most of the Press Gallery journo pack these daze) just don’t like her.
Thats true
She has asked for her Christmas present. "Lock down must be over by Christmas"…… Should have been "Vaccinated ready for Christmas"
Shes not wrong
Despite what the MSM tell us, it’s not just Brian Tamaki.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300423371/destiny-church-isnt-the-only-problem-what-about-the-white-megachurches
I dunno. The brethren get shit whenever they get caught dabbling in politics.
Maybe we have some megachurches running covid rallies that I've not noticed?
Not sure about rallies but certainly misinformation & discouraging vaccines & lockdowns from their pulpits. Webworm has put up a story
Surprise… the world did not end:
Small Business cope with minimum Wage increase
and, not surprisingly, employees are happier.
please fix username on next comment 🙂
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-mp-mark-mitchell-not-standing-for-auckland-mayoralty/2H376ZQG5AW3W5KYTMFK6YJTUM/
He must fancy his chances come coup time.
really.. the plots thicken!!
Not an unreasonable deduction there, imo.
Mitchell, as my late ma would say, has got tickets on himself. 😐
With his back story?
This name may be implying more of a sense of panic than Labour really wants to present for the planned event on the 16th of October!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Saturday
This reminds me of the debate we are having here right now..
😄
RBNZ moves to innoculate those with FOMA 21
https://www.reuters.com/article/newzealand-economy-rbnz/new-zealand-central-bank-hikes-interest-rate-to-0-50-idUSW9N2OR01A
Appeared to be 100% mask/distancing/recording compliance in the main street of Whanganui this AM.
Meanwhile….
https://twitter.com/Te_Taipo/status/1445531030002176001
one of my customer is anti mask and anti vax, she is also african / american.
So anyways, we get to talk about things, and end up talking masks. I ask her why she did not wear them, and she said she did not see the point. Then she asked me why i wore mine. lol….I said, its simple really, i am vaccinated and thus might become a carrier of the virus but stay a-symptomatic not even a sniffle, thus risking the spread of the virus unknowingly. So i told her, that is why you should wear a mask, to protect yourself from someone like me.
Today she came to the shop wearing a N95 mask. Good girl. Good girl.
Good for you Sabine
Good psychology too.
It is true though.
That is one thing us vaccinated people really must understand that we might become unwitting carriers. So testing is essential, which is why i hope that saliva tests will become a standard household item. My partner goes to test once every week and is considering doing it twice. His territory that he looks after is large, very large. He could potentially infect the lower half of the north island in a busy day. And he is an essential worker. As for myself, the shop is not open to anyone, its no contact pickup and will be for a long time coming.
I like this customer, she is a lovely lady and due to her own particular trauma as an african american women she has her own reasons to worry about this particular vaccine. But i am happy to see her now in a Mask everytime she is outside, rather then only wearing a flimsy cloth masks when in her office and nothing when out and about.
Did the most recent Roy Morgan get much MSM time?