Open mike 07/05/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 7th, 2019 - 142 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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

Step up to the mike …

142 comments on “Open mike 07/05/2019 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. The Chairman 1
    7 May 2019 at 7:09 am

    Even Phil O'Reilly get's it (the need to overhaul the welfare system)

    • Ad 1.1
      7 May 2019 at 8:35 am

      The extent of this political failure is measured by how bad the poverty stats are compared to how good the economic growth and unemployment stats are.

      4% unemployed, major sectors seriously begging for staff, really low numbers on welfare.

      A generational moment to address poverty using the state's machinery.

      But no. Leave it.

      Real shit work Sepuloni.

      Two weeks to budget and its 'framework', this government is acting as tired an uncaring as a third term National Party government.

      • marty mars 1.1.1
        7 May 2019 at 9:33 am

        I'm not 100% on your measurement of political failure but I do agree that this is a major fail. Disgusting actually that Labour can even be connected with that veto on benefit rates and disrespect to this report. Fuck they are in for some shit – time for action Labour and yes I know you're in a coalition – so fucken what. I'm pissed at these people leaving our most vulnerable even worse off.

        • greywarshark 1.1.1.1
          7 May 2019 at 10:42 am

          It's time that Labour got back into the viewpoint that we should aim for full employment – even if a lot of that is doing volunteer work. And people should be able to be on unemployment and still make extra on that, or be in part-time work and have their income boosted. Keep people in the loop, not feeling useless, rejected then resentful and angry.

          The point is that we need to follow the line again of 'investing in people'. Bugger waiting for cold-minded, hard-eyed, calculating business to do it, especially since government has facilitated a lot of our business being bought or controlled by foreigners, either living here or overseas. Not all foreigners are bad of course, but many are very good at ripping NZ off, and that just adds to the scamming NZs already in business. The climate for employees is not a good one.

          Encouragement for people who can get vibrant community measures going would be essential to raising us up where we belong. Like this great piece that Kathryn Ryan did this morning with the Whanganui low income-no income people.

          https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018693899/growing-silverbeet-and-self-esteem-in-whanganui

          Give funding for something like this in every community – skill-building, confidence and pride building, respect-the-people building, this is what Labour and Greens can do and NZF would agree; some of the funding could go to old people working with the young.

          The Chairman shows Phil O'Reilly thinking that the welfare system needs work. I doubt very much if that man or any of his cohort have much useful stuff to add, so I'd say to progressive lefties, do your planning and just let him make suggestions if they will help the people-capacity building plan along. He would probably have something to say about being ready for employment; being able to get a job and be a capable and useful employee is important, but jobs will be pulled out from under your feet all the time in coming years. (Note the recent case in Wellington for a long-term arts-involved part-timer being dismissively dismissed; putting people out of work is a default position for business). So being able to be self-caring, self-managing, and co-operate with other good people who are also aiming for self-respect and respect for others, resilience, and who are learning capacity-building and passing it on, should be the goal.

          The Chairman was doing a thorough think-through on this welfare report and tentative response from government yesterday and made some telling points that I have copied.

          The Chairman …

          7 May 2019 at 10:10 am

          No, I'm suggesting that the government has no mandate from voters for radical welfare reform and that's why it's taking a cautious approach.

          Here we go again. You've yet to prove that. Merely repeating it doesn't make it so.

          Sixty-five percent of New Zealand First supporters wanted the party to go with Labour. Who widely campaigned on addressing poverty and inequality.

          Additionally, if it were just Bradford and I that are disappointed Labour wouldn't have a problem. Unfortunately for them, the disappointment is widespread.

          Moreover, failing to deliver on more of the recommendations sooner will lead to their fiscal management coming under the spotlight. People will question why they aren't prepared to invest now to save the greater cost and social harm of not doing so.

          The Chairman 5.1.1

          6 May 2019 at 12:14 pm

          This goes beyond political disappointment. This is about denying via delaying further help to real people struggling in poverty. So no, I'm not here to gloat, I'm seeking solutions. Is a new left party the answer or do you think it will be possible to encourage Labour to act with urgency?

          The Chairman …

          7 May 2019 at 7:20 am

          The report highlights what is required. Therefore, it's not that they don't have a clue.

          They aren't stuck fiddling, they are stalling.

      • Herodotus 1.1.2
        7 May 2019 at 9:33 am

        a vast majority of the current cabinet could well be working under a national govt instead of the current Laboir govt and we would not see any difference in decisions 😢

      • Psycho Milt 1.1.3
        7 May 2019 at 9:35 am

        Have you ever had to try and get multiple independent groups with conflicting agendas to agree and work together smoothly and consistently on common goals? I've watched other people trying to do it and would not like to try it myself.

        Coalition government between parties with opposing political interests is extremely difficult. This current one is performing way better than I expected it would, not least for the simple fact that it still exists and hasn't torn itself to shreds. If you want a well-disciplined group smoothly implementing policy it has no mandate for, National is (unfortunately) your only currently-available option.

        • alwyn 1.1.3.1
          7 May 2019 at 1:31 pm

          "to agree and work together smoothly".

          This lot have found a very simple method. Simply ask Tsar Winston what he wants and do it. You can't really try and claim that the Green Party, all the time, and the Labour Party, most of the time, have ever attempted to do something that Winston doesn't approve of. Labour occasionally put something forward that Winston doesn't see as really important to his survival and he will allow them to do it. The Green Party, on the other hand are simply doormats. Still, about half them get to ride in the limos and no longer have to settle for calling a taxi to get them around. I guess that feels like progress to them.

      • The Chairman 1.1.4
        7 May 2019 at 10:23 am

        Its failure to deliver is going to be problematic for this Government come next election.

        • The Al1en 1.1.4.1
          7 May 2019 at 10:41 am

          Why would you worry about that?

          Wont that new ultra left party you're advocating for easily become the new government?

          • The Chairman 1.1.4.1.1
            7 May 2019 at 11:08 am

            One doesn't have to be ultra left to outperform this lot.

            Nevertheless, I'm left but I'm a lefty with a long-term proposal that would potentially result in doing away with taxing locals. Something that would get your average right-wingers attention, thus perhaps support.

            And ponder this, how many businesses would benefit from consumers (receiving benefits) spending more? Increasing benefits rates doesn't just benefit beneficiaries. It's also good for businesses returns while saving tax dollars via helping to reduce many social ills, thus is able to muster traditional right wing support. As shown by Phil O'Reilly’s support of the welfare overhaul.

            You asked: "Why would you worry about that?"

            Because I'd like to see them deliver on more.

            • The Al1en 1.1.4.1.1.1
              7 May 2019 at 11:17 am

              Right, so this fantasy party that would be left of labour and the greens is just rhetoric and fake, just like your concern for their vote share at the next general election.

              With our populace, labour have to err to centre to get elected and stay there, especially so with the right NZ1st in coalition and a public that shows no appetite for full on leftism.

              The answer to turn labour left, as it always has been, is to party vote the greens and give them 10 to 15 percent to trade for policy in post election negotiations.

              • The Chairman …
                7 May 2019 at 11:56 am

                Wow!

                Back it up.

                At this stage, there has only been calls for a new party to form.

                And being left doesn't mean it won't also appeal to the right (as shown above). Thus, the wider public.

                The flaw with your logic (which is commonly stated) is Labour doesn’t have to be right (or as you put it, err to the centre) to win over the right and the centre vote. Again, as shown above.

                Labour's problem is they aren't prepared to stand strong for the left and take the debate to National. For example, they could have won the CGT battle. Polls show the public supported it. Moreover, their constant backing down gives the public the perception they were wrong, further weakening theirs (and the left's in general) position in the eyes of the wider public.

                The Greens have shown they fold far too easy to hold Labour to account. And seeing as I've been continually telling them to up their game or risk losing their support, at this stage I won't be voting for them again.

                And the way the Greens are currently polling, it could be a wasted vote, nonetheless.

                • solkta …
                  7 May 2019 at 12:04 pm

                  Vote Green again my arse. You are just a really crap troll.

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 12:27 pm

                    Not only did I vote Green last election, I was on here (thus on record) encouraging others too. So save your bullshit.

                    • solkta …
                      7 May 2019 at 12:33 pm

                      Giss-a-link or it didn't happen.

                    • The Al1en …
                      7 May 2019 at 12:34 pm

                      Aside from clearly not understanding how mmp works, expecting a 6% party to call the shots who aren't even in government proper, for a long time you've been an attacker of the greens on here, unbelievably more so than the rwnj brigade, the answer to getting more green policy enacted is still to vote for them in bigger numbers, increasing their bargaining power in negotiations.

                  • The Al1en …
                    7 May 2019 at 12:37 pm

                    “Vote Green again my arse. You are just a really crap troll.”

                    Obvious dichotomy.

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 2:37 pm

                    Here's one where I highlight the Greens are a better choice

                    https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-07092017/#comment-1379864

                    • mac1 …
                      8 May 2019 at 12:07 am

                      The Chairman, saying that the Greens are a better alternative to Labour, considering your opinion of that party, is not really an endorsement.

                      "I'd prefer a head cold to the'flu," is what you're saying!

                      And here's what you say about Labour in this thread, below. "But yes, a number will fall for Labour again." Note the language.

                      This is what "fall for' means.

                      fall for sth. informal. — phrasal verb with fall uk ​ /fɔːl/ us ​ /fɑːl/ verb fell, fallen. to be tricked into believing something that is not true: He told me that he owned a mansion in Spain and I fell for it.

                      What you say is what you believe, The Chairman. Methinks thou dost protest too much.

                • greywarshark …
                  7 May 2019 at 12:11 pm

                  The Gambler with Kenny Rogers

                  Who or what is The Gambler at the moment?

                  People supporting Labour hoping that they know when to hold, and when to fold, oand will get to the counting goodies stage?

                  Or people giving up and saying that Labour is full of borer, all hollowed out inside, and folds under pressure, but hoping that new growth shoots can be encouraged?

                  Or people saying that time is short, winter is here, the time for withholding criticism is over, let's have a new party of the left that is dedicated to people at grassroots level and practical living standards and regulation all set up for the everyday person and micro and small business, and the Greens can concentrate on the green issues, better light bulbs, environment and the people with special interests.

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 12:33 pm

                    Yes, in politics one has to know when to hold or when to fold. Unfortunately for Labour they seem to have it the wrong way around.

                    They should have folded on their support of the TPP and stood strong on their support of a CGT.

                    • greywarshark …
                      7 May 2019 at 3:55 pm

                      Did Labour Coalition have a choice on the CCTPPa? What would have happened if we had said we can't sign it or wecan't sign it in this form and wanted all sorts of alterations, or deliberately made so many requests that we in the end were frozen out?

                      I felt we would have been very unpopular, frozen out in other markets, and received a pasting here through the bought media.

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 4:24 pm

                    It seems Labour had a choice when they were campaigning against it.

                    Moreover, the potential return on the TPP was/is minimal. So it wouldn't have been a great loss.

                    Labour did manage to disappoint a lot of people by ultimately supporting it.

                    And while they seem to have overcome that (as the negative impact of the TPP has yet to fully occur) it's the build up of disappointments accumulating that risks taking them out. Yet, I concede they are doing ok in the polls, but one must consider if they could be doing better if it wasn't for the disappointments accumulating. Moreover, will they take a hit if they continue to fail to deliver.

                    • greywarshark …
                      7 May 2019 at 4:31 pm

                      The Disappointment Accumulator. Perhaps we could make money on it if someone started a book with some outfit like William Hill. They can't take us on as customers as they are only licensed for Gt Britain and Gibraltar. I'm sick of feeling miserable as I watch the country go to the dogs – might as well have a bet on the side.

              • The Chairman …
                7 May 2019 at 2:54 pm

                Where did I say I expected the Greens to call all the shots?

                I've been holding the Greens to account. And have even passed on advise.

                I'm a believer that democracy doesn't just end after we vote. If we make our feelings widely known, there is more chance parties will take heed and listen. Whereas, if we remain silent, little will change. Hence, more of us need to speak up and take this approach.

                And even if the Greens do muster more support (which at this stage I think is unlikely) they (this current lot) have shown they are not fighters. And if one wants more from the table, one has to stand strong and fight for it. Especially as the Greens will still be the smaller partner in any new deal with Labour. And the Greens just don't have the backbone at the moment.

                • The Al1en …
                  7 May 2019 at 5:53 pm

                  Your reputation precedes you, so that latest attack on the greens isn't all that unexpected.

                  History shows you definitely appear to be a fake green/ leftie on a sustained smear mission.

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 8:54 pm

                    That reputation is based on slander which you are perpetuating.

                    My feelings on the Greens are widely shared, evident by comments on social media and their failure to gain traction in the polls.

                    • solkta …
                      7 May 2019 at 9:13 pm

                      You've been caught out so many times. Might as well just ditch the handle and start all over.

                    • The Al1en …
                      7 May 2019 at 9:17 pm

                      Apart from it can't be slander because it's the written word, and it also happens to be a fair representation, you have earned a reputation here as being anti green, which is because you continually post anti green comments.

                      With supporter like you, who needs enemies?

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 10:04 pm

                    It is still libel/defamation nonetheless.

                    I'm not anti Green, I just hold them to account. Them, Labour and their cheerleaders are so scared of any form of criticism it seen as an attack.

                    Thus, they do their best to isolate it (making out it is a single voice in a crowd) and diminish it (usually by trying to paint the person as being part of the opposition). And that is how this reputation all came about.

                    Therefore, you have either fallen for it (which some have) or you are advancing it. Either way I suggest you pull your head in and stick on topic. Playing the man and not the ball is another common distraction used.

                    • The Al1en …
                      7 May 2019 at 10:17 pm

                      If you're worried about the alleged libel, shit or get off the pot, it's your call. Given your posting history and abuse towards the green party, I'm not sweating it. You can pretend it's holding them to account, but the reputation you have is, in my opinion, well deserved… And I’m not alone in thinking that, far from it.

                      In noting how you're attempting to rewrite the past by mitigating the abuse you've unfairly apportioned, the crocodile tears about people playing the man are, I suspect, more boy who cried wolf.

                    • McFlock …
                      7 May 2019 at 10:54 pm

                      Alternatively, your idea of holding people to account is to focus exclusively on overstating the negatives of the party(s – you give Labour the same assistance, too, sometimes), leaving little effort to recognise their successes or even criticising the tories once in a while, too.

                      If you were an employer treating people like that, you'd be done for constructive dismissal and workplace harrassment.

                  • The Chairman …
                    7 May 2019 at 10:27 pm

                    I'm not worried what people think about me, I'm not the issue.

                    I was just giving you a heads up on where it's at. Moreover, it was a test of your character to see if you would now refrain or continue to advance the personal crap. Clearly you failed.

                    Thus keep playing the man, but you will now be allocated to the sidelines as you have now been exposed as a player.

                    Stick to the politics you’ll get a reply, play the man and you’ll be playing by yourself.

                    • The Al1en …
                      7 May 2019 at 10:33 pm

                      So I've failed your character test. To be brutally honest, I take that as more of a compliment than a defect.

                      What I will keep doing, abiding by the site rules, is point out where you are being unreasonable and lacking a grasp of today's politics. If you want to divorce yourself from the green party, that's fine, but cut the crap you've got their best interests at heart. From your continued abuse, I don’t believe it for a second, and It's quite clear you really haven't.

                      If you don't want to be called fake green, the simple way out is not act like a fake green.

        • Rosemary McDonald 1.1.4.2
          7 May 2019 at 10:44 am

          Its failure to deliver is going to be problematic for this Government come next election.

          Maybe. On one hand folks might vote National (or not Labour/Greens) figuring we're all better off being led by arseholes who are proud of the fact they are arseholes.

          Or, this lot will be voted in again because they appear so kind and loving while pretending they are not being arseholes. Who doesn't like the warm fuzzies?

          • The Chairman 1.1.4.2.1
            7 May 2019 at 12:00 pm

            Well, there is Mana and Social Credit some on the left may turn too. Some (as I've already heard) will no longer vote at all. And some may turn to a new party if one is formed.

            But yes, a number will fall for Labour again.

            • greywarshark 1.1.4.2.1.1
              7 May 2019 at 3:58 pm

              What about TOP. It sounded promising if it sticks to the UBI with increments, it might drag in some of the welfare bennies.

              • The Chairman …
                7 May 2019 at 4:54 pm

                Personally oppose TOP. Their UBI was insufficient and they wanted to tax unrealised gains, forcing those that are asset rich but income poor to borrow to meet the burden.

                • In Vino …
                  7 May 2019 at 11:45 pm

                  Coming in late at the end of a long thread.. I love that phrase 'The Disappointment Accumulator'

                  I too have long seen The Chairman as a concern troll – the most persistent and devious I have seen.

                  But I would now like name The Chairman "The Disappointment Accumulation Dispersal Man."

                  His messages always spread discouragement… so far.

                  • greywarshark …
                    8 May 2019 at 12:57 pm

                    In Vino I note and agree with you, which is pretty usual.

                    I used to dislike The Chairman because he was negative too early in my opinion, a disagreeable old moaner, in my opinion, when we needed to watch, encourage, wait for results and not put weedkiller on our patch.

                    But I read some of his stuff the other day and think his opinion was right for the time. He made a case that would allow Prime Minister Jacinda to press forward using leverage on her popularity with NZ, and get the austerity-for-everyone-but-me Labourites off their bums and looking across the room at other figures and numbers. They don't care about people in need and the founding ideals of Labour. But figures and numbers that show money spent now will save huge expense later would crown their miserly minds; and Labour could draw on reserves set aside now for those high expected future expenses. Spend now, and produce three-fold advantage of drops in expenditure in ten years or such.

                    From my comment at 1 1 1 1 I think I quoted The Chairman saying what I consider should be pressed on the Labour Coalition leaders prior to the Budget of the 30th May.

                    Sixty-five percent of New Zealand First supporters wanted the party to go with Labour. Who widely campaigned on addressing poverty and inequality.

                    Additionally, if it were just Bradford and I that are disappointed Labour wouldn't have a problem. Unfortunately for them, the disappointment is widespread.

                    Moreover, failing to deliver on more of the recommendations sooner will lead to their fiscal management coming under the spotlight. People will question why they aren't prepared to invest now to save the greater cost and social harm of not doing so.

  2. esoteric pineapples 2
    7 May 2019 at 7:20 am

    "The Last American Vagabond" is always really on-to-it with his analysis. He always links to the stories he is drawing his information from, so even if you don't agree with his conclusions, the links speak for themselves.

    In the case of what is going on in Gaza, it seems one balloon on fire (as reported by Israel) landed on Israeli territory. Israel then fired missiles into Gaza for two days before the Gaza government responded. One of the Last Vagabond's small but very interesting points is why the Gaza missiles that are basic and unguided haven't hit civilian targets while the sophisticated guided Israeli ones have. There is one video of a rocket hitting an apartment block that makes it completely collapse. I don't think the Israelis are so stupid they wouldn't know how to hit the target they want to with its guided missiles. I'm going to speculate that they already knew what its targets they wanted to draw out. One has to wonder what Israel's ultimate objective in regards to the Palestinians is now and how a war with Iran might aid that.



    • Adrian Thornton 2.1
      7 May 2019 at 7:59 am

      Here is a good piece from the ever reliable FAIR…you can include NZ media in this analysis too, and shamefully including RNZ.

      The Atlantic Illustrates Everything That’s Wrong With Media Coverage of Venezuela Sanctions

      “Trump’s Venezuela Policy: Slow Suffocation,” an Atlantic report (4/17/19) by Uri Friedman and Kathy Gilsinan, passed up a rich opportunity to expose the humanitarian pretexts for economic intervention, and instead exhibited the worst tendencies of corporate media coverage of US policy in Latin America."

      https://fair.org/home/the-atlantic-illustrates-everything-thats-wrong-with-media-coverage-of-venezuela-sanctions/?awt_l=CnT3e&awt_m=h0eSPn4haIR._TQ

      • Gosman 2.1.1
        7 May 2019 at 8:42 am

        Venezuela can choose to trade with any other country on the planet. They do not NEED to trade witht he US. The US is not under any obligation to trade with Venezuela if they do not like the current regime in charge there.

        • Blazer 2.1.1.1
          7 May 2019 at 9:05 am

          its not that simple.

          When the U.S engages in financial war, trade becomes extremely difficult for regimes that have sanctions applied to them.

          Denying nations access to the B.I.S and SWIFT systems as Iran is experiencing ,have a huge impact on trade and the domestic economy.

          • Gosman 2.1.1.1.1
            7 May 2019 at 11:55 am

            Rubbish. Lot's of nations have survived and even thrived when the US has refused to trade with them. Iran is certainly not falling apart at this point in time. Even Cuba has managed for close to 60 years with trade restrictions and even managed a degree of growth until the 1990's.

        • Adrian Thornton 2.1.1.2
          7 May 2019 at 9:48 am

          @Gosman, when you make a statement like the one above, you show that you are either extremely naive', stupendously stupid or a troll, or maybe a bit of each?

          • Gosman 2.1.1.2.1
            7 May 2019 at 11:56 am

            If you disagree with me explain to me WHY the US should trade with nations that it has fundamental ideological differences with.

          • greywarshark 2.1.1.2.2
            7 May 2019 at 12:17 pm

            Cripes Adrian you are either extremely naive', stupendously stupid to keep on discussing anything with Gosman – you have been here long enough. What was that about mad people doing same things, expecting different results?

        • Gabby 2.1.1.3
          7 May 2019 at 12:31 pm

          The yankistanis heavy other nations into complying with their sanctions gozzer, you didn't realise that?

    • gsays 3.1
      7 May 2019 at 8:45 am

      I don't mind others using pakeha to describe me.

      I don't use the word to describe myself.

      Simply because it is using anothers term of reference.

      To be clear, I am all for Te Reo in schools and highly value how Maori have shaped what being a "kiwi' is eg we are marvelous hosts, great allies and formidable opponents, and the importance of breaking bread together feet under the same table.

      • JanM 3.1.1
        7 May 2019 at 9:07 am

        Whereas as a pakeha I'm not that keen on being called a kiwi

        • gsays 3.1.1.1
          7 May 2019 at 9:23 am

          Fair enough Jan, I will bear that in mind when addressing you.

          Do you mind if I ask why?

          • greywarshark 3.1.1.1.1
            7 May 2019 at 12:20 pm

            What a load of waffle this thing about description is – pakeha, tauiwi, kiwi, whats the beef? My gran used to say 'You can call me anything you like, but don't call me 'late for dinner'.

        • RJL 3.1.1.2
          7 May 2019 at 12:17 pm

          Absolutely. I would much rather be called "Pakeha" than "kiwi".

          "Kiwi" is infantile nonsense.

      • Sacha 3.1.2
        7 May 2019 at 10:30 am

        Resisting a term defined by others is an expression of power – who has it, who fears losing it, and the balance society negotiates at the time.

    • Gosman 3.2
      7 May 2019 at 11:57 am

      If people choose to use the word to describe themselves or allow others to do the same that is their right. I myself do not prefer to be defined by another culture.

      • marty mars 3.2.1
        7 May 2019 at 12:38 pm

        What 'culture' are you then.

        • Gosman 3.2.1.1
          7 May 2019 at 12:57 pm

          NZ European or NZ Anglo-Celtic.

        • indiana 3.2.1.2
          7 May 2019 at 1:19 pm

          I'm from the culture of Hip-Hop….Rap is something you do, Hip-Hop is something you live! You are not doing Hip-Hop, you are Hip-Hop!

      • Sacha 3.2.2
        7 May 2019 at 1:45 pm

        You can 'prefer' all you want, but that does not determine what social groups you belong to. That is negotiated by society, funnily enough.

  4. WeTheBleeple 4
    7 May 2019 at 8:05 am

    There's a comedy festival in town. do you like your comedy political, switched on and intelligent? Many The Standard readers will love this guy. Thank me later.

    https://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/steve-hughes/

    Are you looking for a mad genius? A crazy discombobulated no holds barred anything goes act like you've never seen before. One of my favorite acts in the world (and people).

    https://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/phil-nichol-your-wrong/

    And there is a mad gem of a comic here from Australia. Seriously off the wall, I was an instant fan after this clip: Demi Lardner



    https://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/demi-lardner/

    Demi might be relatively new, but she certainly deserves patronage. Seriously funny, but not everyone's cup of tea.

    You should be able to find your own cup of tea in the Festival there are a lot of shows.

    https://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/

  5. Bruce 5
    7 May 2019 at 9:33 am

    I heard Duncan Garner on TV last night saying that studies show cannabis causes brain damage to kids. Allbeit it was a station promo there was no reply and I was left with the impression that this was irrefutable fact. ( clever work TVNZ ). I thought then that the numbers with fetal cannabis syndrome would be huge, but can't find the numbers. Also very grateful we were lucky with our three kids. And all the kids of the parents in my cohort.

    • Shadrach 5.1
      7 May 2019 at 11:44 am

      Hi Bruce

      I didn't hear Duncan Garner on this, but the links between cannabis use in pregnancy and foetal development problems are covered in the following:

      https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140127093140.htm

      https://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-cannabis-impairs-fetal-brain-development-012814#1 (which links to http://emboj.embopress.org/content/early/2014/01/27/embj.201386035)

    • Drowsy M. Kram 5.2
      7 May 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Some more recent (2019) links (all cite Shadrach's 2014 EMBO Journal paper).
      Only the abstracts (copied here) are free.

      https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-90365-1_17

      Cannabis use among pregnant and parenting women is increasing in the USA, alongside escalating THC potency in available cannabis products and the use of synthetic preparations. Existing information on how cannabis use during pregnancy may impact the course of pregnancy and fetal/child development is limited, and studies that evaluate birth outcomes and postnatal development of prenatally exposed children are inconsistent. However, accumulating neurodevelopmental data in animals and humans shows that pre- and postnatal cannabis exposure portends harm for the developing fetus and the child. THC crosses the placental barrier, and current evidence indicates that prenatal cannabis use, especially during critical periods of brain development, places the developing child at risk for neuropsychiatric, behavioral, and substance abuse problems. The extensive legalization of cannabis, the recent increase in marijuana use by pregnant women, the availability of cannabis with higher THC concentrations, and the introduction and escalating use of synthetic cannabinoids create an urgent need to determine the effects of the amplified fetal THC exposure. The risk of neurodevelopmental problems in THC-exposed children may be enhanced if the child is raised by a mother affected by neurobehavioral dysfunctions and associated comorbidities of an active cannabis use disorder. Identification and treatment of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in women during the perinatal period should be a high clinical priority. Misperception of risk, inadequacy of provider knowledge and training, and scarcity of time and resources to comprehensively address the needs of cannabis-exposed mother-child dyads are common among health providers. Although more research is needed to establish the perinatal effects of maternal cannabis use, pregnant and postpartum women should be aware that perinatal cannabis use risks safety for both mother and child. This chapter provides an overview of the epidemiology of perinatal cannabis use, the neurobehavioral effects of prenatal cannabis exposure for the developing child, and the treatment strategies for the mother-child dyad affected by cannabis use.

      https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1067828X.2018.1561580

      Marijuana is recently a subject of a global debate due to potential medical application of cannabis products and the progressive legalization of its recreational use. This situation leads to the need for access to comprehensive and reliable information about the effects of marijuana intake. Our review presents the actual state of knowledge regarding acute and chronic health effects generated by recreational marijuana use. Marijuana smoking can lead to structural and functional alterations in the central nervous system. These effects are especially significant and dangerous at the prenatal, child, and adolescence periods. In contrary to a common myth, cannabis does exhibit an addictive potency, albeit not a strong one. We discuss the “cannabis gateway hypothesis,” which suggests that marijuana use can be the first step before trying more dangerous drugs. However, drawing significant conclusions is difficult due to the strong impact of confounders and often unclear relationships among studied factors, especially in the socioeconomic context. Moreover, we point to the need for the unbiased assessment of the harm generated by marijuana in comparison with other drugs.

      https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/acta-neuropsychiatrica/article/cannabinoid-signalling-in-embryonic-and-adult-neurogenesis-possible-implications-for-psychiatric-and-neurological-disorders/E9DE9116DC604D976C9C7B0D2D254674

      Cannabinoid signalling modulates several aspects of brain function, including the generation and survival of neurons during embryonic and adult periods. The present review intended to summarise evidence supporting a role for the endocannabinoid system on the control of neurogenesis and neurogenesis-dependent functions. Studies reporting participation of cannabinoids on the regulation of any step of neurogenesis and the effects of cannabinoid compounds on animal models possessing neurogenesis-dependent features were selected from Medline. Qualitative evaluation of the selected studies indicated that activation of cannabinoid receptors may change neurogenesis in embryonic or adult nervous systems alongside rescue of phenotypes in animal models of different psychiatric and neurological disorders. The text offers an overview on the effects of cannabinoids on central nervous system development and the possible links with psychiatric and neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, brain ischaemia/stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. An understanding of the mechanisms by which cannabinoid signalling influences developmental and adult neurogenesis will help foster the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and neurological disorders.

  6. cleangreen 6
    7 May 2019 at 9:42 am

    Today 7th May 2019 was the best hard hitting action from John Campbell I have seen to date.

    He ripped into the Christchurch debate and had Dame Sylvia Cartwright on the show "to boot" talking about the upcoming 'class action' lawsuit going against Government agency "Southern Response". Hard hitting stuff worth a watch.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/john-campbell-exclusive-major-australian-law-firm-backing-3000-canterbury-homeowners-in-class-action-against-government-owned-southern-response?auto=6033165600001

    John Campbell exclusive: Major Australian law firm backing around 3000 Canterbury homeowners in class action against Southern Response JOHN CAMPBELL BREAKFAST PRESENTER

    • WeTheBleeple 6.1
      7 May 2019 at 9:59 am

      "From our experiences with some other litigation, we have serious reservations about what sort of directions may have come from the previous Government to the leadership of this particular organisation. We don’t believe the present Government has had any part in directing what has taken place here."

      National leading the charge in shafting citizens no doubt.

      ~ 3000 claimants short changed with Billions in question.

    • The Chairman 6.2
      7 May 2019 at 12:19 pm

      Wonder if the current Government will advise them to settle this out of court?

  7. greywarshark 7
    7 May 2019 at 9:49 am

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/388631/elderly-women-take-a-stand-as-auckland-council-fights-its-own-organisation

    These older women want to be maintained in the style they are accustomed to and given all the medical help to live out healthy long lives with their needs met. They think it is wrong that five-storey units should be erected near their pensioner units. Is it? Five stories is high. The planners are insisting on this, but three-storeys surely would be more suitable. At five stories, there becomes the need for a lift which a ground floor and two higher would avoid.

    Compromise, going lower while still enabling more people to be housed not just have smart young planners force their ideas on the public because they can would be the best approach I think.

    • Sacha 7.1
      7 May 2019 at 10:34 am

      They live just back from a major arterial route, not some sleepy village. Five storeys (including retail and office levels) is already a compromise to get more people living and working near frequent transport and all the local businesses that population density allows to thrive.

    • AB 7.2
      7 May 2019 at 10:48 am

      I have sympathy for both points of view – both the women who want an aesthetically pleasant environment and a city on a human scale, and the council who has to find somewhere to put all these people.

      What are cities for? Are they primarily places where commerce can occur at close proximity? Or are they places that are good to live in? I suspect it is difficult for them to be both successfully – other than for a small elite of the wealthy.

      • greywarshark 7.2.1
        7 May 2019 at 11:45 am

        The question can also be asked – do old people who go on living far beyond the age that was normal, have the right to be treated as royalty and eat cake and be kept in an extremely comfortable manner because they merely have not died, while the young are left to crawl out of their cardboard boxes in the middle of the road etc.

        A caring and intelligent society would not end up with the differential in living standards we have now. Ergo we are not a caring and intelligent society. That is an awful shock to realise for an older person who believed NZ was a good country. Old people's opinions should count. and they would be concerned about leaving things good for the next generations so their reasonable objections should be listened to while not stopping the higher building level.

        I suggested three stories would be suitable, having lived in a building that high. It is right that building should go up but not to a height that is isolating. The upper crust might enjoy the Ayn Rand style. Most like to be closer to the ground and the wider community life there. What are cities for? The inhabitants to have a home and leave some land to grow stuff when it all comes down to it.

        • Molly 7.2.1.1
          7 May 2019 at 12:52 pm

          Design quality is important Grey.

          The Bjarke Ingels Group, who have built lower-cost developments as well as the Lego House, and museums in Denmark, show how higher density does not necessarily mean loss of amenity.

          Have a look at their Big 8 house – a development with high rise apartments that have been designed to have a small outdoor space, and a walkway that connects you to the rest of the development and the ground outside each apartment.

          Link to a Youtube clip that I haven't watched, but scanned through. The walkway is at around 11.30

          • greywarshark 7.2.1.1.1
            7 May 2019 at 1:29 pm

            I'll have a look at that. I only lived in 3 storey and that seemed good. I have seen the details about the attempt to put western people in the high rise places and how badly that works out. They have them in places like Hong Kong, Singapore – if Singapore they are so antsy about keeping tidy, they might be able to run an effective high-rise without squalor and vandalism.

            But the ones you mention sound as if they offer better access. But being too far from the ground for parents with young children can be a very bad move.

            • Poission 7.2.1.1.1.1
              7 May 2019 at 1:39 pm

              The ugliness of spreadsheet architecture.

              https://unherd.com/2019/04/the-hideous-spread-of-spreadsheet-architecture/

              • greywarshark …
                7 May 2019 at 2:21 pm

                Eww. I remember going for a walk past where my forebears built their house in the outer city back in the early 1900s. Alas I don't think we had ever taken photographs of it – we weren't very imaginative and thoughtful. Alas it had come down and was part of the ground environment for a similar high storey building as you showed in the link.

                When I was newly married and had saved a deposit and went to a subdivision being developed by a builder, there was a book of plans to choose from, and if you wanted an extra room here or a bigger laundry, it got costed in. There was a choice of claddings.

                Now the ugly boxes painted brown with dark grey roofs are a third-rate version of a home. All the same all the way down the road. And apparently the government has allowed restrictive liens to go onto titles so you can't even create something that you would like after you buy. They all have to be the same. It's a body corporate effect I think even when you have your own separate free-standing house and title.

                When i was looking at cohousing and looking at the body corporate legislation, the function is there to have a fairer document that doesn't give power to a small bunch of elected members, but each person can have a free vote on most things.

                I think that the average developer has far too much power, and far too little imagination to have the amount of say they have achieved. The quality of life and attraction of suburbs has diminished according to the size of the developer's brain – as in Fawlty Towers one should watch the ground when with a developer, if you see a pea-sized object it could be a vital part of the man/woman's brain.

            • Molly 7.2.1.1.1.2
              7 May 2019 at 4:17 pm

              " But being too far from the ground for parents with young children can be a very bad move. "

              I watched a different documentary on the architect, but the Big 8 house which is in the clip, has a walkway in a loop from the ground to the top storey, at an accessible grade, which means that people can ride their bicycles – or push pushchairs – to their front doors. It also provides that front space for all units that becomes community space, where neighbours hang out and talk.

              Innovative design – can mitigate some of the issues that are brought up regarding the high density living our planners should be moving towards.

              However, it does not come without criticism, and the studio has been criticised by the BAU and traditional form crowd for "ugly" buildings. The occupants seem to like them though.

              • greywarshark …
                7 May 2019 at 4:36 pm

                The problem with the horrible high rises in UK and USA has been access to the upper units, through a lobby where residents could be targets, or which could be in awful condition. So what you have said might be the answer. I could imagine the skateboarders loving the sloping walkways. Sounds as if it could be an enjoyable place, and noise could be mitigated.

                When it comes to multiple storeys the views of this well built town in Verona Italy La Garda? really appeal – the buildings look nice and none of them are grey, brown or charcoal.

                • Molly …
                  7 May 2019 at 5:19 pm

                  Unlike the critics, I actually like the aesthetic of the Big 8 development, primarily because of the way that they allocate space.

                  Beauty in the eye of … and all that.

                • Sacha …
                  7 May 2019 at 6:11 pm

                  You did notice how tall those Italian buildings are, right? People have lived like that for centuries, without pining for a lawn to mow.

                  • greywarshark …
                    7 May 2019 at 6:19 pm

                    Are you going to pick everything I say apart now and put it under a microscope Sacha?

                    • Sacha …
                      7 May 2019 at 6:22 pm

                      As if. You haven't responded about what's underlying your preference for short buildings other than claiming everyone else wants the same as you.

                      This region can’t afford more car-dependant sprawl with climate change upon us, which means building up rather than out from now on.

                      The more people live in each area, the more small businesses can thrive there. Taller buildings also frees up more surrounding space for shared public assets like parks and community centres.

        • Sacha 7.2.1.2
          7 May 2019 at 1:55 pm

          Three storeys can be less accessible than five for people who actually can't handle stairs, increasingly common with age. The ongoing cost of lifts is shared so it is more expensive per home in a four-storey than a nine-storey building or a ninety.

          Worldwide urban designers know that seven storeys is still human scale architecture as it echoes the largest established forest trees our ancestors were familiar with.

          The community-building facilities that surround a building have more impact on inhabitants' sense of belonging than its height does.

          There will always be smaller dwellings and quiet seaside villages but not everyone will be able to afford to live in them.

          • greywarshark 7.2.1.2.1
            7 May 2019 at 2:24 pm

            Those developers might have just come down from the trees and had their ideas affected accordingly. From an ordinary human point of view the three storey that I suggested is the best and cheapest option.

            And indeed the top storey isn't then for everyone, but in life we have to look at what is suitable, difference gives choice.

            • Sacha 7.2.1.2.1.1
              7 May 2019 at 2:35 pm

              "From an ordinary human point of view the three storey that I suggested is the best and cheapest option."

              Best for what? Cheaper per home than what?

              • greywarshark …
                7 May 2019 at 4:52 pm

                The ongoing cost of lifts is shared so it is more expensive per home in a four-storey than a nine-storey building or a ninety.

                It would be cheaper in a three storey to not have a lift than the four-storey which would need a lift, and so (with a lift) the height would probably need to be – ground and five upper storeys, so six to make it practical.

                But three storeys could be manageable without a lift. And indeed we could start incorporating the Dutch-style method of having a beam to haul stuff to for the higher floor.

      • Psycho Milt 7.2.2
        7 May 2019 at 12:47 pm

        Meh. Many Aucklanders want to live in a mult-million-residents city AND live in a nice house with a garden AND be located with convenient access to the city AND not have any apartment blocks near them AND have a low cost of living. People who have contradictory expectations usually find that not all their expectations are met.

    • Gabby 7.3
      7 May 2019 at 12:36 pm

      The council don't think it's such a flash idea either greysy. Might be worth following the money on this one.

    • joe90 7.4
      7 May 2019 at 1:20 pm

      These older women want to be maintained in the style they are accustomed to

      Obviously a hefty ratepayer subsidy isn't enough.

      • Andre 7.4.1
        7 May 2019 at 1:23 pm

        Was this the bit that caught your eye?

        One and two-bedroom units are sold to the elderly at 80 per cent of the market value, with the exception of the village at Carrick Place, Mt Eden where the units are 50 per cent of the market value.

      • greywarshark 7.4.2
        7 May 2019 at 1:24 pm

        That's interesting joe90 thanks.

  8. Jimmy 8
    7 May 2019 at 9:58 am

    Chloe Swarbrick should be the leader of the Greens Party. That woman has a good future in politics. She is mature beyond her years. Always organised and interviews extremely well. I am not a fan of the greens especially while Marama Davison and James Shaw are there as joint leaders. I really think they should go to the single leader ie. Chloe.

    • mauī 8.1
      7 May 2019 at 11:32 am

      Marama and James don't seem to be natural leaders to me either, they're not natural extroverts for a start. Chloe has that great oratory skill, much like Ardern and Lange which I think is critical to get people to connect with and follow you.

      • Jimmy 8.1.1
        7 May 2019 at 1:12 pm

        Agree… and I think Chloe is actually smarter than both the current leaders.

    • Gabby 9.1
      7 May 2019 at 12:38 pm

      It's very kind of Erdygerdy to give the hoi polloi the opportunity to correct their mistake. He will no doubt ensure the outcome is the right one this time.

  10. CHCoff 10
    7 May 2019 at 12:07 pm

    https://www.magic.co.nz/home/news/2019/04/jacinda-ardern–the-christchurch-summit-in-paris.html

    The EU is the closest inter-nation body in the world, to respective societal economic contributors and diplomat corps of nation states combining along with others of different nations in the formation of blocks that then dynamically VOTE on what are to be collective shared courses of action that are the most beneficial.

    Inclusive and dynamic economic networking combining with democratic political structures.

    Someways to go to that maybe but then someways to regress also.

    A lot of the time, it is UN stuff that we get but it is perhaps no less fruitful to engage with and constructively support the EU when appropriate too.

    • ianmac 11.1
      7 May 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Very interesting EP. Couldn't find such info elsewhere. Has Andrew announced it all yet?

  12. Siobhan 12
    7 May 2019 at 1:01 pm

    Interesting, and somewhat predictable update on the Gloriously Simple Answer to all our Future Nature of Work and Subsequent Inequality Problems That Everyone Loves Even Zucherberg and All The Other Tax Dodgers, otherwise known as the UBI.

    “If cash payments are allowed to take precedence, there’s a serious risk of crowding out efforts to build collaborative, sustainable services and infrastructure – and setting a pattern for future development that promotes commodification rather than emancipation.” This may help to explain why UBI has attracted support from Silicon Valley tycoons, who are more interested in defending consumer capitalism than in tackling poverty and inequality……

    This calls for more and better quality public services that are free to those who need them, regardless of ability to pay.

    and there's the rub..all of our austerity budget governments are committed to spending as little as possible, be they Right, Left or in the Middle..they all would like us to know how not spending is more important than even basicaly maintaining the house we live in, let alone securing good outcomes for our children.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/06/universal-basic-income-public-realm-poverty-inequality?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2eOPMyVg68zNacUN2fNj4FhNi_K_Gex0OYzTRZbFKv1K5x0e0DqzdxDew#Echobox=1557140856

    • greywarshark 12.1
      7 May 2019 at 1:42 pm

      Except that the people are regarded as cash cows by business – that's where they want the spending to be. Not on repairs, but on new goods with either volume mark-up or goods of taste and discernment that allow for better profit from those who have risen on the social mobility ladder.

      If you aren't in that bracket, and can't even afford the cheaper volume goods, the business community have managed to limit your access to second-hand electrical goods under health and safety, repairs are almost as dear as new goods. If Council don't upkeep the public provision of things it makes life more difficult. Further down its round the rubbish bins, dumpster diving is prevented by locks though they throw out much good, edible produce, the opshop throw outs (and the opshops are keen pricer uppers), and so on – there are plugs in place to prevent trickle downs by big business. The system is pretty tight.

  13. ianmac 13
    7 May 2019 at 2:17 pm

    Oops. Simon Bridges has been chucked out of the House for rubbishing the Speaker mid through Simon's questions.

  14. greywarshark 14
    7 May 2019 at 4:27 pm

    Another problem for the Labour Coalition with is corsets so tight – enough to make the government faint. All agree at the Waikato DHB that basically the problem there is underfunding. No-one has wanted to run it since the last CEO got the heaveho in late 2017.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/388660/health-minister-replaces-waikato-dhb-board-with-commissioner

  15. Eco Maori 15
    9 May 2019 at 8:38 am

    Kia ora Newshub

    The Auckland mayor race is on

    Tesla put the elictric car's on the World stage. I agree that there needed to be a stimulating of the NZ elictric car's up take.

    Don't worry Graham I have put some good videos up that even a – – – – – – can get the true facts on climate change.

    I believe that technology changes have to happen to fight climate change but don't go trying to build huge carbon capture machines when we just need to plant Papatuanukue billion years old solution to that issue TREES.

    Its good to see that NZ business confidence is up on the official cash rate drop. I would buy a elictric car if I could afford one

    Ka kite ano

  16. Eco Maori 16
    9 May 2019 at 9:29 am

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/qqjVwAg5fK4

  17. Eco Maori 17
    9 May 2019 at 11:38 am

    We have to make sure the huge multi national companies are reined in from all there cheating OUR society of honesty and a happy healthy future for ALL this administration is just sucking as much money out of the world as they can possibly get before they get there ASS kicked out.

    California defies Trump to ban pesticide linked to childhood brain damage

    The EPA had moved to ban chlorpyrifos under Obama, but the Trump administration reversed that effort

    California is banning a widely used pesticide that has been linked to brain damage in children, a major victory for public health advocates who have long fought to outlaw the toxic chemical in the agricultural industry.

    The state ban on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide used on almonds, citrus, cotton, grapes, walnuts and other crops, follows years of research finding the chemical causes serious health effects in children, including impaired brain and neurological development. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had moved to ban the chemical under Barack Obama, but the Trump administration reversed that effort, rejecting the scientific conclusions of its own government experts

    Ka kite ano links below

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/08/california-pesticide-ban-chlorpyrifos-agriculture

    https://youtu.be/s4rGnCIU-w8

  18. Eco Maori 18
    9 May 2019 at 3:11 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/h4DFXUndvbw

    A uneducated tangata whenua O Atoearoa let's the Papatuanukue know the justice system of the PAPATUANUKUE are corrupt

  19. Eco Maori 19
    9 May 2019 at 3:31 pm

    No nothing to look at here no laws broken YEA RIGHT what about the privacy laws they are in bed together all the people that work for clark and thompson are EX police WTF.

    Firm that spied on quake insurance complainants 'did not break law.

    Ka kite ano link below.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/112592552/firm-that-spied-on-quake-insurance-complainants-did-not-break-law

  20. Eco Maori 20
    9 May 2019 at 6:29 pm

    Kia ora Newshub.

    Archie is a cool name for the new royal tama.

    I think that the main goal of MPI is to eradicate the bovine dease it's a mess the wealthy southland farmers created so they need to lump it.

    I don't think NZ has to stop dairy farming to meet our Paris agreement the study has not been conducted with NZ farming conditions we will have to farm organically tho. No comment on Cameron.

    There you go another bad issue with PEE O NO we don't have a huge PEE problem nothing bad going down in NZ YEA RIGHT.

    That's cool brain sergery to save one of Atoearoa taonga a kakapo chicks live saving operation Ka pai.

    That's bullshit alcohol consumption is dropping. A study commissioned by the alcohol industry is going to try and influence people to drink more of the shit.

    I had a excellent dog the manager could not get over how fast I got him working he was a hunter way.

    Ka kite ano

  21. Eco Maori 21
    9 May 2019 at 6:47 pm

    Kia ora Te ao Maori News.

    Condolences to the SAS whanau.

    I will pridict that there will be no blame with the loss of the SAS person.

    Te wharehuia Milroy all the best to your whanau I'm sure they will miss you and will always remember your Mana Wairua.

    Looks like the police and Maori tv love publishing the positive phenomenon of Tangata whenua YEA RIGHT I know you people are to stupid to see the effects you have on OUR tangata Mauri. Ma te wa I will teach the Neanderthals a lesson Ka kite ano

  22. Eco Maori 22
    10 May 2019 at 9:04 am

    Kia ora The AM Show.

    https://youtu.be/vqnwqsJYyiU

    Mokopuna mahi

  23. Eco Maori 23
    10 May 2019 at 10:14 am

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/hT_nvWreIhg

    Had a epiphany yesterday Ma te wa Whanau

  24. Eco Maori 24
    10 May 2019 at 11:15 am

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/DgGr_n4fgyI

    Whanau we must teach all te Mokopuna te reo

  25. Eco Maori 25
    10 May 2019 at 2:35 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/bnVUHWCynig

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:54:33+00:00