Checkpoint understands National Party President Peter Goodfellow facilitated a "gentlemen's agreement" with a woman who complained about Mr Ross' bullying behaviour. The agreement required her to not speak publicly about Mr Ross' conduct.
I have lost a lot of respect for Amnesty International after this tweet that is disgusting on so many levels:
"Ukrainian forces have put civilians in harm’s way by establishing bases and operating weapons systems in populated residential areas."
Firstly, Russia is shelling and firing missiles at civilian areas regardless of whether Ukrainian military are there. The primary reason that civilians are at risk is because of Russian actions, independent of the location of Ukrainian forces.
Whereas, Russia intentionally undertakes actions that put civilians at risk, such as placing its forces and equipment deep inside a nuclear power plant and other such positioning of forces to intentionally put civilians in danger. And other human rights violations such as forced conscription in occupied areas.
Finally, the most disgusting aspect of this tweet is that it gives the Russians moral authority to attack Ukrainian civilians even more, because Amnesty International says that the Ukrainians are placing their forces in those areas.
I infortunately came across an image of the head of a murdered Ukrainian POW on a stake in Popasna, with his hands impaled on a fence railing behind him. Last week a Ukrainian soldier was castrated then shot by Chechen savages in Putin's employ.
Heads on spikes, ritual castrations, mass murder of POWs. It reads like a recitation of the atrocities of the SS, but it is happening now. This week, yesterday, tomorrow in Europe.
One struggles for an emotional response to this, except to observe that for savages like the Chechens and the Wagner group the only legitimate response is not to make excuses for Putin or blame NATO or talk about the temerity of the Ukrainian army and it's refusal to relocate from the cities they are defending to a nearby featureless plain for the convenience of Russian artillery but to grimly decide to go about the business of killing the bastards. And if you capture the perpetrators of the atrocities, take them round the back and show them more mercy they showed your mates by doing it quickly.
Just like our grand/great grand parents did to the last lot of fascist savages in Europe.
Amnesty in Ireland and the UK have turned their backs on women. The Amnesty head in Ireland said that Gender Critical people did not deserve political representation and in England the organisation supported "Trans Rights" activists picketing the FiLia international women's conference.
Balanced against all this, is all the good work that Amnesty has done around the world.
It makes me wonder what can be said about this.
Was the pressure of the Russian trolls too much?
Is Amnesty International trying too hard to make their position clear that they are neutral in war zones between the two sides. (The balanced argument approach).
Amnesty International has some questions to answer
I am no military expert, isn't the aggressor not the defenders, responsible for the deaths of civilians, if those civilians are being attacked?
What is Amnesty saying? That the Ukrainian Forces defending their country from Russian aggression should not place themselves in positions to defend civilian areas from Russian attack?
What does Amnesty think the Ukraine forces should do to protect civilians?
This guy, Chris, describes conifers and their usefulness to native plant restoration and land use change, very well. Those who loathe Pinus radiate might learn from his post.
They don't loath Pinus Radiatus, they loath why and how Pinus Radiatus is planted and harvested.
Chances are they have never seen a decent mix forest in the first place, but they for sure see the scars of clear logging from the car whilst travelling and they may had their house flooded cause slash blocked a river and blablabla – that was my MiL a few years back.
when i speak to people about the need to re-green and plant the issue comes up and with it the general upset with the damage it does to the environement. I think the idea that one could use these trees in accordance with nature and the specifics here in NZ is yet to be properly advertised and explained. A bit like gorse, when i first came across this plant people thought it a toy of the devil, mind you it is quite a usefull plant used in the correct ways.
I'd love to have a go at changing your mind, solkta 🙂
I spent many hours sitting in contemplation of one of the oldest stands of conifer in the country; a mix of pines from around the world. By that stage, they were "elders" and emanated sagacity and poise like no trees I'd ever studied before. We cut them down before they get a chance to express their value, in my opinion 🙂
From time spent cutting pines down in various places understory depends on where the trees are , around tokoroa it was a jungle in 28 years, out on the coast down kapiti just plain needles , up in the Napier taupo needles and shrub scrub .
Contorta did seem to just blanket out all life given time though.
Of course pines can kill rural communities dead though . All for a bit of xhort term gain and feel good .
Depends somewhat on the proximity to stands of native forest. Those pine forests that didn't develop a strong native understory would have benefitted from seeds from elsewhere, applied by humans.
Yes some exotic conifers can help with restoration, and other exotics such as gorse can too but it still all depends on the particular biome and environment and on the species. For example some Pinus species are incredibly invasive in upland environments and destroy local plant and animal communities.
On Banks Peninsula for example, my own experience is that Pinus radiata is great when thinned out as it matures and allows mahoe etc. to establish but only in the gullies and lower areas. It is also great habitat for piwakawaka and other birds if it is not a dense monoculture of pine. Radiata however has and is wiping out the shrublands on the upper slopes where numerous small-leaved plants and climbers that insects and lizards depend on are the natural habitat.
Indigenous plants also create fantastic successional habitat and indeed the variation and differences between species are critical to healthy ecosystems as they respond to different environmental factors and disturbance over time. Pinus radiata shades out light loving species such as Manuka, kanuka, tumatakorou (matagouri).
Established forest via succession (basically taller more woody plants come to dominance over time) is not an end point and, in my opinion, nor should it be a goal for everywhere. Shrublands, tussocklands, alpine ecosystems and wetlands are all just as critical to a healthy living environment.
Finally, we also have our own conifers in New Zealand – the mighty ones such as Totara, Matai, Kahikatea, Rimu, Kawaka – they just need time.
In the old Kaingaroa there were a couple of compartments that were planted in the very early days (20's – 30's) and just left, with no silvicultural inputs to see what happened. The old NZFS did a lot of that in it's function as a research institute. In the late 70's I was tasked with surveying a road line through the corner of the compartment and we may as well have been across the valley in Te Urewera, the understory was so thick. At around 50 years old the pines were going through a phase of self thinning where the stronger trees were displacing weaker ones, dead and fallen pines all over the place and vigorous native understory coming away in the gaps. Took us several weeks to cut and survey 300m of line. Strangely I don't remember cutting any young pines, just native understory.
In another mature (30 yrs and about to harvest) compartment at Minganui that abutted the native, at the boundary between the pines and native the understory was very similar but the big trees were pines at regular spacings rather than mixed native at much wider random spacings.
Thanks for that insight, Graeme. The key is leaving the pines to mature. My hope is the pine plantations going in now will never be mass-harvested and most with live long and their native understory, prosper.
This also reminds me of a Country Calendar episode I saw many years ago about a couple who had an open forest style paddock (it was the site of the original farmhouse and had numerous large exotic trees planted a century ago). They ran dairy cattle in the paddock, they didn't need to irrigate or fertilise it and claimed a 20% increase in milk productivity. Sadly I can't find any reference online.
However I did also find this:
Ngāi Tahu and the government have joined forces on a new project to validate the science of regenerative farming.
The seven year research programme will compare side-by-side dairy farms to assess the environmental impacts of their practices.
One 286-hectare farm will use regenerative farming practices while the adjacent 330-hectare farm will use conventional methods.
Both farms will have a stocking rate of 3.2 cows per hectare.
The regenerative farm will use a more diverse pasture species, will have a longer rotation length and will use natural fertilisers over synthetic ones.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if that was done around East Cape. Worked on some of the early re-foresting of abandoned farms up there and it was obvious harvesting was going to be a marginal exercise when we were trying to put roads in to just plant the blocks, let alone get the logs out on them. I can remember a Forester at the time saying that leaving the blocks to revert to permanent native or hybrid was the best thing to do with them.
It depends on the pine species and on the local environment. Lodgepole pine is a very destructive pest in subalpine areas for example. Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) is not too bad in many lowland areas if it is allowed to stand and is not planted too densely so that lowland indigenous forest species can establish quickly. Not much lowland land would be allowed to have such pine forests though as it is prime land thanks to the millennia of tall lowland forest.
Around here, Central Otago and specifically Whakatipu, it's not so much the introduced pine but the specific species. Here the endemic forest cover would be Mountain Beech forest from valley floor to 1000m, with alpines and tussock above.
The wilding conifers, Douglas Fir, Larch and P. Contorta, will grow up to 2000m so we'll end up with something very different to what was natural.
There's a lot of work going on locally exploring the possibilities of re-establishing Mountain Beech to replace wildings with some very encouraging results. Interestingly there is evidence of a mycorrhizal relationship between Beech and Douglas Fir, and possibly other introduced conifers. Beech seem to do a lot better when the roots are in association with a Douglas Fir's roots. Some experiments going on to replicate this and explore other species of conifer. It's early days but idea of replacing the Douglas Firs above Queenstown and around Whakatipu with Mountain Beech may quickly become a thing.
Work in progress Robert. There's some very high risk Douglas Fir blocks that are being removed, like the Arrowtown Endowment block behind Millbrook which is going to be replaced. There's also trials with encouraging supercedure within Douglas Fir and other conifer species.
All very live science with a couple of PHDs underway. Unfortunately not a lot of funding but it's looking promising.
I hope you'll keeps posted, Graeme. Your mention of the fungal interdependence interested me the most. I think we know too little about this. One aspect of the fungal nets is their capacity for sequestering carbon. We haven't yet factored that in. Presently, we value connectivity poorly and allow our systems, livestock farming in particular, to dice up our landscapes into disconnected units. This is far more damaging than we perceive presently, I believe.
I observed up here in Auckland some trees are promiscuous hosts of mycorrhizae. If you want to hasten succession identifying those species in each biome would prove valuable.
Personally I dont think monoculture forest should count towards carbon credits. I'd like to see far more mixed forest planted co training both native and exotics with a view to providing nectar sources.
Here in Auckland Prunus campanulata is in full bloom (recently banned here) every tree in my street is packed with Tuis except the few that have a resident that's puffed up and really doesn't want to share.
It's an invaluable source of nectar in a time of scarcity we need to be far smarter with our approach to reforestation.
But it's more complicated than that, they can enhance our biodiversity given they provide abundant nectar to our native birds thus supporting a population recovery.
Give me a deciduous Prunus forest over Pine any day of the week.
They do not enhance our biodiversity. What bullshit. What will Tui eat the rest of the year when we only have this shit because they have crowded everything else out?
These attractive birds can often be heard singing their beautiful melodies before they are spotted. You will recognise them by their distinctive white tuft under their throat.
They are important pollinators of many native trees and will fly large distances, especially during winter for their favourite foods. They feed mainly on nectar from flowers of native plants such as kōwhai, puriri, rewarewa, kahikatea, pohutukawa, rātā and flax.
I've not seen any dense Prunus forest in NZ even remotely like Gorse or wind blown Pine… the fact that its deciduous kinda prevents that… I'd be more worried about Kiwifruit now that's a real problem…
Taiwan cherry invades all types of shrublands, light gaps in the forest, roadsides, gardens and reserves. It has the potential to spread and dominate over native vegetation, displacing it completely and negatively impacting on entire naturally occurring ecosystems.
Love the trees or hate them, the tui have no qualms at all. The nectar is manna from heaven to them. And therein lies the problem. I was contacted recently by someone who is crusading against the sale and planting of campanulata cherries and I was only relatively sympathetic because I think we are in danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
The problem is the seeding habits of some campanulatas. Many set prodigious amounts of seed which is then spread far and wide by our bird population. There is an alarmingly high rate of germination. The seedlings grow rapidly and after the second season, plants are too big to hand pull out. If you cut them off, they grow again. So bad is the problem that they have been banned in Northland and this correspondent would like to see them banned everywhere.
“There are loads of better trees for Tui such as Kowhai, Rewarewa that can be available at the same time” he claimed. I don’t want to be picky with someone who genuinely cares for the environment, but on a property packed with food for the birds, I have never seen a plant as attractive to tui as the campanulata cherries. Besides, in late winter, neither kowhai nor rewarewa are in flower yet.
I mentioned babies and bathwater because the problem is seeding. There are sterile forms of campanulata and both gardeners and tui alike may rue the day if ALL campanulatas get banned, even the named forms that never set seed. This is a problem we gardeners have brought upon ourselves. The record of garden escapes into the wild is not a proud one and too many gardeners don’t take responsibility for their weeds."
Mostly in agreement with that although whilst abundant I dont see a situation where Prunus will prevent the establishment of or overtake our very hardy natives (which can outlast gorse.) They're more a useful addition at least for our birds and those of us that enjoy the winter blossom… Not to different to Karaka really just many generations later…
Woolly nightshade can look after itself – doesn't need our help.
The primary plant-agent-of-destruction of native forests here in NZ has been the pasture grasses; it's everywhere and our forests have fallen at their approach.
Steve Ubl, who leads the nation’s top industry group for drugmakers, is offering a final salvo to Congress as Democratic lawmakers inch closer to passing their sweeping reconciliation package that includes drug pricing measures — and threatening swift retaliation if they don’t listen, he told POLITICO.
Ubl’s group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, and its 31 board members sent a letter to every member of Congress on Thursday afternoon, urging them to vote against the package
We know it’s not ideal, it’s not New Zealand salmon yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
According to the Tribe, this event is one step in the journey that was launched in 2010, when Winnemem tribal members went to Aotearoa in New Zealand to sing and dance for their salmon relatives that have been waiting for 100 years to return to their home waters.
“PRC military exercises after Pelosi’s visit are akin to silverback male gorillas who run around thrashing branches and beating their chests when annoyed, disturbed or seeking to show dominance. They are certainly dangerous and not to be ignored, but their aggression is about signaling/posturing, not imminent attack. In other words, the behaviour is a demonstration of physical capabilities and general disposition rather than real immediate intent. If and when the PRC assault on Taiwan comes, it will not be telegraphed.”
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness
― John Kenneth Galbraith
"To young people who don’t want to work: You might have a free ride under Labour, but under National, it ends,” Luxon said.
Well surprise surprise the national Party promises consequences and sanctions (did they forget to say 'crackdown'?) on beneficiaries. SSDD they really are the supreme arseholes of New Zealand.
PR I remember well the JK years – when approaching elections the National would go big on beneficiary crackdowns – promises of sanctions and punishments and new hoops to jump through for those least able to fare well in our society. The National Party did this for electoral advantage as many of their fans really enjoy the underclass being punished Luxon is busy now wooing these people by throwing them lots of 'raw meat'. We have recently seen some people claim that the Labour Government has caused division with the vaccine mandates – yet there is fuck all said about Nationals promotion of of ill will to beneficiaries. Same Shit Different Day.
It's the national party ,it'll be all whip , smashing down on what they see as weak people who just need to get it together and become high achieveing self made winners like them . !!!
Help? That'd be great – if the promise meant anything …
When I became unemployed about a decade ago I went to WINZ and asked for help. Sure, I got some financial support, and I was glad of that, but I was very down and really wanted the kind of one-on-one counselling that Luxon mentions today in his speech:
“Young jobseekers will get more support, with a proper assessment of their barriers, and an individual job plan to address those barriers, and find a job.
(instead of currently …)
You don't have to have a case manager, though you can call an 0800 number if you want one. That is far too casual.”
So why didn't I have a case manager? Why wasn't somebody dedicated to my personal support?
Simple. Cost. Yes, Luxon is proposing an expensive investment in people, call them coaches, counsellors, case workers, whatever.
I'd be all for that, but it will come with a hefty price tag, and only a fool would believe National wants to fund it.
Last year it was race relations and it proved a big hit — this year it is beneficiaries.
National leader Don Brash returned to the Orewa Rotary Club north of Auckland — the scene of last year's triumphant "one law for all" speech — with welfare firmly in his sights.
Comparing himself to the first Labour prime minister Michael Joseph Savage, who he called a fiscal and moral conservative, Dr Brash said they both saw welfare as a temporary measure.
Yea just more nat party dogwhistlin’ from the playbook ! Note Brash…ex Reserve Bank, Ex Nat Leader, still Act ?…..but anyway…Comparing himself to Michael J Savage ? asshole. !
What's the number of people that he is targeting? How many are already using case managers? The use of a payment for a years's good work after a year on a benefit is on the face of it a reasonable idea. As PR says at 10.1.1 the devil is in the detail- of which little was provided by Luxon.
There should be very few young people on job seeker benefit for over a year as I've said on here before (although all the three amigos (moderators) disagree with me). Shops, factories, companies, restaurants all around NZ are crying out for staff and offering wages well in excess of job seeker benefit. But too many NZ'ers would rather stay on the benefit. Time for these young people to contribute to society rather than be a burden on it.
… (although all the three amigos (moderators) disagree with me).
You obviously refuse to inform yourself of the facts and rather act like an unthinking parrot flapping your little wings when you think you hear the sounds of bennie bashing. If you had at least some kind of opinion with a decent argument we could debate you, but as it stands our efforts would be wasted like pouring rum into an alcoholic’s mouth.
Looking at MSD's fact sheets young people are the smallest group on benefit at 15.3% down from 16.3% a year ago. In fact they have had the biggest drop in the last twelve months. That suggests young people are going to work faster than all other groups. Those lazy 55-64 year olds have gone up the most. Sanction them. Fucking retiring early bastards. Hit them before they turn into the most hardworking, honest, never been off work a day in my life deserving people at 65.
I don't have excel so can't look at the detailed data but it seems Luxon is dog whistling at the wrong group of people.
The key detail is that National wants to contract out management of these (under 25) cases, not MSD staff.
MSD uses work brokers to interface (matching skills) between business and those on the JS Benefit.
The pertinent issue is why these "youth" are not being connected to training for work providers – one reason might be staffing issues in them and MSD due to COVID and general labour issues slowing down delivery of services.
Just like Paula Bennet gave millions of dollars in funding to her religious mates to run parenting courses (still waiting for an evaluation of their effectiveness), the churches are busy making money helping the homeless now they will be "helping" our young people.
Bring back orphanages and homes for unmarried mothers I say. Poorhouses for the sanctioned ones.
I'm sorry if this has already been covered (I've been mostly offline over the past few days, with work and family)
But I thought this was a really interesting result – a hefty and increasing percentage of Kiwis think that if you have to shift because of climate change (rising sea levels, etc.) 'society' (govt or local govt) should not have to pay the whole of the cost, and that the home-owner should have to pay a significant percentage.
The really key question of 'who pays' not answered in the National Adaptation plan, just released.
Caveat. The research was commissioned by an insurer – so caveat emptor.
Have to say, in Auckland, at least, the communities most 'threatened' by climate change, sea level rise and/or extreme weather – are the wealthy ones. I don't see why a landowner on Takapuna Beach should have the 'value' of a beachfront house for 20+ years, then have the taxpayer/ratepayer pay the bill for them to relocate once the rising tide is lapping at their front doorstep.
This seems to be a shift from the public attitude around the 'red zone' relocations in Christchurch. Where the public attitude was that this was an entirely unforeseen issue (no one predicted earthquakes and/or liquefaction prior to 2010), and residents could hardly be blamed for not planning ahead.
Whereas the rise in climate risks is entirely predictable, and you can take sensible precautions (sell your beach-front lifestyle while you still can; re-build houses to be transportable; invest some of your millions in other residential sections, to manage your own retreat, etc.)
For some years Councils have been aware of sea level rises, storm surge extents, flood plain capacities etc. This information is on LIM reports and on Council GIS systems. In a previous incarnation I was a Land Use Planner and I regularly had to contend with restrictions on site developments because of these factors. They ranged from a site subject to a 1.5m high storm surge where the lower level of the dwelling was not able to be habitable – restricted to storage, garage, laundry etc, and all electrical works had to be above the 1.5m height – to sites where any further development or subdivision required safe egress (basically – a bridge) to be constructed from the dwelling to the driveway – or where no further development was possible because of the nature of the flood danger. There will be an ever increasing number of these areas,
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This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
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'I've seen it all': Peter Goodfellow looks back at 50 years as National member https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/472348/i-ve-seen-it-all-peter-goodfellow-looks-back-at-50-years-as-national-member
Trying.
😂
Well there was one Legacy. moment. I wonder who the “gentlemen” were?
I have lost a lot of respect for Amnesty International after this tweet that is disgusting on so many levels:
"Ukrainian forces have put civilians in harm’s way by establishing bases and operating weapons systems in populated residential areas."
Firstly, Russia is shelling and firing missiles at civilian areas regardless of whether Ukrainian military are there. The primary reason that civilians are at risk is because of Russian actions, independent of the location of Ukrainian forces.
Secondly, Zelensky specifically ordered civilians to leave the danger zones precisely to avoid the possibility of putting civilians in danger.
Whereas, Russia intentionally undertakes actions that put civilians at risk, such as placing its forces and equipment deep inside a nuclear power plant and other such positioning of forces to intentionally put civilians in danger. And other human rights violations such as forced conscription in occupied areas.
Finally, the most disgusting aspect of this tweet is that it gives the Russians moral authority to attack Ukrainian civilians even more, because Amnesty International says that the Ukrainians are placing their forces in those areas.
Donated for forty years. No more.
Well said.
Lotsa useful idiots.
https://twitter.com/MMMyllyniemi/status/1555615864568926209
https://twitter.com/Vorkoz/status/1555554872304467969
ffs
https://twitter.com/shanvav/status/1555626716621684738
I infortunately came across an image of the head of a murdered Ukrainian POW on a stake in Popasna, with his hands impaled on a fence railing behind him. Last week a Ukrainian soldier was castrated then shot by Chechen savages in Putin's employ.
Heads on spikes, ritual castrations, mass murder of POWs. It reads like a recitation of the atrocities of the SS, but it is happening now. This week, yesterday, tomorrow in Europe.
One struggles for an emotional response to this, except to observe that for savages like the Chechens and the Wagner group the only legitimate response is not to make excuses for Putin or blame NATO or talk about the temerity of the Ukrainian army and it's refusal to relocate from the cities they are defending to a nearby featureless plain for the convenience of Russian artillery but to grimly decide to go about the business of killing the bastards. And if you capture the perpetrators of the atrocities, take them round the back and show them more mercy they showed your mates by doing it quickly.
Just like our grand/great grand parents did to the last lot of fascist savages in Europe.
Amnesty in Ireland and the UK have turned their backs on women. The Amnesty head in Ireland said that Gender Critical people did not deserve political representation and in England the organisation supported "Trans Rights" activists picketing the FiLia international women's conference.
https://www.filia.org.uk/latest-news/2021/10/26/filia-statement-on-amnesty-international-uk?fbclid=IwAR0ScYk4zWELO2RNS0fuVVtwWZyQMO1cRLhnzXqNMLYdORvOA6qRI6VHYjY
Balanced against all this, is all the good work that Amnesty has done around the world.
It makes me wonder what can be said about this.
Was the pressure of the Russian trolls too much?
Is Amnesty International trying too hard to make their position clear that they are neutral in war zones between the two sides. (The balanced argument approach).
Amnesty International has some questions to answer
I am no military expert, isn't the aggressor not the defenders, responsible for the deaths of civilians, if those civilians are being attacked?
What is Amnesty saying? That the Ukrainian Forces defending their country from Russian aggression should not place themselves in positions to defend civilian areas from Russian attack?
What does Amnesty think the Ukraine forces should do to protect civilians?
Withdraw?
Always the Chekist.
https://twitter.com/ForeignAffairs/status/1555663781975523329
https://archive.ph/2022.07.29-125048/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russian-federation/putins-new-police-state
This guy, Chris, describes conifers and their usefulness to native plant restoration and land use change, very well. Those who loathe Pinus radiate might learn from his post.
https://www.facebook.com/chris.perley.39/posts/pfbid02ntswJ11fWBVRQmMgBGHEA2oPMtLJzmHxd8FfepWK9XbXvus4n6TZJTfNruS66QaTl
They don't loath Pinus Radiatus, they loath why and how Pinus Radiatus is planted and harvested.
Chances are they have never seen a decent mix forest in the first place, but they for sure see the scars of clear logging from the car whilst travelling and they may had their house flooded cause slash blocked a river and blablabla – that was my MiL a few years back.
I do believe "they" transfer their loathing onto the tree.
Are they barking up the …?
Pining for something they've lost…
can't see the trees for the wood.
not sure honestly.
when i speak to people about the need to re-green and plant the issue comes up and with it the general upset with the damage it does to the environement. I think the idea that one could use these trees in accordance with nature and the specifics here in NZ is yet to be properly advertised and explained. A bit like gorse, when i first came across this plant people thought it a toy of the devil, mind you it is quite a usefull plant used in the correct ways.
I loath them. Fucking ugly trees.
I'd love to have a go at changing your mind, solkta 🙂
I spent many hours sitting in contemplation of one of the oldest stands of conifer in the country; a mix of pines from around the world. By that stage, they were "elders" and emanated sagacity and poise like no trees I'd ever studied before. We cut them down before they get a chance to express their value, in my opinion 🙂
have you been to eastwoodhill ? the nz national arboretum. fantastic place.
I haven't. I've been invited, but my dislike of travel works against me. I believe it to be, as you say, a fantastic place.
Link for those that can’t see the FB embed
https://www.facebook.com/chris.perley.39/posts/10162210935169358
From time spent cutting pines down in various places understory depends on where the trees are , around tokoroa it was a jungle in 28 years, out on the coast down kapiti just plain needles , up in the Napier taupo needles and shrub scrub .
Contorta did seem to just blanket out all life given time though.
Of course pines can kill rural communities dead though . All for a bit of xhort term gain and feel good .
Depends somewhat on the proximity to stands of native forest. Those pine forests that didn't develop a strong native understory would have benefitted from seeds from elsewhere, applied by humans.
In the case of the Napier taupo end of kiangaroa I'd say the hungry nature of the pumice soils where the limiting factor.
Yes some exotic conifers can help with restoration, and other exotics such as gorse can too but it still all depends on the particular biome and environment and on the species. For example some Pinus species are incredibly invasive in upland environments and destroy local plant and animal communities.
On Banks Peninsula for example, my own experience is that Pinus radiata is great when thinned out as it matures and allows mahoe etc. to establish but only in the gullies and lower areas. It is also great habitat for piwakawaka and other birds if it is not a dense monoculture of pine. Radiata however has and is wiping out the shrublands on the upper slopes where numerous small-leaved plants and climbers that insects and lizards depend on are the natural habitat.
Indigenous plants also create fantastic successional habitat and indeed the variation and differences between species are critical to healthy ecosystems as they respond to different environmental factors and disturbance over time. Pinus radiata shades out light loving species such as Manuka, kanuka, tumatakorou (matagouri).
Established forest via succession (basically taller more woody plants come to dominance over time) is not an end point and, in my opinion, nor should it be a goal for everywhere. Shrublands, tussocklands, alpine ecosystems and wetlands are all just as critical to a healthy living environment.
Finally, we also have our own conifers in New Zealand – the mighty ones such as Totara, Matai, Kahikatea, Rimu, Kawaka – they just need time.
lovely commentary, thanks.
What would have been growing on the upper slopes of Banks Peninsula originally?
Thank you. Sometimes the love of poetry takes over Robert's love of ecology.
In the old Kaingaroa there were a couple of compartments that were planted in the very early days (20's – 30's) and just left, with no silvicultural inputs to see what happened. The old NZFS did a lot of that in it's function as a research institute. In the late 70's I was tasked with surveying a road line through the corner of the compartment and we may as well have been across the valley in Te Urewera, the understory was so thick. At around 50 years old the pines were going through a phase of self thinning where the stronger trees were displacing weaker ones, dead and fallen pines all over the place and vigorous native understory coming away in the gaps. Took us several weeks to cut and survey 300m of line. Strangely I don't remember cutting any young pines, just native understory.
In another mature (30 yrs and about to harvest) compartment at Minganui that abutted the native, at the boundary between the pines and native the understory was very similar but the big trees were pines at regular spacings rather than mixed native at much wider random spacings.
Thanks for that insight, Graeme. The key is leaving the pines to mature. My hope is the pine plantations going in now will never be mass-harvested and most with live long and their native understory, prosper.
This also reminds me of a Country Calendar episode I saw many years ago about a couple who had an open forest style paddock (it was the site of the original farmhouse and had numerous large exotic trees planted a century ago). They ran dairy cattle in the paddock, they didn't need to irrigate or fertilise it and claimed a 20% increase in milk productivity. Sadly I can't find any reference online.
However I did also find this:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/472289/government-and-ngai-tahu-to-work-together-on-regenerative-farming-project
Let's hope they can include increased tree-planting as part of this experiment.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if that was done around East Cape. Worked on some of the early re-foresting of abandoned farms up there and it was obvious harvesting was going to be a marginal exercise when we were trying to put roads in to just plant the blocks, let alone get the logs out on them. I can remember a Forester at the time saying that leaving the blocks to revert to permanent native or hybrid was the best thing to do with them.
So why are wilding pines such a major threat then?
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/weeds/common-weeds/wilding-conifers/
Is it that they create 'forest' in previously unforested areas?
Because if, left alone, they result in re-forestation of primarily indigenous species – they shouldn't be a problem….
It depends on the pine species and on the local environment. Lodgepole pine is a very destructive pest in subalpine areas for example. Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) is not too bad in many lowland areas if it is allowed to stand and is not planted too densely so that lowland indigenous forest species can establish quickly. Not much lowland land would be allowed to have such pine forests though as it is prime land thanks to the millennia of tall lowland forest.
Thanks, to the uninitiated 'pine' tends to mean all pines – so interesting/useful to know that different varieties are pests of differing severity.
Around here, Central Otago and specifically Whakatipu, it's not so much the introduced pine but the specific species. Here the endemic forest cover would be Mountain Beech forest from valley floor to 1000m, with alpines and tussock above.
The wilding conifers, Douglas Fir, Larch and P. Contorta, will grow up to 2000m so we'll end up with something very different to what was natural.
There's a lot of work going on locally exploring the possibilities of re-establishing Mountain Beech to replace wildings with some very encouraging results. Interestingly there is evidence of a mycorrhizal relationship between Beech and Douglas Fir, and possibly other introduced conifers. Beech seem to do a lot better when the roots are in association with a Douglas Fir's roots. Some experiments going on to replicate this and explore other species of conifer. It's early days but idea of replacing the Douglas Firs above Queenstown and around Whakatipu with Mountain Beech may quickly become a thing.
Replacing the Douglas fir, or adding to the Douglas fir?
Work in progress Robert. There's some very high risk Douglas Fir blocks that are being removed, like the Arrowtown Endowment block behind Millbrook which is going to be replaced. There's also trials with encouraging supercedure within Douglas Fir and other conifer species.
All very live science with a couple of PHDs underway. Unfortunately not a lot of funding but it's looking promising.
I hope you'll keeps posted, Graeme. Your mention of the fungal interdependence interested me the most. I think we know too little about this. One aspect of the fungal nets is their capacity for sequestering carbon. We haven't yet factored that in. Presently, we value connectivity poorly and allow our systems, livestock farming in particular, to dice up our landscapes into disconnected units. This is far more damaging than we perceive presently, I believe.
I observed up here in Auckland some trees are promiscuous hosts of mycorrhizae. If you want to hasten succession identifying those species in each biome would prove valuable.
Personally I dont think monoculture forest should count towards carbon credits. I'd like to see far more mixed forest planted co training both native and exotics with a view to providing nectar sources.
Here in Auckland Prunus campanulata is in full bloom (recently banned here) every tree in my street is packed with Tuis except the few that have a resident that's puffed up and really doesn't want to share.
It's an invaluable source of nectar in a time of scarcity we need to be far smarter with our approach to reforestation.
"Here in Auckland Prunus campanulata is in full bloom (recently banned here) every tree in my street is packed with Tuis "
Therein lies he rub – what to do, what to do?
Work with those generous plants, not against them.
When they become redundant, retire them.
They won't mind.
Till then, respect them for what they do.
Imo
Retire them. Haha. Have you seen how this shit grows in Northland?
Introduced weed trees..like other INTRODUCED pest plants…pest animals..pest insects. harmful to our NZ Native Biodiversity.
Aye Weedbusters !
But it's more complicated than that, they can enhance our biodiversity given they provide abundant nectar to our native birds thus supporting a population recovery.
Give me a deciduous Prunus forest over Pine any day of the week.
They do not enhance our biodiversity. What bullshit. What will Tui eat the rest of the year when we only have this shit because they have crowded everything else out?
And Aye !!. I have been growing some of these (Kowhai, Flax, Cabbage Tree ,etc; ). Tui Love. them and Bellbird !
I've not seen any dense Prunus forest in NZ even remotely like Gorse or wind blown Pine… the fact that its deciduous kinda prevents that… I'd be more worried about Kiwifruit now that's a real problem…
Pasture-grasses for stock feed are by far the greater agent of destruction of our native forests – by FAR!
https://www.nrc.govt.nz/Environment/Weed-and-pest-control/pest-control-hub/?pwsystem=true&pwid=33
I don't know about them, so I did my research 🙂
"
Love the trees or hate them, the tui have no qualms at all. The nectar is manna from heaven to them. And therein lies the problem. I was contacted recently by someone who is crusading against the sale and planting of campanulata cherries and I was only relatively sympathetic because I think we are in danger of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
The problem is the seeding habits of some campanulatas. Many set prodigious amounts of seed which is then spread far and wide by our bird population. There is an alarmingly high rate of germination. The seedlings grow rapidly and after the second season, plants are too big to hand pull out. If you cut them off, they grow again. So bad is the problem that they have been banned in Northland and this correspondent would like to see them banned everywhere.
“There are loads of better trees for Tui such as Kowhai, Rewarewa that can be available at the same time” he claimed. I don’t want to be picky with someone who genuinely cares for the environment, but on a property packed with food for the birds, I have never seen a plant as attractive to tui as the campanulata cherries. Besides, in late winter, neither kowhai nor rewarewa are in flower yet.
I mentioned babies and bathwater because the problem is seeding. There are sterile forms of campanulata and both gardeners and tui alike may rue the day if ALL campanulatas get banned, even the named forms that never set seed. This is a problem we gardeners have brought upon ourselves. The record of garden escapes into the wild is not a proud one and too many gardeners don’t take responsibility for their weeds."
https://jury.co.nz/2013/08/23/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-campanulata-cherries/
Mostly in agreement with that although whilst abundant I dont see a situation where Prunus will prevent the establishment of or overtake our very hardy natives (which can outlast gorse.) They're more a useful addition at least for our birds and those of us that enjoy the winter blossom… Not to different to Karaka really just many generations later…
Agreed, I just cant abide a monoculture 🙃
Next you will be saying we should save the Woolly Nightshade for the Kereru.
Woolly nightshade can look after itself – doesn't need our help.
The primary plant-agent-of-destruction of native forests here in NZ has been the pasture grasses; it's everywhere and our forests have fallen at their approach.
Deeply saddening (see kahikatea especially).
That's no moon …
That's a choritzo sausage
Scientist admits 'space telescope image' was actually a slice of chorizo – CNN
Ad (5.1) … a chorizo sausage eh?
For a moment there, I thought it was Te Puke kid Luxon's head after his holiday in the sun.
yum….piggy fat..
The alternative to Pharmac.
Steve Ubl, who leads the nation’s top industry group for drugmakers, is offering a final salvo to Congress as Democratic lawmakers inch closer to passing their sweeping reconciliation package that includes drug pricing measures — and threatening swift retaliation if they don’t listen, he told POLITICO.
Ubl’s group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, and its 31 board members sent a letter to every member of Congress on Thursday afternoon, urging them to vote against the package
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/04/head-of-top-pharma-group-says-dems-who-vote-for-bill-wont-get-a-free-pass-00049898
The ethos of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Shkreli is alive and well in pharma land
This is a truly lovely read of salmon, native tribes of the US and "Aotearoa in New Zealand" and a much desired and cherished home coming.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/8/6/2114937/-After-80-years-Winnemem-Wintu-and-partners-return-winter-run-Chinook-to-Mccloud-River
Pablo putting the latest Chinese manoeuvres in perspective.
https://www.kiwipolitico.com/2022/08/considering-pelosis-visit-to-taiwan/
“PRC military exercises after Pelosi’s visit are akin to silverback male gorillas who run around thrashing branches and beating their chests when annoyed, disturbed or seeking to show dominance. They are certainly dangerous and not to be ignored, but their aggression is about signaling/posturing, not imminent attack. In other words, the behaviour is a demonstration of physical capabilities and general disposition rather than real immediate intent. If and when the PRC assault on Taiwan comes, it will not be telegraphed.”
With the arrest of Joseph Stalin in Sri Lanka questions are being asked.
https://twitter.com/edwest/status/1555094350173986816?cxt=HHwWgICz5c-E55QrAAAA
And arseholery.
― John Kenneth Galbraith
"To young people who don’t want to work: You might have a free ride under Labour, but under National, it ends,” Luxon said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129502939/christopher-luxon-uses-conference-speech-to-promise-end-to-free-ride-for-young-beneficiaries
So Natioanl wants to help young people have a shot at a life of earning an income and having some self esteem and you think that's a bad thing????
The devils in the details, I'll wait to see what it actually means.
Well surprise surprise the national Party promises consequences and sanctions (did they forget to say 'crackdown'?) on beneficiaries. SSDD they really are the supreme arseholes of New Zealand.
All political parties lie but in this instance I want to see what they're actually saying beyond the headline
PR I remember well the JK years – when approaching elections the National would go big on beneficiary crackdowns – promises of sanctions and punishments and new hoops to jump through for those least able to fare well in our society. The National Party did this for electoral advantage as many of their fans really enjoy the underclass being punished Luxon is busy now wooing these people by throwing them lots of 'raw meat'. We have recently seen some people claim that the Labour Government has caused division with the vaccine mandates – yet there is fuck all said about Nationals promotion of of ill will to beneficiaries. Same Shit Different Day.
It's the national party ,it'll be all whip , smashing down on what they see as weak people who just need to get it together and become high achieveing self made winners like them . !!!
Help? That'd be great – if the promise meant anything …
When I became unemployed about a decade ago I went to WINZ and asked for help. Sure, I got some financial support, and I was glad of that, but I was very down and really wanted the kind of one-on-one counselling that Luxon mentions today in his speech:
“Young jobseekers will get more support, with a proper assessment of their barriers, and an individual job plan to address those barriers, and find a job.
(instead of currently …)
You don't have to have a case manager, though you can call an 0800 number if you want one. That is far too casual.”
So why didn't I have a case manager? Why wasn't somebody dedicated to my personal support?
Simple. Cost. Yes, Luxon is proposing an expensive investment in people, call them coaches, counsellors, case workers, whatever.
I'd be all for that, but it will come with a hefty price tag, and only a fool would believe National wants to fund it.
National, as usual, wants to ensure that exploitative underpaying arseholes of employers, have a constant supply of forced labour.
Punching down on our young people right after a 1 in 100 year pandemic.
This mirrors the time when egghead said NZ businesses are soft. Zero compassion. Should be easy for the PM to tear the Botany bumbler a new one.
He’s going to give 20 somethings a grand if the stay in a job for a year? I’ve worked for 30 years, where’s my money?
Yea just more nat party dogwhistlin’ from the playbook ! Note Brash…ex Reserve Bank, Ex Nat Leader, still Act ?…..but anyway…Comparing himself to Michael J Savage ? asshole. !
What's the number of people that he is targeting? How many are already using case managers? The use of a payment for a years's good work after a year on a benefit is on the face of it a reasonable idea. As PR says at 10.1.1 the devil is in the detail- of which little was provided by Luxon.
https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/phrae/youth-service-for-neet.html doesn't exactly answer all those questions, but it suggests that there is already something in place.
That quote from JK Galbraith is pure gold. "Because we earned it", "because we deserve it," "because we are blessed by it…."
National says, "Because we hard -working kiwis earned it and we deserve it whereas they don't because they are lazy, sinful and not like us".
There should be very few young people on job seeker benefit for over a year as I've said on here before (although all the three amigos (moderators) disagree with me). Shops, factories, companies, restaurants all around NZ are crying out for staff and offering wages well in excess of job seeker benefit. But too many NZ'ers would rather stay on the benefit. Time for these young people to contribute to society rather than be a burden on it.
You obviously refuse to inform yourself of the facts and rather act like an unthinking parrot flapping your little wings when you think you hear the sounds of bennie bashing. If you had at least some kind of opinion with a decent argument we could debate you, but as it stands our efforts would be wasted like pouring rum into an alcoholic’s mouth.
Why pick on young people?
Looking at MSD's fact sheets young people are the smallest group on benefit at 15.3% down from 16.3% a year ago. In fact they have had the biggest drop in the last twelve months. That suggests young people are going to work faster than all other groups. Those lazy 55-64 year olds have gone up the most. Sanction them. Fucking retiring early bastards. Hit them before they turn into the most hardworking, honest, never been off work a day in my life deserving people at 65.
I don't have excel so can't look at the detailed data but it seems Luxon is dog whistling at the wrong group of people.
https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/statistics/monthly-reporting/2022/june/monthly-benefits-update-june-2022.pdf
restaurants all around NZ are crying out for staff
lol. I thought most were crying poverty because there are no tourists and no-one working in the CBD.
The key detail is that National wants to contract out management of these (under 25) cases, not MSD staff.
MSD uses work brokers to interface (matching skills) between business and those on the JS Benefit.
The pertinent issue is why these "youth" are not being connected to training for work providers – one reason might be staffing issues in them and MSD due to COVID and general labour issues slowing down delivery of services.
There's work to be done for them churches.
Just like Paula Bennet gave millions of dollars in funding to her religious mates to run parenting courses (still waiting for an evaluation of their effectiveness), the churches are busy making money helping the homeless now they will be "helping" our young people.
Bring back orphanages and homes for unmarried mothers I say. Poorhouses for the sanctioned ones.
Hallelujah!
It's like Jesus put on few pounds, shaved off his beard, put on shades and died his hair.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/an-ode-for-bishop-brian
It would have been so easy for Luxon to give just a tiniest bit of the steps to making us a more prosperous, more engaged, more uplifted country.
Going down the route of beneficiaries is the same sad punitive bullshit.
I would give National $1,000 to get themselves off their donor welfare, and then just make them all go cold turkey.
Sounds a bit hitlery.
https://twitter.com/HeartlandSignal/status/1555651858768822273
I'm sorry if this has already been covered (I've been mostly offline over the past few days, with work and family)
But I thought this was a really interesting result – a hefty and increasing percentage of Kiwis think that if you have to shift because of climate change (rising sea levels, etc.) 'society' (govt or local govt) should not have to pay the whole of the cost, and that the home-owner should have to pay a significant percentage.
The really key question of 'who pays' not answered in the National Adaptation plan, just released.
Caveat. The research was commissioned by an insurer – so caveat emptor.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/129480406/half-of-new-zealanders-think-there-should-be-no-right-to-live-in-highrisk-climate-areas
Have to say, in Auckland, at least, the communities most 'threatened' by climate change, sea level rise and/or extreme weather – are the wealthy ones. I don't see why a landowner on Takapuna Beach should have the 'value' of a beachfront house for 20+ years, then have the taxpayer/ratepayer pay the bill for them to relocate once the rising tide is lapping at their front doorstep.
This seems to be a shift from the public attitude around the 'red zone' relocations in Christchurch. Where the public attitude was that this was an entirely unforeseen issue (no one predicted earthquakes and/or liquefaction prior to 2010), and residents could hardly be blamed for not planning ahead.
Whereas the rise in climate risks is entirely predictable, and you can take sensible precautions (sell your beach-front lifestyle while you still can; re-build houses to be transportable; invest some of your millions in other residential sections, to manage your own retreat, etc.)
For some years Councils have been aware of sea level rises, storm surge extents, flood plain capacities etc. This information is on LIM reports and on Council GIS systems. In a previous incarnation I was a Land Use Planner and I regularly had to contend with restrictions on site developments because of these factors. They ranged from a site subject to a 1.5m high storm surge where the lower level of the dwelling was not able to be habitable – restricted to storage, garage, laundry etc, and all electrical works had to be above the 1.5m height – to sites where any further development or subdivision required safe egress (basically – a bridge) to be constructed from the dwelling to the driveway – or where no further development was possible because of the nature of the flood danger. There will be an ever increasing number of these areas,