The better team won, but the USA individuals created more chances, only to stopped from winning by the Swedish keeper (token brunette).
Then in the penalty shootout, the American keeper was good, but her team lost because teammates could not shoot on target.
A major success for those who train at The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport for worldies. In the local club area of two former Ferns Sarah Gregorius and Wendi Henderson (and current PM).
I felt sorry for the US keeper, out of the cup by a few millimetres! Rather cruel way to go.
But happy with the result because I have a small bet at the TAB on Sweden to lift the cup and now they are past the US I think they have a great chance.
We have certainly seen some great football over the past couple of weeks.
Can any of the political geniuses around here explain why Labour’s “three tunnels” should not be considered an Auckland iteration of the “Springfield Monorail”? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marge_vs._the_Monorail
To put it bluntly, Act and Natzos want to destroy FPAs, slash public service, sit on minimum wage increases, attack Māori and wind back many of the incremental reforms Labour has enacted–it needs to be met head on with strong statements. NZ Labour may as well have announced a sky car for every home…
Get real, this general election is likely the last throw of the dice for the selfish section of boomers and should be taken more seriously.
The announcement yesterday was complete nonsense, grandiose vapourware that will be shelved by February if Labour win. And anyway, why does the North Shore need so much transport infrastructure? They've got the harbour bridge, ferries, two motorways, a dedicated busway, Penlink – talk about the home of the long white whine. Meanwhile, the Northwestern is a complete sh*tshow without even a bus lane, you can't commute to town from Howick without changing bus 40 million times and taking three hours or paying a ransom for the ferry, the Bermuda triangle of cycleways from New Lynn to Ellerslie/Penrose is a thing, the eastern line is closed for a year, and Dannemora/Flatbush resembles a giant carpark such is the paucity of transport options.
This tunnel plan from labour is bullshit…with a capital b..and a bevy of exclamation marks…
It is a classic diversion tactic ..
'look..!…over there..!'..
The bridge isn't the problem .(as others have noted above..)
Traffic on the bridge flows…it is the roads on both sides that are the problem..
Brown on rnz noted that traffic on the bridge hasn't increased because of the success of the busway..
He also pointed out the places on motorway that clog…all the time…and said they should be re-engineered…
(Strange to agree with brown..but there ya go..!)
And of course taking on board the roaring success of the north shore busway…it would seem bleeding obvious to look at the other busways ..and to re-engineer them to get the same results as the nth shore one..
And more of them ..
Which brings me to my idea for transport to airport…why not build a dedicated busway ..that could only be used by busses and emergency vehicles..and express busses could feed into it from those public transport deserts..
..much cheaper/nimble/multi/efficient option…I would submit..
I also agree with those asking why this ginormous expense should be focused on the north shore…an area already well served by public transport/road/bridge options..when so many other/poorer areas are those public transport deserts…
And here is something that could be done for public transport…use a small fraction of the cost of labours' pipe-dream ..and buy the ferry company…and slash the fares..and expand the fleet with electric ferries….with a larger terminal for them as part of the port plans..
Whichever way you look at it…this multi-tunnel/ginormously expensive idea from labour..is total bullshit ..
This election is becoming a hectic lolly scramble with most of the parties promising more and bigger lollies than the others. It is pretty obvious that they don't know how much their grandiose projects would really cost, but incredibly they seem to think that we – the voters – don't really care. They talk about projects costing an estimated $30 billion as if it is loose change begging to be spent.
I would like to see the parties looking at smaller, more targeted initiatives such as you mention that cover things like wealth equality, climate change, poverty and transport, but with the possible exception of the Greens, they are too obsessed with Think Big 2023.
And what's there even to do in the North shore once you get there?? Nothing but listening to Lorde and moan about not taking the Yacht out enough.
The scary thing about the project is if they say in 2023 it's gonna cost $15 billion, by 2029 it's gonna cost $20-25 billion and then there will be the usual project blow outs and construction will take about 5 years longer than estimated…it always does…
Eye watering.
Sure…. They actually do need a crossing at some point because the current bridge will not last forever, engineers are constantly telling us about Auckland harbour bridge being at risk of total structural failure.
But … $15 billion (which will really end up costing $20-25 billion) far out…
Those who see other transport priorities reducing congestion first as a priority might wonder about another option.
The current bridge has a problem with durability because of the clip-on. It could be replaced, but this reduces capacity during the work.
One option is to reserve the clip-on for lightweight use only – cars and light commercial vehicles and otherwise motorbikes/e bikes, bicycles and pedestrians.
If this does not provide enough capacity, then a new (toll) bridge (let the truckies pay for it).
Yep. I just cant see all the $ Billions…tunnels,time factor (cost overruns) et al, being appropriate, or needed.
And re your
If this does not provide enough capacity, then a new (toll) bridge (let the truckies pay for it).
Hell yes !
Re your earlier comment on Coastal Shipping. I am just baffled why NZ isnt "on board" with this. Coastal Ships should be Operational in NZ wherever possible !
You do realize that it's not the "truckies" paying for it – that cost will be loaded onto everything they transport – and onto the hourly rate of contractors.
It's not the truckies who will pay, it's their customers.
You could write a sternly worded letter to the Labour for failing to repeal legislation from National that allowed for the heavier trucks. You could then write another sternly worded letter to the Green Party – the one party that cancels out working with anyone else but Labour – defacto being a fully owned subsidiary to Labour – as to why they did not compel Labour for rescinding that policy.
Yes National did allow larger trucks and larger loads. The Road User charges are complex, and depend on the configuration and weight. I suspect it is time that those charges were reviewed, and I have believed for a long time that we should follow the UK with emission testing and registration based on how much pollution the vehicle emits. A friend who is an engineer told me that his truck with a heavy extendable crane on the back may cause as much damage as a larger truck with more wheels. I suspect a lot of the problem now is because National only put half the money into maintenance that they needed to for nine years and let the potholes develop.
And what did Labour do over the last 6 years? just asking, because the current government is a labour one with a full majority. National left the building in 2016 when Labour and NZFirst with supply from the Greens formed the government that unseated National.
And again, this changes nothing on the fact that businesses don't pay GST or Tolls. The tax payer does, the end consumer does, the purchaser of the goods that got transported do.
We will pay twice for it. First time the cost of toll will be factored in teh cost of delivery, end consumer pays. Second time, the cost of toll will be factored into the cost of doing business and will be written of as a business expense, the tax payer pays the toll.
But yeah, the evil truckies who bring good to a supermarket, warehouse, building site.
Just such limited thinking on who actually pays the shit everyone wants for free.
The old let the truckies write transport policy, they are in it for us, and let the tobacco companies write the rules for retailing – they are just giving people what they are addicted to.
let you do
The driving principle behind laissez-faire, a French term that translates to "leave alone" (literally, "let you do"), is that the less the government is involved in the economy, the better off business will be, and by extension, society as a whole. Laissez-faire economics is a key part of free-market capitalism.
Also known as Leave it to Lassie, a popular propaganda show from the 1950's.
You are putting a lot of words there where i left none.
Again, the costs of Tolls are paid by the end user of the trasnported product as the toll is factored into the purchasing price of any goods. Then the tolls are paid again, this time by the tax payer who will pay for the write off costs of doing business.
So in essence you could say that your toll roads are a net benefit for transport companies. They get to charge the toll + profit and then they get to write it off as a cost of doing business reducing their taxable income.
As for laissez faire economics, no one better then the current lot in government who have regulated nothing. See inflation, high cost of living, falling healthcare services, education failing on all levels, high crime, shootings by criminals leaving the country littered in dead bodies…..my oh my, so much laissez faire.
Which, btw, is going to be the reason for many people to not donate to labour, not volunteer for labour, not door knock for labour, not put signs up for labour and in the end not vote for labour.
Tolls and GST are things that only the end consumer and tax payer pays. Businesses charge them on and then demand a write of of their expenses. And labour no more will regulate that then national. Cause they both benefit of it.
The trouble in NZ is that we need decent roads, but we have not a single party in government that is honest about what we need, what we can finance. So in essence due to the cowardly suits in NZ politics we have shitty private transport, shitty public transport, and shitty commercial transport. It's almost as if it is by design. Underfunded, understaffed, like our schools, hospitals, coppers, but gazillions of people who earn 6 figures drawing dumb arse pictures with tunnels all the way to china.
Oh, I agree. This was in response to the very short-sighted comment about 'just make the truckies pay'
The reality is, that it's the truckies customers who will pay – and in the end (unless you live off what you grow in your backyard, and don't buy anything) – that's all of us.
The Labour plan has the road tunnels in the role of a new bridge (with the separate rail tunnel to complete its light rail network plan).
As the tunnels were built, two lanes on the existing bridge would be turned into dedicated bus lanes to extend the Northern Busway to the CBD, and some clip-on lanes would become cycling lanes and walkways. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency was also looking into building an elevated walkway above the cycle lanes to separate pedestrians.The remaining four lanes would be for general traffic.
I'd go with a cheaper option of a new bridge than the road tunnels and leave the idea of a rail tunnel and the city wide light rail development till later.
Disclosure – vote Green, and not competing with National for the car-driven mad vote.
Meanwhile – there is actually no reason for there to be dedicated bus lanes across the bridge itself.
The hold-ups are on the approaches – where on-ramps feed into the motorway – which is why the bus lanes were implemented and are effective.
Once the motorway is past the last on-ramp (Onewa Rd) – the traffic is free flowing and there is no need for buses to be separated out- there will be no advantage to them – they can't move faster than the rest of the traffic at 80K, even in their own lane.
This is one of those 'sound good' policies which actually has little, if any, benefit.
One option is to reserve the clip-on for lightweight use only – cars and light commercial vehicles and otherwise motorbikes/e bikes, bicycles and pedestrians.
That light use scenario has played out at various times across the bridge – when heavy traffic (including buses) has been directed to the centre span. It doesn't really have a big impact on the volume of traffic – although it makes it a bit difficult for buses to manoeuvre across to and from the side-of-the-motorway bus lanes.
Walking and cycling across the existing bridge is a dead duck. It's quite simply not going to happen unless the Government legislates for it – and accepts all H&S liability (I can't see them doing this either).
ATM – AT know that if they allowed walkers/cyclists to use the existing lanes – and there was an accident resulting in deaths – they would be liable. Every board of directors and CEO in the country is watching the White Island court case with shivers running down their spines.
In addition, any restriction of capacity (and using one or more lanes for walking/cycling will significantly restrict capacity) – will make the Government deeply unpopular (and the current Government appears to be courting popularity at all costs).
No one (least of all the cyclists) appears to be interested in any alternatives. The cheapest and quickest would be an EV cycle shuttle from the old toll plaza to the Curran St on-ramp – running on an endless cycle during rush hour – and on call at other times.
Pedestrians, of course, already have their alternative in place – the bus system. Which has the advantage of running from close to where you live – rather than requiring you to walk for an hour to get to the bridge.
Sure- Springfield’s monorail is a solution without a problem.
This plan is essential to keep a secure and consistent connection between the shore and the city. Good density on the Shore and good access to public transport would be part of the solution to reducing a carbon footprint.
At the moment the bridge is the only point of crossing. It is currently dangerous in high winds. We are going to see more storms. That would see emergency services on either side of the harbour unnecessarily separated. It is an aging structure not designed for the kind of loads it currently takes. We will need new harbour crossings to keep the city functioning. It is a good idea to plan for them.
Solving one problem doesn’t mean not solving other problems too. What a redundant argument! If we have police we can’t have hospitals?
The mayor was busy planning cosmetic swimming pools rather than focus on urgent issues a day ago. He’s allowed to do that but central government isn’t allowed to plan for a much more pressing problem?
Having seen the plans (where it reaches surface level especially on the Shore side), I'm more worried about sea level rise. The section of the motorway where the road tunnel lands on the NS is already subject to being splashed by waves in a king tide with following winds.
Projecting for a 30 centimetre sea-level rise by 2050 – the whole area is going to be underwater. I wouldn't feel safe in a tunnel….
I can't comment on the projected rail link landing – the maps are too waffly to know where it would actually end up.
Plenty of stormwater / sewer / power tunnels under Auckland already, most of them in recent times with TBMs
The geology of the place is generally sandstone / greywacke with the volcanics coming up through that in known places. Makes for pretty good tunnelling conditions.
Didn't some German engineering students do a report that recommended a commuter monorail system up the centre of the North Shore motorway some years back?
It wouldn't require using extra land, although motorway overbridges would be a problem.
Can anyone shed some light on the issue of our current distribution system?
Is any of our inward cargo to Auckland and Tauranga sent down to Christchurch or Wellington via coastal shipping? And if not, why not?
Is there any reason why the government should not run a state owned coastal shipping service to get trucks (less of them and phase back down the maximum size/weight) off our roads and ensure resilience for when roads are washed out (supply into Northland or Hawkes Bay etc)?
Another issue is reducing Auckland to a coastal port – receiving goods for the local area (apart from some down from Northport by train). And having Northport and Tauranga as the two international ports (for onward shipment to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch).
PS Another (related) matter is the failure of the Cook Strait service to food from north to south and south to north reliably.
Yes. Unfortunately National’s “open Coast” policy in the 90’s decimated reliable coastal shipping services in favour of much more expensive and resource intensive, trucking.
Need to encourage coastal shipping. But we already have a Government owned coastal service. The rail ferries.
Having shipping on a level footing with overly subsidised trucking should be the first step.
Doesn't make sense to replace Auckland with Whangarei and Tauranga when most of the cargo goes to and from South Auckland. Both are limited for larger ships and need cargo transported from South Auckland to them.
Firth of Thames, Orere Point is the sensible option for the North Island main port for the future. However local politics prevents sensible solutions. As NZ fails to plan ahead Sydney may well become the hub port with all the associated costs and inefficiencies. Or we will continue to try and get ever larger ships into ports which will never be suitable for them without ongoing and ever increasing inefficiencies and expense.
Even if Auckland becomes a coastal port the capability and area used on the existing site will need to be improved/increased.
Anyone who suggests the Manukau, loses their credibility straight away.
Having alternative shipping services to and from more smaller ports helps solve the bottleneck of Cook Strait weather and the reliance on only a few ships.
Then there is the issue of whether exporting cheap bulk commodities to China, in return for short lived manufactered junk, is actually a sustainable future path for Aotearoa.
Try http://www.coastalbulkshipping.co.nz The present government has also done some sort of deal with two other offshore shipping companies, one of which is Swires. The latest 'CBS' ship came into service in time to pick up a 3 month contract servicing the east coast area after the cyclone wrecked the roads.
Be careful, if you criticise the Greens you'll need at least two learned opinions from top law firms, several linked citations and a correct translation from the original Sanskrit or Weka will ban you until after the election.
Nope. The Standard has long used Notices and Features to publish media releases or other material from political parties. It also gets used for cross posting, caption contests etc. Basically it's for posts that don't have a TS author commentary.
Correctly 4 midfield (Havili over Goodhue with Ennor injured) with cover from Fainga'anuku,
* a surprise extra at the back
Will Jordan and Mark Telea and Narawa is fit enough, Leicester Fainga'anuku but for mine Stevenson has the form this year, rather than Clarke if there is an extra one.
She’s beautiful this way. (And as for the Soviet fetishists on here – you can fuck right off. I’m telling you this as the direct descendant of Red Army officers on both sides of the family. We’ve moved on. Fuck Moscow. Enough is enough.)
Ukraine’s national trident was installed on a monument depicting the Motherland in Kyiv on Sunday, replacing Soviet symbols in one of the most visible examples of breaking away from the past and Moscow’s influence.
[…]
Originally, the shield bore the Soviet Union’s coat of arms – a crossed hammer and sickle surrounded by ears of wheat.
The 'corner dairy campaign' quietly backed by big tobacco
Since 1 August, ads have started showing up on Facebook urging people to support a petition to "save our stores".
And much earlier, similar tactic in Britain (same link)
In 2008, British MPs were fooled by a 'save our shop' campaign they thought was from independent retailers protesting rules for displaying cigarettes. The campaign was run by the Tobacco Retailers' Association which was linked to tobacco companies British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Gallaher.
Yep. Poisonous creeps. In all meanings. I still remember when B.A.T. went into Africa, particularly targetting the young smoker market….
Big Tobacco indeed….
With its young and growing population, Africa is one of the only regions in the world where cigarette sales are still increasing. BAT’s dubious activities helped keep consumers addicted to its deadly products.
How come the perception that Youth Crime is raging out of control? Derek Chang has a brilliant column under "Election Analysis 2023" Graphs and all:
The number of charges has also fallen, though not as sharply as the number of those facing charges; there were 10,701 charges across those aged 10 to 16 in 2013, but this dropped by 43 per cent to 6060 charges by 2022, and is still a decent drop (22 per cent) if charges against 17-year-olds are included.
Sometimes someone has already archived it, use the 2nd field first to check. But if it hasn't been, use the first one. It will take a while to archive then you can click on the latest version and copy and paste the direct link here.
Allowing Wayne Brown to blowhard on RNZ this morning. Geeeeeez.
For a while for the right the harbour crossing was more important than any light rail. Now it’s a distraction from other things, apparently. Outmaneuvered, they shift attack.
No one seems to have pulled him up for spending his time talking about putting swimming pools on the waterfront and moving the port ahead of other pressing business.
Or the fact that we can walk and breathe and it’s vitally important to keep the Shore properly connected to the city so we need to get started well before the bridge starts failing or the rate of high winds etc increases. We can do that and resurface other roads etc etc.
And the right had organised good Vox popli follow up to support the mayor too, as if starting the planning for this was responsible for too many cones in streets in the city.
On the back foot and the opposition is getting time to frame their policies.
Both major parties are looking at a new Harbour crossing.
The busway is already heavily subscribed.
The bridge is already dangerous in high winds. This is something that needs replacing and because of the size it needs to be looked at early to get it done.
I know chewing gum and walking is a problem for some- but we can plan to deal with this issue as well as working on other problems across the transport network. It’s a false argument.
My point is yesterday the Mayor was talking about a long term plan, but no one said Oh no! No more road resurfacing because we want to put a swimming pool downtown.
As well in a city very well served with beaches, and considering the failure of the Wynyard tram you have to wonder about the value of these developments on what can be a cold, windy space. A two month a year development? Perhaps less with sub tropical summer storms.
Under the usual scenario in NZ infrastructure you don’t actually build something or even think about it until the original structure is well past its use by date or falls down. Then 2 decades go by while we drive around it or climb over it before a replacemet is thrown together. It seems also to be a mantra especially at local level to build something for yesterday instead of 30 or 50 years down the track. The number of one- way bridges in this country is testament to that cross-eyed yokel thinking. it is still going n, I drive across two of them built within the last 15 years to go 20kms to a large town. The previous ones were 90 and 110 years old, if one lane was enough a hundred years ago I suppose another 100 years of backing trucks backwards off bridges so at least someone can get past will just have to do, can’t spend too much money y’know.
The time to build a second harbour crossing was yesterday.
The planning for the tunnels and rail started as Ad said in 2014. Nine years looking at what is long lasting and feasible. Making a commitment. Brown complains about consultation. What a crock.
Show us the consultation on Budget cuts he high handedly announced. Show us the consultation and planning for his Ports idea. Both were non existent, but now he wants consultation.?????
To be entirely fair to Brown, the budget cuts came after what was the most submitted upon budget in Auckland Council history.
We (the public) did have our say. And the Councillors (from all sides of the political spectrum) did have to agree upon it. He's not a one-man-dictatorship, he only has one vote on the Council.
I never put down organised labour–apart perhaps from tactical differences–having been a life long unionist myself, but…would note that a number of public sector workers were way more timid when sirkey was in office, with the honourable exception of those teacher unions that held out against Hekia Parata’s National Standards, Charter schools, and bulk funding and “performance” pay.
Labour spent big during COVID basically, pity so much of it went into property via finance capital!
We only accepted in the knowledge that if we held out the Mecca would drag out past October and a change of Government would mean no settlement for years.
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Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many 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. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
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. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...
The under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
New Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
New Zealand’s largest book publisher has undergone drastic changes this week, leaving its future role in local publishing uncertain. Two of the most recognisable local publishers in New Zealand are among those restructured out of Penguin Random House, it was announced this week. Head of publishing Claire Murdoch will leave ...
In 2021 the Public Interest Journalism Fund launched the Te Rito Journalism project, a $2.4 million initiative to boost diversity in New Zealand’s newsrooms. The initiative was in response to the decades-long shortage of Māori and Pacific journalists in the media industry. It was billed as New Zealand’s ...
The Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...
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Successive governments have tried, and failed, to count Māori. But with the return of social investment, it’s more important than ever to get good data. The post Government looks for a better way to count Māori appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Experts in financing social investment initiatives say New Zealand is in a prime position to tackle social issues via a social investment approach The post What will Willis’ social investment fund look like? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist A former Tuvalu prime minister says while the New Zealand government’s oil and gas plans show it is concerned about its economy, he is more concerned about the livelihoods and survival of the Tuvalu people. Enele Sopoaga — who still serves as an MP ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Many people who follow federal budgets know about the magnificent “budget tree” in a parliamentary courtyard, which turns a glorious red in time for the May event. This week Treasurer Jim Chalmers posed by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Bennett, Professor of Music, Australian National University Richard P J Lambert/flickr, CC BY The future belongs to the analogue loyalists. Fuck digital. As a tsunami of CDs, DAT tapes and samplers swept the recording industry in the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate professor, Music Industry, RMIT University This week American rapper Macklemore released a new track, Hind’s Hall, which has gained a lot of attention because of its explicitly political nature. The track is unapologetically pro-Palestine. It declares the artist’s ...
Explainer - The government from 2025 is mandating how state schools teach children to read. But what is structured literacy and how does it compare to other teaching methods? ...
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Interesting game of football – Sweden vs USA.
The better team won, but the USA individuals created more chances, only to stopped from winning by the Swedish keeper (token brunette).
Then in the penalty shootout, the American keeper was good, but her team lost because teammates could not shoot on target.
A major success for those who train at The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport for worldies. In the local club area of two former Ferns Sarah Gregorius and Wendi Henderson (and current PM).
I felt sorry for the US keeper, out of the cup by a few millimetres! Rather cruel way to go.
But happy with the result because I have a small bet at the TAB on Sweden to lift the cup and now they are past the US I think they have a great chance.
We have certainly seen some great football over the past couple of weeks.
Can any of the political geniuses around here explain why Labour’s “three tunnels” should not be considered an Auckland iteration of the “Springfield Monorail”?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marge_vs._the_Monorail
To put it bluntly, Act and Natzos want to destroy FPAs, slash public service, sit on minimum wage increases, attack Māori and wind back many of the incremental reforms Labour has enacted–it needs to be met head on with strong statements. NZ Labour may as well have announced a sky car for every home…
Get real, this general election is likely the last throw of the dice for the selfish section of boomers and should be taken more seriously.
The announcement yesterday was complete nonsense, grandiose vapourware that will be shelved by February if Labour win. And anyway, why does the North Shore need so much transport infrastructure? They've got the harbour bridge, ferries, two motorways, a dedicated busway, Penlink – talk about the home of the long white whine. Meanwhile, the Northwestern is a complete sh*tshow without even a bus lane, you can't commute to town from Howick without changing bus 40 million times and taking three hours or paying a ransom for the ferry, the Bermuda triangle of cycleways from New Lynn to Ellerslie/Penrose is a thing, the eastern line is closed for a year, and Dannemora/Flatbush resembles a giant carpark such is the paucity of transport options.
your comments got held back because there’s a typo in your email address. please fix for next comment.
Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder what the f*** Labour stands for anymore!
This tunnel plan from labour is bullshit…with a capital b..and a bevy of exclamation marks…
It is a classic diversion tactic ..
'look..!…over there..!'..
The bridge isn't the problem .(as others have noted above..)
Traffic on the bridge flows…it is the roads on both sides that are the problem..
Brown on rnz noted that traffic on the bridge hasn't increased because of the success of the busway..
He also pointed out the places on motorway that clog…all the time…and said they should be re-engineered…
(Strange to agree with brown..but there ya go..!)
And of course taking on board the roaring success of the north shore busway…it would seem bleeding obvious to look at the other busways ..and to re-engineer them to get the same results as the nth shore one..
And more of them ..
Which brings me to my idea for transport to airport…why not build a dedicated busway ..that could only be used by busses and emergency vehicles..and express busses could feed into it from those public transport deserts..
..much cheaper/nimble/multi/efficient option…I would submit..
I also agree with those asking why this ginormous expense should be focused on the north shore…an area already well served by public transport/road/bridge options..when so many other/poorer areas are those public transport deserts…
And here is something that could be done for public transport…use a small fraction of the cost of labours' pipe-dream ..and buy the ferry company…and slash the fares..and expand the fleet with electric ferries….with a larger terminal for them as part of the port plans..
Whichever way you look at it…this multi-tunnel/ginormously expensive idea from labour..is total bullshit ..
..and does them no favours…
I agree.
This election is becoming a hectic lolly scramble with most of the parties promising more and bigger lollies than the others. It is pretty obvious that they don't know how much their grandiose projects would really cost, but incredibly they seem to think that we – the voters – don't really care. They talk about projects costing an estimated $30 billion as if it is loose change begging to be spent.
I would like to see the parties looking at smaller, more targeted initiatives such as you mention that cover things like wealth equality, climate change, poverty and transport, but with the possible exception of the Greens, they are too obsessed with Think Big 2023.
And what's there even to do in the North shore once you get there?? Nothing but listening to Lorde and moan about not taking the Yacht out enough.
The scary thing about the project is if they say in 2023 it's gonna cost $15 billion, by 2029 it's gonna cost $20-25 billion and then there will be the usual project blow outs and construction will take about 5 years longer than estimated…it always does…
Eye watering.
Sure…. They actually do need a crossing at some point because the current bridge will not last forever, engineers are constantly telling us about Auckland harbour bridge being at risk of total structural failure.
But … $15 billion (which will really end up costing $20-25 billion) far out…
Those who see other transport priorities reducing congestion first as a priority might wonder about another option.
The current bridge has a problem with durability because of the clip-on. It could be replaced, but this reduces capacity during the work.
One option is to reserve the clip-on for lightweight use only – cars and light commercial vehicles and otherwise motorbikes/e bikes, bicycles and pedestrians.
If this does not provide enough capacity, then a new (toll) bridge (let the truckies pay for it).
Yep. I just cant see all the $ Billions…tunnels,time factor (cost overruns) et al, being appropriate, or needed.
And re your
Hell yes !
Re your earlier comment on Coastal Shipping. I am just baffled why NZ isnt "on board" with this. Coastal Ships should be Operational in NZ wherever possible !
And just make it possible !
You do realize that it's not the "truckies" paying for it – that cost will be loaded onto everything they transport – and onto the hourly rate of contractors.
It's not the truckies who will pay, it's their customers.
We sure pay for it. We allow the heavier trucks on the add-on and the bridge life is compromised.
We allow the heavier trucks on the roads and they crack faster and the rain makes holes.
We undermine alternatives to the trucks and lack (regional) resilience when the roads go down – GW anyone?
You could write a sternly worded letter to the Labour for failing to repeal legislation from National that allowed for the heavier trucks. You could then write another sternly worded letter to the Green Party – the one party that cancels out working with anyone else but Labour – defacto being a fully owned subsidiary to Labour – as to why they did not compel Labour for rescinding that policy.
After all we are globally boiling? Right? Right?
Yes National did allow larger trucks and larger loads. The Road User charges are complex, and depend on the configuration and weight. I suspect it is time that those charges were reviewed, and I have believed for a long time that we should follow the UK with emission testing and registration based on how much pollution the vehicle emits. A friend who is an engineer told me that his truck with a heavy extendable crane on the back may cause as much damage as a larger truck with more wheels. I suspect a lot of the problem now is because National only put half the money into maintenance that they needed to for nine years and let the potholes develop.
And what did Labour do over the last 6 years? just asking, because the current government is a labour one with a full majority. National left the building in 2016 when Labour and NZFirst with supply from the Greens formed the government that unseated National.
And again, this changes nothing on the fact that businesses don't pay GST or Tolls. The tax payer does, the end consumer does, the purchaser of the goods that got transported do.
We will pay twice for it. First time the cost of toll will be factored in teh cost of delivery, end consumer pays. Second time, the cost of toll will be factored into the cost of doing business and will be written of as a business expense, the tax payer pays the toll.
But yeah, the evil truckies who bring good to a supermarket, warehouse, building site.
Just such limited thinking on who actually pays the shit everyone wants for free.
The old let the truckies write transport policy, they are in it for us, and let the tobacco companies write the rules for retailing – they are just giving people what they are addicted to.
Also known as Leave it to Lassie, a popular propaganda show from the 1950's.
You are putting a lot of words there where i left none.
Again, the costs of Tolls are paid by the end user of the trasnported product as the toll is factored into the purchasing price of any goods. Then the tolls are paid again, this time by the tax payer who will pay for the write off costs of doing business.
So in essence you could say that your toll roads are a net benefit for transport companies. They get to charge the toll + profit and then they get to write it off as a cost of doing business reducing their taxable income.
As for laissez faire economics, no one better then the current lot in government who have regulated nothing. See inflation, high cost of living, falling healthcare services, education failing on all levels, high crime, shootings by criminals leaving the country littered in dead bodies…..my oh my, so much laissez faire.
Which, btw, is going to be the reason for many people to not donate to labour, not volunteer for labour, not door knock for labour, not put signs up for labour and in the end not vote for labour.
Tolls and GST are things that only the end consumer and tax payer pays. Businesses charge them on and then demand a write of of their expenses. And labour no more will regulate that then national. Cause they both benefit of it.
The trouble in NZ is that we need decent roads, but we have not a single party in government that is honest about what we need, what we can finance. So in essence due to the cowardly suits in NZ politics we have shitty private transport, shitty public transport, and shitty commercial transport. It's almost as if it is by design. Underfunded, understaffed, like our schools, hospitals, coppers, but gazillions of people who earn 6 figures drawing dumb arse pictures with tunnels all the way to china.
We all pay through the nose already for trucking roads, energy and pollution costs.
Just that it is not obvious, because the costs are paid indirectly.
Oh, I agree. This was in response to the very short-sighted comment about 'just make the truckies pay'
The reality is, that it's the truckies customers who will pay – and in the end (unless you live off what you grow in your backyard, and don't buy anything) – that's all of us.
https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2023/03/30/harbour-crossing-project-now-estimated-to-cost-15-25-billion/
The Labour plan has the road tunnels in the role of a new bridge (with the separate rail tunnel to complete its light rail network plan).
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/auckland-harbour-crossing-mayor-wayne-brown-fires-shot-at-major-parties-over-start-date-and-price-tag/U45RBB2DYBGDNF3IIPFYM4VWFA/
I'd go with a cheaper option of a new bridge than the road tunnels and leave the idea of a rail tunnel and the city wide light rail development till later.
Disclosure – vote Green, and not competing with National for the car-driven mad vote.
Meanwhile – there is actually no reason for there to be dedicated bus lanes across the bridge itself.
The hold-ups are on the approaches – where on-ramps feed into the motorway – which is why the bus lanes were implemented and are effective.
Once the motorway is past the last on-ramp (Onewa Rd) – the traffic is free flowing and there is no need for buses to be separated out- there will be no advantage to them – they can't move faster than the rest of the traffic at 80K, even in their own lane.
This is one of those 'sound good' policies which actually has little, if any, benefit.
We’re talking a couple of decades into the future at least. There will be no buses and more cars you’d think.
It also has the added benefit of problems with other traffic- breakdowns and so on, not affecting the buses.
I'm not sure what you're getting at here??? Do you think that PT is no longer going to be necessary?
noThat light use scenario has played out at various times across the bridge – when heavy traffic (including buses) has been directed to the centre span. It doesn't really have a big impact on the volume of traffic – although it makes it a bit difficult for buses to manoeuvre across to and from the side-of-the-motorway bus lanes.
Walking and cycling across the existing bridge is a dead duck. It's quite simply not going to happen unless the Government legislates for it – and accepts all H&S liability (I can't see them doing this either).
ATM – AT know that if they allowed walkers/cyclists to use the existing lanes – and there was an accident resulting in deaths – they would be liable. Every board of directors and CEO in the country is watching the White Island court case with shivers running down their spines.
In addition, any restriction of capacity (and using one or more lanes for walking/cycling will significantly restrict capacity) – will make the Government deeply unpopular (and the current Government appears to be courting popularity at all costs).
No one (least of all the cyclists) appears to be interested in any alternatives. The cheapest and quickest would be an EV cycle shuttle from the old toll plaza to the Curran St on-ramp – running on an endless cycle during rush hour – and on call at other times.
Pedestrians, of course, already have their alternative in place – the bus system. Which has the advantage of running from close to where you live – rather than requiring you to walk for an hour to get to the bridge.
Sure- Springfield’s monorail is a solution without a problem.
This plan is essential to keep a secure and consistent connection between the shore and the city. Good density on the Shore and good access to public transport would be part of the solution to reducing a carbon footprint.
At the moment the bridge is the only point of crossing. It is currently dangerous in high winds. We are going to see more storms. That would see emergency services on either side of the harbour unnecessarily separated. It is an aging structure not designed for the kind of loads it currently takes. We will need new harbour crossings to keep the city functioning. It is a good idea to plan for them.
Solving one problem doesn’t mean not solving other problems too. What a redundant argument! If we have police we can’t have hospitals?
The mayor was busy planning cosmetic swimming pools rather than focus on urgent issues a day ago. He’s allowed to do that but central government isn’t allowed to plan for a much more pressing problem?
Take a breath people!
I'd love to know what geologists think of a tunnel in a volcanic city?
totes ok, now give that consultant a 6 figure check.
Having seen the plans (where it reaches surface level especially on the Shore side), I'm more worried about sea level rise. The section of the motorway where the road tunnel lands on the NS is already subject to being splashed by waves in a king tide with following winds.
Projecting for a 30 centimetre sea-level rise by 2050 – the whole area is going to be underwater. I wouldn't feel safe in a tunnel….
I can't comment on the projected rail link landing – the maps are too waffly to know where it would actually end up.
Ad might comment on that. According to him this plan began in 2014 so in 9 years surely that problem would dictate the route?
Plenty of stormwater / sewer / power tunnels under Auckland already, most of them in recent times with TBMs
The geology of the place is generally sandstone / greywacke with the volcanics coming up through that in known places. Makes for pretty good tunnelling conditions.
Didn't some German engineering students do a report that recommended a commuter monorail system up the centre of the North Shore motorway some years back?
It wouldn't require using extra land, although motorway overbridges would be a problem.
Can anyone shed some light on the issue of our current distribution system?
Is any of our inward cargo to Auckland and Tauranga sent down to Christchurch or Wellington via coastal shipping? And if not, why not?
Is there any reason why the government should not run a state owned coastal shipping service to get trucks (less of them and phase back down the maximum size/weight) off our roads and ensure resilience for when roads are washed out (supply into Northland or Hawkes Bay etc)?
Another issue is reducing Auckland to a coastal port – receiving goods for the local area (apart from some down from Northport by train). And having Northport and Tauranga as the two international ports (for onward shipment to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch).
PS Another (related) matter is the failure of the Cook Strait service to food from north to south and south to north reliably.
Having shipping on a level footing with overly subsidised trucking should be the first step.
Firth of Thames, Orere Point is the sensible option for the North Island main port for the future. However local politics prevents sensible solutions. As NZ fails to plan ahead Sydney may well become the hub port with all the associated costs and inefficiencies. Or we will continue to try and get ever larger ships into ports which will never be suitable for them without ongoing and ever increasing inefficiencies and expense.
Even if Auckland becomes a coastal port the capability and area used on the existing site will need to be improved/increased.
Anyone who suggests the Manukau, loses their credibility straight away.
Then there is the issue of whether exporting cheap bulk commodities to China, in return for short lived manufactered junk, is actually a sustainable future path for Aotearoa.
Try http://www.coastalbulkshipping.co.nz The present government has also done some sort of deal with two other offshore shipping companies, one of which is Swires. The latest 'CBS' ship came into service in time to pick up a 3 month contract servicing the east coast area after the cyclone wrecked the roads.
I believe this government move was an attempt to make our transport system more resilient following the kaikoura earthquake
Is The Standard really now just doing cut and paste political media releases with zero commentary?
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Be careful, if you criticise the Greens you'll need at least two learned opinions from top law firms, several linked citations and a correct translation from the original Sanskrit or Weka will ban you until after the election.
Funny, I thought he was unable to criticise the GP free dental policy so resorted to criticising how The Standard works instead.
I've just seen this Ad…..it is definitely laugh or at least smirk material.
Yes.
Mod note: you were warned a week ago to stop the trolling. Take a week off.
.https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-31-07-2023/#comment-1962394
Nope. The Standard has long used Notices and Features to publish media releases or other material from political parties. It also gets used for cross posting, caption contests etc. Basically it's for posts that don't have a TS author commentary.
https://thestandard.org.nz/author/notices-and-features/
eg https://thestandard.org.nz/labours-party-list/
It's useful because it gives readers and the commentariat broader material than what TS authors are able to do posts about.
Oh well, I guess the US team could ask for another pay rise.
The men's team also aspire to win a group 16 game to make the quarter-finals.
AB's
Newshub.
I prefer Weber to Christie at halfback (Kerr-Barlow if they changed their rules). Finau or Blackadder?
I'd have 4 in midfield (Ennor or Havili and Goodhue missing out).
And add Narawa or Stevenson to the FB/wing group. Fainga'anuku can cover midfield. The one missing out, injury reserve.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/08/ollie-ritchie-predicting-all-blacks-rugby-world-cup-squad-for-france.html
No Moody.
4 locks and one injured.
Only 5 loose forwards.*
Correctly 4 midfield (Havili over Goodhue with Ennor injured) with cover from Fainga'anuku,
* a surprise extra at the back
Will Jordan and Mark Telea and Narawa is fit enough, Leicester Fainga'anuku but for mine Stevenson has the form this year, rather than Clarke if there is an extra one.
Better late than never.
Natalia Antonova
@NataliaAntonova
She’s beautiful this way. (And as for the Soviet fetishists on here – you can fuck right off. I’m telling you this as the direct descendant of Red Army officers on both sides of the family. We’ve moved on. Fuck Moscow. Enough is enough.)
Ukraine’s national trident was installed on a monument depicting the Motherland in Kyiv on Sunday, replacing Soviet symbols in one of the most visible examples of breaking away from the past and Moscow’s influence.
[…]
Originally, the shield bore the Soviet Union’s coat of arms – a crossed hammer and sickle surrounded by ears of wheat.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/06/ukraine-replaces-soviet-symbol-on-motherland-monument-in-kyiv
please link to the tweet directly, not just the person's twitter account.
https://twitter.com/NataliaAntonova/status/1688221147848957952
And much earlier, similar tactic in Britain (same link)
Scumbags.
Sneaking in vaping shacks within dairies before the new vaping legislation ….corporate tobacco killing it transferring nicotine addiction to vaping.
They are only doing it because National want to slow down the phase out of tobacco retailing – a certain Bishop worked for BAT.
Na Philip Morris
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/10074746/Hutt-South-candidate-downplays-his-tobacco-past
Yep. Poisonous creeps. In all meanings. I still remember when B.A.T. went into Africa, particularly targetting the young smoker market….
Big Tobacco indeed….
And IMO, the very sad corruption of the Vape alternative to smoking and cessation of same.
+1 SPC
Damn. Behind the paywall. Someone?
How come the perception that Youth Crime is raging out of control? Derek Chang has a brilliant column under "Election Analysis 2023" Graphs and all:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-youth-crime-the-politics-numbers-and-what-would-make-a-difference/USKHTN6HTREZJFBXE3HSRHVLMU/
https://archive.is/
Sometimes someone has already archived it, use the 2nd field first to check. But if it hasn't been, use the first one. It will take a while to archive then you can click on the latest version and copy and paste the direct link here.
eg
https://archive.is/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-youth-crime-the-politics-numbers-and-what-would-make-a-difference/USKHTN6HTREZJFBXE3HSRHVLMU/
What the direct link looks like https://archive.is/IUUMm
Allowing Wayne Brown to blowhard on RNZ this morning. Geeeeeez.
For a while for the right the harbour crossing was more important than any light rail. Now it’s a distraction from other things, apparently. Outmaneuvered, they shift attack.
No one seems to have pulled him up for spending his time talking about putting swimming pools on the waterfront and moving the port ahead of other pressing business.
Or the fact that we can walk and breathe and it’s vitally important to keep the Shore properly connected to the city so we need to get started well before the bridge starts failing or the rate of high winds etc increases. We can do that and resurface other roads etc etc.
And the right had organised good Vox popli follow up to support the mayor too, as if starting the planning for this was responsible for too many cones in streets in the city.
On the back foot and the opposition is getting time to frame their policies.
I thought he made some sense…
What exactly did you disagree with..?
And the nth shore is already well-served..with road/bridge/ferry options…lots of other areas are public transport deserts..
And I have no problem with the port being reclaimed for people to use…
What have you got against that idea..?
Both major parties are looking at a new Harbour crossing.
The busway is already heavily subscribed.
The bridge is already dangerous in high winds. This is something that needs replacing and because of the size it needs to be looked at early to get it done.
I know chewing gum and walking is a problem for some- but we can plan to deal with this issue as well as working on other problems across the transport network. It’s a false argument.
My point is yesterday the Mayor was talking about a long term plan, but no one said Oh no! No more road resurfacing because we want to put a swimming pool downtown.
As well in a city very well served with beaches, and considering the failure of the Wynyard tram you have to wonder about the value of these developments on what can be a cold, windy space. A two month a year development? Perhaps less with sub tropical summer storms.
Under the usual scenario in NZ infrastructure you don’t actually build something or even think about it until the original structure is well past its use by date or falls down. Then 2 decades go by while we drive around it or climb over it before a replacemet is thrown together. It seems also to be a mantra especially at local level to build something for yesterday instead of 30 or 50 years down the track. The number of one- way bridges in this country is testament to that cross-eyed yokel thinking. it is still going n, I drive across two of them built within the last 15 years to go 20kms to a large town. The previous ones were 90 and 110 years old, if one lane was enough a hundred years ago I suppose another 100 years of backing trucks backwards off bridges so at least someone can get past will just have to do, can’t spend too much money y’know.
The time to build a second harbour crossing was yesterday.
So, Phillip "all for a view?"
The planning for the tunnels and rail started as Ad said in 2014. Nine years looking at what is long lasting and feasible. Making a commitment. Brown complains about consultation. What a crock.
Show us the consultation on Budget cuts he high handedly announced. Show us the consultation and planning for his Ports idea. Both were non existent, but now he wants consultation.?????
I see you don't address what he said..
He is wanting different not better is why.
To be entirely fair to Brown, the budget cuts came after what was the most submitted upon budget in Auckland Council history.
We (the public) did have our say. And the Councillors (from all sides of the political spectrum) did have to agree upon it. He's not a one-man-dictatorship, he only has one vote on the Council.
HUUUUGE shoutout to the nurses unions and teachers unions who stuck it out and got what they needed, accepting their big offers.
Have to ask why a Labour government made it all so hard.
But a win's a win for everyone.
I never put down organised labour–apart perhaps from tactical differences–having been a life long unionist myself, but…would note that a number of public sector workers were way more timid when sirkey was in office, with the honourable exception of those teacher unions that held out against Hekia Parata’s National Standards, Charter schools, and bulk funding and “performance” pay.
Labour spent big during COVID basically, pity so much of it went into property via finance capital!
We only accepted in the knowledge that if we held out the Mecca would drag out past October and a change of Government would mean no settlement for years.
Bread and knowing which side is buttered with a little honey on the side.
Theres something to be said for honesty….and all those that say the PS Unions target Labour admins are vindicated.
Depends on the union. Serious action also requires members to want to do it – if they don't, it doesn't matter who the government is.
https://youtu.be/HFqQGIBUDWA