A blunder by a government worker sent Northland into an 11-day lockdown after travel documents that were meant to be declined were mistakenly approved.
The case of three women who travelled from Auckland to Northland hit headlines in October 2021 in the midst of a Delta outbreak – but new documents released under the Official Information Act finally outline the truth behind the saga, and the reason Northland was put into lockdown.
The OIA papers show the women – who had earlier been blamed for using "false information" to get travel permits – had no links to gangs and weren't sex workers, as had been suggested.
Among the documents released is a summary of a police investigation into the women which found "no offence" and no "deception" in obtaining the travel documents.
Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor's summary of "Operation Hiking" quoted an email from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment which said the travel documents were "issued in error by the Ministry of Social Development, (the error not being the fault of the applicant)".
snip……..
Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni said she was briefed at the time.
“I understand that the information contained in the application wouldn’t have met the criteria at the time and it was approved in error.
“I’ve spoken to MSD officials who are very sorry this occurred. Overall MSD staff assessing business travel register applications for travel across borders during lockdown did a great job, and while this incident was an isolated one, it should not have happened.”
How many more of these stories will come out?
And again, the point is not the lock down. The point is that these people were vilified, slandered, defamed, and in part by a government that could not admit to the public that a Winz Drone provided travel documents by mistake – the Winz Drone mistake.
And dear Carmel Sepuloni, YOU should apologize on behalf of your ministry to these People that were slandered and vilified in public by government employees, the press and the public .
To be fair, Sepuloni was briefed at the time but she may not have been told of the "blunder" by the Social Welfare ministry worker. That information appears to have come to light further down the track.
Even so, I agree Sepuloni needs to formally apologise to the young women concerned. They must be deeply scarred by the experience. They will have to carry the ignominy of being charged by public opinion as gang related prostitutes which is effectively what happened. Racism was also up there from the start.
Believe me, sweeping embarrassing situations under metaphorical carpets is par for the course when it comes to some government agencies. It has been going on for decades. The plight of the unsuspecting victim or victims is not considered to be of any consequence. Indeed they often are – or were – bullied into silence.
I hope those young women receive compensation for what they've been through.
Thanks Anne for providing an absolute model of how to respond rationally to these sorts of inevitable administrative cock-ups and the ensuing (but not inevitable) cover-ups. There is a way of criticising Labour from the left that does not give succour and support to the right-wing Jimmies (1.1) who will leverage it to discredit any progressive policy or intentions. In this case, the right-wing Jimmies will try and use it to re-write history and trash the best overall Covid response in the western world.
It was the media who were making the 'inferences' during the blanket coverage at the time. Chris Hipkins was repeating the official line he had been given… that the young women had not been truthful about their reasons for travel. He reacted the same way as the rest of the country by expressing his "disappointment" with them – just did it a little more diplomatically than the rest of us.
We now know through the inquiry that was not correct. The fault lay fairly and squarely with the Social Welfare ministry and so it looks like it is they who should be apologising and recompensing the young women concerned.
I should qualify my comment above by placing the responsibility for the apology on Social Welfare minister, Carmel Sepuloni which is what I said @ 1.2. That is the correct procedure. It should have happened before now, but I guess it would be better late than never.
“My understanding at this point – and I want to be clear this is not yet verified – is that this person obtained a document by providing false information in order to get the document to travel across the border,” Hipkins said.
I can't find any media statement where he corrected this information – on or after the 13th of October, when his office had a briefing, telling them that it was a bureaucratic error, rather than deliberate deception.
This led to the October 13 briefing from MBIE to Hipkins, Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash. The briefing said: "It is our understanding that the intention was to decline the application but it was approved in error."
The women were publicly vilified for crossing the border with then Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins accusing them of using "false information to travel across the border".
The case also saw reporters quizzing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over whether the women were prostitutes and former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was forced to apologise for falsely claiming the pair were helped by Hawke's Bay-based Mongrel Mob leader Harry Tam.
The police inquiry summary said: "The police investigation found no evidence to suggest that (the women) had any connection to Harry Tam, the Mongrel Mob or were involved in prostitution."
this might be a better article on this issue as it is not behind pay wall.
So that was some shitstirring too considering it was a Winz Drone that got it wrong. But then its easy to accuse beneficiaries of fraud as that always provides a nice scapegoat behind the short comings of highly paid public servants can be hidden.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern referred questions on the Government blunder that sent Northland into an 11-day lockdown to former Covid Minister Chris Hipkins.
New documents released under the Official Information Act have revealed the truth about the highly publicised case of three women who travelled from Auckland to Northland in October 2021 in the midst of a Delta outbreak, putting Northland into an alert level 3 lockdown.
The OIA papers show the women – who had earlier been blamed for using "false information" to get travel permits – had no links to gangs and weren't sex workers, as had been suggested, and their permit had been approved in error.
Hipkins claimed there was nothing new in today's reporting as the error that led to the Northland lockdown in October last year was made public.
So, Sabine you are happy for the government's opponents including the right wing media to milk the inquiry findings in order to create the perception that it was…
all this evil government's fault n' the ministers are to blame n' we hate em so's we're going to trash em for all they're worth and forget the two women at the centre cos they don't count.
You are doing exactly what AB @1.2.1 notes should not happen:
… criticising Labour from the left that gives succour and support to the right-wing Jimmies (1.1) who will leverage it to discredit…
I wrote a comment initially in support of your stand, but of you think the above tactic is going to be helpful to the young women concerned then you are wrong.
"The claims, along with other allegations about the woman, have been widely circulated on social media, text and email but have not been confirmed by officials or the Government.
The Ministry of Health has not commented on the claims and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told a hastily arranged press conference last night that he did not have information to suggest the woman was connected to a gang.
A reporter at the press conference said they had been told the woman is a sex worker but Hipkins said he could not confirm that – he had not been briefed that was the case"
'Winston Peters' TV claims – woman at centre of Northland scare 'connected to Mongrel Mob'
However, locations of interest were limited to two service stations as the woman had been "uncooperative" with authorities in determining her movements in the region, according to Hipkins.
Of course they were uncooperative. They were scared witless. The authorities were intimidating in their attitude and they ran away and hid.
I don't blame Hipkins. He couldn't possibly have known exactly what was going on. He was repeating what he had been told. Everyone assumed they were guilty and when a bunch of arseholes are spreading false stories via social media and a former deputy leader repeats them as being for real, then it is only going to make matters worse.
I can understand why these two women seem to think it was the government's fault, but the real culprits were a) the ministry for attempting to play down the error and b) the social media 'bottom feeders’ along with Winston Peters who picked up the crap and ran with them.
Even though we now know Govt. ministers were not to blame, I hope they will still offer them a full apology on behalf of those who were responsible for their plight.
Sorry can't answer because it is not in the context of whatever the conversation was about. One thing I can say: it was NOT referring to front line health staff. What I have witnessed – including a few days in hospital earlier this year – they have gone above and beyond. All of them deserve gongs.
This reminds me if what Celia Lashlie wrote about in reference to people (usually mothers) who become involved with state agencies.
The individual is closely held to account and made responsible for every transgression or omission, and yet, MSD, WINZ, Police, IRD etc can be incorrect. Often leading to dire consequences for the people at the bottom of the heap and never be held to the same scrutiny.
Totally agree. Have witnessed it happen to others and have also been on the receiving end. For decades there was a left/right divide too. If you were on the 'right' then a blind eye was turned on your transgressions. If you were 'left' then the lights were shone on your every move.
Greenhouse gas emissions fell during lockdowns – Stats NZ
Household emissions fell in most regions of New Zealand between 2019 and 2021, the result less use of transport during Covid-19 restrictions, Stats NZ says
Where did emissions increase the most?
Stats NZ said the Canterbury increase was largely from agriculture, forestry, and fishing (up 6.5 percent), and most significantly because the number of dairy cattle had increased.
First Link.CO2 increase bad enough..but the Methane and NO2 increase are a clear danger.
Second Link. Well….not too hard to see that reduced cars on roads….(often stuck in jams) would lead to less polluting gases. Sad that ..as lockdowns ended people just reverted back. Even with huge fuel increases….
Why the fuck should we be having more rights to existance then cows? What other animal could we cull in order to save our overconsuming, lazy asses? Horses? Pigs? Dogs? Hedgehogs? Squirrels? Buffalo? Crickets? Bees? Flying insects (mind we done a good job here already).
The problem really is that most humans can't imagine a world in which they don't have electricity to squander, they don't have supermarket full of shit that is not good for their bodies but nicely packaged, that they don't be able to pull a boat/bikes/gadgets from the North Island to the south Island for some biking on some new track in some nice natural parks for leisure and so on and so forth.
Maybe we cull half of humanity, and safe the cows. Cows have never harmed anyone. Also, cows don't need oil, dumb arse human beings do.
That is right. Profit for humans, human governments etc etc etc.
Again, nothing that the cow should be carrying responsibility for, and nothing for which cows should be culled / exterminated/ kept in a zoo to preserve the species. They are the exploited natural being. Humans in their zeal for more are the exploiters, polluters and world killers.
DB Brown knows full well what i am saying. But hey, him/her/they being hyperbole about me gives them the excuse to actually not comment on the fact that I am blaming human overconsumption and the need for new shit every other day rather then cows, who are the most unlikely beast on this planet to harm anyone.
The world ruining predator is US, humans and their need to need more in order to feel fullfilled.
Hey RB just an idea. Why not brush up on figures and mechanisms of speech – you know metaphor, irony, sarcasm, alliteration before you try to derail an argument (because that is what you are doing) with some careless rigid approach.
Consider reading poetry or Shakespeare. There are more ways of expressing oneself and making an impact than a bare recitation of facts.
Consider Churchill from his speech to the House of Commons on 4/6/1940
'…
I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.'
So memorable that my mother could recite this last paragraph, right down to intonation until the end of her life in 2010 ……from hearing on the radio in 1940.
Last time she went on a genocidal rant I believe it was prompted by my mentioning making cheese from fermented cashews. Or maybe it was cows again. It was in recent memory. And long term, it's not so much a debating style as an unhinged asshole venting their spleen. We all vent, sometimes.
I just spent the morning mulching weed species to plant productive tree species. My 'green' neighbor makes some snide comment about what we determine to be weeds, as if the privet will feed us.
Sometimes I really can't be fucked with stupid. I don't need to be told off for not engaging with such nonsensical ranting. Sabine's points on climate are as new to me as climate change itself.
Hi DB Brown. Sounds like you walk the talk into Positive action. Always the best way. Oh I did see you and Stuart Munro talking about Black Soldier fly? Interesting!
There was a Country Calendar episode on Regenerative Farming ..and Dung Beetles
Do you have Tiger worms ? They are voracious…eat old veges, leaves, grass clippings,cardboard, even carpet ! Turns all into fantastic compost…..can even get the liquid out as it is a super growth formula !
I'm not sure what worms are currently in the compost bin, though I've done a bit of worm wrangling before. I like those fast shiny native ones, good lookin' – for worms.
I'm keen on the more food forest approach of mulching in place and letting the critters make compost on the spot. The compost bin is simply convenient (throw scraps out window, scraps land in bin). But in drought mulch simply wasn't breaking down so plants weren't getting compost… Climate change is one MF'er of a challenge! Now we've had some wet it's better. I only lost a couple of trees to drought which is great considering I didn't water (swales to soak water in). Harvesting bananas that haven't been watered in a drought – LOL. That's pushing the edge.
I will irrigate some of my new trees, sparingly, as I don't want to lose my avocados (again).
The large privet I just dropped are still alive. They'll get coppiced and used for fuel (outdoor rocket stove summers), mushroom logs (only Tramates so far, but experimenting with four local edibles with this new lot of wood), garden poles, landscaping logs… They can stay on the perimeter and provide shelter/goods till I'm ready to replace them with something 'better'.
Got too much wood right now. Might make a big hugelkultur though they're very labor intensive they do build fantastic soil.
I've written a paper on privet's uses, it got people mighty upset. CULL that shit too apparently. The purists are pointlessly spouting ideals that no longer apply, everything's changing, keep up!
Only four hours food foresting today. Back inside for a nice dahl and… I just harvested, today… some kumara! Crazy but true. Harvested kumara and at the same time rooting kumara slips for the next crop. To get them real late (yet small and edible) put slips under tree drip lines in poor hard soil so they've competition for (and few) resources. They'll take all year to make you lovely wee baby kumara.
The Botanical Gardens on Saturday has the Auckland Tree Crop Association Annual Sale, for anyone who wants some great deals/variety/tips. I'm way excited. Clear out the bank balance and got the mate engaged with his truck.
A food forest, and place to teach from, that's the plan. Blame Robert if we're to yell at anyone.
"Mulching in place" – yes x a million – it's so elegant! Hard to watch though, over the fence.
Don't chip; prune, chop, snap and crunch underfoot, as if you were a bear or an elk.
I envy you the "Auckland Tree Crop Association Annual Sale" – if only!
Brought pigeon pea plants yesterday. Cajanus cajan. Excited! Dividing and relocating various bamboos today. Love it. The bananas are throwing out their first post-winter leaves and cannas are pushing through. I love this stuff 🙂
Yes I'm very excited about the sale. Almost perfect timing except there's a months work down back not 2-3 weeks as I'd planned. But they will be fine sitting under the macadamia while I finish the mulch/landscaping. Close to perfect timing…
I have a slope downhill to the west. I'm planning tall species at back (right up to the native bush) medium in centre and small/shrubs at the top. So there's a level canopy and you walk down the hill till you are under a canopy of food. This is an extension to an existing garden/forest garden which provides much for me, I couldn't be happier except for the huge workload up front! Could call a working bee but nah, just get fit.
Huge Karaka stand right behind where the food forests going too. For those in the know, there'll be no shortages here.
I disagree…….it was a plea not to be so literal when we have a beautiful language to use. The point too was being so literal actually missed the point that was being made by Sabine.
Who wants to be a slave to Twitter? Or, as my sister says, have brains the size of the tiny screen in front of us? Why do we need to even think of doing this in this forum?
Ecofascism is a thing, and, among other things, it proposes various ways of population control some of which even go as far as culling [certain] people. It is no joke, no metaphor, irony, sarcasm, or alliteration; it is serious.
I have no idea what Sabine is or is not, as I don’t know her, have never met her, and only read her comments here on TS. Her commenting & debating style can be aggressive, acerbic, antagonistic, and acrimonious at times, IMO. Others could easily mistake her comment about culling people as an ecofascist argument, particularly when it is poorly articulated with little explanatory context and no nuance – you know how hard it can be for people to clearly state here what they mean (e.g., https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03-09-2022/#comment-1908901). Anywho, that’s it from me on this.
touche. Although I think Sabine is pretty direct. I do know her, from her comments and talking with her online over the years. I guess she would be an ecofascist and playing double game but I prefer to take people at face value.
And yes, it does take some work to understand her at times, which is why I made a point of pointing this out to DB. I don't think her point is poorly articulated, I think her commenting style is outside the bell curve of what is usual here. I count that as a good thing. If people are unclear they can always ask.
The cull (population reduction) is part of the SRES emission scenarios,it requires the human population to cap at 8 billion,then reduce to 6 billion by 2100.
There is also a widespread increase in Eco anxiety ( mostly due to decreased Fe transport of O2 brain) a side effect of the prozac generation and increase in the size of social studies faculty's and decrease in STEM ability.
Reduce cow herd size by reducing cow breeding of new stock. Certainly stop the ever increasing cow population across the world at the expense of other animals (including insects, birds, fish) plants and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (methane and coal burning at the dairy production end).
Return the bulk of New Zealand farmland to woodland; manage it for "food'n'fibre" (mahingakai) and provide space and opportunity for people to live and work, create community and contribute to the health of the planet 🙂
Yes. And dairy farmers already cull cows for multiple reasons – such as low production, failure to conceive and produce offspring and susceptibility to disease. Those who call for a reduction in cow population are not advocating some new mass slaughter that does not already occur – it does. Cow number reduction would occur through exactly these same mechanisms – as well as regulatory restrictions preventing new dairy conversions from other land uses.
Dairy cattle numbers increased by 82 percent nationally from 3.4 million to 6.3 million
Between 1990 and 2019
Southland dairy cattle increased sixteen-fold (1,584 percent) from 38,000 to 636,000. beef cattle decreased by 15.3 percent nationally from 4.6 million to 3.9 million. sheep decreased by 53.6 percent nationally from 57.9 million to 26.8 million.15/04/2021
A reduction in land use probably as exotic tree planting by foreigners to offset their lignite use in Sweden and Germany seems to be the new esg rainbow.
That may be true Sabine but to keep them in existence you need bulls as well. Bulls have certainly harmed lots of people. Indeed I have never yet met a farmer who would turn his back on a bull. They can attack with no warning at all.
Good grief, the first thing we learned as little kids on the country side was that: Do not enter any paddocks/stalls of any lifestock without competent handlers. I.e. farmers, farm hands. That included goats, cows, pigs, horses, ponies, and also…..stay away from bee hives. Ditto if you don't know the dog, don't touch/pet it, you might lose a hand. lol. Heck, some even put signs up for the townies and tourists that came for the good air cause humans are actually quite stupid.
clyptosporidium, nitrates from industrial dairy farming are killing people.Bowel cancer rates increasing in areas where intensified dairy farming areas.
Humans "can't imagine", Sabine, for a number of reasons, one being the erosion of the ability to imagine anything at all, thanks to civilisations need to quell imagination for its own security. When someone with a functioning imagination appears and alerts us to their imaginings, we ring-fence, diminish and dismiss them as "crazy folk", to ease our anxiety. The recent Kim Hill interview with George Monbiot is a good example of this.
For what its worth we can imagine the killing/culling of animals rather then downsizing and consuming less. But i guess consuming until this planet looks like the Easter Island is a human right, or lack of imagination.
It's purely lack of imagination. If everyone could "see" the outcomes of this behaviour and that behaviour, all would change. Our ability to "picture" or envision scenarios other than what we have been presented with, through movies and books; media of all sorts, Government and business decrees, religious instructions, cultural imperatives etc. blinds us to the real situation and this is exploited by those who seek the various forms of power that appeal. Our best bet, on a personal and global level, is to cultivate imagination; seek it's source, explore and share your discoveries; artists do this, and by artists, I mean everyone who does this 🙂
maybe raise that imagination in those that really believe that cows, or other animals that the human being exploits for profit is the issue.
we know what we have to do, in general i elieve that people know, but it is hard to stop squandering resources be they cows, water, farmland and/or humans.
in the end, we will only have ourselfs to eat once we killed everything else.
Yes, we've discovered, finally, in the Western World, that
"…it is hard to stop squandering resources be they cows, water, farmland and/or humans."
Other/earlier cultures faced the same issue and came up with solutions – rahui, potlatch etc. to rein themselves in. Our culture has yet to reach that state of maturity.
Yep. just never going to attempt a mindset change…because their minds are set in reinforced concrete. And what do "they" care about their/OUR Future? Most so focused on the end of the day… they cant even imagine what World our Children will inherit. And the others…making a LOT of Moo lah (some humour cause its a bit not)
Anyway. Gotta keep trying ! Always rate your comments. Informative
Eric Crapton Crampton has jumped the shark today, with another repulsive polemic full of distortions and outright lies in his latest Herald brainfart opinion piece.
Then Luxon goes on TVNZ Breakfast and RNZ Morning Report and repeats this rubbish, with nobody pulling him up, or asking what National will actually *do*
This shrill misinfo campaign from the Herald, Newshub, and other National Party regurgitators, reeks of desperation.
I know it’s hard to keep them apart sometimes but perhaps you meant Bryce instead of Eric? It doesn’t matter all that much because Clint is on to them both, it appears 😉
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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 → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash We’ve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of “reckless economic management” that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape “must stop lying to the people of Papua New Guinea”, ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...
RNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a “catastrophic humanitarian situation”. Rafah was “significant” because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...
With funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. It’s 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown.(Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canada’s largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...
Responding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...
Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations?Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...
The Taxpayers’ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Minister’s office. Taxpayers’ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...
An objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. It’s power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, there’s the rich list and the powerful “c-suite” list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeer’s phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gadd’s story has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didn’t have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail – those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...
Stewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. What’s all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary.Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...
The inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones has turned up a new witness who says he saw two teenagers and a small child in a high vis vest in the area where the boy’s body was found the day he died. Lachie’s body was discovered face up ...
Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucy’s brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where “he had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didn’t get in”. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...
Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Auckland’s water woes. This is how it’ll work. New Zealand’s pipes are munted. They’re cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. It’s a big, ...
I knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...
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oh well…….i guess someone will send an apology to the Non-Penishavers that were slandered as gang bangers and prostitutes’ and drug runners. In fact, it was WINZ that fucked up.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/covid-19-outbreak-blunder-in-wellington-let-women-into-northland-and-shut-the-region-for-11-days/D3OIYTFMDOSWGRYBTHFO2VY7JQ/
How many more of these stories will come out?
And again, the point is not the lock down. The point is that these people were vilified, slandered, defamed, and in part by a government that could not admit to the public that a Winz Drone provided travel documents by mistake – the Winz Drone mistake.
And dear Carmel Sepuloni, YOU should apologize on behalf of your ministry to these People that were slandered and vilified in public by government employees, the press and the public .
Another day, another fuck up comes to light. No wonder they do not want an enquiry in to the Covid response.
Another day another old story dug up to attack Labour with even though it wasn't their fault on the information available at the time.
To be fair, Sepuloni was briefed at the time but she may not have been told of the "blunder" by the Social Welfare ministry worker. That information appears to have come to light further down the track.
Even so, I agree Sepuloni needs to formally apologise to the young women concerned. They must be deeply scarred by the experience. They will have to carry the ignominy of being charged by public opinion as gang related prostitutes which is effectively what happened. Racism was also up there from the start.
Believe me, sweeping embarrassing situations under metaphorical carpets is par for the course when it comes to some government agencies. It has been going on for decades. The plight of the unsuspecting victim or victims is not considered to be of any consequence. Indeed they often are – or were – bullied into silence.
I hope those young women receive compensation for what they've been through.
Thanks Anne for providing an absolute model of how to respond rationally to these sorts of inevitable administrative cock-ups and the ensuing (but not inevitable) cover-ups. There is a way of criticising Labour from the left that does not give succour and support to the right-wing Jimmies (1.1) who will leverage it to discredit any progressive policy or intentions. In this case, the right-wing Jimmies will try and use it to re-write history and trash the best overall Covid response in the western world.
Thanks AB.
Chris Hipkins sums up what happened very well in this morning's stand up with Jacinda Ardern and others:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-to-explain-govt-blunder-that-led-to-northland-lockdown/4LOTIORD7EGBRDETVUW3JR5P3I/
Yes and Press that enlarged the story should also apologise.
I may be wrong, but I don’t remember any Govt spokesperson calling out the women for their reasons heading north.
A citation would be useful.
It was the media who were making the 'inferences' during the blanket coverage at the time. Chris Hipkins was repeating the official line he had been given… that the young women had not been truthful about their reasons for travel. He reacted the same way as the rest of the country by expressing his "disappointment" with them – just did it a little more diplomatically than the rest of us.
We now know through the inquiry that was not correct. The fault lay fairly and squarely with the Social Welfare ministry and so it looks like it is they who should be apologising and recompensing the young women concerned.
I should qualify my comment above by placing the responsibility for the apology on Social Welfare minister, Carmel Sepuloni which is what I said @ 1.2. That is the correct procedure. It should have happened before now, but I guess it would be better late than never.
Hipkins did
https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/10/08/covid-case-who-visited-northland-uncooperative-may-have-lied-to-travel-hipkins/
I can't find any media statement where he corrected this information – on or after the 13th of October, when his office had a briefing, telling them that it was a bureaucratic error, rather than deliberate deception.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/covid-19-outbreak-blunder-in-wellington-let-women-into-northland-and-shut-the-region-for-11-days/D3OIYTFMDOSWGRYBTHFO2VY7JQ/
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/453437/chris-hipkins-on-alert-level-decisions-border-exemption-error [9:32 am on 13 October 2021]
I'd also like to know how they were accused of fraud, having gang connections and being prostitutes. Where did that come from?
From the article linked in my above comment.
this might be a better article on this issue as it is not behind pay wall.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/covid-19-outbreak-blunder-in-wellington-let-women-into-northland-and-shut-the-region-for-11-days/
So Winston was shit stirring. But he isn’t and wasn’t a member of the Govt.
Yes, he was.
And Hipkins accused them of fraud.
So that was some shitstirring too considering it was a Winz Drone that got it wrong. But then its easy to accuse beneficiaries of fraud as that always provides a nice scapegoat behind the short comings of highly paid public servants can be hidden.
You’re shit stirring yourself, as you have no idea how much the person is or was paid who made the error. It is utterly irrelevant anyway.
The election was at the end of 2020. All this happened in October 2021. Winston was long gone from Govt.
Stephen D
government response here
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/chris-hipkins-defends-northland-lockdown-amid-calls-for-responsibility-over-govt-blunder/4LOTIORD7EGBRDETVUW3JR5P3I/
So, Sabine you are happy for the government's opponents including the right wing media to milk the inquiry findings in order to create the perception that it was…
all this evil government's fault n' the ministers are to blame n' we hate em so's we're going to trash em for all they're worth and forget the two women at the centre cos they don't count.
You are doing exactly what AB @1.2.1 notes should not happen:
I wrote a comment initially in support of your stand, but of you think the above tactic is going to be helpful to the young women concerned then you are wrong.
The following backs Hipkins
"The claims, along with other allegations about the woman, have been widely circulated on social media, text and email but have not been confirmed by officials or the Government.
The Ministry of Health has not commented on the claims and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told a hastily arranged press conference last night that he did not have information to suggest the woman was connected to a gang.
A reporter at the press conference said they had been told the woman is a sex worker but Hipkins said he could not confirm that – he had not been briefed that was the case"
'Winston Peters' TV claims – woman at centre of Northland scare 'connected to Mongrel Mob'
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-delta-outbreak-winston-peters-tv-claims-woman-at-centre-of-northland-scare-connected-to-mongrel-mob/IUAPS4YERU4NNAPSCI2YOCLWVM/
Of course they were uncooperative. They were scared witless. The authorities were intimidating in their attitude and they ran away and hid.
I don't blame Hipkins. He couldn't possibly have known exactly what was going on. He was repeating what he had been told. Everyone assumed they were guilty and when a bunch of arseholes are spreading false stories via social media and a former deputy leader repeats them as being for real, then it is only going to make matters worse.
I can understand why these two women seem to think it was the government's fault, but the real culprits were a) the ministry for attempting to play down the error and b) the social media 'bottom feeders’ along with Winston Peters who picked up the crap and ran with them.
Even though we now know Govt. ministers were not to blame, I hope they will still offer them a full apology on behalf of those who were responsible for their plight.
Anne, given any thought to the question I asked you on Open Mike 31/7/22?
Wouldn't have a clue what you asked me on the 31st.
"
…. a Health Minister repeatedly getting offside with the workforce while trying to reform (rebrand) the system.
Uggh? The other way round imo."
Do you mind expanding a little on that Anne?
My reckons have it health staff have gone above and beyond the last 8 or so years and in particular the last 33 months, especially front line staff.
Sorry can't answer because it is not in the context of whatever the conversation was about. One thing I can say: it was NOT referring to front line health staff. What I have witnessed – including a few days in hospital earlier this year – they have gone above and beyond. All of them deserve gongs.
I want to know who was vilified, slandered, defamed. Can you give me their names so I won't vilify, slander and defame them?
Does anyone know what Chris Bishop said about them at the time?
This reminds me if what Celia Lashlie wrote about in reference to people (usually mothers) who become involved with state agencies.
The individual is closely held to account and made responsible for every transgression or omission, and yet, MSD, WINZ, Police, IRD etc can be incorrect. Often leading to dire consequences for the people at the bottom of the heap and never be held to the same scrutiny.
Violence always goes down a hierarchy.
Totally agree. Have witnessed it happen to others and have also been on the receiving end. For decades there was a left/right divide too. If you were on the 'right' then a blind eye was turned on your transgressions. If you were 'left' then the lights were shone on your every move.
First Link.CO2 increase bad enough..but the Methane and NO2 increase are a clear danger.
Second Link. Well….not too hard to see that reduced cars on roads….(often stuck in jams) would lead to less polluting gases. Sad that ..as lockdowns ended people just reverted back. Even with huge fuel increases….
And the Dairy cattle. Not going to end until…
https://www.renews.co.nz/series/milk-and-money-the-true-cost-of-dairy-in-aotearoa/
They simply can't imagine a world without
powercows and oil.Why the fuck should we be having more rights to existance then cows? What other animal could we cull in order to save our overconsuming, lazy asses? Horses? Pigs? Dogs? Hedgehogs? Squirrels? Buffalo? Crickets? Bees? Flying insects (mind we done a good job here already).
The problem really is that most humans can't imagine a world in which they don't have electricity to squander, they don't have supermarket full of shit that is not good for their bodies but nicely packaged, that they don't be able to pull a boat/bikes/gadgets from the North Island to the south Island for some biking on some new track in some nice natural parks for leisure and so on and so forth.
Maybe we cull half of humanity, and safe the cows. Cows have never harmed anyone. Also, cows don't need oil, dumb arse human beings do.
Wow.
But the cow population has exploded because humans want to milk them…for all they're…worth!
That is right. Profit for humans, human governments etc etc etc.
Again, nothing that the cow should be carrying responsibility for, and nothing for which cows should be culled / exterminated/ kept in a zoo to preserve the species. They are the exploited natural being. Humans in their zeal for more are the exploiters, polluters and world killers.
That's twice in a week you've called for the culling of people.
Unhinged.
How about you try cleaning up your diet those prions seem to be taking hold.
she's not calling for the culling of people. She's using hyperbole to point out the problems with humans.
DB Brown knows full well what i am saying. But hey, him/her/they being hyperbole about me gives them the excuse to actually not comment on the fact that I am blaming human overconsumption and the need for new shit every other day rather then cows, who are the most unlikely beast on this planet to harm anyone.
The world ruining predator is US, humans and their need to need more in order to feel fullfilled.
"Maybe we cull half of humanity" – gimme a break. She's doing exactly what I said.
And apparently I'm looking for excuses.
A fucking bore and an idiot.
hahahahahahahaha
thanks for the laugh.
cheers.
Hey RB just an idea. Why not brush up on figures and mechanisms of speech – you know metaphor, irony, sarcasm, alliteration before you try to derail an argument (because that is what you are doing) with some careless rigid approach.
Consider reading poetry or Shakespeare. There are more ways of expressing oneself and making an impact than a bare recitation of facts.
Consider Churchill from his speech to the House of Commons on 4/6/1940
So memorable that my mother could recite this last paragraph, right down to intonation until the end of her life in 2010 ……from hearing on the radio in 1940.
well said. Sabine's style of political discourse is challenging but rewarding imo if one makes the effort at understanding.
and that's true when I'm agreeing or disagreeing with her.
Last time she went on a genocidal rant I believe it was prompted by my mentioning making cheese from fermented cashews. Or maybe it was cows again. It was in recent memory. And long term, it's not so much a debating style as an unhinged asshole venting their spleen. We all vent, sometimes.
I just spent the morning mulching weed species to plant productive tree species. My 'green' neighbor makes some snide comment about what we determine to be weeds, as if the privet will feed us.
Sometimes I really can't be fucked with stupid. I don't need to be told off for not engaging with such nonsensical ranting. Sabine's points on climate are as new to me as climate change itself.
Hi DB Brown. Sounds like you walk the talk into Positive action. Always the best way. Oh I did see you and Stuart Munro talking about Black Soldier fly? Interesting!
There was a Country Calendar episode on Regenerative Farming ..and Dung Beetles
Do you have Tiger worms ? They are voracious…eat old veges, leaves, grass clippings,cardboard, even carpet ! Turns all into fantastic compost…..can even get the liquid out as it is a super growth formula !
I'm not sure what worms are currently in the compost bin, though I've done a bit of worm wrangling before. I like those fast shiny native ones, good lookin' – for worms.
I'm keen on the more food forest approach of mulching in place and letting the critters make compost on the spot. The compost bin is simply convenient (throw scraps out window, scraps land in bin). But in drought mulch simply wasn't breaking down so plants weren't getting compost… Climate change is one MF'er of a challenge! Now we've had some wet it's better. I only lost a couple of trees to drought which is great considering I didn't water (swales to soak water in). Harvesting bananas that haven't been watered in a drought – LOL. That's pushing the edge.
I will irrigate some of my new trees, sparingly, as I don't want to lose my avocados (again).
The large privet I just dropped are still alive. They'll get coppiced and used for fuel (outdoor rocket stove summers), mushroom logs (only Tramates so far, but experimenting with four local edibles with this new lot of wood), garden poles, landscaping logs… They can stay on the perimeter and provide shelter/goods till I'm ready to replace them with something 'better'.
Got too much wood right now. Might make a big hugelkultur though they're very labor intensive they do build fantastic soil.
I've written a paper on privet's uses, it got people mighty upset. CULL that shit too apparently. The purists are pointlessly spouting ideals that no longer apply, everything's changing, keep up!
Only four hours food foresting today. Back inside for a nice dahl and… I just harvested, today… some kumara! Crazy but true. Harvested kumara and at the same time rooting kumara slips for the next crop. To get them real late (yet small and edible) put slips under tree drip lines in poor hard soil so they've competition for (and few) resources. They'll take all year to make you lovely wee baby kumara.
The Botanical Gardens on Saturday has the Auckland Tree Crop Association Annual Sale, for anyone who wants some great deals/variety/tips. I'm way excited. Clear out the bank balance and got the mate engaged with his truck.
A food forest, and place to teach from, that's the plan. Blame Robert if we're to yell at anyone.
I'll shoulder the blame, no worries 🙂
"Mulching in place" – yes x a million – it's so elegant! Hard to watch though, over the fence.
Don't chip; prune, chop, snap and crunch underfoot, as if you were a bear or an elk.
I envy you the "Auckland Tree Crop Association Annual Sale" – if only!
Brought pigeon pea plants yesterday. Cajanus cajan. Excited! Dividing and relocating various bamboos today. Love it. The bananas are throwing out their first post-winter leaves and cannas are pushing through. I love this stuff 🙂
Yes I'm very excited about the sale. Almost perfect timing except there's a months work down back not 2-3 weeks as I'd planned. But they will be fine sitting under the macadamia while I finish the mulch/landscaping. Close to perfect timing…
I have a slope downhill to the west. I'm planning tall species at back (right up to the native bush) medium in centre and small/shrubs at the top. So there's a level canopy and you walk down the hill till you are under a canopy of food. This is an extension to an existing garden/forest garden which provides much for me, I couldn't be happier except for the huge workload up front! Could call a working bee but nah, just get fit.
Huge Karaka stand right behind where the food forests going too. For those in the know, there'll be no shortages here.
Karaka – nice – prepare carefully!
(I have them growing here, in Southland 🙂
Complaining about commentators not rising to the heights of Shakespeare or Churchill in an age of Twitter is just a bit silly.
Best to apply facts with comments that are testable.
Otherwise, OpenMike just is what it is.
I disagree…….it was a plea not to be so literal when we have a beautiful language to use. The point too was being so literal actually missed the point that was being made by Sabine.
Who wants to be a slave to Twitter? Or, as my sister says, have brains the size of the tiny screen in front of us? Why do we need to even think of doing this in this forum?
oh, so you're a literalist? I hadn't picked that.
Ecofascism is a thing, and, among other things, it proposes various ways of population control some of which even go as far as culling [certain] people. It is no joke, no metaphor, irony, sarcasm, or alliteration; it is serious.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecofascism
I know what ecofascism is, but Sabine isn't an ecofascist and people reading her comment literally are misinterpreting what she is saying.
Maybe an argument can be made that this kind of mockery shouldn't be done, but that's a different argument.
I have no idea what Sabine is or is not, as I don’t know her, have never met her, and only read her comments here on TS. Her commenting & debating style can be aggressive, acerbic, antagonistic, and acrimonious at times, IMO. Others could easily mistake her comment about culling people as an ecofascist argument, particularly when it is poorly articulated with little explanatory context and no nuance – you know how hard it can be for people to clearly state here what they mean (e.g., https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03-09-2022/#comment-1908901). Anywho, that’s it from me on this.
touche. Although I think Sabine is pretty direct. I do know her, from her comments and talking with her online over the years. I guess she would be an ecofascist and playing double game but I prefer to take people at face value.
And yes, it does take some work to understand her at times, which is why I made a point of pointing this out to DB. I don't think her point is poorly articulated, I think her commenting style is outside the bell curve of what is usual here. I count that as a good thing. If people are unclear they can always ask.
The cull (population reduction) is part of the SRES emission scenarios,it requires the human population to cap at 8 billion,then reduce to 6 billion by 2100.
There is also a widespread increase in Eco anxiety ( mostly due to decreased Fe transport of O2 brain) a side effect of the prozac generation and increase in the size of social studies faculty's and decrease in STEM ability.
https://www.iberdrola.com/social-commitment/what-is-ecoanxiety
I assume that the IPCC didn't use the word cull though, which by definition means slaughter.
No the EU just restricted european investment ( not in gas production or lng) but in ammonia production,by technology transfer constraints in Africa.
Eco-fascism ≠ eco-anxiety
However, there might be a relatively strong correlation between the two, and even causation.
I recommend hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment once daily for 6 weeks and gradually lowering the dose of any mood-altering substances.
Reduce cow herd size by reducing cow breeding of new stock. Certainly stop the ever increasing cow population across the world at the expense of other animals (including insects, birds, fish) plants and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (methane and coal burning at the dairy production end).
Ethical animal husbandry would be a nice thing to see promoted. Ethical farming – in any aspect – would be a nice thing to see promoted.
Agreed, pingao.
Return the bulk of New Zealand farmland to woodland; manage it for "food'n'fibre" (mahingakai) and provide space and opportunity for people to live and work, create community and contribute to the health of the planet 🙂
Yes. And dairy farmers already cull cows for multiple reasons – such as low production, failure to conceive and produce offspring and susceptibility to disease. Those who call for a reduction in cow population are not advocating some new mass slaughter that does not already occur – it does. Cow number reduction would occur through exactly these same mechanisms – as well as regulatory restrictions preventing new dairy conversions from other land uses.
Let's not mention bobby calves and hammers.
Reduce cow herds to the size ones land can sustain. Ban the use of palm kernel.
Seems to be the Kernel of it
in 1990 there were around 9 million sheep now around 3 million.
Even though Merino wool..and sheep meat, there is more money….in milk.
Southland destocked by 6 million ovine stock units,(since 1990) increased bovine by 600 k,what is the differential in carrying capacity?
Did the total hectarage of farmland change at all?
Was more land retired to biodiverse woodland and wetland?
Or did we spray and pray?
A reduction in land use probably as exotic tree planting by foreigners to offset their lignite use in Sweden and Germany seems to be the new esg rainbow.
Paying to plant trees in other countries seems to be New Zealand's favoured option as well.
Wonder what the folk living in those countries think about that?
Four million two hundred thousand stock units. So there was a higher carrying capacity with sheep.
PN Though that may be the case.
3 million?
You forgot to add…circa 5million to the..total.
Read it again.
ovine = sheep
Yes,but sometimes humans are referred to as…'sheep'….we have a team…of…
Ah…i see, very good.
You are quite possibly correct.
Might be missing a zero there, friend.
As of June 2021, there were approximately 25.97 million sheep in New Zealand, ~ https://www.statista.com/statistics/974492/new-zealand-sheep-livestock-numbers/#:~:text=As%20of%20June%202021%2C%20there,million%20sheep%20in%20the%20country.
talking about southland
Palm kernel, yes, palm oil also.
Reduce cow herd size to … whatever cow herd sizes were pre-domestication 🙂
"Cows have never harmed anyone".
That may be true Sabine but to keep them in existence you need bulls as well. Bulls have certainly harmed lots of people. Indeed I have never yet met a farmer who would turn his back on a bull. They can attack with no warning at all.
Good grief, the first thing we learned as little kids on the country side was that: Do not enter any paddocks/stalls of any lifestock without competent handlers. I.e. farmers, farm hands. That included goats, cows, pigs, horses, ponies, and also…..stay away from bee hives. Ditto if you don't know the dog, don't touch/pet it, you might lose a hand. lol. Heck, some even put signs up for the townies and tourists that came for the good air cause humans are actually quite stupid.
clyptosporidium, nitrates from industrial dairy farming are killing people.Bowel cancer rates increasing in areas where intensified dairy farming areas.
Humans "can't imagine", Sabine, for a number of reasons, one being the erosion of the ability to imagine anything at all, thanks to civilisations need to quell imagination for its own security. When someone with a functioning imagination appears and alerts us to their imaginings, we ring-fence, diminish and dismiss them as "crazy folk", to ease our anxiety. The recent Kim Hill interview with George Monbiot is a good example of this.
For what its worth we can imagine the killing/culling of animals rather then downsizing and consuming less. But i guess consuming until this planet looks like the Easter Island is a human right, or lack of imagination.
It's purely lack of imagination. If everyone could "see" the outcomes of this behaviour and that behaviour, all would change. Our ability to "picture" or envision scenarios other than what we have been presented with, through movies and books; media of all sorts, Government and business decrees, religious instructions, cultural imperatives etc. blinds us to the real situation and this is exploited by those who seek the various forms of power that appeal. Our best bet, on a personal and global level, is to cultivate imagination; seek it's source, explore and share your discoveries; artists do this, and by artists, I mean everyone who does this 🙂
🙂 according to you i am such an artist. thanks.
maybe raise that imagination in those that really believe that cows, or other animals that the human being exploits for profit is the issue.
we know what we have to do, in general i elieve that people know, but it is hard to stop squandering resources be they cows, water, farmland and/or humans.
in the end, we will only have ourselfs to eat once we killed everything else.
Yes, we've discovered, finally, in the Western World, that
"…it is hard to stop squandering resources be they cows, water, farmland and/or humans."
Other/earlier cultures faced the same issue and came up with solutions – rahui, potlatch etc. to rein themselves in. Our culture has yet to reach that state of maturity.
My hope is that we will.
My fear is that there isn't much time left…
🙂
For humanity? Yes there is time left i believe. For our civilization however i tend to agree with you.
Shouldn't we start to…'eat the rich'…first?
not enough fat to make for nice gravy.
Yep. just never going to attempt a mindset change…because their minds are set in reinforced concrete. And what do "they" care about their/OUR Future? Most so focused on the end of the day… they cant even imagine what World our Children will inherit. And the others…making a LOT of Moo lah (some humour cause its a bit not)
Anyway. Gotta keep trying ! Always rate your comments. Informative
Eric
CraptonCrampton has jumped the shark today, with another repulsive polemic full of distortions and outright lies in his latest Heraldbrainfartopinion piece.Clint V Smith straightened out a few of his lies.
https://twitter.com/ClintVSmith/status/1567284641182396424?s=20&t=66R_aIpeKID9nwvAmxKOSg
Then Luxon goes on TVNZ Breakfast and RNZ Morning Report and repeats this rubbish, with nobody pulling him up, or asking what National will actually *do*
This shrill misinfo campaign from the Herald, Newshub, and other National Party regurgitators, reeks of desperation.
I know it’s hard to keep them apart sometimes but perhaps you meant Bryce instead of Eric? It doesn’t matter all that much because Clint is on to them both, it appears 😉
Oops yeah they seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet
Clint shot both Sherriff and Deputy.
That's a fistful of dollars there.
The good vs. the bad & the ugly.
Perhaps needs a '…few dollars more'
Good old Clint was a bit younger then.
Yahoooooo…..
We were so much younger then…
Whano These sandflys thugs are trying to take my eldest grandchild off her mother who is working with me full time what the FUCK that is how low these thugs will go use anything in the state system to get people to kiss their ass im going to Lawyer up for this bull shit
Ka kite Ano