Huh, leftists blaming Greens for rightist political victories. So very 20th century. Her response noted 100 million voters gave democracy the thumbs-down by not bothering to vote, which reminds us how effective the left/right collusion in discrediting the system has become.
When you put lipstick on a polished turd it just looks silly and becomes a juvenile joke. Alchemists knew that if you want to turn lead into gold you have to change the essence of it, not scratch the surface.
Julie bishop…. wasn’t she complaining not so long ago about political interference from our Labour party just prior to our last election. Yet here she is.
The great Israeli journalist Gideon Levy met Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign minister, in late 2017 and he was not impressed….
“In Canberra last week I met some Australian members of parliament. It gave me hope, because until I heard them speak I had always thought that Israel’s right wing politicians were the worst. —-(LAUGHTER)— I’ve never heard any Israeli politician speak about the Palestinian people the way that those Australian politicians did. But they are Australia’s problem, not mine. (LAUGHTER) I spoke with the Australian foreign minister; she talked and she was very nice but we could not agree on anything.” (LAUGHTER)
Wow what a nothing speech unless you’re a dumbarse business as usual zealot. Disappointing
“Ardern’s first State of the Nation speech was delivered at a Wellington church to a group of largely community and voluntary agencies and focused on poverty and children.
The setting for Friday’s speech was a room at the upmarket Hilton Hotel in Auckland overlooking the glitzy Viaduct Harbour, attended by top CEOs and managers…That was not the only contrast; in an unusual move, Ardern was preceded by speeches from business sponsors…”
“Sunny but clouds gathering”
So everything is as it is in Kiwi land.
Sate of the Nation speeches like Budgets announcements
are heavy on build up but boringly predictable.
Gov’t supporters say everything is on track.
Gov’t opponents say wheels are coming off.
Delightfully predictable.
Like night follows day.
Read life is ticking over well in Ehohdeararower
Have to giggle.
How “if” climate change is our “Climate change is my generation’s nuclear-free moment” are we being told “A Just Transition Summit in May this year will kick-start a national conversation about what the Just Transition means for New Zealand. ”
A conservation ??? If it is TAHT important shouldn’t real action and leadership be warranted ??
Talk or Action ???
More “wedging” propaganda from the king of spin. Aunty Herald is certainly stepping it up though, day by day. If spin were a cancer then the Herald would be guilty of spreading death. The rag is certainly guilty of being a plague on intelligence.
He’s pointing out political realities. As we approach next year’s election NZ First will need to define itself as something other than Labour’s lap dog if it is to have any hope of re election.
For starters., watch it apply the pressure on Labour for significant changes to be made to Labours proposed tax reforms and employment law reforms.
Interesting, so NZ First is now “Labours lap dog”… after being spun the line for the past year and a half that Winston is the tail wagging the dog and Jacinda Ardern is his “little girl”. Seems the right still can’t get there heads around how a real coalition functions.
One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political commentator stirrer. FIFY
He’s been a bit out of the picture over recent months with his study period in the UK, holidays etc, so of course he has to stir hard to bring his return back to notice and make himself seem relevant again.
Hooten is a wanker, his commentary is shit stirring drivel and he is commissioned to produce this crap for propaganda purposes not to enlighten the reader. So you get over it.
Exceltium is a NZ registered limited company, first registered in 2005 and Matthew and his wife, Catherine Wood* are both active Directors.
A total of 100 shares are allocated to 5 shareholders (3 groups). The first group consists of 1 share (1%) held by Matthew, the second group also consists of one share held by Cathy. The third group which holds the remaining 98 shares consists of Matthew, Cathy and a third party – Campbell Ronald Cave.**
* Cathy is daughter of former National party president Sue Wood.
** A bit of a mystery man – could be one of several people.
The Exceltium website gives a list of a few of their clients (past/present?) under Case Studies but no doubt there are others.
Matthew also spreads himself in other directions as well – he is also Honorary Consul for Mongolia!
Actually while Hooton drives me to screaming sometimes and I don’t share his politics, I do have some goodwill towards him in other ways – eg he has been quite open about his past drinking problem, he does laugh at himself from time to time etc.
Here is quite interesting interview of him by Toby Manhire a few weeks ago which gives a good broadbrush of his past, present etc.
Oh, c’mon, vv. Who wouldn’t want to go back to those heady days when Katy Perry ruled the pop charts, bearded hipsters were just a joke and our proud All Whites returned from the World Cup in South Africa undefeated?
She effortlessly confounds this panel of fools trying to confront her and embarrass her. It’s funny in a grim and black sort of fashion, with the funniest thing of all being the sight of Zbigniew Brzezinski’s hapless daughter trying to look serious….
“You can be sure that every government in the world is going to rethink putting any money in London, as they used to do, when they are watching this political manipulation with the money they entrust to the British. It is very dangerous for the world, but for Britain particularly.”
“Economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work Prof. Richard Wolff joins News.Views.Hughes to discuss the freezing of Venezuelan funds in the Bank of England amid the deepening political crisis in Caracas. He says the Bank of England’s decision is a signal to all countries out of step with US interests to withdraw their money, as the Bank has shown itself to be “under the thumb of the United States.” He also opines on the “horrific prospects” of regime change in Venezuela. ”
I’ve been smelling the smoke from Pigeon Valley for days now
Yesterday I saw smoke wafting down our river valley and thought some idiots burning, rang a few neighbours who’d been told by the fire chief, its Pigeon Valley
We live 128 kms away, in pretty much a straight line
A disturbing sensation, the smell of smoke , and probably fast becoming the new summer normal
Just came back from Richmond, sheez the smoke is thick there, you can’t see any of the surrounding hills.
Was walking around with my eyes streaming wanting a facemask,
It’s the worst day for smoke since the fire started, possibly because there was no wind this morning.
Would liken it to the photos we see of extremely polluted cities in China.
Here in Motueka the sky is half smoke, and half blue sky.
The sky in Richmond is completely obscured by smoke, it’s really bad.
Heard from a chopper pilot that the smoke makes it hard to see where to release the water from monsoon buckets. They are concentrating on saving houses.
Sorry, that has been the way of it in Australia. That smell, the smoggy sunrises and sets following the fire/burn off news, seeing blackened areas, and wild life struggle.
As is the way with John Key, Simon Bridges, and Assorted Standard Trolls, Hooten screams when he is loosing his brain and his guts.
He often screams at Kathryn Ryan who for some reason invites him on her women’s program each week.
Winston Peters is beyond Hooten. Nearly everything on the Planet is beyond Hooten. I sometimes think dear Mathew has a little piggy bank tin on his desk. He has no other Horizon whatsoever.
Neither have the Trolls. Basically children doing their simple child’s play.
Not Hooten, but serious Business men and women will recognise the frequent ups and downs in World economy, and its effect on NZ. The more far seeing Business sector will be alert to new hazards – unforseen. But prepared for by Robertson.
John Key or his stand in servants, and Mathew Hooten will raise the Gst by at least 3%. To rub the noses of the poor into the Hooten / Key / English shit policy
Winston will breeze home. Shayne will bring the Northern Horses home.
Jacinda will protect the Poor. For, She is that way inclined. The World knows Her.
Smoke haze over Nelson city. Dead silence for some time, few birds, momentary footsteps, computer whirring. Creepy.
Coincidentally, I have just bought a DVD of film The Quiet Earth – was thinking about Bruno Lawrence. When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind — and whether disaster will strike again.
Some little miracles occur every day that we don’t know about. Here is one that has come to light, a story of survival and love and a turning from bitterness – a treasure that stands out from BAU.
For three years, he [Lale Sokolov] was the one who used a needle and black ink to tattoo numbers on the arms of new arrivals.
The day he tattooed Gita Furman would change his life forever. They fell in love in a place built on hate, survived the camp and settled in Australia.
When Lale decided to tell his secret, he chose Heather Morris, a screenwriter from Te Awamutu, living in Melbourne.
She tells Jesse Mulligan about her debut novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on their love story, is now being adapted for television.
Morris says she met Sokolov through a friend who knew his son. After the death of his wife, Sokolov had told his son to find him someone who he could tell his story too. Morris says the pain of his loss was still raw.
“This is a man whose wife of over six decades has just died and he was incredibly grief stricken. He wouldn’t lift his head above the level of the floor for several weeks when I met him. All he would say to me each time was ‘hurry up and tell my story’ even though he hadn’t really given me anything apart from his and Gita’s names and that they met in Auschwitz.
One small moment of unintended humour – Bezos blanked out Dylan Howard’s phone number in the email’s body (917 XXX-XXXX), but left it untouched in the signature section at the bottom of the email. Quite tempted to give the man a call, see how this is working out for him 😉
Walters Bluff is a steep hill, was told there is around 6 choppers there at the moment, also told that the best way to fight that particular fire is by air.
Also told that most of the ground crews are at the other fire.
Freaking scary stuff, so dry here.
Behind Walters Bluff is lots of forest and walking tracks.
The flames are flicking up the hill behind the houses on the subdivision and look quite bright and fast moving, rather like those earlier on at Pigeon Valley.
People are getting worried. How could this happen, another fire!
Position It’s fairly close to the old cemetery on the way out of Nelson main road to Blenheim, with high hill covered with grass that will be dry beside and behind it and there is high steep road on Walters Bluff where the fire is. Then a bit further over towards the city on the flat is Founders heritage park with huge amount of money spent on it and irreplaceable old buildings in it and that’s bordered by flat part, Miyazu Japanese Garden, the Marae and surrounding buildings and then closely settled housing. I have friends further over the hill but not far as the fire moves. So a worry.
Yes quite a distance away, friend lives on the other side of the hill, there was talk about them evacuating but the road is blocked by police going towards the city – can’t go there. The suggestion was to go to Saxtons Field in Stoke but there are Wakefield people there I think. We run the risk of being overwhelmed if more happens.
Apparently the guy who reported the Walters Bluff fire saw it right from the beginning and said there was no one to be seen – it looked like spontaneous combustion down in a ravine – could have been a bottle or bright aluminium tin who knows. Not impossible. Friend says that there are eucalypts and that they spark. Lots of coming and going with helicopters. They are getting salt water – the tide is in apparently otherwise there can be quite a muddy area near the coastal road.
Someone is talking about the possibility of arson. It’s so strange that the first thing some do is to make the situation worse by thinking badly of someone so they can be blamed for it all. It may be a barbecue gone wrong, even a cigarette butt, there was a known fire from one recently put out. I
If all the teenagers had something constructive to do during the holidays, that could cut risk by 50% I think. A teenager escaped from a house he/she was in which was engulfed in fire minutes – that was in the last few days. Firefighters saved the house but was burnt and blackened. Got to watch out for those computers – can eat up time while something is on the stove getting over hot.
Thinking of you all, Cindy – that goes for everyone in the Nelson, Tasman area. Cannot mention MM cause I am not flavour of the month at present and got told not to think about him and his whanau, but cannot help myself. Love your area of the country and really feeling for you all.
Good to hear, Lol! Seriously take care, the situation there is very precarious. Just listened to some of the press conference this morning and they are obviously really worried about the wind levels in the next day or so.
And thanks for pointing out the contra proferentem principle re Te Tiriti. I am no scholar/expert on TT issues but was still amazed at some of the ignorance/misinformation of some of the thinking and opinions that came out in the last few days. Won’t mention any names.
The whole region is in drought – we aren’t near wakefield although I have friends there. I hope the big one sorted soon but that wind – it is chaos in action. Other worries are copycat fires and just idiot ciggie butts or whatever – so dry, won’t take much.
Nelson residents are being evacuated after a second fire broke out in Walters Bluff.
The fire is located in Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve… near top of Walters Bluff
Telecommunications provider Spark said a cell tower in Wakefield was in the direct path of the fire.
Flame retardant had been deployed at the tower, and the company was trying to bring in a back-up cell site.
Conflicting stories about how they started. I still have my landline with this sort of thing in mind. Video put up yesterday about how complexity disadvantages ‘advanced’ countries! Lots of aerial movement. I hope that everyone gets through this intact. There has been a car? crash on the coastal highway they say serious.
But I think it was near Tui Glen which is on the way out of Nelson not in Motueka direction, unless you get the sound carrying across water. Not sure just where you are.
Apparently another blaze up before 6pm on city side along from Walters Bluff – winds expected to pick up so they are working hard to damp down.
Actually i think it may be you who are mixed up Psycho Milt, to it’s usage, but whatever the case, the meaning is clear so it is a perfectly valid phrase all the same where it matters.
There’s no need to use the word “whom” at all in modern English, so insisting on using it and then using it incorrectly is grating. As to its usage, that’s the annoying thing – its misuse is now so widespread that people will argue the toss with you when you point it out it’s for use with objects, not subjects.
Eco says its all about ballance ying yang everything needs to be ballanced .
We need to work with mother nature We need more Wahine in power to get the ballance back . 5 degrees is the difference in enviroment temperatures that give or takes away the polar ICE CAPS
{{{How social media is inspiring children to save the natural world }}}
It’s true that many young people stare at screens instead of being out in the wild – but others use technology to form a global community of conservationists
Six years ago, I wrote with a certain amount of sadness a rather gloomy report for the National Trust entitled Natural Childhood. It highlighted the barriers standing in the way of engaging young people with nature: primarily dangers from traffic, parental fears of “stranger danger”, and a growing aversion to exposing children to any form of risk. I concluded that we faced the very real danger of a “lost generation”, who might never engage with the natural world.
Young people were, and still are, we’re told, disconnected from nature, staring at screens when they should be out in the wild. {{{But what I hadn’t predicted back then is that it is these screens that are now enabling our children to join forces to save the natural world. The rise of new technology – especially social media – has allowed a new generation to connect with those who share their interests in a way that I never could have believed possible}}} when I wrote Natural Childhood. As one young ornithologist recently told me: “I thought I was the only birder at my school, but on Facebook I found half a dozen others in my local area.”
Another budding young naturalist, Abbie Barnes (who climbed Kilimanjaro in the same week she got her A-level results), introduced me to a young man working for conservation in Kenya. When I asked how long they had known each other, Abbie laughed, saying: “We’ve never actually met before, but we’ve connected on social media for the past couple of years.”
{{{{{{When I look at this generation, and see their commitment, passion, hard work and inspirational actions, I’m inclined to think that they might just succeed. Eco say we will succeed}}}}}}}
Stephen Moss is a naturalist and author, based in Somerset. His latest book is The Wren: A Biography (Square Peg). He is involved with AFoN as a mentor
Ka kite ano links below.
Thanks for your great comments lately ecomaori. I am reading through them slowly – very packed info. The odd paragraph to break them up would be helpful.
Kia ora Newshub most of the World glaciers are losing Ice faster than scientist predicted.
Its cool that LGBT Community still has alot of Tau toko support after all the fuss made by some people Ka pai.
Condolences to Albert Finneys whanau I have watched a few of the movies he acted in.
Its not looking good for the people and there stock in an around Townsville Queensland Australia.
There are to many Actors playing games with Venezuela all for there oil they are causing Alot of harm to the tamariki children and the people all for greedy billionaire. Ka kite ano YEA RIGHT can’t touch this
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Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
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. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Excellent interview with United States Green Party leader Jill Stein with a lot of perceptive comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yfnamXfPYA
Huh, leftists blaming Greens for rightist political victories. So very 20th century. Her response noted 100 million voters gave democracy the thumbs-down by not bothering to vote, which reminds us how effective the left/right collusion in discrediting the system has become.
What is satire?
https://twitter.com/TheOnion/status/1093601305195626496
https://twitter.com/JStein_WaPo/status/1093506430035021824
When you put lipstick on a polished turd it just looks silly and becomes a juvenile joke. Alchemists knew that if you want to turn lead into gold you have to change the essence of it, not scratch the surface.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110426463/national-party-strategy-already-in-place-as-party-thrashes-out-tactics-for-year-ahead
Julie bishop…. wasn’t she complaining not so long ago about political interference from our Labour party just prior to our last election. Yet here she is.
Here she is and soon to be gone.
No, she was complaining about the Australian Labour Party feeding questions to Chris Hipkins, who then asked questions in the NZ Parliament without understanding he was being used. This is what she said:
“I would find it very difficult to build trust with members of a political party that had been used by the Australian Labor Party to seek to undermine the Australian government,” (https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/julie-bishop-says-she-could-not-trust-a-new-zealand-labour-government-after-barnaby-fiasco-20170815-gxwfj9.html).
The ALP is well known for its grubby politics. Hipkins just got conned into being part of it, and Bishop called him out.
Maybe he got used shadders, maybe he didn’t. Not sure that ‘trust’ and ‘Australian government’ belong in the same sentence anyway.
Well he either got used or he did it deliberately. Either way, not a good look.
The great Israeli journalist Gideon Levy met Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign minister, in late 2017 and he was not impressed….
Today’s longer ‘ must read’: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/feb/07/rutger-bregman-winnie-byanyima-anand-giridharadas
Thanks, that was a good read with loads to take in.
Wow what a nothing speech unless you’re a dumbarse business as usual zealot. Disappointing
“Ardern’s first State of the Nation speech was delivered at a Wellington church to a group of largely community and voluntary agencies and focused on poverty and children.
The setting for Friday’s speech was a room at the upmarket Hilton Hotel in Auckland overlooking the glitzy Viaduct Harbour, attended by top CEOs and managers…That was not the only contrast; in an unusual move, Ardern was preceded by speeches from business sponsors…”
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110444167/pm-jacinda-arderns-state-of-the-nation-speech-sunny-but-clouds-gathering
“Sunny but clouds gathering”
So everything is as it is in Kiwi land.
Sate of the Nation speeches like Budgets announcements
are heavy on build up but boringly predictable.
Gov’t supporters say everything is on track.
Gov’t opponents say wheels are coming off.
Delightfully predictable.
Like night follows day.
Read life is ticking over well in Ehohdeararower
Have to giggle.
How “if” climate change is our “Climate change is my generation’s nuclear-free moment” are we being told “A Just Transition Summit in May this year will kick-start a national conversation about what the Just Transition means for New Zealand. ”
A conservation ??? If it is TAHT important shouldn’t real action and leadership be warranted ??
Talk or Action ???
Hooten shit-stirring again…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12201695
He’s not wrong tho.
More “wedging” propaganda from the king of spin. Aunty Herald is certainly stepping it up though, day by day. If spin were a cancer then the Herald would be guilty of spreading death. The rag is certainly guilty of being a plague on intelligence.
Yep herald columnists Hine Elder and Liz Marverlly hard right facists You do realise the herald isn’t thier just to suppprt your left thinking
Crikey, didn’t realise that at all……will have to switch to my right thinking then, become a bit more creative.
No he is not.
He’s pointing out political realities. As we approach next year’s election NZ First will need to define itself as something other than Labour’s lap dog if it is to have any hope of re election.
For starters., watch it apply the pressure on Labour for significant changes to be made to Labours proposed tax reforms and employment law reforms.
Interesting, so NZ First is now “Labours lap dog”… after being spun the line for the past year and a half that Winston is the tail wagging the dog and Jacinda Ardern is his “little girl”. Seems the right still can’t get there heads around how a real coalition functions.
I think you will find you have who’s the lap and who’s the dog the wrong way around.
There’s one sleeping dog, a couple of ticks, three tiny fleas and a few nits …
He may be, but much of what he says in that piece is on the money.
More a case of he is on the money – getting paid to write what he writes.
Of course he gets paid. I’m sure no-one expects him to write for free?
People get paid for writing their hot takes? I really must get an agent.
Hot takes? One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political commentator. Why should he do it for free?
One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political
commentatorstirrer. FIFYHe’s been a bit out of the picture over recent months with his study period in the UK, holidays etc, so of course he has to stir hard to bring his return back to notice and make himself seem relevant again.
Stirrer, commentator, who knows. He is commissioned to write, which is why he’s paid. Get over it.
Hooten is a wanker, his commentary is shit stirring drivel and he is commissioned to produce this crap for propaganda purposes not to enlighten the reader. So you get over it.
And yet he IS paid. You obviously have some hang ups with that. Get over it.
Because he gets the enjoyment as well.
So he gets paid AND enjoys his work. Well done him. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Does he still work at/for Exceltium, “New Zealand’s most successful corporate and public affairs consultancy”?
https://www.exceltium.com/about
Yep. It’s possible to do more than one thing at a time!
Matthew Hooton is Managing Director of Exceltium.
Exceltium is a NZ registered limited company, first registered in 2005 and Matthew and his wife, Catherine Wood* are both active Directors.
A total of 100 shares are allocated to 5 shareholders (3 groups). The first group consists of 1 share (1%) held by Matthew, the second group also consists of one share held by Cathy. The third group which holds the remaining 98 shares consists of Matthew, Cathy and a third party – Campbell Ronald Cave.**
https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429034594346/
* Cathy is daughter of former National party president Sue Wood.
** A bit of a mystery man – could be one of several people.
The Exceltium website gives a list of a few of their clients (past/present?) under Case Studies but no doubt there are others.
Matthew also spreads himself in other directions as well – he is also Honorary Consul for Mongolia!
Actually while Hooton drives me to screaming sometimes and I don’t share his politics, I do have some goodwill towards him in other ways – eg he has been quite open about his past drinking problem, he does laugh at himself from time to time etc.
Here is quite interesting interview of him by Toby Manhire a few weeks ago which gives a good broadbrush of his past, present etc.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-01-2019/im-completely-squeaky-clean-an-interview-with-matthew-hooton/
And an older one with Michelle Hewitson in 2014
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/michele-hewitson/news/article.cfm?a_id=29&objectid=11224018
PS – I was just playing word games with Shadrach at 5.4.1! LOL.
Wow, he is busy. I wonder if he’s paid for his job as Honorary Consul for Mongolia?
Maybe he’s doing only one thing at a time, one and the same thing …
That would be assuming to know who Exceltium’s clients are…
No, false logic; it would be assuming it’s possible …
What? Working 2 jobs? Many people do it.
No, again, two tasks, one job.
And you know this because Exceltium told you? And the relevance?
You assumed two jobs and I assume one. Neither of us knows for sure. The relevance is pretty obvious I’d have thought.
All that is relevant is that he gets paid for writing his opinions. Good on him, if he can do it.
Hoots = RWNJ
so what part of his article can you factually dispute?
Calling mickysavage, lprent or whoever …
Can we please have our nine years back, please. I really don’t want to be back in 2010 with Key in charge.
Thank you in advance.
Oh, c’mon, vv. Who wouldn’t want to go back to those heady days when Katy Perry ruled the pop charts, bearded hipsters were just a joke and our proud All Whites returned from the World Cup in South Africa undefeated?
Thought about and there are pros and cons … Did earn a lot more then … But no. I’ll stick with 2019. LOL.
Thanks TRP
As someone who likes to hear a guitar – It wasn’t a great period. At least Marvel reintroduced some grand older songs from the 70’s
http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/2010-to-2019.shtml
And two rugby world cups, that is looking very dicey re a repeat under this struggling COL government
Yep. And back in 2010 Richard Branson was going to launch his first paying passengers into space. Never happened, because Jacinda.
Lol lol
Meet the next President of the United States
She effortlessly confounds this panel of fools trying to confront her and embarrass her. It’s funny in a grim and black sort of fashion, with the funniest thing of all being the sight of Zbigniew Brzezinski’s hapless daughter trying to look serious….
https://news.grabien.com/story-tulsi-gabbard-assad-not-enemy-united-states
Yeah. The voter base for homophobic Islam-hating pro-Assad MIC-donation-accepting droning-advocate Hindu-nationalists is just YUUUUGE.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tulsi-gabbard-anti-war-campaign-donations_us_5c530708e4b093663f5bfa69
https://theintercept.com/2019/01/05/tulsi-gabbard-2020-hindu-nationalist-modi/
David Duke is apparently quite the fan, too.
You are a fool.
Have you considered a job at NewstalkZzzzzB? You sound just like Leighton Smith.
“You can be sure that every government in the world is going to rethink putting any money in London, as they used to do, when they are watching this political manipulation with the money they entrust to the British. It is very dangerous for the world, but for Britain particularly.”
“Economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work Prof. Richard Wolff joins News.Views.Hughes to discuss the freezing of Venezuelan funds in the Bank of England amid the deepening political crisis in Caracas. He says the Bank of England’s decision is a signal to all countries out of step with US interests to withdraw their money, as the Bank has shown itself to be “under the thumb of the United States.” He also opines on the “horrific prospects” of regime change in Venezuela. ”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBKZLGdPuWo
Only brutal leftist illegal regimes
Good Lord, is this bore Gosman still posting his empty-headed disruptive comments here? Are there NO standards operant on this weblog?
I’ve been smelling the smoke from Pigeon Valley for days now
Yesterday I saw smoke wafting down our river valley and thought some idiots burning, rang a few neighbours who’d been told by the fire chief, its Pigeon Valley
We live 128 kms away, in pretty much a straight line
A disturbing sensation, the smell of smoke , and probably fast becoming the new summer normal
Yep I smelt and saw smoke in the early morning yesterday – we are norwest from it with a big hill in the way.
I think this will become a horrible scarey norm.
Just came back from Richmond, sheez the smoke is thick there, you can’t see any of the surrounding hills.
Was walking around with my eyes streaming wanting a facemask,
It’s the worst day for smoke since the fire started, possibly because there was no wind this morning.
Would liken it to the photos we see of extremely polluted cities in China.
Here in Motueka the sky is half smoke, and half blue sky.
The sky in Richmond is completely obscured by smoke, it’s really bad.
Heard from a chopper pilot that the smoke makes it hard to see where to release the water from monsoon buckets. They are concentrating on saving houses.
Wind has picked up again.
Wakefield is being evacuated.
Sorry, that has been the way of it in Australia. That smell, the smoggy sunrises and sets following the fire/burn off news, seeing blackened areas, and wild life struggle.
Has anyone investigated whether the person operating the machinery in the area was a smoker?
Hooten The Screamer
As is the way with John Key, Simon Bridges, and Assorted Standard Trolls, Hooten screams when he is loosing his brain and his guts.
He often screams at Kathryn Ryan who for some reason invites him on her women’s program each week.
Winston Peters is beyond Hooten. Nearly everything on the Planet is beyond Hooten. I sometimes think dear Mathew has a little piggy bank tin on his desk. He has no other Horizon whatsoever.
Neither have the Trolls. Basically children doing their simple child’s play.
Not Hooten, but serious Business men and women will recognise the frequent ups and downs in World economy, and its effect on NZ. The more far seeing Business sector will be alert to new hazards – unforseen. But prepared for by Robertson.
John Key or his stand in servants, and Mathew Hooten will raise the Gst by at least 3%. To rub the noses of the poor into the Hooten / Key / English shit policy
Winston will breeze home. Shayne will bring the Northern Horses home.
Jacinda will protect the Poor. For, She is that way inclined. The World knows Her.
Take a happy kiddies holiday Matthew.
Women’s programme tokkie? Not in these enlightened times surely.
Yes Gabby
Women are better Listeners.
Smoke haze over Nelson city. Dead silence for some time, few birds, momentary footsteps, computer whirring. Creepy.
Coincidentally, I have just bought a DVD of film The Quiet Earth – was thinking about Bruno Lawrence.
When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind — and whether disaster will strike again.
The speed of the fire as it began and the shock of it to the first people involved.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/110446721/nelson-bush-fire-man-first-on-the-scene-shocked-at-speed-of-spreading-flames
Grey, Walters Bluff, by Founders in the city is now on fire.
Not sure where you are, but keep safe please.
Still shows that one of the mot powerful images in a movie is a simple, wide shot of a city with no people in it
Gets me everytime
Grey pack be ready, just in case. Take water and a first aid kit. Kia kaha. Fire takes no prisoners, especially with the unpredictable wind.
Some little miracles occur every day that we don’t know about. Here is one that has come to light, a story of survival and love and a turning from bitterness – a treasure that stands out from BAU.
The book The Tattooist of Auschwitz will remind us of things we would like to forget, but they are part of our human story.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018681016/the-tattooist-of-auschwitz
For three years, he [Lale Sokolov] was the one who used a needle and black ink to tattoo numbers on the arms of new arrivals.
The day he tattooed Gita Furman would change his life forever. They fell in love in a place built on hate, survived the camp and settled in Australia.
When Lale decided to tell his secret, he chose Heather Morris, a screenwriter from Te Awamutu, living in Melbourne.
She tells Jesse Mulligan about her debut novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on their love story, is now being adapted for television.
Morris says she met Sokolov through a friend who knew his son. After the death of his wife, Sokolov had told his son to find him someone who he could tell his story too. Morris says the pain of his loss was still raw.
“This is a man whose wife of over six decades has just died and he was incredibly grief stricken. He wouldn’t lift his head above the level of the floor for several weeks when I met him. All he would say to me each time was ‘hurry up and tell my story’ even though he hadn’t really given me anything apart from his and Gita’s names and that they met in Auschwitz.
Someone tried to blackmail Jeff Bezos.
He shoved their threats right back up their arse.
https://medium.com/@jeffreypbezos/no-thank-you-mr-pecker-146e3922310f
Arkell v Pressdram was admirably more succinct.
Good on him!
One small moment of unintended humour – Bezos blanked out Dylan Howard’s phone number in the email’s body (917 XXX-XXXX), but left it untouched in the signature section at the bottom of the email. Quite tempted to give the man a call, see how this is working out for him 😉
There’s a new fire here, at Walters Bluff in Nelson City, by Founders Park.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Walters+Bluff,+Atawhai,+Nelson+7010/@-41.2596016,173.2943679,850m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6d3bed9bb16e878d:0xc0dcc281808b10fb!8m2!3d-41.2597747!4d173.3001863
STAY SAFE OUT THERE
Just heard from exhusband the motorway out of Nelson towards Atawhai is now closed because of the new fire.
He said two houses have already gone, But that’s not confirmed.
Can the city water mains be tapped into with fire hoses?
& wet blankets to dash it out on the ground one on one?
Around here the firefighters can. The connections are under metal rectangular covers with FH cast into them.
Not sure CHCoff.
Walters Bluff is a steep hill, was told there is around 6 choppers there at the moment, also told that the best way to fight that particular fire is by air.
Also told that most of the ground crews are at the other fire.
Freaking scary stuff, so dry here.
Behind Walters Bluff is lots of forest and walking tracks.
Edit… the wind has picked right up now.
would like to be there fighting this b@#$%Y fire!
I’d like you to be there too…… freaking teleporter isn’t up and running yet.
Latest I have found.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/02/large-blaze-flares-up-near-homes-near-nelson-cbd.html
The flames are flicking up the hill behind the houses on the subdivision and look quite bright and fast moving, rather like those earlier on at Pigeon Valley.
People are getting worried. How could this happen, another fire!
Position It’s fairly close to the old cemetery on the way out of Nelson main road to Blenheim, with high hill covered with grass that will be dry beside and behind it and there is high steep road on Walters Bluff where the fire is. Then a bit further over towards the city on the flat is Founders heritage park with huge amount of money spent on it and irreplaceable old buildings in it and that’s bordered by flat part, Miyazu Japanese Garden, the Marae and surrounding buildings and then closely settled housing. I have friends further over the hill but not far as the fire moves. So a worry.
Thanks for the link Grey, you ok at yours?
Yes quite a distance away, friend lives on the other side of the hill, there was talk about them evacuating but the road is blocked by police going towards the city – can’t go there. The suggestion was to go to Saxtons Field in Stoke but there are Wakefield people there I think. We run the risk of being overwhelmed if more happens.
Apparently the guy who reported the Walters Bluff fire saw it right from the beginning and said there was no one to be seen – it looked like spontaneous combustion down in a ravine – could have been a bottle or bright aluminium tin who knows. Not impossible. Friend says that there are eucalypts and that they spark. Lots of coming and going with helicopters. They are getting salt water – the tide is in apparently otherwise there can be quite a muddy area near the coastal road.
Someone is talking about the possibility of arson. It’s so strange that the first thing some do is to make the situation worse by thinking badly of someone so they can be blamed for it all. It may be a barbecue gone wrong, even a cigarette butt, there was a known fire from one recently put out. I
If all the teenagers had something constructive to do during the holidays, that could cut risk by 50% I think. A teenager escaped from a house he/she was in which was engulfed in fire minutes – that was in the last few days. Firefighters saved the house but was burnt and blackened. Got to watch out for those computers – can eat up time while something is on the stove getting over hot.
Grey, the siren has just gone off again here in the last few minutes…
Keep us posted. Cinny and car turned round. Surely I don’t have to worry about that. I’m not too far from the Grampians and very dry up there.
I’m sure no issue and keep listening. There may be some surprises with these fires. Stay safe.
Will do, you keep safe too Marty.
Thinking of you all, Cindy – that goes for everyone in the Nelson, Tasman area. Cannot mention MM cause I am not flavour of the month at present and got told not to think about him and his whanau, but cannot help myself. Love your area of the country and really feeling for you all.
Lol yes you cannot help yourself – you’re still in my good books
Good to hear, Lol! Seriously take care, the situation there is very precarious. Just listened to some of the press conference this morning and they are obviously really worried about the wind levels in the next day or so.
And thanks for pointing out the contra proferentem principle re Te Tiriti. I am no scholar/expert on TT issues but was still amazed at some of the ignorance/misinformation of some of the thinking and opinions that came out in the last few days. Won’t mention any names.
The whole region is in drought – we aren’t near wakefield although I have friends there. I hope the big one sorted soon but that wind – it is chaos in action. Other worries are copycat fires and just idiot ciggie butts or whatever – so dry, won’t take much.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202124
Nelson residents are being evacuated after a second fire broke out in Walters Bluff.
The fire is located in Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve… near top of Walters Bluff
Telecommunications provider Spark said a cell tower in Wakefield was in the direct path of the fire.
Flame retardant had been deployed at the tower, and the company was trying to bring in a back-up cell site.
Conflicting stories about how they started. I still have my landline with this sort of thing in mind. Video put up yesterday about how complexity disadvantages ‘advanced’ countries! Lots of aerial movement. I hope that everyone gets through this intact. There has been a car? crash on the coastal highway they say serious.
Thanks for that info Grey, if there was a crash on the coastal highway that will explain the siren.
But I think it was near Tui Glen which is on the way out of Nelson not in Motueka direction, unless you get the sound carrying across water. Not sure just where you are.
Apparently another blaze up before 6pm on city side along from Walters Bluff – winds expected to pick up so they are working hard to damp down.
Robert and WetheBleeple
Do you like this?
Love the universe, let’s travel together etc
Here is someone who built an island out of trash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnLhWpy_nqI
Air operations ceased after reports of a drone at the Walter’s Bluff incident, The Tasman-Marlborough Fire Area Facebook page reported.
“Please, if you know whom this is please ask them to stop,” the statement read.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202124
Please, if you know someone who insists on using the word “whom” but uses it wrongly, please ask them to stop.
Actually i think it may be you who are mixed up Psycho Milt, to it’s usage, but whatever the case, the meaning is clear so it is a perfectly valid phrase all the same where it matters.
There’s no need to use the word “whom” at all in modern English, so insisting on using it and then using it incorrectly is grating. As to its usage, that’s the annoying thing – its misuse is now so widespread that people will argue the toss with you when you point it out it’s for use with objects, not subjects.
Please don’t let us start on that pedant thing again – it nips my nickers.
Eco says its all about ballance ying yang everything needs to be ballanced .
We need to work with mother nature We need more Wahine in power to get the ballance back . 5 degrees is the difference in enviroment temperatures that give or takes away the polar ICE CAPS
{{{How social media is inspiring children to save the natural world }}}
It’s true that many young people stare at screens instead of being out in the wild – but others use technology to form a global community of conservationists
Six years ago, I wrote with a certain amount of sadness a rather gloomy report for the National Trust entitled Natural Childhood. It highlighted the barriers standing in the way of engaging young people with nature: primarily dangers from traffic, parental fears of “stranger danger”, and a growing aversion to exposing children to any form of risk. I concluded that we faced the very real danger of a “lost generation”, who might never engage with the natural world.
Young people were, and still are, we’re told, disconnected from nature, staring at screens when they should be out in the wild. {{{But what I hadn’t predicted back then is that it is these screens that are now enabling our children to join forces to save the natural world. The rise of new technology – especially social media – has allowed a new generation to connect with those who share their interests in a way that I never could have believed possible}}} when I wrote Natural Childhood. As one young ornithologist recently told me: “I thought I was the only birder at my school, but on Facebook I found half a dozen others in my local area.”
Another budding young naturalist, Abbie Barnes (who climbed Kilimanjaro in the same week she got her A-level results), introduced me to a young man working for conservation in Kenya. When I asked how long they had known each other, Abbie laughed, saying: “We’ve never actually met before, but we’ve connected on social media for the past couple of years.”
{{{{{{When I look at this generation, and see their commitment, passion, hard work and inspirational actions, I’m inclined to think that they might just succeed. Eco say we will succeed}}}}}}}
Stephen Moss is a naturalist and author, based in Somerset. His latest book is The Wren: A Biography (Square Peg). He is involved with AFoN as a mentor
Ka kite ano links below.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/25/social-media-inspiring-children-to-save-natural-world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFscJ9neIss
Thanks for your great comments lately ecomaori. I am reading through them slowly – very packed info. The odd paragraph to break them up would be helpful.
Easier to read and understand your points then.
Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOFvJVroAJE
Some Eco Maori Music for the minute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAlCDaaJ9YA
Kia ora Newshub most of the World glaciers are losing Ice faster than scientist predicted.
Its cool that LGBT Community still has alot of Tau toko support after all the fuss made by some people Ka pai.
Condolences to Albert Finneys whanau I have watched a few of the movies he acted in.
Its not looking good for the people and there stock in an around Townsville Queensland Australia.
There are to many Actors playing games with Venezuela all for there oil they are causing Alot of harm to the tamariki children and the people all for greedy billionaire. Ka kite ano YEA RIGHT can’t touch this