I thought I would be cheeky and group-source some ideas for a trip round West Coast/ Malborough. Must visit towns, places etc. Neither of us are enthusiastic walkers. An hour each way at the most (he said a little shamefully).
We are headed to the Wild Foods Festival In Hokitika then go have a look at Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Then we have a week or so to meander to Nelson. (I want to check out a few cideries and find any craft beer breweries).
not exactly what you are asking, but on the Coast slow down and spend more time in fewer places. If you find the really cool place to stay, then stay an extra night rather than trying to pack it all in. I've lived and worked in remote tourism places and it's the people that are moving more slowly and really getting a place that makes the connections special.
Too true weka. I have made that boo-boo once or twice before, cramming a lot into a small amount of time and you just feel like yr constantly leaving and driving.
From the suggestions that follow below, we are going to miss a few things. Good excuse to return though.
The Greymouth to Westport road is well worth an hour of your time, for the stunning coastal views and scenery alone, not to mention the drive itself. Stop at the pancake rocks at Punakaiki, about halfway between the two, for a 20 minute easy walk to the blowhole and back.
The seal colony in Tauranga bay can be got at from two directions. The cape foulwind lighthouse end trek is the longest and more difficult of the two, so look at doing the shorter easier walk.
If you do travel down/up the West coast I would recommend filling the car before you leave Westport/Greymouth & to check where the petrol stations are. As there are none from memory out of Westport and the first is just north of Greymouth.
Also the local galleries at Hokitika and Greymouth are worth spending time viewing local artists works and perhaps helping them out by purchasing 1 or 2.
We've enjoyed a few trips around The South in our Bus…and your " Neither of us are enthusiastic walkers. An hour each way at the most (he said a little shamefully)." caught my attention.
Had my man not broken his neck some fifty years ago he would have been an enthusiastic walker. In order to give him a wee taste of what others take for granted we have taken the Bus into the hinterlands and dragged the wheelchair as far as my strength will allow.
Standouts include "doing" both ends of the Heaphy Track. A river stopped us from the Kohaihai end…and sandflies just about airlifted us back to the Bus. You might as well check out the Oparara Arches on the way. The drive through the valley, (and a visit to the famous Bainham Store) and a drive across the very dodgy looking bridge knocked off the other end. And while you're in the vicinity a visit to Farewell Spit, Port Puponga and a diversion down the west coast through the Little Whanganui Harbour and on down to Paterau would be on our 'must do' list.
Walking the entire length of the Mole at Aramoana (after literally squeezing the wheelchair through the narrow gate) was fun…but seal shit does pong a bit and gets stuck in the tyre treads. Back in the day they built a wharf and railtrack to load ballast from the quarry a little way back towards Port Chalmers.
If you're taking a car, rather than a camper vehicle, do buy/beg/borrow a little tent and some very basic camping gear. DOC camps are all over the place, and though basic have what you need for a civilised overnight stay. Biggest mistake is rushing….as Weka says…slow down.
Good ideas above. For Marlborough, big selection of craft beers at Dodson's in Blenheim including the Renaissance Brewery beers next door; also enjoy his German style food
Visit the Omaka Aviation Museum for a great display of war planes. Take a ride on a steam train and visit the Marlborough Museum and displays at the Brayshaw Heritage Park.
The Sounds- worth a day from Havelock on the mail boat.
Walk for an hour round the Grovetown lagoon and count the swans and see other aquatic birds there or at the Wairau lagoon where you can also see forty kilometres of Māori dug canals and be on/near the site of Aotearoa's first Polynesian settlement.
Stop and see the Pou Whenua at the new bridge at the northern entrance to Blenheim and read the history of the area which is truer and more accurate than, shall we say, Michael Bassett's version of pre- and early European times.
Take a train trip to Kaikoura. Some of the best scenery in the world where mountains and sea are in close proximity- see whales and seal colonies. Craft beer brewery in Kaikoura.
Travel to Kaikoura from the West Coast via the Lewis pass, Hanmer with its hot springs and then via the Inland road to Kaikoura, then north to Blenheim. Nelson is then only 100 km away and return from there to Blenheim and Picton via Tophouse and the trip down the Wairau Valley.
Been here fifty years, and there's still stuff to see and do…..
Obviously, its retail and hospitality that will have the greatest impact in terms of unemployment. But still, I cant help but think we are going backwards in the evolution of equality for women.
Not only are they still earning less, they are also first to be "let go" as there is still the dinosaur belief that men are the bread winners.
So far I haven't seen anyone of the younger generation standing up to be counted on that issue. It was in times past the achievement of "boomers" and their mothers to make progress and it took decades to make inroads only to see this now eroded in a very fast pace.
when we stand up to say something about this 'inbalance' we are shut down with 'identity politics'.
We don't even mention that women have a higher unemployment rate, nor that on average we earn less, and in the current rejoicing about wages going up, we don't mention the fact that we have lost so many jobs on the bottom that the average goes up while nothing has actually changed, other then a lot of people – err women – have lost their low paid, part time, casual, temporary min wage jobs.
so as long as we can shut down discussions about parts of the population with calls of 'identity politics' it will not change.
Dude, So i guess you too don't want to talk about the fact that female unemployment is 1% higher then the national average (and that was 3 month ago at the seasonal peak of employment) and no one cares to comment on that fact. Nor the fact that women earn less while they work, and those that lost jobs may not even get any benefit at all cause they have a partner or family to pick up the slack, leaving said women totally at the mercy – yes mercy – of whom ever houses, feeds and clothes them and maybe even provides her with petty cash. And those women that are lucky to get a benefit need to bend themselves into a 12 pleat yeast bread in order to get them. And the fact that earning less will take care of us being poorer in old age, less likely to afford a mortgage, get decent health care and and and.
At the end of the day, let me put it plainly, it sucks.
If we only would! It sometimes feels like the 50's never stopped. The real bastard in all that is that, in todays climate you need 2 earners to live somewhat secure as a family and we wont even talk about singe women and the elderly who most likely have worked more than their fair share but have to continue because it would be bread and water under the bridge otherwise.
It will be the male population that will bring about the hunger games for the women and children with their demands being first to be met. Reality will soon enough bite.
Definitely been some improvements since the 50's – DPB means you can more easily leave violent and abusive relationships (though the imposition of state requirements by national and left in by labour has just transferred some of the abuse from the husband to the public/state), benefits got split in half so it didn't all go to the husband and it is no longer legal to rape or beat your wife.
But yeah lots of things that went forward have slipped backwards in recent years.
if i am not mistaken the Domestic Purpose Benefit was removed and now there is the Sole Parent benefit. And it is nothing more then a starvation / begging benefit.
if we want to know why women don't leave, the answer next to fear and no where to go is money. They generally have non, and before they get any of that sweet government largesse they really need to be in the deepest whole to be found.
lol Hosking will be pissed – clearly the government has decided they don't need the ZB audience for successful comms, and a slap in the face for ZB management who clearly haven’t managed Hosking well enough.
More generally, an interesting move – perhaps a harbinger that social media is regarded as more useful?
I think its a silly move. The only way to counter Hosking and his one sided commentary is to get on his show and give it to him. Like Jacinda generally did.
Now he gets to preach with no one from the 9th floor countering his bullshit.
Hosking has the biggest commercial breakfast audience in the country. The Prime Minister needs to be talking directly to that audience.
Except that she will be fronting his show as special issues or developments arise. It simply won't be a regular spot anymore and I think we'll find its going to be more or the less the same across all the broadcasting outlets.
Sounds sensible to me because she's got more important things to do in these days of uncertainty.
I shall give you a double thumbs up for your sentiments there Anne.
Hosking is a wasted space anyway. Since stating she will not appear on his show regularly now, Hosking has gone on a rant, accusing the PM of not wanting to be held to account. Pathetic and petulant on his part.
RNZ has by far the biggest morning audience. Hosking over-stepped the mark on numerous occasions last year with bullying and patronising questioning that amounted to misogyny.
I would guess that Prime Minsters department has raised the issue of his unacceptable behaviour with his employers and either they can't control Hosking (likely) or they couldn't come to an agreement on how these interviews were proceed in a civilised manner.
Either way, this decision would be driven by Hosking's behaviour rather than the PM's robustness to debate him.
breakfast radio very much like breakfast tv. most of the audience are only catching snippets as they do there morning routines. therefore to keep audience attention(for the advertisers,the really important part of the equation) the talking heads have to resort to shock jock tactics. while newdorkzb might be the biggest comical radio show, that is still a small percentage of the team of five million. no doubt, the p.m. department has done the sums, and pandering to sad old white whingers isnt a biggie. codgers like hoskings are on a downward spiral from nightly prime time tv to breakfast audio wallpaper to? midnight to dawn with mike lol.even granny seems to have given him the push. advertisers dont want to be associated with sour grippers, dont hear much talk of disintering banks, plunket etc.
The Prime Minister needs to be talking directly to that audience.
Hooray, the PM has realised that there's little point dignifying Hosking's "partisan hackery" with a response. An excellent decision, imho, and the shock jock's reaction confirms this – why have anything to do with such an oily tick, and a lightweight pimple-brain to boot.
The PM fronts press conferences and answers tough questions in the House, as no doubt she will tomorrow at 2 pm.
Judith Collins disparaged the PM today in a tweet- "all those tough questions". Judith Collins knows how to ask tough questions in the House, after all. "Does the PM stand by all her statements….?"
Oh, it's bias from the Speaker now being alleged, plus a good dose of mysogyny?
Questions in the House, general debates, written questions, press interviews, post Cabinet briefings, being out and about in the street and meeting constituents and the public, facebook discussions, public meetings with the local Chambers of Commerce.
Oh yeah, she's hiding alright. That meme has as much credibilty as media criticism causes earthquakes. Pffft, indeed.
no, wasting time and effort on a monday morning, only helps legitimize hoskings as someone important. much better to ignore him and talk directly to us.
I also wonder what effect this regular spot had on his behaviour. If it gave him a weekly reminder to tone it down and pretend to be a serious interviewer, left largely to his own devices I wonder if he go all John Banks and accidentally end his own career anytime soon.
That is the problem "Talk directly to us" So who determines the topics and who challenges the PM/govt as to what their actions are ? Or are you happy for the govt to control any and all messaging ? e.g. Sunday last night on the state of the fish stocks within the Hauraki Gulf – Minister declined opportunity to speak.
We are allowing our leaders IMO to hide and let the problems go away. Another example was our Fin Min pass on the housing problem to the reserve bank. Min Roberston you have been in this position for 3.5 years and had 9 years in opposition to formulate responses, and we belatedly get this !!!!
To many out there on the left – Just be wary what we accept today one day will pass to National.
dont think that any morning radio host has uncovered anything and made it stick . they might have ruffled a couple of feathers, but mostly its a wasted five minutes. to actually do anything worthwhile the interview needs to be 20 minutes plus, like morning report etc. hoskings morning phonecall is a soundbite, worth more to the shows advertisers than the gov(any gov).
I am sure about a year ago the owners of businesses benefited from Mike Hoskins insistence that council and govt agencies were feeding the PM and others fause info about the road works on Hobson street and that there was no remediation awarded to those business inconvienced by the continual works that limited foot traffic. From memory it was found that what the PM was being told regrading all businesses be communicated was not the case. Just 1 case of where the small people benefited from these morning phone calls.
"But, when pressed again on the issue yesterday, Twyford was unable to provide much detail as to what that meant.He told Newstalk yesterday that his advice from CRL was that it had been talking to affected businesses about the issue.
When asked how many, he said a "handful" bit was not able to answer with any more specificity as he didn't know."
I think once Mike Hoskins brought this to the attention of our PM eventually the matter progresses after as few weeks of having the PM having this brought to her attention.
Just 1 case of where the small people benefited from these morning phone calls.
If there was just one case over the course of a year, then either the "small people" (?) need a better shock jock than Hosking, or the legends of 'Teflon Jacinda' are true.
Ardern quickly dispelled any establishment fears that she was about to storm the citadels of capitalist power. For Ardern, ‘transformation’ merely means tinkering with the policy settings of neoliberalism, not overturning it. While this might still upset hard right wingers like Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking, it has caused few ripples elsewhere.
Has Mike started whining about being 'cancelled' yet? As the holder of an extraordinarily powerful platform that is undeserved in the first place because it is not underpinned by any record of journalistic achievement, insight, investigation or even by mere rationality – it will he highly amusing if he does wheel out the "c" word.
The Prime Minister kept away from Sean Plunkett as well and he wheedled about it endlessly, delighting his wheedle audience but impressing those who voted for Labour and The Greens (if any were listening) not one whit! Peter Williams went full-wheedle when Grant Robertson said, "Sayonara" and probably won't stop until he too is retired from his position on Magic Radio (not a recommended listen).
It's the same old pattern of behaviour. The PM will have known/been advised that the gains from snubbing Hosking would be greater than any harm done. In my opinion.
I see Kate H has an opinion piece in the Herald which isn't paywalled, Headline "Why Jacinda and Meghan are the same" or some such nonsense. Didn't read as wouldn't want to give her a click.
Maybe Mike feels affronted that Meghan snubbed him and went with Oprah instead!!!s
How dare these women exercise some choice and control! Fancy snubbing Mike!
I was commenting last night as we watched the documentary regarding the health of the fishing stocks within the Auckland harbour and that how ministers do not front or make comment anymore. Not since Holmes and to a lesser extent Cambell did we have government ministers fronting, and the comment was passed that perhaps programmers should make time available to The Greens, Act and National to embarrass not fronting ministers to front and not hide (In the current govts case, the PM's cult of personality)
So who is to determine what "Instead, Ardern says she and and other ministers will now appear on the country's top-performing commercial radio show "as and when issues arise". covers or is warranted ?? FFS we really don't want to challenge any government to change do we 🤢
Will this government do anything to arrest the path that we are currently travelling down ??? We are left with such soft reporting as.
It's not the most pressing issue to face the world, but I love the way everyone is passing judgement on the Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey that nobody has yet seen.
Well let's face it – Harry and Megan's biggest sin is to expose the imperial fantasyland of pomp and pageantry inhabited by the UK ruling elites for the wizened fairyland of tat and tinsel it really is.
A small booklet was left in my letterbox called "National Sunday Law" and written by an American, A. Jan Marcussen. It's the most grotesque load of garbage I've ever seen. It revolves around a theory that “The Papacy” is really Satan and we are all going to die terrible deaths etc. etc. etc….
Its dangerous stuff and no doubt the kind of people who revel in such conspiracies are feeling enabled by recent developments in the US.
I'd be interested to know if the book is being spread elsewhere in NZ.
That's interesting Janice. I live in Auckland. Looks like it is being distributed widely. There are many gullible people out in the community and we have seen how much trouble and confusion they can cause. Indeed the ChCh massacre is a prime example of what can happen when stuff like that is allowed to spread far and wide.
I know it would be fraught with problems, but I think broader based legislation preventing the distribution of such damaging hate material – be it religious or whatever – is overdue.
Let me just stop you there Anne, but who are you claiming should not be able to distribute such material. Especially as most did not receieve it as a pamphlet from the Tamaki's (or their Church) but read it on RNZ. Should we prevent RNZ from writing about this incident?
Silencing/banning/deplatforming simply won't work. These tactics merely cast an aura of mystique … encouraging folk to actually go looking for such material. Oh the thrill!
(And I'm not entirely sure it is entirely PC these days to refer to folk as "raving lunatics". Akin to using 'retard' methinks.)
I got it in Wellington; I read enough to see that there was no obvious NZ organisation inviting people to enquire . . . then straight to recycling collection.
Yes Nickthenz there is a difference between Tvnz and RNZ and their worth to thinking people. Vive la difference. Long may it continue but beware says Tom Frewen about the dullards in politics who don't know the value of anything the country has but only what their salary and perks can buy.
On the state we are in with Radionz – Tom has written 1-5 series about this. Here is #5 which will lead you to others.
Got one in Queenstown RD too, which would have helped the RD contractor’s cashflow. So can presume most letterboxes in the country got one delivered (if the postie was conscientious) as well.
The world is probably pretty safe though, I found it the almost completely unreadable, so I doubt many would take much notice. Granted reading time waa less than time taken to walk directly to the recycling bin with the rest of the junk mail delivered that day.
Unbelievable. Brian Tamaki says the cause of the earthquakes and tsunami warnings was criticism of his fleeing Auckland.
Equally valid would be the assertion that the Bishop caused the earthquakes etc by fleeing Auckland……..
As for Marcussen's polemic, it arrived in Blenheim, too. It says that 36 million copies have been printed. That's big money.
Amused by the assertion of this Seventh Day Adventist minister that "Vicarius Filii Dei" adds up to 666, and that therefore the sign of the Beast applies to the Pope, I read that the name of the founder of his church, one Ellen Gould White, also adds up to 666.
That's as far as I want to go down that rabbit hole.
Tamaki's promoted himself to "Apostle", now? And seems to be claiming apostolic infallibility? It took hundreds of years for Catholicism to get to that level.
He'll be god by 2030, cult mass suicide a few years after that.
Frank Macskasy has put together a damn good, and rather convincing, citizen journalist style piece. He sent an OIA to the Ministry of Health and constructs his article around their reply and many other sources. Did you know about the Heartland Hotel Air NZ used in proximity to the airport, and certain cool stores linked to other COVID cases?
Yes I read that. Appears to confirm that AirNZ would rather run lax covid protocols than increase the number of people employed at relatively small cost so that quarantine can be correctly observed. After all it's so much more important that the bottom line is good and those executive bonuses keep flowing when the costs of covid in the hundreds of millions fall on the rest of the community.
It's frankly unbelievably selfish and at this point the majority shareholder could perhaps look at sacking the board and all the executive management.
NZ Taxpayers have contributed many millions over the years to the airline, including a $900 mill COVID loan, and Govt. still have 52% ownership–hopefully that means they should understand if they are read a “safety card” involving MIQs.
Maybe what would be good is to request all possible AirNZ executives to give thought to assisting the country by giving to the blood bank which is often in need. They are well paid and should be healthy and well fed and this is a thing that money can't buy, but goodwill provides. Put something back where the people need it I think. It would be a good look if the execs could give an example of caring to our needy nation.
Looks like the Americans proxy rabid dog israel is getting set to start WW3 with their anti Iranian threats about Irans non existant nukes. This is pure hypocrisy by a loose cannon nuclear weapon State.
Heart sinks once again about our poor standards of dealing with polluting waste. Our disdainful attitudes to the quality of management of our resources are irresponsible beyond understanding.
[Auckland University biotechnology researcher, Dr Emily] Frost, who studies plastic pollution, has herself picked up the clips from beaches in Wellington and the Firth of Thames.
Most cow stomachs are rendered to make fertiliser or animal feed. Because a small amount of plastic contamination is allowed in these byproducts, some of the clips get ground up with the offal in the rendering process, Frost says. The rest should be caught in freezing works' effluent traps. "But some are obviously getting through," she says.
A champion NZr for the environment! Perhaps every traveller can do a bit of picking up and have a bag ready for it like carrying a doggy bag?
Since early 2019, [Des] Watson’s been circumnavigating the country’s coastline, picking up rubbish to highlight the level of plastic pollution in our seas.
After collecting a small haul of oesophagus clips from Hawke’s Bay beaches last month, he rang the regional council’s pollution hotline. When he didn’t get any satisfactory answers, he rang the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
“MPI said they would investigate,” he says.
MPI did, but decided it’s a matter for regional councils to deal with.
A good snappy slogan for that answer from MPI – Bulldust and buck passing!
Your book in your own words: The Hollow Bones is based on the bizarre, true story of Ernst Schäfer, a little-known zoologist and explorer, who was chosen by Heinrich Himmler to lead an expedition of young German scientists into Tibet in 1938. Although their official aim was to explore the local flora and fauna, charting hitherto unmapped terrain, the secret reason behind their SS-funded mission was to find the true origins of the Nordic Aryan race, in a bid to claim more territory for the Reich.
The story brings together the perils of pseudoscience, cultural fascism, humankind’s relationship with nature and our obsession with the categorisation of all sentient beings. It explores the small missteps taken that lead to a slippery slope of perilous moral decline. At the heart of the book is the romance between Schäfer and his loyal childhood sweetheart, Herta, who becomes dangerously entangled in her lover’s obsession with furthering his own career. She is the true voice of compassion and beauty, a constant and uncomfortable reminder to Schäfer of the Faustian bargain he has struck.
What were you reading when you wrote it? I read widely while researching the novel. I was particularly taken by Anthony Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See and the way it examines the internal terrain of human beings caught up in the vagaries of war, exploring the moral choices they make.
She was cancelled, by an absolute majority, despite fronting the public with Ardern who answered her 'tough questions'. That same majority had access to Hosking's 'reckons', Hannah Tamaki's nuttiness, J-L Ross's stupidity, and Billy Te Kahika's sermons from a rabbit hole.
National's Judith Collins needs to be careful that the wind doesn't change and set her face permanently in a sour, aggrieved appearance. That old parents response to grizzly children actually applies to the whole Gnashional Party.
Now Judith is suggesting a report on the performance under the Covid19. Why? Anything that hasn't gone right should be tabled for discussion, but we don't want paralysis by analysis. This is a changing forward-moving situation, and unfortunately National is in reverse. Pity that their gears are stuck so they can't show relevance in these demanding times. And ACT their mouthpiece, flaps all the time yet isn't as useful as an airsock – don't take notice of it when landing on any policy!
Anyone see what Collins' eyebrows were doing when she said that?
“I think what you’re seeing is the absolute arrogance of this Government,” Collins told Magic Talk on Monday, echoing Hosking who said the Prime Minister was “running for the hills“.
I have as much respect for ‘shock jock Hosking‘ and Judith ‘Eyebrows‘ Collins has they have shown for PM Ardern. C’mon Hosking, you brought this on yourself – man up.
Yeah, nah. Collins is not cancelled. I see her face and reckons almost as much as I see Meghan Markle’s and she, at least, has a story to sell tell, I’ve been told (by the media). However, I’ve stopped almost completely paying any attention to National MPs and their Leader. Polemics with a parsnip are more entertaining and informative. Is National not overdue for another dead cat bounce on the table? Oh, the report is due tomorrow. Let’s leak it!
'Research firm Venture Insights points out that in south-east Australia’s 2019-20 bushfires, about 88% of the telecommunications outages were caused by loss of power outages and only 1% were due to direct fire damage, which implies that better power backups could significantly reduce outages.1'
After more than 1000 mobile towers and other facilities were disabled as a result of bushfires last summer, the Commonwealth Government announced a $37.1m funding package to strengthen telco resilience, including $10m for the Mobile Blackspot Program and battery backup solutions.
Repairs to damaged power lines can take time, especially if many poles must be replaced. So, battery backup solutions are important for maintaining communications in times of disaster.
The key to a successful backup battery solution is an Uninterruptible Power supply (UPS), which is an on-demand, instant switch battery back-up.
New Zealand trailer boat builders are experiencing their best times ever, but it does come at a cost for consumers. Order a boat today from a dealer, and you are probably going to be waiting 12 months or, in some cases, 18 months more before you get it.
We are all aware that boat sales, like cars, houses, and swimming pools, have gone ballistic, and when you walk into a boatyard these days, it's hard to find a new boat on display. Plus, if it is, then it's almost guaranteed that it is already sold and await fitout. I talked to several manufacturers last week about their current build situation, and almost everyone had the same answer…maxed out till next year.
Engine, electronics, and marine equipment suppliers are also reporting delays in obtaining stock, which certainly impacts the boat builders. Air freighting parts to enable a boat to be finished adds cost, and somewhere along the chain, that has to be added into the charges.
I read somewhere that it was estimated that somewhere around $NZ18 billion had stayed in the country due to Covid-19 and closed borders. I am not sure that was correct, but I know how much I have not spent on overseas trips. I can't say saved, as my wife did find ways of spending it, such as a new bed, bathroom and travels around the country."
Oh my God, if you want an example of a bitter piece of writing from a bewildered boomer reduced to waving his fist at clouds as he struggles with being sidelined for the first time in his life then I can give you Barry Soper…
Agree. I find it ironic that the iconic commentator Soper commits an obvious English error in the very paragraph where he snidely snipes at her degree in communications.
"Having worked with the past 10 prime ministers, Jacinda Ardern would be the most removed from the media than any of them." No, Barry Soper – Jacinda Ardern has not worked with the past ten PMs.
Soper was trying to say that he himself had done so, but incompetently ignored the rule that following a participial clause should be the subject of that clause. He should have written, "Having worked with the past 10 prime ministers, I would place JA as…"
Poor quality language as well as biased analysis.
A similar error –
“As a Leftie, Soper is wrong”
“As a Leftie. I think Soper is wrong.”
Soper is not a Leftie, so the first example is very poor use of language, like Soper’s.
The second example is correct.
soper hasnt "worked with the last ten P.M.s'" running around, after a poli, and interviewing your keyboard isnt working with a P.M. Im sure if you asked those ten P.M.s about their working relationship with soper, they would all say, :who?: way to talk yourself up. must be contract renewal time.
Since we're being critical of one whose career is writing, how's this paragraph of Soper's for making one sentence out of two?
"She's commanded the Covid pulpit to such an extent that the virus has become her security blanket, without it she'd be forced to face the reality that her Government has been moribund."
Two main clauses joined by a comma. Tsk tsk.
What of course is worse is the claim that this government would be moribund without Covid-19.
What a stupid statement. This government would be far down the track of social reform without having had to deal with a disease that has killed half a million Americans.
To what country in the world can Soper point that has managed to keep its citizens safe, its economy running and carry out meaningful social reform.
For God's sake, keeping the pandemic controlled and lives saved is a huge social achievement.
What does the US Preamble say? "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
And the first is? Life.
How do 500,000 Americans enjoy liberty and the pursuit of happiness in their Covid graves, without life?
Soper says 'moribund' . The word comes from the Latin for death and means dying or expiring, at the point of death.
Soper is hyper-exaggerating, and has joined others of the media fraternity, journalists, political commentators and party spin merchants in a new attack orchestrated by last year's defeated pundits upon the PM.
Surprise, surprise. It has to happen, but let's recognise it when it occurs.
"She's commanded the Covid pulpit to such an extent that the virus has become her security blanket, without it she'd be forced to face the reality that her Government has been moribund."
Ahhh… but dunnit sound awful good. Real clever hyperbole – Covid pulpit, securityblanket, moribund. So impressive. 🙄
Btw, he hasn't joined other of the media fraternity… he was one of the founders some 25 -30 years ago.
I missed the egregious run-on sentence because I was so outrageously aggrieved by the misrelated participial clause.
I think what he meant to write was: ",without which' instead of what he did write.
Can't even proof-read his own rubbish before he sends it in, and, obviously, the Herald can no longer afford to hire good proof-readers. (Unless the humble proof-readers dare not question the linguistic excellence of the most elevated Barry Soper..)
Yes, obviously, the hyper-exaggerated emotive terms are what counts for approval, and good language no longer counts.
Soper seems pissed off that Ardern hasn't established some sort of 'old boys club' way of working, cosying up to the likes of him, "Jacinda Ardern would be the most removed from the media than any of them. (The 10 previous Prime Ministers.)
"All of her predecessors got to know the parliamentary media by inviting them to their ninth floor Beehive office, at least a couple of times a year. It puts a human face on the public performer."
How unsettling, things are being done differently.
The boys, Hosking and Soper are throwing little NZME tanties.
'The Prime Minister's press conferences usually begin with a sermon – it took eight minutes for her to get to the fact that she was moving the country down an alert level last Friday. When it comes to Question Time in Parliament her forearm stiffens and her hand flicks to those she'll take a question from. Some of us are left barking from the sidelines."
It must be terrible to be his age and be pissed off because you're not teacher's pet. At least he got part of it petulant.
Given that a lot of the MSM used to feel like the Nat party PR machine – I can understand why the "best buddies " schtick isn't quite where Labour is at. So why does that surprise our Barry?
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
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 ...
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I thought I would be cheeky and group-source some ideas for a trip round West Coast/ Malborough. Must visit towns, places etc. Neither of us are enthusiastic walkers. An hour each way at the most (he said a little shamefully).
We are headed to the Wild Foods Festival In Hokitika then go have a look at Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Then we have a week or so to meander to Nelson. (I want to check out a few cideries and find any craft beer breweries).
Thanks, in advance for any input.
not exactly what you are asking, but on the Coast slow down and spend more time in fewer places. If you find the really cool place to stay, then stay an extra night rather than trying to pack it all in. I've lived and worked in remote tourism places and it's the people that are moving more slowly and really getting a place that makes the connections special.
+1
Too true weka. I have made that boo-boo once or twice before, cramming a lot into a small amount of time and you just feel like yr constantly leaving and driving.
From the suggestions that follow below, we are going to miss a few things. Good excuse to return though.
The Greymouth to Westport road is well worth an hour of your time, for the stunning coastal views and scenery alone, not to mention the drive itself. Stop at the pancake rocks at Punakaiki, about halfway between the two, for a 20 minute easy walk to the blowhole and back.
Pancake rocks
The Great Coast Road
The seal colony in Tauranga bay can be got at from two directions. The cape foulwind lighthouse end trek is the longest and more difficult of the two, so look at doing the shorter easier walk.
Cape Foulwind seal colony
Could try:
https://www.aa.co.nz/travel/must-dos-this-summer/cross-the-buller-river-on-new-zealands-longest-swing-bridge/
About Cometline and Supaman Ride https://bullergorge.co.nz/
https://blackballhilton.co.nz/
Hokitika – https://treetopsnz.com/
Blenheim – Omaka Aerodrome Planes https://www.omaka.org.nz/
Hanmer Springs has lovely walks and horse riding too I think
The swingbridge and supaman look thrilling but not too much for me.
A Jamboree or two ago, at Blenheim I got to go to Omaka. It was great, highly recommended.
Second the Blackball Hilton and when you are in Blackball don't forget to try some Blackball salami
https://www.blackballsalami.co.nz/contact.php
Forgot to mention the West Coast Brewery in Westport.
They do tours (link on the website) but I believe it's by advance booking rather than walk ins.
Not boutique but Monteith’s are in Greymouth and do tours
https://www.thebrewery.co.nz
And Reefton Distilling are in, guess? Reefton
https://www.reeftondistillingco.com
Punakaiki is on our list as is Cape Foulwind. The West Coast Brewery is a new addition to the itinerary.
Thanks Al1en.
This place used to be a great cafe across the bay from the seal colony – looks like you can stay there now: https://www.bayhouse.co.nz/
Pancake rocks are worth a visit, specially now with lower visitor numbers.
I prefer the Pororari River Track just north of it though.
If you do travel down/up the West coast I would recommend filling the car before you leave Westport/Greymouth & to check where the petrol stations are. As there are none from memory out of Westport and the first is just north of Greymouth.
Also the local galleries at Hokitika and Greymouth are worth spending time viewing local artists works and perhaps helping them out by purchasing 1 or 2.
You will be amazed at how much land is being converted to hops around Tapawera and now starting in Murchison.
Townshend Brewery and taproom located in grounds of Toad Hall cafe in Motueka. Best beer outside the UK imo. Cafe is pretty good too.
Hop Federation brewery and tasting room just outside Motueka at Riwaka.
Free House Nelson – awesome beers on tap in an old church.
Eddyline Brewery and Pizzeria between Richmond and Nelson.
We always go to Eddyline for a beer and pizza after a walk / run. Recommended.
The hop harvest has come up once or twice. I'm keen to check the hops out.
We are familiar with The Free House from previous cider festivals.
Thanks for the heads-up of Hop Federation and Eddyline.
We've enjoyed a few trips around The South in our Bus…and your " Neither of us are enthusiastic walkers. An hour each way at the most (he said a little shamefully)." caught my attention.
Had my man not broken his neck some fifty years ago he would have been an enthusiastic walker. In order to give him a wee taste of what others take for granted we have taken the Bus into the hinterlands and dragged the wheelchair as far as my strength will allow.
Standouts include "doing" both ends of the Heaphy Track. A river stopped us from the Kohaihai end…and sandflies just about airlifted us back to the Bus. You might as well check out the Oparara Arches on the way. The drive through the valley, (and a visit to the famous Bainham Store) and a drive across the very dodgy looking bridge knocked off the other end. And while you're in the vicinity a visit to Farewell Spit, Port Puponga and a diversion down the west coast through the Little Whanganui Harbour and on down to Paterau would be on our 'must do' list.
Walking the entire length of the Mole at Aramoana (after literally squeezing the wheelchair through the narrow gate) was fun…but seal shit does pong a bit and gets stuck in the tyre treads. Back in the day they built a wharf and railtrack to load ballast from the quarry a little way back towards Port Chalmers.
If you're taking a car, rather than a camper vehicle, do buy/beg/borrow a little tent and some very basic camping gear. DOC camps are all over the place, and though basic have what you need for a civilised overnight stay. Biggest mistake is rushing….as Weka says…slow down.
Enjoy.
Good ideas above. For Marlborough, big selection of craft beers at Dodson's in Blenheim including the Renaissance Brewery beers next door; also enjoy his German style food
Visit the Omaka Aviation Museum for a great display of war planes. Take a ride on a steam train and visit the Marlborough Museum and displays at the Brayshaw Heritage Park.
The Sounds- worth a day from Havelock on the mail boat.
Walk for an hour round the Grovetown lagoon and count the swans and see other aquatic birds there or at the Wairau lagoon where you can also see forty kilometres of Māori dug canals and be on/near the site of Aotearoa's first Polynesian settlement.
Stop and see the Pou Whenua at the new bridge at the northern entrance to Blenheim and read the history of the area which is truer and more accurate than, shall we say, Michael Bassett's version of pre- and early European times.
Take a train trip to Kaikoura. Some of the best scenery in the world where mountains and sea are in close proximity- see whales and seal colonies. Craft beer brewery in Kaikoura.
Travel to Kaikoura from the West Coast via the Lewis pass, Hanmer with its hot springs and then via the Inland road to Kaikoura, then north to Blenheim. Nelson is then only 100 km away and return from there to Blenheim and Picton via Tophouse and the trip down the Wairau Valley.
Been here fifty years, and there's still stuff to see and do…..
Thanks Mac, Rosemary and Stuart, plenty to choose from.
Looks like more wage slavery for me as this trip has used up all my annual leave…
The Last Resort in Karamea is worth a visit.
Obviously, its retail and hospitality that will have the greatest impact in terms of unemployment. But still, I cant help but think we are going backwards in the evolution of equality for women.
Not only are they still earning less, they are also first to be "let go" as there is still the dinosaur belief that men are the bread winners.
So far I haven't seen anyone of the younger generation standing up to be counted on that issue. It was in times past the achievement of "boomers" and their mothers to make progress and it took decades to make inroads only to see this now eroded in a very fast pace.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/300244506/were-all-in-this-together-but-women-taking-the-burden
when we stand up to say something about this 'inbalance' we are shut down with 'identity politics'.
We don't even mention that women have a higher unemployment rate, nor that on average we earn less, and in the current rejoicing about wages going up, we don't mention the fact that we have lost so many jobs on the bottom that the average goes up while nothing has actually changed, other then a lot of people – err women – have lost their low paid, part time, casual, temporary min wage jobs.
so as long as we can shut down discussions about parts of the population with calls of 'identity politics' it will not change.
Wouldn't that be the same identity politics that shuts women down for wanting to be women and treated with equality?
Dude, So i guess you too don't want to talk about the fact that female unemployment is 1% higher then the national average (and that was 3 month ago at the seasonal peak of employment) and no one cares to comment on that fact. Nor the fact that women earn less while they work, and those that lost jobs may not even get any benefit at all cause they have a partner or family to pick up the slack, leaving said women totally at the mercy – yes mercy – of whom ever houses, feeds and clothes them and maybe even provides her with petty cash. And those women that are lucky to get a benefit need to bend themselves into a 12 pleat yeast bread in order to get them. And the fact that earning less will take care of us being poorer in old age, less likely to afford a mortgage, get decent health care and and and.
At the end of the day, let me put it plainly, it sucks.
If we only would! It sometimes feels like the 50's never stopped. The real bastard in all that is that, in todays climate you need 2 earners to live somewhat secure as a family and we wont even talk about singe women and the elderly who most likely have worked more than their fair share but have to continue because it would be bread and water under the bridge otherwise.
It will be the male population that will bring about the hunger games for the women and children with their demands being first to be met. Reality will soon enough bite.
Definitely been some improvements since the 50's – DPB means you can more easily leave violent and abusive relationships (though the imposition of state requirements by national and left in by labour has just transferred some of the abuse from the husband to the public/state), benefits got split in half so it didn't all go to the husband and it is no longer legal to rape or beat your wife.
But yeah lots of things that went forward have slipped backwards in recent years.
if i am not mistaken the Domestic Purpose Benefit was removed and now there is the Sole Parent benefit. And it is nothing more then a starvation / begging benefit.
see here https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/benefit-rates/benefit-rates-april-2020.html#null
if we want to know why women don't leave, the answer next to fear and no where to go is money. They generally have non, and before they get any of that sweet government largesse they really need to be in the deepest whole to be found.
have a feeling Mike will be stewing. Hell has no fury like a narcissist/rich man scorned
lol Hosking will be pissed – clearly the government has decided they don't need the ZB audience for successful comms, and a slap in the face for ZB management who clearly haven’t managed Hosking well enough.
More generally, an interesting move – perhaps a harbinger that social media is regarded as more useful?
I think its a silly move. The only way to counter Hosking and his one sided commentary is to get on his show and give it to him. Like Jacinda generally did.
Now he gets to preach with no one from the 9th floor countering his bullshit.
Hosking has the biggest commercial breakfast audience in the country. The Prime Minister needs to be talking directly to that audience.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/commercial-radio-ratings-newstalk-zb-and-zm-hit-highest-ever-audiences/2IX4YG6YO4L24HSC4UP2PAAKCQ/
Except that she will be fronting his show as special issues or developments arise. It simply won't be a regular spot anymore and I think we'll find its going to be more or the less the same across all the broadcasting outlets.
Sounds sensible to me because she's got more important things to do in these days of uncertainty.
I shall give you a double thumbs up for your sentiments there Anne.
Hosking is a wasted space anyway. Since stating she will not appear on his show regularly now, Hosking has gone on a rant, accusing the PM of not wanting to be held to account. Pathetic and petulant on his part.
Well done Jacinda. A poke in the eye for Hosking!
"she will be fronting his show".
Just how will that work do you think? Will she simply demand the time or will she have to plead with him to be allowed on?
Husk's producers will beg for it in order to keep up the pretense that he's a news personality rather than a shock jock.
It is a silly move.
I tuned in to that part of the show to hear the PM give her views in what was one of the very few unscripted regular appearances the PM gives.
DNFTT.
RNZ has by far the biggest morning audience. Hosking over-stepped the mark on numerous occasions last year with bullying and patronising questioning that amounted to misogyny.
I would guess that Prime Minsters department has raised the issue of his unacceptable behaviour with his employers and either they can't control Hosking (likely) or they couldn't come to an agreement on how these interviews were proceed in a civilised manner.
Either way, this decision would be driven by Hosking's behaviour rather than the PM's robustness to debate him.
Hosking has the biggest commercial breakfast audience in the country.
Christ, that's a sad and depressing statistic. There truly is no hope for us.
breakfast radio very much like breakfast tv. most of the audience are only catching snippets as they do there morning routines. therefore to keep audience attention(for the advertisers,the really important part of the equation) the talking heads have to resort to shock jock tactics. while newdorkzb might be the biggest comical radio show, that is still a small percentage of the team of five million. no doubt, the p.m. department has done the sums, and pandering to sad old white whingers isnt a biggie. codgers like hoskings are on a downward spiral from nightly prime time tv to breakfast audio wallpaper to? midnight to dawn with mike lol.even granny seems to have given him the push. advertisers dont want to be associated with sour grippers, dont hear much talk of disintering banks, plunket etc.
Hooray, the PM has realised that there's little point dignifying Hosking's "partisan hackery" with a response. An excellent decision, imho, and the shock jock's reaction confirms this – why have anything to do with such an oily tick, and a lightweight pimple-brain to boot.
The PM fronts press conferences and answers tough questions in the House, as no doubt she will tomorrow at 2 pm.
Judith Collins disparaged the PM today in a tweet- "all those tough questions". Judith Collins knows how to ask tough questions in the House, after all. "Does the PM stand by all her statements….?"
Don't forget, in the house she has Mallard to protect her.
pfft.
Nice excuse for the opposition's crap performance, I guess
Oh, it's bias from the Speaker now being alleged, plus a good dose of mysogyny?
Questions in the House, general debates, written questions, press interviews, post Cabinet briefings, being out and about in the street and meeting constituents and the public, facebook discussions, public meetings with the local Chambers of Commerce.
Oh yeah, she's hiding alright. That meme has as much credibilty as media criticism causes earthquakes. Pffft, indeed.
I have to say, Ardern does do a lot less overseas travelling than her predecessors. Why fly when you can Zoom?
I agree, I think it is silly of her to cancel. She needs to be better prepared and actually answer questions and 'give it to him' as you say.
no, wasting time and effort on a monday morning, only helps legitimize hoskings as someone important. much better to ignore him and talk directly to us.
I also wonder what effect this regular spot had on his behaviour. If it gave him a weekly reminder to tone it down and pretend to be a serious interviewer, left largely to his own devices I wonder if he go all John Banks and accidentally end his own career anytime soon.
That is the problem "Talk directly to us" So who determines the topics and who challenges the PM/govt as to what their actions are ? Or are you happy for the govt to control any and all messaging ? e.g. Sunday last night on the state of the fish stocks within the Hauraki Gulf – Minister declined opportunity to speak.
We are allowing our leaders IMO to hide and let the problems go away. Another example was our Fin Min pass on the housing problem to the reserve bank. Min Roberston you have been in this position for 3.5 years and had 9 years in opposition to formulate responses, and we belatedly get this !!!!
To many out there on the left – Just be wary what we accept today one day will pass to National.
dont think that any morning radio host has uncovered anything and made it stick . they might have ruffled a couple of feathers, but mostly its a wasted five minutes. to actually do anything worthwhile the interview needs to be 20 minutes plus, like morning report etc. hoskings morning phonecall is a soundbite, worth more to the shows advertisers than the gov(any gov).
I am sure about a year ago the owners of businesses benefited from Mike Hoskins insistence that council and govt agencies were feeding the PM and others fause info about the road works on Hobson street and that there was no remediation awarded to those business inconvienced by the continual works that limited foot traffic. From memory it was found that what the PM was being told regrading all businesses be communicated was not the case. Just 1 case of where the small people benefited from these morning phone calls.
"But, when pressed again on the issue yesterday, Twyford was unable to provide much detail as to what that meant.He told Newstalk yesterday that his advice from CRL was that it had been talking to affected businesses about the issue.
When asked how many, he said a "handful" bit was not able to answer with any more specificity as he didn't know."
I think once Mike Hoskins brought this to the attention of our PM eventually the matter progresses after as few weeks of having the PM having this brought to her attention.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/delayed-city-rail-link-taking-enormous-toll-on-businesses-impacted-by-its-construction/F5H27YDGNZW7AXFDRW7TZ4X56I/
If there was just one case over the course of a year, then either the "small people" (?) need a better shock jock than Hosking, or the legends of 'Teflon Jacinda' are true.
It's not like Ardern has just invented the concept of not continuing previously-frequent interview slots.
John Key with Morning Report, and Helen Clark with John Campbell post-corngate come to mind.
Has Mike started whining about being 'cancelled' yet? As the holder of an extraordinarily powerful platform that is undeserved in the first place because it is not underpinned by any record of journalistic achievement, insight, investigation or even by mere rationality – it will he highly amusing if he does wheel out the "c" word.
The Prime Minister kept away from Sean Plunkett as well and he wheedled about it endlessly, delighting his wheedle audience but impressing those who voted for Labour and The Greens (if any were listening) not one whit! Peter Williams went full-wheedle when Grant Robertson said, "Sayonara" and probably won't stop until he too is retired from his position on Magic Radio (not a recommended listen).
It's the same old pattern of behaviour. The PM will have known/been advised that the gains from snubbing Hosking would be greater than any harm done. In my opinion.
I see Kate H has an opinion piece in the Herald which isn't paywalled, Headline "Why Jacinda and Meghan are the same" or some such nonsense. Didn't read as wouldn't want to give her a click.
Maybe Mike feels affronted that Meghan snubbed him and went with Oprah instead!!!s
How dare these women exercise some choice and control! Fancy snubbing Mike!
Oh dear, what a shame, never mind!
I was commenting last night as we watched the documentary regarding the health of the fishing stocks within the Auckland harbour and that how ministers do not front or make comment anymore. Not since Holmes and to a lesser extent Cambell did we have government ministers fronting, and the comment was passed that perhaps programmers should make time available to The Greens, Act and National to embarrass not fronting ministers to front and not hide (In the current govts case, the PM's cult of personality)
So who is to determine what "Instead, Ardern says she and and other ministers will now appear on the country's top-performing commercial radio show "as and when issues arise". covers or is warranted ?? FFS we really don't want to challenge any government to change do we 🤢
Will this government do anything to arrest the path that we are currently travelling down ??? We are left with such soft reporting as.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/irish-schoolgirls-letter-from-new-zealand-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern/5I7OFM6BXTXI2DUSO7DFXAUEH4/
It's not the most pressing issue to face the world, but I love the way everyone is passing judgement on the Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey that nobody has yet seen.
No one has even seen….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_j35t3GCsk&ab_channel=JoshPieters%26ArchieManners
Lols.
Personally looking forward to the US west coast MSM steamrolling the British MSM – with the US backing its adopted own to the hilt.
This is going to be Independence Day redux.
Well let's face it – Harry and Megan's biggest sin is to expose the imperial fantasyland of pomp and pageantry inhabited by the UK ruling elites for the wizened fairyland of tat and tinsel it really is.
Picked up on this:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/brian-tamaki-suggests-criticism-his-lockdown-flee-caused-earthquakes-tsunami-warnings
And talking of raving lunatics:
A small booklet was left in my letterbox called "National Sunday Law" and written by an American, A. Jan Marcussen. It's the most grotesque load of garbage I've ever seen. It revolves around a theory that “The Papacy” is really Satan and we are all going to die terrible deaths etc. etc. etc….
Its dangerous stuff and no doubt the kind of people who revel in such conspiracies are feeling enabled by recent developments in the US.
I'd be interested to know if the book is being spread elsewhere in NZ.
I got one in Waiuku. It went straight in the recycling as I realised that there must be conservative religious money behind it.
That's interesting Janice. I live in Auckland. Looks like it is being distributed widely. There are many gullible people out in the community and we have seen how much trouble and confusion they can cause. Indeed the ChCh massacre is a prime example of what can happen when stuff like that is allowed to spread far and wide.
I know it would be fraught with problems, but I think broader based legislation preventing the distribution of such damaging hate material – be it religious or whatever – is overdue.
Let me just stop you there Anne, but who are you claiming should not be able to distribute such material. Especially as most did not receieve it as a pamphlet from the Tamaki's (or their Church) but read it on RNZ. Should we prevent RNZ from writing about this incident?
Sorry, meant TVNZ not RNZ.
Don’t think you correctly read my comment @ 5.
….but I think broader based legislation preventing the distribution of such damaging hate material – be it religious or whatever – is overdue.
I guess you're going to sit in judgement as to what constitutes 'damaging hate material'? You'd start with the Book itself, right?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Lots-daughters.html
The bigger threat is that twerp Hoskings enjoying such popularity.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-08-03-2021/#comment-1782246
Silencing/banning/deplatforming simply won't work. These tactics merely cast an aura of mystique … encouraging folk to actually go looking for such material. Oh the thrill!
(And I'm not entirely sure it is entirely PC these days to refer to folk as "raving lunatics". Akin to using 'retard' methinks.)
Riverton too.
It was distributed in Wellington as well a couple of weeks ago.
I got it in Wellington; I read enough to see that there was no obvious NZ organisation inviting people to enquire . . . then straight to recycling collection.
Yes Nickthenz there is a difference between Tvnz and RNZ and their worth to thinking people. Vive la difference. Long may it continue but beware says Tom Frewen about the dullards in politics who don't know the value of anything the country has but only what their salary and perks can buy.
On the state we are in with Radionz – Tom has written 1-5 series about this. Here is #5 which will lead you to others.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2103/S00022/concert-bungle-the-sequel-part-5.htm
Got one in Queenstown RD too, which would have helped the RD contractor’s cashflow. So can presume most letterboxes in the country got one delivered (if the postie was conscientious) as well.
The world is probably pretty safe though, I found it the almost completely unreadable, so I doubt many would take much notice. Granted reading time waa less than time taken to walk directly to the recycling bin with the rest of the junk mail delivered that day.
Judging by the above posts that is a lot of copies distributed over a wide area. It can't have been cheap so who on earth actually funded it?
Unbelievable. Brian Tamaki says the cause of the earthquakes and tsunami warnings was criticism of his fleeing Auckland.
Equally valid would be the assertion that the Bishop caused the earthquakes etc by fleeing Auckland……..
As for Marcussen's polemic, it arrived in Blenheim, too. It says that 36 million copies have been printed. That's big money.
Amused by the assertion of this Seventh Day Adventist minister that "Vicarius Filii Dei" adds up to 666, and that therefore the sign of the Beast applies to the Pope, I read that the name of the founder of his church, one Ellen Gould White, also adds up to 666.
That's as far as I want to go down that rabbit hole.
Tamaki's promoted himself to "Apostle", now? And seems to be claiming apostolic infallibility? It took hundreds of years for Catholicism to get to that level.
He'll be god by 2030, cult mass suicide a few years after that.
I always thought there was a resemblance.
Yep.
I'm not even joking. The dude is claiming to be one step (on water) away from Jesus, and once you're god then the only way to go is down.
Yes, I got it too. I thought it was from Brash and the Brethren. Haven’t looked at it yet.
lol they're in bed again?
I think it might be a friendship with benefits.
Air NZ link to recent COVID outbreaks?
Frank Macskasy has put together a damn good, and rather convincing, citizen journalist style piece. He sent an OIA to the Ministry of Health and constructs his article around their reply and many other sources. Did you know about the Heartland Hotel Air NZ used in proximity to the airport, and certain cool stores linked to other COVID cases?
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2021/03/08/does-oia-evidence-confirm-possible-air-nz-link-to-recent-covid-outbreaks/
Yes I read that. Appears to confirm that AirNZ would rather run lax covid protocols than increase the number of people employed at relatively small cost so that quarantine can be correctly observed. After all it's so much more important that the bottom line is good and those executive bonuses keep flowing when the costs of covid in the hundreds of millions fall on the rest of the community.
It's frankly unbelievably selfish and at this point the majority shareholder could perhaps look at sacking the board and all the executive management.
NZ Taxpayers have contributed many millions over the years to the airline, including a $900 mill COVID loan, and Govt. still have 52% ownership–hopefully that means they should understand if they are read a “safety card” involving MIQs.
Maybe what would be good is to request all possible AirNZ executives to give thought to assisting the country by giving to the blood bank which is often in need. They are well paid and should be healthy and well fed and this is a thing that money can't buy, but goodwill provides. Put something back where the people need it I think. It would be a good look if the execs could give an example of caring to our needy nation.
why was this isolation facility secret? Heartland Hotel? And do we have other secret isolation facilities?
Looks like the Americans proxy rabid dog israel is getting set to start WW3 with their anti Iranian threats about Irans non existant nukes. This is pure hypocrisy by a loose cannon nuclear weapon State.
Heart sinks once again about our poor standards of dealing with polluting waste. Our disdainful attitudes to the quality of management of our resources are irresponsible beyond understanding.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/437878/plastic-clips-from-freezing-works-washing-up-on-beaches
[Auckland University biotechnology researcher, Dr Emily] Frost, who studies plastic pollution, has herself picked up the clips from beaches in Wellington and the Firth of Thames.
Most cow stomachs are rendered to make fertiliser or animal feed. Because a small amount of plastic contamination is allowed in these byproducts, some of the clips get ground up with the offal in the rendering process, Frost says.
The rest should be caught in freezing works' effluent traps.
"But some are obviously getting through," she says.
A champion NZr for the environment! Perhaps every traveller can do a bit of picking up and have a bag ready for it like carrying a doggy bag?
Since early 2019, [Des] Watson’s been circumnavigating the country’s coastline, picking up rubbish to highlight the level of plastic pollution in our seas.
After collecting a small haul of oesophagus clips from Hawke’s Bay beaches last month, he rang the regional council’s pollution hotline. When he didn’t get any satisfactory answers, he rang the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
“MPI said they would investigate,” he says.
MPI did, but decided it’s a matter for regional councils to deal with.
A good snappy slogan for that answer from MPI – Bulldust and buck passing!
This book sounds interesting.
Leah Kaminsky
The Hollow Bones
Vintage
Your book in your own words: The Hollow Bones is based on the bizarre, true story of Ernst Schäfer, a little-known zoologist and explorer, who was chosen by Heinrich Himmler to lead an expedition of young German scientists into Tibet in 1938. Although their official aim was to explore the local flora and fauna, charting hitherto unmapped terrain, the secret reason behind their SS-funded mission was to find the true origins of the Nordic Aryan race, in a bid to claim more territory for the Reich.
The story brings together the perils of pseudoscience, cultural fascism, humankind’s relationship with nature and our obsession with the categorisation of all sentient beings. It explores the small missteps taken that lead to a slippery slope of perilous moral decline. At the heart of the book is the romance between Schäfer and his loyal childhood sweetheart, Herta, who becomes dangerously entangled in her lover’s obsession with furthering his own career. She is the true voice of compassion and beauty, a constant and uncomfortable reminder to Schäfer of the Faustian bargain he has struck.
What were you reading when you wrote it? I read widely while researching the novel. I was particularly taken by Anthony Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See and the way it examines the internal terrain of human beings caught up in the vagaries of war, exploring the moral choices they make.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/17/carrie-tiffany-ean-higgins-dominic-kelly-and-more-on-what-theyre-reading-in-march
Umm, she was cancelled. On 17 October, 2020.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/03/national-s-judith-in-disbelief-at-jacinda-ardern-dropping-weekly-interview-with-newstalk-zb-s-mike-hosking.html
She limps on, all crooked and pinched.
She was cancelled, by an absolute majority, despite fronting the public with Ardern who answered her 'tough questions'. That same majority had access to Hosking's 'reckons', Hannah Tamaki's nuttiness, J-L Ross's stupidity, and Billy Te Kahika's sermons from a rabbit hole.
National's Judith Collins needs to be careful that the wind doesn't change and set her face permanently in a sour, aggrieved appearance. That old parents response to grizzly children actually applies to the whole Gnashional Party.
Now Judith is suggesting a report on the performance under the Covid19. Why? Anything that hasn't gone right should be tabled for discussion, but we don't want paralysis by analysis. This is a changing forward-moving situation, and unfortunately National is in reverse. Pity that their gears are stuck so they can't show relevance in these demanding times. And ACT their mouthpiece, flaps all the time yet isn't as useful as an airsock – don't take notice of it when landing on any policy!
Priceless from ACT! – “ACT says you can’t deliver better public policy if you don’t show humility, and this Government’s arrogance is getting in the way of solving problems and helping people,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2103/S00040/governments-super-majority-creating-extreme-arrogance.htm
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437856/covid-19-govt-rejects-nats-push-for-outbreak-inquiry
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-national-leader-judith-collins-wants-inquiry-into-latest-cluster/D4WL7SSIJGAHWVKS7ZF4X6RC4A/
Anyone see what Collins' eyebrows were doing when she said that?
I have as much respect for ‘shock jock Hosking‘ and Judith ‘Eyebrows‘ Collins has they have shown for PM Ardern. C’mon Hosking, you brought this on yourself – man up.
Yeah, nah. Collins is not cancelled. I see her face and reckons almost as much as I see Meghan Markle’s and she, at least, has a story to
selltell, I’ve been told (by the media). However, I’ve stopped almost completely paying any attention to National MPs and their Leader. Polemics with a parsnip are more entertaining and informative. Is National not overdue for another dead cat bounce on the table? Oh, the report is due tomorrow. Let’s leak it!Seems like NZ needs this? Uninterruptible Power supply (UPS) or have we got one already?
https://powertec.co.nz/battery-backup/
'Research firm Venture Insights points out that in south-east Australia’s 2019-20 bushfires, about 88% of the telecommunications outages were caused by loss of power outages and only 1% were due to direct fire damage, which implies that better power backups could significantly reduce outages.1'
After more than 1000 mobile towers and other facilities were disabled as a result of bushfires last summer, the Commonwealth Government announced a $37.1m funding package to strengthen telco resilience, including $10m for the Mobile Blackspot Program and battery backup solutions.
Repairs to damaged power lines can take time, especially if many poles must be replaced. So, battery backup solutions are important for maintaining communications in times of disaster.
The key to a successful backup battery solution is an Uninterruptible Power supply (UPS), which is an on-demand, instant switch battery back-up.
After our discussion about the net affects of covid including tourism and jobs. This from Barry Thompson at
Powerboat Magazine. Home – Power Boat News (powerboatmagazine.co.nz)
"IT'S GOOD AND IT'S BAD
New Zealand trailer boat builders are experiencing their best times ever, but it does come at a cost for consumers. Order a boat today from a dealer, and you are probably going to be waiting 12 months or, in some cases, 18 months more before you get it.
We are all aware that boat sales, like cars, houses, and swimming pools, have gone ballistic, and when you walk into a boatyard these days, it's hard to find a new boat on display. Plus, if it is, then it's almost guaranteed that it is already sold and await fitout. I talked to several manufacturers last week about their current build situation, and almost everyone had the same answer…maxed out till next year.
Engine, electronics, and marine equipment suppliers are also reporting delays in obtaining stock, which certainly impacts the boat builders. Air freighting parts to enable a boat to be finished adds cost, and somewhere along the chain, that has to be added into the charges.
I read somewhere that it was estimated that somewhere around $NZ18 billion had stayed in the country due to Covid-19 and closed borders. I am not sure that was correct, but I know how much I have not spent on overseas trips. I can't say saved, as my wife did find ways of spending it, such as a new bed, bathroom and travels around the country."
Oh my God, if you want an example of a bitter piece of writing from a bewildered boomer reduced to waving his fist at clouds as he struggles with being sidelined for the first time in his life then I can give you Barry Soper…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/barry-soper-jacinda-ardern-is-treading-water-the-master-of-soft-flattering-interviews/4GKJG4UBCLIKKX4POQWHK4EXD4/
Entitled self-righteous prat
didnt realise that soper was still alive.thought he had been pickled and preserved years ago.
I'd really like to see his metrics for how many of hosking's listeners switched their vote to Labour last election despite listening to hosking.
But then key invited the press gallery for drinkies, as well as doing swimming shots for metro, so Ardern is awful.
Agree. I find it ironic that the iconic commentator Soper commits an obvious English error in the very paragraph where he snidely snipes at her degree in communications.
"Having worked with the past 10 prime ministers, Jacinda Ardern would be the most removed from the media than any of them." No, Barry Soper – Jacinda Ardern has not worked with the past ten PMs.
Soper was trying to say that he himself had done so, but incompetently ignored the rule that following a participial clause should be the subject of that clause. He should have written, "Having worked with the past 10 prime ministers, I would place JA as…"
Poor quality language as well as biased analysis.
A similar error –
“As a Leftie, Soper is wrong”
“As a Leftie. I think Soper is wrong.”
Soper is not a Leftie, so the first example is very poor use of language, like Soper’s.
The second example is correct.
soper hasnt "worked with the last ten P.M.s'" running around, after a poli, and interviewing your keyboard isnt working with a P.M. Im sure if you asked those ten P.M.s about their working relationship with soper, they would all say, :who?: way to talk yourself up. must be contract renewal time.
Since we're being critical of one whose career is writing, how's this paragraph of Soper's for making one sentence out of two?
"She's commanded the Covid pulpit to such an extent that the virus has become her security blanket, without it she'd be forced to face the reality that her Government has been moribund."
Two main clauses joined by a comma. Tsk tsk.
What of course is worse is the claim that this government would be moribund without Covid-19.
What a stupid statement. This government would be far down the track of social reform without having had to deal with a disease that has killed half a million Americans.
To what country in the world can Soper point that has managed to keep its citizens safe, its economy running and carry out meaningful social reform.
For God's sake, keeping the pandemic controlled and lives saved is a huge social achievement.
What does the US Preamble say? "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
And the first is? Life.
How do 500,000 Americans enjoy liberty and the pursuit of happiness in their Covid graves, without life?
Soper says 'moribund' . The word comes from the Latin for death and means dying or expiring, at the point of death.
Soper is hyper-exaggerating, and has joined others of the media fraternity, journalists, political commentators and party spin merchants in a new attack orchestrated by last year's defeated pundits upon the PM.
Surprise, surprise. It has to happen, but let's recognise it when it occurs.
There's more than grammar at stake.
Ahhh… but dunnit sound awful good. Real clever hyperbole – Covid pulpit, security blanket, moribund. So impressive. 🙄
Btw, he hasn't joined other of the media fraternity… he was one of the founders some 25 -30 years ago.
Quite right both Mac1 and Anne.
I missed the egregious run-on sentence because I was so outrageously aggrieved by the misrelated participial clause.
I think what he meant to write was: ",without which' instead of what he did write.
Can't even proof-read his own rubbish before he sends it in, and, obviously, the Herald can no longer afford to hire good proof-readers. (Unless the humble proof-readers dare not question the linguistic excellence of the most elevated Barry Soper..)
Yes, obviously, the hyper-exaggerated emotive terms are what counts for approval, and good language no longer counts.
It is more than grammar.
Soper seems pissed off that Ardern hasn't established some sort of 'old boys club' way of working, cosying up to the likes of him, "Jacinda Ardern would be the most removed from the media than any of them. (The 10 previous Prime Ministers.)
"All of her predecessors got to know the parliamentary media by inviting them to their ninth floor Beehive office, at least a couple of times a year. It puts a human face on the public performer."
How unsettling, things are being done differently.
The boys, Hosking and Soper are throwing little NZME tanties.
'The Prime Minister's press conferences usually begin with a sermon – it took eight minutes for her to get to the fact that she was moving the country down an alert level last Friday. When it comes to Question Time in Parliament her forearm stiffens and her hand flicks to those she'll take a question from. Some of us are left barking from the sidelines."
It must be terrible to be his age and be pissed off because you're not teacher's pet. At least he got part of it petulant.
Given that a lot of the MSM used to feel like the Nat party PR machine – I can understand why the "best buddies " schtick isn't quite where Labour is at. So why does that surprise our Barry?
Silly Soper sounds so sad since she smilingly soared staring sternly at star-struck Soper.
The most bitter of alt-right tears.
Remember, Soper is the one who went into bat for the parliamentary harasser.
I hope NZ Farmers are coming together like the Australians are with their practices and learnings so all can move forward together.
https://www.facebook.com/TheMulloonInstitute/