But imagine paying to move into a brand new house and then having renters in it with all the wear and tear. I hope the building firm gets taken to the cleaners in court.
Limitations on short term stays.Requirement for resource consent,and code of compliance,and change on rating structure for short term stays (commercial rate)
He (Associate Judge Dale Lester) noted construction did not start until five months after Titterton signed her contract.
Her house was built by the developer “in parallel” with two neighbouring properties which both obtained code compliance in September 2021, he said.
That lots 20 and 21 were finished well before the sunset clause shows there was no reason, from a purely construction point of view, that lot 19 (Titterton’s property) could not have been finished on time,” Lester said.
He said an email sent by Dynasty’s solicitor to Titterton’s lawyer in April 2021, which claimed the delays were due to a nationwide shortage of timber, price increases, appliance supply shortages, a need to adjust fill level on site and “issues with funding” was so “inaccurate as it might be submitted that it was intended to mislead”.
It was sent when the walls and roof on the house were completed and work on the brick cladding had started.
The need to adjust the fill level was puzzling since the concrete pad was already down, he said. Dynasty actually continued work until July 30, 2021, with Gib lining, stopping and painting.
Call me Mr thickest person called Chris in NZ, but don't actually get how it would work. Obviously micro plastics are light, but don't get how light enough to get into the atmosphere.
Worrying though. Would prefer not killing penguins over plastic Coke bottles etc.
"Antarctica pristine no more as microplastics discovered in snow at bottom of the world
The driven snow of the world’s last untouched continent might not be so pure after all.
A world-first study by University of Canterbury researchers – published in science journal The Cryosphere on Wednesday – has confirmed the discovery of microplastics in freshly fallen Antarctic snow………"
Certainly in NZ, one of the biggest use of plastic bottles would be for milk. And there is zero effective interest in mandating a return to glass bottles (which were entirely re-usable and recyclable). There are a few niche producers doing this – but, if we want to make a difference, it has to either be mandated or plastic use heavily cost-weighted (making glass a cheaper option).
I'm really not very interested in plastic recycling options in this instance. Much better to use glass, instead.
I agree about glass. It's hard to beat. We went through a phase when milk was put into cardboard cartons which were found to be releasing small amounts of dioxin into the milk.
With plastic, everyone is rushing around buying plastic that is BPA free. Yet like one scientist said, BPA is one of only many POSSIBLE chemicals that can leach from plastic.
quick google tells me technically we can remove micro plastics from water, so are you meaning that we can't remove them from say the ocean because its too big?
Ultimately this is a population issue as well as a shitting in our own nest one. We can shift all clothing to natural fibres tomorrow and implement all the reuse clothing tech and culture at its best, and perpetual growth will still lead to more pollution (natural micro fibres are still pollutants). This is a philosophical problem as well as a technical one.
Plastics residues are everywhere. So pervasive that removing existing microplastics from the environment is an impossible task. They are in our bodies, in water and soil, basically, everywhere! No sample was free of microplastics when water sampling NZ rivers.
While glass bottles and other substitutes cut plastics in the environment, they can have their own resource use issues. Energy used to collect and clean milk bottles, for example.
Plastic water bottles is an obviously superfluous use of plastics. In NZ, where tap water can be high quality, dispensed in a glass, that can be used many times, we shouldn't have to sell water in bottles, at all!
""This is a kind of irreversible contamination," said Nizzetto. "There's no way to remediate this kind of contamination at the scale of agricultural soils."”
"Imagine a jar full of grain with a kind of lump of mushroom coming out of the top," says the lead biotech engineer for bio-manufacturing firm Biohm.
"It didn't look particularly exciting or fascinating. But as soon as it was cracked open, it was very, very cool."
The fungus had eaten its way through the plastic sponge intended to seal it in, breaking it down and assimilating it like any other food.
The aim of the project was to evaluate a number of strains of fungus for use in bio-based insulation panels, but the hungry fungus has taken them in another direction.
Biohm is now working to develop the strain to make it an even more efficient digester that could potentially help get rid of plastic waste.
If we look at the world in a reductionist way instead of a ecological systems way, we see only reductionist solutions.
We need to transition off disposable plastics asap. Some things require plastics, so reserve them for essential items and services, but put in place systems of protection, retention and recycling.
In addition to that, look at the water cycle, the soil ecosystems, the places we have been polluting and that we need resources from and put humans back in the loops. When we do this, we see both the problems we are causing systemically and the solutions.
Can we clean up all microplastics? Probably not? We can stop polluting more, and we can change how we relate with the rest of nature so that we have systems that clean up pollution as much as possible.
All sustainability comes from this kind of circular and systemic thinking. If a solution doesn't do that, it's not about sustainability, it's about mitigation. Centering mitigation is what BAU does – how much pollution can we get away with?
Circular resource use and sustainability.
And how it relates to a circular economy.
Example. Looking at EV’ s as a solution when they are only a part of a solution?
Or. Increases in more sustainable energy being lost within added energy use.
While glass bottles and other substitutes cut plastics in the environment, they can have their own resource use issues. Energy used to collect and clean milk bottles, for example.
This is true of *any* reusable packaging solution.
If the economic answer is single use packaging, then we're not measuring correctly.
If so, then I’m sure Robert will bow to the pressure of the majority, realise the errors of his way and repent, and adopt your views on Mallard. Because, if I’m not wrong, Robert would like nothing less than think like you, Jimmy.
What are the numbers for the supporters of other parties? How many approved and how many didn’t know? That is more relevant in this thread. Where are your numbers, why aren’t you digging further? For example, 17% of all people polled approve, 48% disapprove, and the rest (i.e. 35%, by my calculation) don’t know (or don’t care).
I can feel Robert shaking in his boots and wavering in his liking of Mallard!
Was the TS poll you mentioned earlier "The Standard"" poll?
Yes would be interesting to know the sample size etc. and where / how the poll was conducted. But concerning result none the less if only 17% actually approve.
I have never seen a previous poll done on a speaker….has there ever been one? If not, why have they even done a poll? Has Mallard pissed someone off at the polling company? Or has someone paid to have the poll done and if so whom? Now that could be interesting.
So, you have nothing else, nothing of any substance, and just jumping on the bandwagon with the rest of the lynch mob.
Of course, somebody paid for the poll!!
Of course, Mallard has pissed off somebody!! It’s in the hit piece you linked to, FFS!!
What’s concerning is that is yet another attack on the Office of the Speaker and you just lap it up, unquestionably and uncritically, as a lazy thinker would.
I like and admire Trevor. He has tried to get the Opposition to play by the rules but which they are defiantly obstructive. The rules are the Parliament's rules so play fair.
Carter was often nastily obstructive and protective of Key especially. Remember when he chucked 5 women MPs out in a row for defending those who were defending those who had be abused?
Wonder how many of those polled knew who or what Trevor was.
Well if you like your speakers to be strongly biased in favour of the government; intolerant; rigidly ideological; inflexible; capable of making stupid decisions (eg turning on sprinklers to piss off protesters); quick to take offence; incapable of building relationships with opposition parties; capable of having punch ups with other members of parliament; and just generally obnoxious, then Trev's your man – you can have him.
He's probably the worst speaker in parliaments history.
So, the Parliament grounds occupation is over but the siege on Parliament still continues. Is Mallard the Zelenskyy equivalent in NZ and if so, who’s the Putin equivalent?
A poll on whether the Speaker is doing a good job and publishing the results as if they were of some grave importance to the country and the world is a sign of how dreadful we've become. And how shgit our media people are.
Most people wouldn't have the faintest idea about what the Speaker does and should do. They wouldn't know their arse from their elbow for a start.
People who say vaccinations don't work, masks don't work and the Government was using radiation at the Wellington protest? Yeah, they don't like Mallard, he's slack at his job, get rid of him? For fucks sake. TVNZ promoted and carried this poll and reported it? The state broadcaster has reduced serious stuff to the level of the Warriors league team with their coaches coming and going.
Interesting Spinoff article unpacking the actions of the conspiracy theorists around the very straightforward visit to the US by Ardern. Everything is apparently fuel for them, and interpreted through the singular lens of their prejudice.
What is worrying, is the spread of the dis-information to a fairly politically unsophisticated audience (TikTok)
Recently the work of the Disinformation Project organisation reviewed social media data daily during the Wellington protest. In the massive of volume of content they found 73% of the disinformation identified on Facebook was created by only 12 people.
I wonder if the lunatic garbage in this latest instance about Ardern in New York is from the same people.
''My question to this government and other governments around the world twisting words to limit food production to achieve an unsustainable goal while making a food shortage for the world; why are they not taking into account Article 2 (b) of the Paris Accord?”
Blade – use your brain next time and reply to my message, not KJT's.My message is now a good way below your mis-placed reply.
Soundbite? What do you think you mean by that? I can assure you that I made no sound at all as I posted my eloquently expressed rebuttal to your obvious piece of trolling. You knew well that the reference you gave would annoy and provoke the average contributors to this site. You sowed knowingly, and I gave you something you could deservedly reap.
Take your medicine, and stop complaining about superficial manners. You are a blatantly obvious right wing troll, and as such are unconvincing when you try to weasel in as a 'nice' contributor.
KJT described you well at 6.1.1.
(Just above the reply above, which you sent to the wrong person.)
'Reasoned response'? You don't even say which response you are referring to.
I suggest you find another way to misspend your idle time, Blade.
As I understand it ( and to be fair I have lost interest in the topic) governments shouldn't curtail food production in response to climate change targets.
However, I'm flying a little blind here because it's the Owen Jennings article I wanted to comment on.
I posted those links because this topic, I believe, will be back in the media spotlight.
Of more importance is how National will approach this issue when they become the government next year. Lefties believing National will give farmers a free pass may be in for a surprise. National may be completely woke by that time if Luxon's performance is anything to go by.
Don't reach. The government ( Labour)- National isn't in power yet- will curtail food production indirectly with their demands on farmers re climate change regulation affecting agriculture.
It shows you how divorced this government is from our major export earner. Believe it or not, its not Robbo Hood’s printing press, or the Green Collective, that puts food on our tables…it's agriculture.
But again, this is standard fare for a left leaning government. Most righties expected no different. The questions is what National will, or will not be doing around this issue.
unfortunately industrial ag is also responsible for a large amount of GHG emissions.
I take it your argument here is that we shouldn't be doing climate mitigation. You'll get more shit if you are honest about that, but you will get more respect too. The whole back door climate denial is tedious af.
''I take it your argument here is that we shouldn't be doing climate mitigation.''
No, not directly. The only good thing about the climate change scam is it's forcing even more changes and efficiencies in the agriculture sector. Changes that have been happening since SMPs were scrapped. The days of a new Jag and a week in the Islands was over. Some farmers went to the wall.
We emit next to nothing in global terms. We even import coal. How nutty is that? All in the name of '' Let's be world leaders.'' More reality based countries burn coal and have no problem burning fossil fuels when needed.
So, at the end of the day, I want all climate change legislation scrapped. However, I'm still for environmental controls on farmers who pollute rivers, and abuse stock.
In fact farmers are now one of the biggest preservers of remaining natural bush. Always amazes me how little I see Maori and urban Greenies involved in such preservation work.
Funny how the ignorant always eventually, out themselves.
"Always amazes me how little I see Maori and urban Greenies involved in such preservation work."
Don't get out much do you? About 200 out in our local wetland last week. Maori And some Asians, Indians, Poms and other assorted, Greenies. Even a couple of retired cockies.
In fact farmers are now one of the biggest preservers of remaining natural bush. Always amazes me how little I see Maori and urban Greenies involved in such preservation work.
This would have to be one of the stupider things I've seen recently. But good to see your prejudices laid out bare.
Cheap easy shots .I'm just stating my experiences. Mostly ordinary folk on the replantings I have been involved in. No Maori, only two Greenies ( real Greenies. Hand's that obviously had held a slasher; not a latte.). Look at the student army in Christchurch. See any Maori organisation helping out? Apart from Derek Fox who stayed a few days then was gone. However, to be fair I may have missed some Maori helpers.
I'm sorry, Weka. I can only go by my own experiences. Now I did have one indigenous experience. I offered Totara saplings to a replanting scheme. The pakeha coordinator said they couldn't accept my offer because my trees wouldn't have been native to the area. I bet he was following kaupapa set down by Maori…who were nowhere in sight.
I think it’s your prejudices that are being laid out bare. And I will meet all prejudices like yours head on.
No, you're not. You're using your apparently quite limited personal experiences to make a political point about groups of people you don't like. It's very easy to find many planting projects that greenies and Māori are involved in.
Look at the student army in Christchurch. See any Maori organisation helping out?
So not personal experience, but out and out racist framing. It's not hard to find Māori orgs that are doing work in the community.
can only go by my own experiences. Now I did have one indigenous experience. I offered Totara saplings to a replanting scheme. The pakeha coordinator said they couldn't accept my offer because my trees wouldn't have been native to the area. I bet he was following kaupapa set down by Maori.
It's called eco-sourcing, it's based in ecological sciences, and it's common throughout NZ.
I think its your prejudices that are being laid out bare. And I will meet all prejudices like yours head on.
Really? How come you haven't named them then? All I'm seeing is you making a bunch of racist and anti-green assertions and one that is ignorant of a reforestation concept as well as being anti-Māori. None of that is anything to do with me.
''It's very easy to find many planting projects that greenies and Māori are involved in.''
Fare enough. List some. I admit I have only been involved in two schemes. But I've seen a whole heap more on TV – few Maori or Greenies I'm sorry to say.
''It's called eco-sourcing, it's based in ecological sciences, and it's common throughout NZ.''
Never heard of it. We have what's called ''Local variety seed saving.'' I'm guessing it's a similar thing? I will say I already had some of my saplings growing quite well in the general planting area, but I was still turned down.
''I think its your prejudices that are being laid out bare. And I will meet all prejudices like yours head on.''
''Really? How come you haven't named them then? All I'm seeing is you making a bunch of racist and anti-green assertions. and one that is ignorant of a reforestation concept as well as being anti-Māori.
1- You have prejudices against farmers and people who don't share your views on quack science based climate change. You have made those sentiments quite clear to me.
2- You cannot argue race in a rational manner. Your arguments always boils down to your opposition being racist. So you have race bias.
3- You are prejudiced against the Right of politics. Unlike me, you have trouble criticising your own.
4-You have bias when it comes to certain gender issues.
Blade – I read that crap in the local café. Utter baloney – the guy lies about methane, claims a closed system when much of his 'disappearing methane' converts to carbon dioxide, and peddles a load of wishful garbage.
He claims that 'methane is gone in ten years.' If I remember correctly, that approximate figure is its half-life. And what is the point if farmers are replenishing it with a new full amount every year? No mention of methane being up to 60 times worse that CO2 as a heat-retaining gas.
Increase in atmospheric methane set another record during 2021
[7 April 2022]
NOAA’s preliminary analysis showed the annual increase in atmospheric methane during 2021 was 17 parts per billion (ppb), the largest annual increase recorded since systematic measurements began in 1983. The increase during 2020 was 15.3 ppb. Atmospheric methane levels averaged 1,895.7 ppb during 2021, or around 162% greater than pre-industrial levels. From NOAA’s observations, scientists estimate global methane emissions in 2021 are 15% higher than the 1984-2006 period.
… Control of many methane sources technically possible today
“Reducing methane emissions is an important tool we can use right now to lessen the impacts of climate change in the near term, and rapidly reduce the rate of warming,” Spinrad said. “Let’s not forget that methane also contributes to ground-level ozone formation, which causes roughly 500,000 premature deaths each year around the world.”
I'll try to expand on this at some point but I believe Dairy Expansion in New Zealand is equivalent to Israeli Settlement Expansion in the occupied territories.
Invade, set up families and business, and use that as means with which to not be able to roll back the original injustice.
"It is the first lawsuit of its kind to draw from the Facebook Papers while exposing the real human harm behind its findings, Spence’s attorneys say. The suit also features previously unpublicized documents from the leaks, including one in which Meta identified “tweens” as “herd animals” who “want to find communities where they can fit in.” The attorneys argue that such documents demonstrate Meta’s efforts to recruit underage users to its platforms.
“If you look at the extensive research that it [Meta] performed, they knew exactly what they were doing to kids, and they kept doing it,” said the founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, Matthew P. Bergman, who is representing Spence and her family. “I wish I could say that Alexis’ case is aberrational. It’s not. The only aberration is that she survived.”"
Well, you and your fellow travellers are determined to link police action directly to Labour Party policy so I ask again, does yesterday's event in Newlands show the government is soft on crime?
Perhaps the police and therefore, according to your theory, Jacinda Ardern could have done more than shot the man 8 times. Maybe some torture first. Would it have been better if police had taken out the entire family just to show the gangs who is boss?
Just asking questions…
[You are going too far and well beyond ‘just asking questions’ that are reasonable and within levels of what’s acceptable and tolerated here.
From the Policy:
Directly or indirectly advocating violence in any shape or form (including ‘jest’ and advocating self-harm) to individuals or groups is simply not allowed. Moderators will have a no-tolerance humourless response as the only possible response. If you want to talk about political conflicts around the world, then do so being mindful of this proscription.
You misunderstand. Having to shoot an offender during a dire situation has nothing to do with this government being soft, and useless on crime prevention.
Have a look at the second clip in this link and see how scared a gang banger is of the police. If I was in charge no prick who probably doesn't even know how to flush the toilet would ever disrespect police, ambulance or medical staff without facing dire consequences, and if need be liberal use of the baton.
You misunderstand. Having to shoot an offender during a dire situation has nothing to do with this government being soft, and useless on crime prevention.
Have a look at the second clip in this link and see how scared a gang banger is of the police. If I was in charge no prick who probably doesn't even know how to flush the toilet would ever disrespect police, ambulance or medical staff without facing dire consequences, and if need be liberal use of the baton.
"Paradoxically, harsh punishments such as incarceration often increase offending rather than deter it, which produces a cycle of violent crime and punishment".
Your revenge fantasies would result in more crime, and more victims!
Mind you, right wingers love that. Fear is often a motivation for voting Conservative.
"Paradoxically, harsh punishments such as incarceration often increase offending rather than deter it, which produces a cycle of violent crime and punishment".
Cool.
Lets not incarcerate anyone lest we be considered harsh
The Netherlands as far as I'm aware, don't have the huge third world underclass we have. I would assume most of their prisoners would be able to read and flush a toilet.
If we decriminalised all drug use ( with caveats attached) our prisons would be empty too.
No, KJT. I'm talking inherent third world mentalities that cannot be changed with wages or welfare.
For example, you may be wondering about my weird references to ''flushing toilets''
Two examples:
A rented flat was inspected by the owner. He wondered what a smell was. In the bedroom the tenants had crapped in the corner and put a blanket over the crap. The toilet was down the hallway.
When I helped a friend out on his orchard, an ablution block was built for the workers. It had three showers and four toilets. The toilets weren't flushed and the rubbish bins were full of used toilet paper.
You can't change that mindset. I would also like to add, that definitely not all third world folk are uncivilised ( by or standards), but some are.
Back to the caveats?
What would yours be if all drug use was decriminalised? There is no right or wrong answer, but maybe our ideologies would influence our opinions.
I'm sorry. I'll forget I saw unflushed toilets. Or the angry Muslim man I knocked out when he became agitated with a woman employee who didn't know whether the meat they sold was halal or not. When he pushed her I dealt to him.
These people don't give a flying fig about your welfare system or wokey ways. They just want your money if possible. Then they want you to piss off.
But to the Caveats? Here’s one:
1- All drug users must be registered. Once registered they may consume any drug they want. However, should they present for medical treatment associated with drug use. They will be denied treatment. They can either die in the hospital car park… or crawl home. It would therefore be prudent for them to take out private healthcare so the rest of us don’t have to pick up the tab.
WTF! Babies shit their nappies, toddlers can be potty-trained, but uncivilised savages will always be uncivilised, their mind-sets cannot be changed, and they will always crap on your floor!? Yet, they’re useful slaves and good enough, only good enough, to do our shit jobs for peanuts!?
Aren’t you the macho hero for defending a woman against an agitated Muslim man and knocking him out? Did you run off to the pub to brag about it to your mates or just here on TS?
You are showing your true colours in and by every comment you make here.
For what it is worth we encountered exactly the same problem in one of our rentals many years back. Literally the tenant did not know what the toilet was for, had ripped up some floor boards and was throwing all their rubbish under the house.
Mass incarceration in the United States is a civil rights issue. Organizations such as the Prison Policy Initiative argue that incarceration dehumanizes poor people and minorities, damages already marginalized communities, and often jails people for small-scale offenses such as marijuana possession in countries where weed is illegal. Additionally, evidence exists that a high incarceration rate does not actually increase public safety—a stance often validated by data on crime rate per country, murder rates, rape statistics, and gun violence per country. Nor, for that matter, does capital punishment, commonly known as the death penalty.
Mass incarceration can also lead to several logistical issues including prison overcrowding, which increases health risks and decreases the psychological well-being of those inside. Around the world, many countries have jail occupancy rates that exceed 100% of their prison system’s capacity.
''The effects of covid and the Ozzies exports of 501's are nothing to do with this Government.''
It has everything to do with the government because it's incumbent on the government to react to changing circumstances…and most importantly of all, its priority to keep citizens safe.
I'm through arguing the toss. See PR's link. If that was a one off, then it wouldn't be important. The FACT is many people in communities across the country are scared.
That may be a better indicator of how affective this government is on crime.
You are "through arguing the toss", because evidence based arguments are too much for you.
The level of manufactered fear, is no indication of the Governments effectiveness.
In reality they have reacted to changing circumstances. Including funding police to a much greater level than National, and supporting evidence based initiatives that actually will reduce crime over time. Kelvin Davis in particular is doing a good job there. But you are wilfully blind to it.
Meanwhile your only solution is bashing people with battons.
"Mind you, right wingers love that. Fear is often a motivation for voting Conservative."
While I agree the US right tended years ago to use fear, but you could mount the same argument with Ardern and Covid.
It is basically just a political tool.
""Paradoxically, harsh punishments such as incarceration often increase offending rather than deter it, which produces a cycle of violent crime and punishment"."
I would add "without intervention and rehabilitation and hopefully some training for focus on a trade" to that, but tend to agree again.
But lets face it. There are some people that need to be separated from normal society for a while, due to public safety. Let's face it. You sometimes just strike the odd piece of human scum.
But poor self control is a key predicter of criminal behaviour, and it is incremental in its impact.
The Dunedin Multi Disciplinary study has found that good self control at 3 years of age predicts good outcomes including low rates of criminality.
Why we are training kids in self control skills is beyond me.
Your article kjt is interesting, but it states that trials should be consdiered in this intervention, rather than there being good evidence that it works
Thanks for pointing out the second clip, I missed it first time. Yep it shows they have no respect for the police and have no fear of the police actually acting upon their abuse.
I have thought similar, PR. Seems to me their ideology must always come first. The body count is collateral damage. Then again maybe not enough people in the heartlands imbibe Chardonnay?
The "body count" is at the door of those who for decades have ignored the evidence about how we can reduce crime, to pander to "tough on crime fantacists.
Sending generations to "Crime University" to become students of incarcerated gang members, while ignoring the needs for literacy, mental health, meaning ful work, and participation in the community.
It is at the door of F wits like you, who ignore overwhelming evidence of how to really reduce crime, to indulge their own fear and wet dreams.
The extra victims that may have never been victims, if the underlying causes of crime had been addressed.
I have no problem with you thinking I'm a fuckwit. Probably 90% of the blog thinks similar.
But please remember about keeping things civil as Incognito recently warned. It's about keeping the ambience of this blog respectful and safe. And at the moment I'm not feeling safe with your korero.
Me to in a way. I was born with seaweed behind my ears. I'm always at my best when breathing in all those negative ions that a sea breeze brings.
My brother in law was first officer on the coastal Tanker Amokura, before going on to captain a super tanker in the Persian gulf. So I have been on these vessels.
My claim to fame is going from Mt Maunganui beach to Mayor Island on a standup jet ski circa 1988. The tech wasn't great in those days and it was a bit freaky with a fuel container resting on the running board.
However, talk is cheap. Seafarer's test.
1- Is a tanker in more danger of exploding when it's full of oil or empty?
2- If a tanker is coming to it's moorings listing port side, who should greet it – Luxon or Ardern?
I like to think of myself as one of the good guys. – Blade
Don't we all – although if you really could make anthropogenic global warming go away just by declaring it a scam then you would be a very good guy indeed.
Just one question – how do you cope with all the sand?
Naomi Oreskes, Why Science Failed to Stop Climate Change [10 November 2019]
ExxonMobil loves to accuse me of being “an activist.” I am, in fact, a teacher and a scholar. Most of the time, I’d rather be home working on my next book, but that increasingly seems like less of an option when Big Energy’s climate-change scam is ongoing and our civilization is, quite literally, at stake. When citizens are inactive, democracy fails — and this time, if democracy fails, as burning California shows, so much else could fail as well. Science isn’t enough. The rest of us are needed. And we are needed now.
But please remember, calling someone a fuckwit is not ''robust debate.''
Correct, and if that’s all there’s to a comment, pretty much, than there’s a high chance that it will be moderated with a warning, at least. Generally and mostly, Mods look for patterns of behaviour and commenting rather than isolated expletives, slurs, or even personal attacks, which can all be (a minor!) part of robust debate. However, we prefer it if you keep it civil.
Within the past week I've put up references from criminologists, people within the field, researchers and examples of countries that have been successful in reducing crime.
You know, actual evidence of what works.
Or. We can just carry on with "what has been proven not to work".
“I have known numbers of bourgeois Socialists, I have listened by the hour to their tirades against their own class, and yet never, not even once, have I met one who had picked up proletarian table-manners.”
From the article "A man fatally shot by police was holding a knife to the throat of a woman "
If that's true then well done to the police, he had to be 'taken out'. You can't F around if he's armed and obviously dangerous.
He also will not re-offend.
If you were considering watching The Rings Of Power (and you really shouldn't) and the arguments about it not being Tolkien enough aren't enough to sway then maybe this clip will help change your mind
Its basically about how Amazon bailed on NZ (due to Covid restrictions) and went to the UK to film
Sort of schadenfreude? The horrified attention that keeps your eyes to a slow-motion wreck on reality TV?
I'll be watching some of it – to see friends who were in the cast (extras, not stars).
Though, really, if you want to write a woke fantasy story, with super diverse casting, and characterization which departs from canon – do so. Just leave Tolkien out of it….
The criticism that I've read so far, is that they could have made *most* of the changes, effectively, if they'd bothered to actually integrate them into the extant lore – instead of just pasting them on top. A lazy process which does disservice both to Tolkien and the actors cast in the roles.
I don't love some of the changes that Jackson (et al) made to LOTR – but they were a hell of a lot more intellectually honest than what I'm seeing from RoP
'Sort of schadenfreude? The horrified attention that keeps your eyes to a slow-motion wreck on reality TV?'
I'd rather not watch it (and I'm not going to watch all of it) but if I'm going to criticize (and I will) I need to watch some of it so I can really go to town on it
Similar to the Star Wars tv series, I watch enough of it so I can criticize properly
'I'll be watching some of it – to see friends who were in the cast (extras, not stars)'
Thats fair enough, I'd do the same as well
For the rest of your comments I'll just say I 100% agree
Woosh! That was not the sound of Tom Cruise flying low over your head. All good though.
I thought Correction Officers had to be sound judges of people and characters!?
Anyway, I drink coffee all day round, probably way too much, and I never drink alcohol when active online, which is pretty much all the time except when I’m having a good time with friends & family and even a drink or two.
Well maybe you can explain to me what Top Gun Maverick has to do with The Rings Of Power, I couldn't see the connection so I assumed it was your day time drinking or maybe it was one of the those really subtle comments you like to make every now and then, comments so subtle that no one has any idea of what you're talking about
I actually watched your YT clip, on 2× speed, and there were plenty of references in it to Hollywood and none positive. Even without watching the clip there are many parallels and points of connection with Hollywood. Can’t help it if you don’t grasp your own material, so perhaps dial back on the ‘criticizing’ and “really go[ing] to town on it”.
Nowadays, woke and scientology are almost as bad as each other.
Although your comment @ 10 was the most-woke [wokiest?] one I’ve seen in a while, it did not actually say anything about anything you claim it said!? Perhaps you wish to re-read your comment about Amazon?
Or perhaps it is time for you to come out as woke warrior?
It’s a terrible tragedy, $30M for the film studio in Henderson and no Amazon. Thus, you argued, we should not watch that movie (plus for some other obscure reasons that affronted your delicate senses of wokeness). OTOH, you love Top Gun!? Can’t you see the delicious irony?
'It’s a terrible tragedy, $30M for the film studio in Henderson and no Amazon. Thus, you argued, we should not watch that movie '
I've argued that it shouldn't be watched because its going to be crap and that should be enough
If thats not enough then I'll make an appeal to peoples dislike of billionaires, corporations and subsidies to try to make people avoid the series on those basis, whatever strategy works
'OTOH, you love Top Gun!? Can’t you see the delicious irony?'
Spanish Archer you are a fucktard
Top Gun Maverick was made for the fans, made to be entertaining, to be non-political and absolutely non-woke
The movie showed respect to the fans by not shitting on the previous movie
It didn't make Maverick a joke or someone that had to be led by others
It promised entertainment and it delivered.
It shows what happens when you make entertainment for the people whereas The Rings Of Power is the exact opposite
The Rings Of Power proudly exclaims how diverse it is, in their words: 'because they wanted to ensure that it reflected "what the world actually looks like" and felt that would be closer to the spirit of the books.'
Top Gun Maverick gave the people what they wanted and so I praise them for it because I want more of this (non-woke entertainment)
The Rings Of Power are not giving the people what they want so I'm lambasting them for it
Do you get it now or do I need to spell it out for you some more now fuck off and go jerk off somewhere else
Actually you know what, you probably still don't get it so I'll bring it down a notch just for you.
I’ve argued that it shouldn’t be watched because its going to be crap and that should be enough
Hilarious! You haven’t watched and were not going to watch it, but only parts, so that you “can really go to town on it”, but you know (!) it’ll be crap!?
If thats not enough then I’ll make an appeal to peoples dislike of billionaires, corporations and subsidies to try to make people avoid the series on those basis, whatever strategy works
Yeah, and Top Gun was an Indie movie made on a shoestring budget and Tom Cruise did a gratis cameo.
Spanish Archer you are a fucktard
Absolutely! But at least I’m not a closet woke-warrior with a drinking problem.
Do you get it now or do I need to spell it out for you some more now fuck off and go jerk off somewhere else
Actually you know what, you probably still don’t get it so I’ll bring it down a notch just for you.
You should really see somebody about that issue of yours because you do seem to lose your temper so quickly nowadays – are you missing JC? Tell you what, lay off the bottle for a while.
It proclaims it as Lord Of The Rings yet it is far removed from what Tolkien wrote and because its a couple of inexperienced, young writers the episodes will not be Tolkien, it will be generic though
The show will be shit because we've seen this all before.
Game Of Thrones was a very good tv series, it was good because the show runners were adapting from George RR Martin
However
The show came to a grinding halt and got really, really bad in the later series because once the showrunners had no books to work off and had to create themselves they just couldn't do it because they were not as good a writers as Martin was (hes never finishing the series by the way)
The Rings Of Power have not learned that lesson
The Wheel Of Time had all the books it needed but instead decided to move away from the source material, as an example we all know that female and male magic are the two halves and you need both but the tv series doesn't (also released through Amazon Prime)
I could go on, the treatment of Halo, The Witcher, Disney Star Wars etc etc
The lessons here are simple, simple enough even you can grasp it.
Fans like the source material, fans get attached to the source material, you better be very careful when you change the source material and you shouldn't insult the fans when they complain
The Rings Of Power have not learnt these lessons so yeah its going to be bad, I don't know just how bad it will be but it will be bad.
Respect the fans and you'll make money or get woke and go broke.
Top Gun Maverick respected the fans, respected the source material and is now making bank and I don't care that Tom Cruise is in a cult either
Sure its written, sure its probably insincere but that he thanked the fans was a nice touch and his movie is reaping the rewards:
What do we get from Disney and Amazon, just that we're all racist if we don't like what they produce
I prefer looking for diamonds in the rough and have unearthed many real gems. Of course, there’s European and Asian cinema, and African (incl. South African). Once you look away from Hollywood you realise that there’s so much more to enjoy. I have greatly enjoyed Hollywood movies in the past, even the action flicks, but taste develops with time & experience just as good wine ripens [intentional pun; hope it wasn’t too subtle for you]
The more people see this at the movies the bigger and louder the message is to Hollywood that we don't want woke movies, movies that contain "the message", that diversity and representation is not more important than storylines and decent acting, that we want entertaining movies
Agreed Tony. Both Luxon and Willis prepare their questions but totally fail to listen to the answers, and totally fail to adjust in the light of the answers given. A disconnect between question and answer! Pointless.
Mitchell strangely did listen to one of Poto's great answers, and redirected his question back to Poto and not the Police, but sadly for him he was corrected that the Minister was for policy and funding, and Police carried out the operations.
You would think that Mitchell knows better; hadn’t he recently met with the Police Commissioner Andrew Coster? Perhaps he confused policy & funding in that meeting too?
Dunno if this happened yesterday but the Spin-off reporting on Ipsos shows National with the political wind in their sails.
Frankly I think the Labour benches have been poor. Perhaps it’s government under these circumstances or the headwinds. I don’t know the power dynamics, but the idea of a wave of popular announcements coming from ministry after ministry doesn’t seem likely.
Labour hasn’t been able to pivot yet, and now they’re playing catch up. It might be they will hold, but it’ll need some reinvention. Perhaps it’s culturally we need a bit of reinvention as a country and a good chunk of us are not keen on it or simply can’t. Aussie is trying to, but with their majority government it may not happen.
National are going to get a lot of easy coverage as they carpet bomb BS. Labour are gunna get blamed for everything. It seems from up the thread they’re trying to attack the ref too. That’s normal.
Let’s elect the speaker and all our judges, etc etc! Christ the National speakers were terrible. Mallard has sided with opposition complaints and penalized the government in a way I certainly haven’t seen reported before.
I feel Labour needs some consistent muscular, relaxed and confident coverage. The international trip is a start, but you can’t depend on your leader entirely forever. Community was a buzzword in Aussie?
I think Speaker would be one of the biggest pain in the arse jobs in Parliament as an MP. You obviously get the extra cash, but she is a bit of a poisoned chalice.
You kind of have to juggle backing the boss of your Party, while simultaneously trying to look non-biased.
As I said last night. Think they should make it an independent job from outside, With someone with political nouce.
I actually think someone like Peter Dunne would be quite good.
Whoever it is it should not be subjected to polls of the public and trying to stir up angst against the speaker. The speaker’s office is what enables debate in the chamber and questioning of the government and should not be subject to such crude attacks.
Don’t do it for refs. Ditto here.
It's a good day in San Francisco, voters have voted to recall Chesa Boudins, a radical aristocratic socialist whose lawyer grandfather represented Castro and whose parents were leaders of cop killing, bank robbing, neighborhood and federal building bombing terrorist group the Weather underground.
Good.
America's private prisons are a disgrace and the kinds of minor crimes people go to prison for is disgusting. However, there needs to be a balance between throwing everyone in prison for quotas and not throwing anyone in prison or punishing anyone because of ideology.
San Franciscos incredibly liberal voters are sick of "san Francisco snow" which is broken glass from cars shops and houses everywhere , they are sick of police not showing up to arrest shoplifters and defacto decriminalization of shoplifting (cops won't show up unless over a grand has been stolen) they are sick of shop windows being smashed in on broad daylight in front of police and nothing happening.
The Mayor of the town actually tried to downplay and reassure the insane crime stats by saying it's only homocides and assaults that are massively up. Lmfao how reassuring.
And it was democrats who led the charge against Boudin specifically democrats of colour, the yes to recall campaign was funded by San Francisco residents whereas the no campaign was funded by people in other cities in the state.
He's gone. There must be a balance between neoliberal corporate justice reform and woke justice reform.
Letting criminals run wild hurts the poorest the most.
Now. Hopefully results like this wake the left everywhere up on crime.
The punishment must suit the crime. It shouldn't exceed it and it shouldn't be a slap on the wrist.
Also if 501s are being deported from Australia for breaking the law, the law should be changed so it's straight to prison for them. End of story.
Voters especially ones in poorer and working class neighbourhoods will not tolerate weakness on crime and will vote for people who will be tough on crime no matter how much woke academics scream otherwise.
Also the guardian called his terrorist parents "left wing activists" smh.
If woke courts and woke sentencing guidelines won't fly in San Francisco, they won't fly anywhere.
As always, the luxury beliefs of the affluent, bloated, narcissistic Woke – utterly divorced from reality – are guaranteed to create a nightmare living situation on a day-to-day basis for a whole swathe of the Left's traditional core constituency …
… the constituency that, of course, founded, built & intellectually energised the Left for many decades before it was slowly but surely captured by 300 buck-an-hour virtue-signalling New Middle Class Professionals.
Michael Bassett writes – I’m not sure that it’s much comfort to anyone to know that the post-Covid surge in violent crimes, gang activity, ram raids, random shootings, thuggery and stabbings is occurring in other countries as well as New Zealand. These days, wagging school, out-of-control welfare and ...
Oliver Hartwich writes – Cast your mind back to mid-December. A new Prime Minister had just been sworn in, the new Government started its 100-day programme, and Christmas was only days away.Amid all the haste, a report landed that would have deserved our attention.I am talking about the ...
TL;DR: An unseasonally early icy blast at the same time as some long-overdue maintenance almost caused Aotearoa-NZ’s electricity system to black out this week. That’s because a quadropoly of gentailers1 have prioritised paying dividends from their rising profits and adding debt over investing in 1.5 GigaWatts of new wind farms ...
Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveReporting on defence spending late last year, RNZ said the coalition government will have to make some tough calls this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. “These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It’s a significant proportion of the government’s ...
Peter Dunne writes – I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought NZ to the brink of economic and cultural chaos Chris Trotter writes – TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition ...
And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction? Gary Judd writes – Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
Almost all of the Wellington City Council’s recommended zoning changes to allow many more apartments and townhouses in its inner-suburbs have been approved.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guest on geopolitics, ...
Open access notablesA Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future:Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
Alwyn Poole writes – After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
Eric Crampton writes – A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
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 ...
Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
Asia Pacific Report Barangay New Zealand’s Rene Molina has interviewed the country’s first Filipino Green MP Francisco Hernandez who was sworn into Parliament yesterday as the party’s latest member. This is the first interview with Hernandez who replaces former Green Party co-leader James Shaw after his retirement from politics to ...
An Australian Strategic Policy Institute report says Pillar Two could raise the industry to state of the art capability - or "crush" it "under the weight of the globe's biggest player". ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marlene Longbottom, Associate Professor, Indigenous Education & Research Centre, James Cook University ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the violence experienced by First Nations people in encounters with the Australian carceral system. It also contains references to ...
“Instead of following along countries that are investing in death and better ways of killing people faster, we need to invest in life and in making Aotearoa a fair, just and equitable place where everyone has what they need for a dignified life.” ...
MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI, TPM MP FOR TAI TOKERAU This Government will not waver in its mission to exterminate Māori. CHRISTOPHER LUXON Oh well look you know I don’t think that hard-working Kiwis want to hear language like that. It’s just really unhelpful rhetoric. My Government is genuinely committed to advancing outcomes ...
The body positivity movement started with women confronting the unrealistic expectations and unrepresentative portrayals of them in media and advertising. Men weren’t part of it … their bodies hadn’t been sexualised to the same extremes and they didn’t really need it. But now that’s changed. And in a warped sort ...
The New Zealand comedy legend takes us through her life in television, including the time she hugged Elton John and the unshakeable legacy of a girl named Lyn. In 1981, Ginette McDonald stood on the stage of Auckland’s St James Theatre and directly addressed Queen Elizabeth II. It was a ...
An essay by Lily Duval from the just-released anthology Otherhood: Essays on being childless, childfree and child adjacent.I was 22 when my friend Alice gave birth in the living room of our pokey Addington flat. She laboured in the blow-up pool for hours. Garish fish swam along the inflated ...
Ella Borrie on the best books about motherhood she’s come across so far. Over the past few years I’ve been drawn to books about motherhood. I’m fascinated by the joys and horrors of becoming a parent. The question of children also feels more pressing than it used to. It’s like ...
Out of gift ideas for mum? You can’t go wrong with a bottle of toilet cleaner and a new squeegee. Emily Writes is the writer and editor of Emily Writes Weekly. This week marks five years since I published a post on The Spinoff about Mother’s Day marketing titled ‘A ...
My husband is posted overseas for 12 months and I’m armed with an expensive, newfangled vibrator. Will I miss him? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.A few days after my husband leaves, a new sex toy arrives at the front door. Nestled ...
Jaimie Baird’s new book Here Today Gone Tomorrow is a record of four decades of graffiti and street art in Wellington, told through more than 1,200 photographs. He spoke with Joel MacManus about what inspired the book. How did you first get interested in photographing street art? I remember ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at a busy week where food of all political leanings dominated. Sometimes you’re just going about your week thinking you’ve got a good handle on what might be coming as far as news topics and then someone (usually a politician) says something so ridiculous that ...
In a week of cold rain and frost, the climate in courtroom four upstairs at the Invercargill courthouse was simmering with restrained indignation. At times it felt like the famous Mexican standoff scene from Reservoir Dogs, or, as someone watching the proceedings described it, there was so much throwing of ...
A banner notification alerts me to the fact that I’ve received an Instagram message from @felicity.loves. She always comments on my posts. I shouldn’t have opened the message, but clicked on the notification before rationalising this. OMG! Are you in Wellys? X I debate not replying, but Instagram will inform ...
In Melbourne’s hardscrabble western suburbs where AFL – Aussie rules football – is a state religion, Callum Donaldson has been quietly grafting away, four months into an odyssey that he hopes will take him to another promised land: the NRL. It was a solid 2023 for the softly spoken 20-year-old ...
Pacific Media Watch Television New Zealand Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities in a ceremony at Government House, reports 1News. She has been the Pacific correspondent for 1News since 2002, breaking many ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tuesday’s budget will respond to the deepening public agitation over Australia’s housing shortages by pouring new money into crisis accommodation for women and children, social housing and infrastructure. A specially-convened national cabinet late Friday ticked ...
By Kaneta Naimatu in Suva Journalists in the Pacific region play an important role as the “eyes and ears on the ground” when it comes to reporting the climate crisis, says the European Union’s Pacific Ambassador Barbara Plinkert. Speaking at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on World Press ...
Aldora Itunu is back in the Black Ferns squad after a three-year absence. The last of her 24 internationals was an underwhelming loss to France (7-29) in Castres to conclude the disastrous 2021 Northern Tour. The powerhouse prop won a Rugby World Cup in 2017 and thought she was done. ...
The fight to control major transport policy and projects in Auckland has burst into the open again, with councillors rejecting Mayor Wayne Brown’s latest attempt to steer things more under his influence. Councillors from the left and right broke ranks on the mayor’s bid to control Auckland Transport more directly ...
Exhausted by the general election campaign, horrified by the twilight zone of coalition negotiations, distracted by the silly season and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, Raw Politics has been in hibernation since October. From today, we’re back. Our weekly political video show and podcast returns for ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Authorities in the small town of Boulouparis have commemorated Armistice Day on May 8 with a new memorial honouring New Zealand soldiers who were stationed in New Caledonia during World War II. The ceremony took place in the township on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...
By Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...
Tara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
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New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
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In 2021 the Public Interest Journalism Fund launched the Te Rito Journalism project, a $2.4 million initiative to boost diversity in New Zealand’s newsrooms. The initiative was in response to the decades-long shortage of Māori and Pacific journalists in the media industry. It was billed as New Zealand’s ...
The Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...
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This could be one developer to avoid.
Tenants in woman's new build after Christchurch developer seeks extra $45k on contract price | Stuff.co.nz
At least the house isn't empty.
But imagine paying to move into a brand new house and then having renters in it with all the wear and tear. I hope the building firm gets taken to the cleaners in court.
There is no shortage of either rental accommodation in canterbury,or housing stock,or sections in developed areas.
Since Christchurch CC introduced rules for Airbb surprisingly the rental stock on offer rose 20% and has not decreased since.
What rules did the Christchurch CC introduce?
Limitations on short term stays.Requirement for resource consent,and code of compliance,and change on rating structure for short term stays (commercial rate)
Well done to the Christchurch CC. This regulation should be rolled out nationwide.
Not saying rich pricks can’t continue to destroy local communities by Airbnb’ing their many spare homes, but at least they can pay the going rate!
Airbnb was being marketed to investors as an option on new builds in the 4 avenues ( the brightline for new builds is 5 years)
A more intensive education program on short term rentals in chch to come,b4 compliance with $$$$ penalties.
Sounds like the developer just wanted to increase the price and screw the purchaser as they knew they would have no trouble selling to some one else.
In Australia Developers are allowed to alter the plans up to 20% to avoid this. They are still falling over for the same reasons as here.
Some points from the article
He (Associate Judge Dale Lester) noted construction did not start until five months after Titterton signed her contract.
Her house was built by the developer “in parallel” with two neighbouring properties which both obtained code compliance in September 2021, he said.
That lots 20 and 21 were finished well before the sunset clause shows there was no reason, from a purely construction point of view, that lot 19 (Titterton’s property) could not have been finished on time,” Lester said.
He said an email sent by Dynasty’s solicitor to Titterton’s lawyer in April 2021, which claimed the delays were due to a nationwide shortage of timber, price increases, appliance supply shortages, a need to adjust fill level on site and “issues with funding” was so “inaccurate as it might be submitted that it was intended to mislead”.
It was sent when the walls and roof on the house were completed and work on the brick cladding had started.
The need to adjust the fill level was puzzling since the concrete pad was already down, he said. Dynasty actually continued work until July 30, 2021, with Gib lining, stopping and painting.
Pretty ugly
Call me Mr thickest person called Chris in NZ, but don't actually get how it would work. Obviously micro plastics are light, but don't get how light enough to get into the atmosphere.
Worrying though. Would prefer not killing penguins over plastic Coke bottles etc.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/128885100/antarctica-pristine-no-more-as-microplastics-discovered-in-snow-at-bottom-of-the-world
"Antarctica pristine no more as microplastics discovered in snow at bottom of the world
The driven snow of the world’s last untouched continent might not be so pure after all.
A world-first study by University of Canterbury researchers – published in science journal The Cryosphere on Wednesday – has confirmed the discovery of microplastics in freshly fallen Antarctic snow………"
Microplastics Are Blowing in the Wind – Scientific American
Thanks
Natural skincare range.
I am no scientist, but the one thing I do know is micro plastics basically screw the wild life.
It is sad, but also now probably sadly too hard to stop.
Best we can probably do is try to slow down the damage.
Edit: And that includes fish, birds, even people in some cases
How is it too hard to stop?
There is no way to remove microplastics already in the environment.
And, it seems no will to remove future pollution.
See how ineffective our campaigns against plastic bottles have been,for one.
The world’s population consumes 1 million plastic bottles every minute – Plastic Soup Foundation
Certainly in NZ, one of the biggest use of plastic bottles would be for milk. And there is zero effective interest in mandating a return to glass bottles (which were entirely re-usable and recyclable). There are a few niche producers doing this – but, if we want to make a difference, it has to either be mandated or plastic use heavily cost-weighted (making glass a cheaper option).
I'm really not very interested in plastic recycling options in this instance. Much better to use glass, instead.
I agree about glass. It's hard to beat. We went through a phase when milk was put into cardboard cartons which were found to be releasing small amounts of dioxin into the milk.
With plastic, everyone is rushing around buying plastic that is BPA free. Yet like one scientist said, BPA is one of only many POSSIBLE chemicals that can leach from plastic.
So micro particles may not be the only problem.
Of interest was the idea of using double walled stainless steel for products such as milk. Doesn't have the problems of breakages etc of glass.
Can't find the references at present but will try and dig them out.
Myself, I use them for water bottles and also use stainless steel drinking straws.
quick google tells me technically we can remove micro plastics from water, so are you meaning that we can't remove them from say the ocean because its too big?
Ultimately this is a population issue as well as a shitting in our own nest one. We can shift all clothing to natural fibres tomorrow and implement all the reuse clothing tech and culture at its best, and perpetual growth will still lead to more pollution (natural micro fibres are still pollutants). This is a philosophical problem as well as a technical one.
Too big. Pretty much.
Plastics residues are everywhere. So pervasive that removing existing microplastics from the environment is an impossible task. They are in our bodies, in water and soil, basically, everywhere! No sample was free of microplastics when water sampling NZ rivers.
As many take hundred of years to degrade How long does it take for plastic to biodegrade? (savemoneycutcarbon.com) the problem is going to be around for a while, even if we stopped all slow biodegrading plastic use now.
While glass bottles and other substitutes cut plastics in the environment, they can have their own resource use issues. Energy used to collect and clean milk bottles, for example.
Plastic water bottles is an obviously superfluous use of plastics. In NZ, where tap water can be high quality, dispensed in a glass, that can be used many times, we shouldn't have to sell water in bottles, at all!
every time we harvest water, pee, drink, cook, wash clothes, make stuff, we can capture micro plastics. The water cycle is a cycle.
Maybe in a few hundred years, we could make a dent?
Meanwhile.
Microplastics in farm soils: A growing concern – EHN
""This is a kind of irreversible contamination," said Nizzetto. "There's no way to remediate this kind of contamination at the scale of agricultural soils."”
Meanwhile,
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57733178
If we look at the world in a reductionist way instead of a ecological systems way, we see only reductionist solutions.
We need to transition off disposable plastics asap. Some things require plastics, so reserve them for essential items and services, but put in place systems of protection, retention and recycling.
In addition to that, look at the water cycle, the soil ecosystems, the places we have been polluting and that we need resources from and put humans back in the loops. When we do this, we see both the problems we are causing systemically and the solutions.
Can we clean up all microplastics? Probably not? We can stop polluting more, and we can change how we relate with the rest of nature so that we have systems that clean up pollution as much as possible.
All sustainability comes from this kind of circular and systemic thinking. If a solution doesn't do that, it's not about sustainability, it's about mitigation. Centering mitigation is what BAU does – how much pollution can we get away with?
without systems thinking (and deep ecology) humans will take that research to mean we can keep polluting because the fungi will clean it up.
Same with climate, we can keep emitting GHGs because we will invent CCS or we can plant more trees.
It's the thinking processes that in error.
Deserves an article. I think?
Circular resource use and sustainability.
And how it relates to a circular economy.
Example. Looking at EV’ s as a solution when they are only a part of a solution?
Or. Increases in more sustainable energy being lost within added energy use.
No promises though.
Too much covid at work.
Decades ago I experimented with magnetics. Believe it or not, magnetism in all it's aspects is still a mystery to science.
Here is a type of magnetism that could be used on micro plastics.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210825-how-to-fight-microplastic-pollution-with-magnets
yes posts would be good. I'm not sure if I can get to it am either. It's quite a bit of work.
This is true of *any* reusable packaging solution.
If the economic answer is single use packaging, then we're not measuring correctly.
Or. Assess if the packaging is really required?
Pretty hard to dispense milk with no packaging…..
I suppose. If you count the cow as packaging.
We had churns and ladles as a kid.
Assume this is a tongue in cheek response.
Of course you know that the majority of people don't live on a farm or small-holding – with a milch cow – or within reasonable distance of one.
And most people would like to avoid serious health side effects from poorly stored/unsterilized milk 'packaging'
Ah, that would explain a lot.
Fascinating thread on ocean plastics.
https://twitter.com/RebeccaRHelm/status/1520107539785871362
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1520107539785871362.html
Has there ever been a poll done on any of the previous speakers?
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/06/07/poll-is-trevor-mallard-doing-a-good-job-as-speaker/
I like Trevor Mallard. I reckon he's been a very good Speaker.
Does anyone recall Trevor's bike-me challenge from Whale oil? Trevor trounced Cameron what’s-his-name, as I recall.
"I like Trevor Mallard. I reckon he's been a very good Speaker." – seems like you are in the minority there.
If so, then I’m sure Robert will bow to the pressure of the majority, realise the errors of his way and repent, and adopt your views on Mallard. Because, if I’m not wrong, Robert would like nothing less than think like you, Jimmy.
"Digging further into the poll numbers and barely over a quarter of Labour's own supporters back Mallard." from the 1News Kantar Public Poll.
What is the TS poll?
What are the numbers for the supporters of other parties? How many approved and how many didn’t know? That is more relevant in this thread. Where are your numbers, why aren’t you digging further? For example, 17% of all people polled approve, 48% disapprove, and the rest (i.e. 35%, by my calculation) don’t know (or don’t care).
I can feel Robert shaking in his boots and wavering in his liking of Mallard!
Was the TS poll you mentioned earlier "The Standard"" poll?
Yes would be interesting to know the sample size etc. and where / how the poll was conducted. But concerning result none the less if only 17% actually approve.
I have never seen a previous poll done on a speaker….has there ever been one? If not, why have they even done a poll? Has Mallard pissed someone off at the polling company? Or has someone paid to have the poll done and if so whom? Now that could be interesting.
So, you have nothing else, nothing of any substance, and just jumping on the bandwagon with the rest of the lynch mob.
Of course, somebody paid for the poll!!
Of course, Mallard has pissed off somebody!! It’s in the hit piece you linked to, FFS!!
What’s concerning is that is yet another attack on the Office of the Speaker and you just lap it up, unquestionably and uncritically, as a lazy thinker would.
Watched Mallard rather a bit.
The right wings objection, mainly seems to be that he has no patience for their game playing bullshit.
Unlike the speaker when National was in. Who seemed mostly way out of his depth.
Not so, from my conversations with many people – they're largely indifferent.
But, by way of comparison, Mallard is light years better than Carter!
I like and admire Trevor. He has tried to get the Opposition to play by the rules but which they are defiantly obstructive. The rules are the Parliament's rules so play fair.
Carter was often nastily obstructive and protective of Key especially. Remember when he chucked 5 women MPs out in a row for defending those who were defending those who had be abused?
Wonder how many of those polled knew who or what Trevor was.
Bring back Lockwood Smith!
Yes he was the best speaker
Well if you like your speakers to be strongly biased in favour of the government; intolerant; rigidly ideological; inflexible; capable of making stupid decisions (eg turning on sprinklers to piss off protesters); quick to take offence; incapable of building relationships with opposition parties; capable of having punch ups with other members of parliament; and just generally obnoxious, then Trev's your man – you can have him.
He's probably the worst speaker in parliaments history.
I disagree, and you have a short and/or selective memory, so let me help you: https://thestandard.org.nz/about-trevor-mallard/.
After reading the various comments here on the topic of The Speaker, I've reviewed my original expression of support for Trevor Mallard.
Now, I like him far more than I did before.
We tend to root for the underdog, even when it is Mallard.
More, underduck, but yes.
So, the Parliament grounds occupation is over but the siege on Parliament still continues. Is Mallard the Zelenskyy equivalent in NZ and if so, who’s the Putin equivalent?
Slow news day?
A poll on whether the Speaker is doing a good job and publishing the results as if they were of some grave importance to the country and the world is a sign of how dreadful we've become. And how shgit our media people are.
Most people wouldn't have the faintest idea about what the Speaker does and should do. They wouldn't know their arse from their elbow for a start.
People who say vaccinations don't work, masks don't work and the Government was using radiation at the Wellington protest? Yeah, they don't like Mallard, he's slack at his job, get rid of him? For fucks sake. TVNZ promoted and carried this poll and reported it? The state broadcaster has reduced serious stuff to the level of the Warriors league team with their coaches coming and going.
Interesting Spinoff article unpacking the actions of the conspiracy theorists around the very straightforward visit to the US by Ardern. Everything is apparently fuel for them, and interpreted through the singular lens of their prejudice.
What is worrying, is the spread of the dis-information to a fairly politically unsophisticated audience (TikTok)
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-06-2022/conspiracy-theorists-are-losing-their-shit-over-a-clip-of-jacinda-ardern-in-new-york?fbclid=IwAR225OlQG2gRMuwDVtpaFLwbiRNRJf5Gx0sefxbcrwEUAJGeXrWWKgFKDn0
Recently the work of the Disinformation Project organisation reviewed social media data daily during the Wellington protest. In the massive of volume of content they found 73% of the disinformation identified on Facebook was created by only 12 people.
I wonder if the lunatic garbage in this latest instance about Ardern in New York is from the same people.
According to Stuff the news is that they'll soon have some news, namely, an interview with Luxon.
A more sycophantic bunch would be hard to find.
They must be upset the last interviews showed him to be an elitist fuckwit.
Yes. They should ask Luxon if he's still carrying his vaccine pass. That will get the conversation off to an interesting start.
WTF:
Quote:
''My question to this government and other governments around the world twisting words to limit food production to achieve an unsustainable goal while making a food shortage for the world; why are they not taking into account Article 2 (b) of the Paris Accord?”
https://www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/dairy-news/dairy-opinion/stop-restricting-food-production
And from Scoop:
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1910/S00153/paris-agreement-on-climate-change-threats-to-food-security.htm
Apparently Owen Jennings had a great article in the Herald for those who can crack the paywall.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/owen-jennings-why-farmers-are-still-angry-about-emissions-proposals/S6C36R5U64VXWBK4AD6A6V3TBU/
would you mind explaining what you are trying to say with these links?
Blade is repeating the farmers that say.
"Don't try to stop us polluting, or we will stop feeding you".
See below ( In vino) on how a reasoned response whether right or wrong, is posted instead of a soundbite.
What are you trying to say with those links?
If it isn't
"Don't try to stop us polluting, or we will stop feeding you"?
Or. Don't you know?
Blade – use your brain next time and reply to my message, not KJT's.My message is now a good way below your mis-placed reply.
Soundbite? What do you think you mean by that? I can assure you that I made no sound at all as I posted my eloquently expressed rebuttal to your obvious piece of trolling. You knew well that the reference you gave would annoy and provoke the average contributors to this site. You sowed knowingly, and I gave you something you could deservedly reap.
Take your medicine, and stop complaining about superficial manners. You are a blatantly obvious right wing troll, and as such are unconvincing when you try to weasel in as a 'nice' contributor.
KJT described you well at 6.1.1.
(Just above the reply above, which you sent to the wrong person.)
'Reasoned response'? You don't even say which response you are referring to.
I suggest you find another way to misspend your idle time, Blade.
You have misunderstood. I wasn't replying to you. I was replying to KJT who posts trite replies. I used your post as an example of a reasoned reply.
''See below ( In vino) on how a reasoned response whether right or wrong, is posted instead of a soundbite.''
ps- loved the honest Leftwing flogging you gave me. It clears the sinuses and focuses the mind.
Well, knowing how poorly 'reply' buttons work on websites, I assumed that (In Vino) meant you were specifying that you were replying to me.
Mea Culpa.
Amusing, in a way. No wonder I could not find an appropriate 'reasoned response.'
Sorry, but I still agree with KJT. And at least you don't deny your guilt..
Please don’t think that this disingenuous friendly behaviour will help you in future engagements.
"Please don’t think that this disingenuous friendly behaviour will help you in future engagements.''
I wouldn't expect anything less.
Article 2 (b) of the Paris Accord?”
As I understand it ( and to be fair I have lost interest in the topic) governments shouldn't curtail food production in response to climate change targets.
However, I'm flying a little blind here because it's the Owen Jennings article I wanted to comment on.
I posted those links because this topic, I believe, will be back in the media spotlight.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/128883139/farming-bodies-seek-power-equal-to-government-in-ag-emissions-system
Of more importance is how National will approach this issue when they become the government next year. Lefties believing National will give farmers a free pass may be in for a surprise. National may be completely woke by that time if Luxon's performance is anything to go by.
so the first premise is that governments are or will curtail food production in response to climate change. Why would they do that? Which governments?
Don't reach. The government ( Labour)- National isn't in power yet- will curtail food production indirectly with their demands on farmers re climate change regulation affecting agriculture.
It shows you how divorced this government is from our major export earner. Believe it or not, its not Robbo Hood’s printing press, or the Green Collective, that puts food on our tables…it's agriculture.
But again, this is standard fare for a left leaning government. Most righties expected no different. The questions is what National will, or will not be doing around this issue.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/128890620/cost-of-greenhouse-gas-scheme-may-slash-farm-profits
unfortunately industrial ag is also responsible for a large amount of GHG emissions.
I take it your argument here is that we shouldn't be doing climate mitigation. You'll get more shit if you are honest about that, but you will get more respect too. The whole back door climate denial is tedious af.
you can correct me if I am wrong, I'm just extrapolating from what you have said but also that you haven't actually explained much.
''I take it your argument here is that we shouldn't be doing climate mitigation.''
No, not directly. The only good thing about the climate change scam is it's forcing even more changes and efficiencies in the agriculture sector. Changes that have been happening since SMPs were scrapped. The days of a new Jag and a week in the Islands was over. Some farmers went to the wall.
We emit next to nothing in global terms. We even import coal. How nutty is that? All in the name of '' Let's be world leaders.'' More reality based countries burn coal and have no problem burning fossil fuels when needed.
So, at the end of the day, I want all climate change legislation scrapped. However, I'm still for environmental controls on farmers who pollute rivers, and abuse stock.
In fact farmers are now one of the biggest preservers of remaining natural bush. Always amazes me how little I see Maori and urban Greenies involved in such preservation work.
"Climate change scam".
Funny how the ignorant always eventually, out themselves.
"Always amazes me how little I see Maori and urban Greenies involved in such preservation work."
Don't get out much do you? About 200 out in our local wetland last week. Maori And some Asians, Indians, Poms and other assorted, Greenies. Even a couple of retired cockies.
This would have to be one of the stupider things I've seen recently. But good to see your prejudices laid out bare.
Cheap easy shots .I'm just stating my experiences. Mostly ordinary folk on the replantings I have been involved in. No Maori, only two Greenies ( real Greenies. Hand's that obviously had held a slasher; not a latte.). Look at the student army in Christchurch. See any Maori organisation helping out? Apart from Derek Fox who stayed a few days then was gone. However, to be fair I may have missed some Maori helpers.
I'm sorry, Weka. I can only go by my own experiences. Now I did have one indigenous experience. I offered Totara saplings to a replanting scheme. The pakeha coordinator said they couldn't accept my offer because my trees wouldn't have been native to the area. I bet he was following kaupapa set down by Maori…who were nowhere in sight.
I think it’s your prejudices that are being laid out bare. And I will meet all prejudices like yours head on.
No, you're not. You're using your apparently quite limited personal experiences to make a political point about groups of people you don't like. It's very easy to find many planting projects that greenies and Māori are involved in.
So not personal experience, but out and out racist framing. It's not hard to find Māori orgs that are doing work in the community.
It's called eco-sourcing, it's based in ecological sciences, and it's common throughout NZ.
https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/conservation/restoration/eco-sourcing/
Really? How come you haven't named them then? All I'm seeing is you making a bunch of racist and anti-green assertions and one that is ignorant of a reforestation concept as well as being anti-Māori. None of that is anything to do with me.
Didn't see any Māori?
Rehua Marae: Leading light during Christchurch earthquakes (tpk.govt.nz)
''It's very easy to find many planting projects that greenies and Māori are involved in.''
Fare enough. List some. I admit I have only been involved in two schemes. But I've seen a whole heap more on TV – few Maori or Greenies I'm sorry to say.
''It's called eco-sourcing, it's based in ecological sciences, and it's common throughout NZ.''
Never heard of it. We have what's called ''Local variety seed saving.'' I'm guessing it's a similar thing? I will say I already had some of my saplings growing quite well in the general planting area, but I was still turned down.
''I think its your prejudices that are being laid out bare. And I will meet all prejudices like yours head on.''
''Really? How come you haven't named them then? All I'm seeing is you making a bunch of racist and anti-green assertions. and one that is ignorant of a reforestation concept as well as being anti-Māori.
1- You have prejudices against farmers and people who don't share your views on quack science based climate change. You have made those sentiments quite clear to me.
2- You cannot argue race in a rational manner. Your arguments always boils down to your opposition being racist. So you have race bias.
3- You are prejudiced against the Right of politics. Unlike me, you have trouble criticising your own.
4-You have bias when it comes to certain gender issues.
@ KJT
''Didn't see any Māori.''
Not quite what I meant. But good on the Marae for helping out.
Your anti-Māori vibe was loud & clear and fits in well with your other comments and MO.
Anti-Maori?
That'd be "anti-Blade" wouldn't it?
Blade – I read that crap in the local café. Utter baloney – the guy lies about methane, claims a closed system when much of his 'disappearing methane' converts to carbon dioxide, and peddles a load of wishful garbage.
He claims that 'methane is gone in ten years.' If I remember correctly, that approximate figure is its half-life. And what is the point if farmers are replenishing it with a new full amount every year? No mention of methane being up to 60 times worse that CO2 as a heat-retaining gas.
One-eyed, wishful drivel.
But believed as gospel by right whingers!
Methane, "disappears into …what? CO2, that's what, the worstest of the gasses!
The Feds et al are trying to twist our thinking. But they are the twist.
Groundswill: Twist and Shout.
Increase??
But…but…splutters.
Don't look up!!
Keep your eyes firmly fixed on the plough-share!
I'll try to expand on this at some point but I believe Dairy Expansion in New Zealand is equivalent to Israeli Settlement Expansion in the occupied territories.
Invade, set up families and business, and use that as means with which to not be able to roll back the original injustice.
First case against Mega, claiming harm from social media algorithms , as evidenced by the Facebook revelations last year.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/meta-lawsuit-instagram-caused-eating-disorder-self-harm-rcna32221
Soft on crime, eh?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/newlands-wellington-police-shooting-residents-describe-shock-as-man-killed/3JNBTJXVW6OKZCFGS6TCUNNDLI/
If it suited their argument, they'd be screaming "Police brutality!"
Yes.
Remember when National was in and it seemed like every other day there was a story about homeless people and families sleeping rough
Now its Labours turn
Well, you and your fellow travellers are determined to link police action directly to Labour Party policy so I ask again, does yesterday's event in Newlands show the government is soft on crime?
Perhaps the police and therefore, according to your theory, Jacinda Ardern could have done more than shot the man 8 times. Maybe some torture first. Would it have been better if police had taken out the entire family just to show the gangs who is boss?
Just asking questions…
[You are going too far and well beyond ‘just asking questions’ that are reasonable and within levels of what’s acceptable and tolerated here.
From the Policy:
This is your warning – Incognito]
You misunderstand. Having to shoot an offender during a dire situation has nothing to do with this government being soft, and useless on crime prevention.
Have a look at the second clip in this link and see how scared a gang banger is of the police. If I was in charge no prick who probably doesn't even know how to flush the toilet would ever disrespect police, ambulance or medical staff without facing dire consequences, and if need be liberal use of the baton.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/128889716/police-shooting-death-man-held-knife-to-womans-throat-before-cops-fired
I'm confused about what you and your hopped up stablemate Blade are trying to say. Baton anyone and everyone who looks like a gang member?
Just say it.
I shall not
Mod note
You misunderstand. Having to shoot an offender during a dire situation has nothing to do with this government being soft, and useless on crime prevention.
Have a look at the second clip in this link and see how scared a gang banger is of the police. If I was in charge no prick who probably doesn't even know how to flush the toilet would ever disrespect police, ambulance or medical staff without facing dire consequences, and if need be liberal use of the baton.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/128889716/police-shooting-death-man-held-knife-to-womans-throat-before-cops-fired
Except this Government is not "soft" or "useless" on crime prevention except in the fevered imagination of right Wing scare mongerers.
The effects of covid and the Ozzies exports of 501's are nothing to do with this Government.
Consequences have little effect on violent crime which is mostly spur of the moment stuff. "Harsher punishments have little effect on deterrance".
Breaking the Cycle of Violent Crime and Punishment: The Promise of Neuronormalization – Denson – 2021 – Social Issues and Policy Review – Wiley Online Library
"Paradoxically, harsh punishments such as incarceration often increase offending rather than deter it, which produces a cycle of violent crime and punishment".
Your revenge fantasies would result in more crime, and more victims!
Mind you, right wingers love that. Fear is often a motivation for voting Conservative.
"Paradoxically, harsh punishments such as incarceration often increase offending rather than deter it, which produces a cycle of violent crime and punishment".
Cool.
Lets not incarcerate anyone lest we be considered harsh
Job protection. Eh?
https://www.positive.news/society/the-empty-prisons-being-put-to-good-use-in-the-netherlands/
“there are far fewer repeat offenders; and reported crime continues to decline.”
I'd love to be made redundant due to not being needed
Certainly the evidence shows, that being "tough on crime" and incarcerating ever more people, doesn't reduce crime.
"tough on crime" means different things to different people.
There are people who probably think Acts three crimes bill was "tough on crime"
The Netherlands as far as I'm aware, don't have the huge third world underclass we have. I would assume most of their prisoners would be able to read and flush a toilet.
If we decriminalised all drug use ( with caveats attached) our prisons would be empty too.
Can you guess what those caveats would be?
Thanks for inadvertently supporting one of my other points.
If we increased welfare and wages, and didn't have a "third World underclass" we would also decrease crime.
No, KJT. I'm talking inherent third world mentalities that cannot be changed with wages or welfare.
For example, you may be wondering about my weird references to ''flushing toilets''
Two examples:
A rented flat was inspected by the owner. He wondered what a smell was. In the bedroom the tenants had crapped in the corner and put a blanket over the crap. The toilet was down the hallway.
When I helped a friend out on his orchard, an ablution block was built for the workers. It had three showers and four toilets. The toilets weren't flushed and the rubbish bins were full of used toilet paper.
You can't change that mindset. I would also like to add, that definitely not all third world folk are uncivilised ( by or standards), but some are.
Back to the caveats?
What would yours be if all drug use was decriminalised? There is no right or wrong answer, but maybe our ideologies would influence our opinions.
Didn't take much to expose your bene bashing rascist bigotry. Eh?
I'm sorry. I'll forget I saw unflushed toilets. Or the angry Muslim man I knocked out when he became agitated with a woman employee who didn't know whether the meat they sold was halal or not. When he pushed her I dealt to him.
These people don't give a flying fig about your welfare system or wokey ways. They just want your money if possible. Then they want you to piss off.
But to the Caveats? Here’s one:
1- All drug users must be registered. Once registered they may consume any drug they want. However, should they present for medical treatment associated with drug use. They will be denied treatment. They can either die in the hospital car park… or crawl home. It would therefore be prudent for them to take out private healthcare so the rest of us don’t have to pick up the tab.
WTF! Babies shit their nappies, toddlers can be potty-trained, but uncivilised savages will always be uncivilised, their mind-sets cannot be changed, and they will always crap on your floor!? Yet, they’re useful slaves and good enough, only good enough, to do our shit jobs for peanuts!?
Aren’t you the macho hero for defending a woman against an agitated Muslim man and knocking him out? Did you run off to the pub to brag about it to your mates or just here on TS?
You are showing your true colours in and by every comment you make here.
For what it is worth we encountered exactly the same problem in one of our rentals many years back. Literally the tenant did not know what the toilet was for, had ripped up some floor boards and was throwing all their rubbish under the house.
But bigotry.
The Netherlands have done a bang up job creating their own huge third world underclass.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/we-shouldnt-be-surprised-by-the-chaos-in-the-netherlands/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/10/xenophobic-machines-dutch-child-benefit-scandal/
https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-entertainment-politics-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-8d37956fce12df831a151eede7b9f70c
Some do favour harsh (cruel or severe) punishment – seems counter-productive, even when it's not just for 'kicks'.
https://www.nzhowardleague.org.nz/
''The effects of covid and the Ozzies exports of 501's are nothing to do with this Government.''
It has everything to do with the government because it's incumbent on the government to react to changing circumstances…and most importantly of all, its priority to keep citizens safe.
I'm through arguing the toss. See PR's link. If that was a one off, then it wouldn't be important. The FACT is many people in communities across the country are scared.
That may be a better indicator of how affective this government is on crime.
You are "through arguing the toss", because evidence based arguments are too much for you.
The level of manufactered fear, is no indication of the Governments effectiveness.
In reality they have reacted to changing circumstances. Including funding police to a much greater level than National, and supporting evidence based initiatives that actually will reduce crime over time. Kelvin Davis in particular is doing a good job there. But you are wilfully blind to it.
Meanwhile your only solution is bashing people with battons.
"Kelvin Davis in particular is doing a good job there."
Link please because I need a good laugh
Do you think he is wrong in this aim.
Kelvin Davis and his plan to spend $100m turning the hardest criminals into better people – NZ Herald
Yes.
We've had three years of the plan.
Are recidivist rates down, is violent crime down?
Instant results, only happen on TV, in Hosking land.
How much bureaucratic inertia is he fighting?
Explain to me how his plan will work then (he did actually mention one of the major issues)
"Mind you, right wingers love that. Fear is often a motivation for voting Conservative."
While I agree the US right tended years ago to use fear, but you could mount the same argument with Ardern and Covid.
It is basically just a political tool.
""Paradoxically, harsh punishments such as incarceration often increase offending rather than deter it, which produces a cycle of violent crime and punishment"."
I would add "without intervention and rehabilitation and hopefully some training for focus on a trade" to that, but tend to agree again.
But lets face it. There are some people that need to be separated from normal society for a while, due to public safety. Let's face it. You sometimes just strike the odd piece of human scum.
Fear, justified, of COVID was a motivation for some of the conservative swing to Labour.
And the windup about crime, now.
A thoughtful prison officer I knew reckoned the intractable was less than 3%. “The real evil buggers”.
I suspect often with other unresolved issues such as ODD.
Its a helluva thing when you meet someone worse than a kiddie fiddler for the first time
Really messes with your equilibrium
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1043986206298949
But poor self control is a key predicter of criminal behaviour, and it is incremental in its impact.
The Dunedin Multi Disciplinary study has found that good self control at 3 years of age predicts good outcomes including low rates of criminality.
Why we are training kids in self control skills is beyond me.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1043986206298949
But poor self control is a key predicter of criminal behaviour, and it is incremental in its impact.
The Dunedin Multi Disciplinary study has found that good self control at 3 years of age predicts good outcomes including low rates of criminality.
Why we are training kids in self control skills is beyond me.
Your article kjt is interesting, but it states that trials should be consdiered in this intervention, rather than there being good evidence that it works
Which begs the question.
If it is something inherent from birth.
What degree is actual personal responsibility/choice?
Thanks for pointing out the second clip, I missed it first time. Yep it shows they have no respect for the police and have no fear of the police actually acting upon their abuse.
Try asking these people:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/128881828/third-world-country–four-square-owner-ready-to-call-it-quits-after-third-ramraid-in-three-months
''Third world country''
Enough said. The next stop for all those scared people across our once great nation is the voting booth.
What gets me is that these are Labours heartland, you'd think Labour would care about them a little
I have thought similar, PR. Seems to me their ideology must always come first. The body count is collateral damage. Then again maybe not enough people in the heartlands imbibe Chardonnay?
The "body count" is at the door of those who for decades have ignored the evidence about how we can reduce crime, to pander to "tough on crime fantacists.
Sending generations to "Crime University" to become students of incarcerated gang members, while ignoring the needs for literacy, mental health, meaning ful work, and participation in the community.
It is at the door of F wits like you, who ignore overwhelming evidence of how to really reduce crime, to indulge their own fear and wet dreams.
The extra victims that may have never been victims, if the underlying causes of crime had been addressed.
Calm down, KJT.
''It is at the door of F wits like you.''
I have no problem with you thinking I'm a fuckwit. Probably 90% of the blog thinks similar.
But please remember about keeping things civil as Incognito recently warned. It's about keeping the ambience of this blog respectful and safe. And at the moment I'm not feeling safe with your korero.
From someone who has been abusive, patronising and dismissive to just about every commentator here.
LOL.
If you feel intellectually unsafe, it is not my problem.
The sites Kaupapa is "robust debate".
I have a soft spot for Weka. Even though she drags me around by my nose ring . But I wouldn't want to be abusive towards her.
I like to think of myself as one of the good guys.
But please remember, calling someone a fuckwit is not ''robust debate.''
Patronising still.
Even when they have been one?
I’m a seafarer by the way. Not one of the “Woke” that think F wits delicate feelings should be respected.
''I’m a seafarer by the way.''
Me to in a way. I was born with seaweed behind my ears. I'm always at my best when breathing in all those negative ions that a sea breeze brings.
My brother in law was first officer on the coastal Tanker Amokura, before going on to captain a super tanker in the Persian gulf. So I have been on these vessels.
My claim to fame is going from Mt Maunganui beach to Mayor Island on a standup jet ski circa 1988. The tech wasn't great in those days and it was a bit freaky with a fuel container resting on the running board.
However, talk is cheap. Seafarer's test.
1- Is a tanker in more danger of exploding when it's full of oil or empty?
2- If a tanker is coming to it's moorings listing port side, who should greet it – Luxon or Ardern?
Let's hear some of your stories.
Don't we all – although if you really could make anthropogenic global warming go away just by declaring it a scam then you would be a very good guy indeed.
Just one question – how do you cope with all the sand?
Correct, and if that’s all there’s to a comment, pretty much, than there’s a high chance that it will be moderated with a warning, at least. Generally and mostly, Mods look for patterns of behaviour and commenting rather than isolated expletives, slurs, or even personal attacks, which can all be (a minor!) part of robust debate. However, we prefer it if you keep it civil.
Where is your evidence of how to really reduce crime kjt??
I suspect for the hardened criminals who PR works with it is too late.
Within the past week I've put up references from criminologists, people within the field, researchers and examples of countries that have been successful in reducing crime.
You know, actual evidence of what works.
Or. We can just carry on with "what has been proven not to work".
What works.
Open mike 25/05/2022 « The Standard
Thanks KJT. I have had a brief look. Will try to find time to read more.
I'll leave it to the inimitable Orwell:
“I have known numbers of bourgeois Socialists, I have listened by the hour to their tirades against their own class, and yet never, not even once, have I met one who had picked up proletarian table-manners.”
From the article "A man fatally shot by police was holding a knife to the throat of a woman "
If that's true then well done to the police, he had to be 'taken out'. You can't F around if he's armed and obviously dangerous.
He also will not re-offend.
If the issues that lead him into crime had been dealt with when he was younger. Then the woman, and the police, may have never been threatened.
Possibly, however, many choose a life of crime even after an ok upbringing. He made choices, and this was not a good one.
"was a good person who struggled with alcohol, his cousin said."
"He gets carried away when he's drunk."
Man fatally shot by police in Newlands, Wellington was Sam Fakalago – NZ Herald
I don’t believe in coincidences: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/livestream-speaker-trevor-mallard-grilled-by-mps-at-parliament-select-committee.html.
Short post this time.
If you were considering watching The Rings Of Power (and you really shouldn't) and the arguments about it not being Tolkien enough aren't enough to sway then maybe this clip will help change your mind
Its basically about how Amazon bailed on NZ (due to Covid restrictions) and went to the UK to film
is that a prequel?
I haven't watched any of the films, too much a fan of the books.
Ok if you only trust me on one thing ever then trust me on this.
If you haven't watched the films because you're too much of a fan of the books then you absolutely will not want to watch this
lol, no way will be I watching it.
Nor I (I mean I'll have to watch some parts just to see how bad it is)
Sort of schadenfreude? The horrified attention that keeps your eyes to a slow-motion wreck on reality TV?
I'll be watching some of it – to see friends who were in the cast (extras, not stars).
Though, really, if you want to write a woke fantasy story, with super diverse casting, and characterization which departs from canon – do so. Just leave Tolkien out of it….
The criticism that I've read so far, is that they could have made *most* of the changes, effectively, if they'd bothered to actually integrate them into the extant lore – instead of just pasting them on top. A lazy process which does disservice both to Tolkien and the actors cast in the roles.
I don't love some of the changes that Jackson (et al) made to LOTR – but they were a hell of a lot more intellectually honest than what I'm seeing from RoP
'Sort of schadenfreude? The horrified attention that keeps your eyes to a slow-motion wreck on reality TV?'
I'd rather not watch it (and I'm not going to watch all of it) but if I'm going to criticize (and I will) I need to watch some of it so I can really go to town on it
Similar to the Star Wars tv series, I watch enough of it so I can criticize properly
'I'll be watching some of it – to see friends who were in the cast (extras, not stars)'
Thats fair enough, I'd do the same as well
For the rest of your comments I'll just say I 100% agree
Its based primarily on the appendices (sort of) of The Lord Of The Rings.
If' you'd like a little taster of what its about Amazon put out a clip with 'superfans' (their words not mine) talking about the trailer
Amazon also really quickly pulled the superfans clip because of how bad it was reuploaded so thats good
For a potentially lethal drinking game take a drink everytime someone mentions representation, diversity or other woke terms:
Now look who’s bringing up drinking again!
I sense a pattern and I can almost smell it too …
I thought you liked Top Gun!?
I'm not one to judge but isn't it a bit early to be drinking?
Here it is: https://thestandard.org.nz/top-gun/#comment-1890709; you do like Top Gun!
Woosh! That was not the sound of Tom Cruise flying low over your head. All good though.
I thought Correction Officers had to be sound judges of people and characters!?
Anyway, I drink coffee all day round, probably way too much, and I never drink alcohol when active online, which is pretty much all the time except when I’m having a good time with friends & family and even a drink or two.
Well maybe you can explain to me what Top Gun Maverick has to do with The Rings Of Power, I couldn't see the connection so I assumed it was your day time drinking or maybe it was one of the those really subtle comments you like to make every now and then, comments so subtle that no one has any idea of what you're talking about
The Spanish Archer is waiting
I actually watched your YT clip, on 2× speed, and there were plenty of references in it to Hollywood and none positive. Even without watching the clip there are many parallels and points of connection with Hollywood. Can’t help it if you don’t grasp your own material, so perhaps dial back on the ‘criticizing’ and “really go[ing] to town on it”.
So you missed the points where I've mentioned the tide is turning on woke entertainment?
That I used Top Gun Maverick as an example of this non-woke entertainment that is also financially successful?
That this provides proof for Hollywood of the type of movies people actually want to see?
Missed all that?
Stick to day drinking Spanish Archer
Nowadays, woke and scientology are almost as bad as each other.
Although your comment @ 10 was the most-woke [wokiest?] one I’ve seen in a while, it did not actually say anything about anything you claim it said!? Perhaps you wish to re-read your comment about Amazon?
Or perhaps it is time for you to come out as woke warrior?
Amazon bailed on filming in NZ, the govt subsidised a studio, what part of that did you fail to spot or did you not actually watch it
C'mon Spanish Archer you can do better than that
It’s a terrible tragedy, $30M for the film studio in Henderson and no Amazon. Thus, you argued, we should not watch that movie (plus for some other obscure reasons that affronted your delicate senses of wokeness). OTOH, you love Top Gun!? Can’t you see the delicious irony?
'It’s a terrible tragedy, $30M for the film studio in Henderson and no Amazon. Thus, you argued, we should not watch that movie '
I've argued that it shouldn't be watched because its going to be crap and that should be enough
If thats not enough then I'll make an appeal to peoples dislike of billionaires, corporations and subsidies to try to make people avoid the series on those basis, whatever strategy works
'OTOH, you love Top Gun!? Can’t you see the delicious irony?'
Spanish Archer you are a fucktard
Top Gun Maverick was made for the fans, made to be entertaining, to be non-political and absolutely non-woke
The movie showed respect to the fans by not shitting on the previous movie
It didn't make Maverick a joke or someone that had to be led by others
It promised entertainment and it delivered.
It shows what happens when you make entertainment for the people whereas The Rings Of Power is the exact opposite
The Rings Of Power proudly exclaims how diverse it is, in their words: 'because they wanted to ensure that it reflected "what the world actually looks like" and felt that would be closer to the spirit of the books.'
Top Gun Maverick gave the people what they wanted and so I praise them for it because I want more of this (non-woke entertainment)
The Rings Of Power are not giving the people what they want so I'm lambasting them for it
Do you get it now or do I need to spell it out for you some more now fuck off and go jerk off somewhere else
Actually you know what, you probably still don't get it so I'll bring it down a notch just for you.
Studio puts out good entertainment = praise
Studio puts out bad entertainment = criticism
This is Spanish Archer right about now:
Hilarious! You haven’t watched and were not going to watch it, but only parts, so that you “can really go to town on it”, but you know (!) it’ll be crap!?
Yeah, and Top Gun was an Indie movie made on a shoestring budget and Tom Cruise did a gratis cameo.
Absolutely! But at least I’m not a closet woke-warrior with a drinking problem.
You should really see somebody about that issue of yours because you do seem to lose your temper so quickly nowadays – are you missing JC? Tell you what, lay off the bottle for a while.
Bye now, have sweet dreams 😉
The show is going to be shit because:
It proclaims it as Lord Of The Rings yet it is far removed from what Tolkien wrote and because its a couple of inexperienced, young writers the episodes will not be Tolkien, it will be generic though
The show will be shit because we've seen this all before.
Game Of Thrones was a very good tv series, it was good because the show runners were adapting from George RR Martin
However
The show came to a grinding halt and got really, really bad in the later series because once the showrunners had no books to work off and had to create themselves they just couldn't do it because they were not as good a writers as Martin was (hes never finishing the series by the way)
The Rings Of Power have not learned that lesson
The Wheel Of Time had all the books it needed but instead decided to move away from the source material, as an example we all know that female and male magic are the two halves and you need both but the tv series doesn't (also released through Amazon Prime)
I could go on, the treatment of Halo, The Witcher, Disney Star Wars etc etc
The lessons here are simple, simple enough even you can grasp it.
Fans like the source material, fans get attached to the source material, you better be very careful when you change the source material and you shouldn't insult the fans when they complain
The Rings Of Power have not learnt these lessons so yeah its going to be bad, I don't know just how bad it will be but it will be bad.
Respect the fans and you'll make money or get woke and go broke.
Top Gun Maverick respected the fans, respected the source material and is now making bank and I don't care that Tom Cruise is in a cult either
Sure its written, sure its probably insincere but that he thanked the fans was a nice touch and his movie is reaping the rewards:
What do we get from Disney and Amazon, just that we're all racist if we don't like what they produce
The new Top Gun was quite entertaining, I wouldn't say its the best storyline and its very similar to the original.
It surpassed the original in all ways except one, the romance.
It felt shoehorned in, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't up to the rest of the movie.
Its not a fault but it felt like we were missing another movie, a movie based around Icemans promotions and Mavericks shennanigans
But charmingly non political, non woke, pure entertainment for the fans
Funny how the most non-cultish movie of recent times was made by a very well known Scientologist
Given up on so-called Hollywood movies years ago and it’s Indies for me all the way.
Shame because Hollywood has been desperately trying to court the left for years now
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Picture#2020s
I prefer looking for diamonds in the rough and have unearthed many real gems. Of course, there’s European and Asian cinema, and African (incl. South African). Once you look away from Hollywood you realise that there’s so much more to enjoy. I have greatly enjoyed Hollywood movies in the past, even the action flicks, but taste develops with time & experience just as good wine ripens [intentional pun; hope it wasn’t too subtle for you]
I will probably torrent it.. like everything else 😛🏴☠️
Wait until its released on streaming first.
The more people see this at the movies the bigger and louder the message is to Hollywood that we don't want woke movies, movies that contain "the message", that diversity and representation is not more important than storylines and decent acting, that we want entertaining movies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gun:_Maverick
'The film will be available on Paramount+, but only more than 45 days after its theatrical release.'
Ha! Luxon got beaten up again by Jacinda in question time.
He simply doesn't know his material, and she does!
Still directing his attack and Poto Williams, a damned fine Minister of Police.
Wow!
Just watched our wonderful Minister of Police put bully boy Mercenary Mitchell properly in his place!
Well done, Poto.
Agreed Tony. Both Luxon and Willis prepare their questions but totally fail to listen to the answers, and totally fail to adjust in the light of the answers given. A disconnect between question and answer! Pointless.
Mitchell strangely did listen to one of Poto's great answers, and redirected his question back to Poto and not the Police, but sadly for him he was corrected that the Minister was for policy and funding, and Police carried out the operations.
You would think that Mitchell knows better; hadn’t he recently met with the Police Commissioner Andrew Coster? Perhaps he confused policy & funding in that meeting too?
Mark Mitchell was a policeman once. He resigned and became a mercenary soldier and the IQ level of the Police immediately increased.
Awesome ! : )
Keep up the good news Tony. I doubt it will be on 1 news tonight though, they don't like it up em.
Dunno if this happened yesterday but the Spin-off reporting on Ipsos shows National with the political wind in their sails.
Frankly I think the Labour benches have been poor. Perhaps it’s government under these circumstances or the headwinds. I don’t know the power dynamics, but the idea of a wave of popular announcements coming from ministry after ministry doesn’t seem likely.
Labour hasn’t been able to pivot yet, and now they’re playing catch up. It might be they will hold, but it’ll need some reinvention. Perhaps it’s culturally we need a bit of reinvention as a country and a good chunk of us are not keen on it or simply can’t. Aussie is trying to, but with their majority government it may not happen.
National are going to get a lot of easy coverage as they carpet bomb BS. Labour are gunna get blamed for everything. It seems from up the thread they’re trying to attack the ref too. That’s normal.
Let’s elect the speaker and all our judges, etc etc! Christ the National speakers were terrible. Mallard has sided with opposition complaints and penalized the government in a way I certainly haven’t seen reported before.
I feel Labour needs some consistent muscular, relaxed and confident coverage. The international trip is a start, but you can’t depend on your leader entirely forever. Community was a buzzword in Aussie?
'Christ the National speakers were terrible.'
National and Labour certainly have had some…questionable speakers but I think you're forgetting about Lockwood Smith
Sang a good song. Why do you assume I’m old enough to remember him?
Well you said speakers so I took that to mean more than one and Smith was the speaker before Carter, less than ten years ago
Puckie is feeling nostalgic.
A fair call on my part I feel, I haven't even used the whattabout argument about some of Labours speakers
What about it?
I think Speaker would be one of the biggest pain in the arse jobs in Parliament as an MP. You obviously get the extra cash, but she is a bit of a poisoned chalice.
You kind of have to juggle backing the boss of your Party, while simultaneously trying to look non-biased.
As I said last night. Think they should make it an independent job from outside, With someone with political nouce.
I actually think someone like Peter Dunne would be quite good.
Whoever it is it should not be subjected to polls of the public and trying to stir up angst against the speaker. The speaker’s office is what enables debate in the chamber and questioning of the government and should not be subject to such crude attacks.
Don’t do it for refs. Ditto here.
It's a good day in San Francisco, voters have voted to recall Chesa Boudins, a radical aristocratic socialist whose lawyer grandfather represented Castro and whose parents were leaders of cop killing, bank robbing, neighborhood and federal building bombing terrorist group the Weather underground.
Good.
America's private prisons are a disgrace and the kinds of minor crimes people go to prison for is disgusting. However, there needs to be a balance between throwing everyone in prison for quotas and not throwing anyone in prison or punishing anyone because of ideology.
San Franciscos incredibly liberal voters are sick of "san Francisco snow" which is broken glass from cars shops and houses everywhere , they are sick of police not showing up to arrest shoplifters and defacto decriminalization of shoplifting (cops won't show up unless over a grand has been stolen) they are sick of shop windows being smashed in on broad daylight in front of police and nothing happening.
The Mayor of the town actually tried to downplay and reassure the insane crime stats by saying it's only homocides and assaults that are massively up. Lmfao how reassuring.
And it was democrats who led the charge against Boudin specifically democrats of colour, the yes to recall campaign was funded by San Francisco residents whereas the no campaign was funded by people in other cities in the state.
He's gone. There must be a balance between neoliberal corporate justice reform and woke justice reform.
Letting criminals run wild hurts the poorest the most.
Now. Hopefully results like this wake the left everywhere up on crime.
The punishment must suit the crime. It shouldn't exceed it and it shouldn't be a slap on the wrist.
Also if 501s are being deported from Australia for breaking the law, the law should be changed so it's straight to prison for them. End of story.
Voters especially ones in poorer and working class neighbourhoods will not tolerate weakness on crime and will vote for people who will be tough on crime no matter how much woke academics scream otherwise.
Also the guardian called his terrorist parents "left wing activists" smh.
If woke courts and woke sentencing guidelines won't fly in San Francisco, they won't fly anywhere.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.thuieguardian.com/us-news/2022/jun/07/san-francisco-vote-chesa-boudin-recall
.
As always, the luxury beliefs of the affluent, bloated, narcissistic Woke – utterly divorced from reality – are guaranteed to create a nightmare living situation on a day-to-day basis for a whole swathe of the Left's traditional core constituency …
… the constituency that, of course, founded, built & intellectually energised the Left for many decades before it was slowly but surely captured by 300 buck-an-hour virtue-signalling New Middle Class Professionals.