Open mike 08/09/2015

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:00 am, September 8th, 2015 - 66 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

66 comments on “Open mike 08/09/2015 ”

Comments are now closed

Paul 1

8 September 2015 at 6:08 am

Germany is spending an extra 6 billion euros to look after the 800 000 refugees it is taking.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/07/germany-to-spend-an-extra-6bn-to-fund-record-influx-of-800000-refugees

John Key whinges about how our services will be stretched by taking 600 emergency extra refugees over 3 years.
Miserable git.
- dv 1.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 7:27 am
  
  Interestingly that works out at 7,500 per refugee or 15,000 ca in $NZ
  
  Why is NZ cost 81,000 each?
  - Clemgeopin 1.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 9:02 am
    
    Why did our Saudi Sheep sale cost US the $11 million ?
    Why did Steven Joyce’s MBIE building sign cost $67,000 and a 3.49m curved screen in its reception cost more than $140,000?
    
    Economic mismanagement and Inefficiency of this government or inflated amounts.
  - dv 1.1.2
    
    8 September 2015 at 12:16 pm
    
    OK here is an idea
    WE pay Germany 50,000 refugee.
    They are 35k ahead and we are 30k ahead.
    That sounds like a really good deal!!!
    Watcha think
    - Clemgeopin 1.1.2.1
      
      9 September 2015 at 12:23 am
      
      lol! YES! dv for min of fin.
Paul 2

8 September 2015 at 6:49 am

If you want a story that demonstrates our ghastly selfish consumerist culture, this is it.
There is so much that shows the shallowness of our culture, not least the technique of marketing to young children so they nag their parents? Reprehensible. But all part of John Key’s nirvana and aspirational New Zealand.

And , of course, the Herald thinks this is a more important story than truly ‘desperate’ parents watching their children die in the Mediterranean Sea.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11509350
- les 2.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 7:07 am
  
  no fan of Key but a long bow to tie him to that story.
  - Paul 2.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 7:26 am
    
    The link is neoliberalism.
    The values he promotes are the same as those espoused by the marketing divisions of the supermarkets.
    Consume.
- The Chairman 2.2
  
  8 September 2015 at 9:14 am
  
  It’s a prime example of how pathetic some in our society have become.
  
  A frenzy around the country over some stupid plastic dominoes.
AnthonyB 3

8 September 2015 at 9:21 am

Please can someone start collecting a count of how many times John Key says “you know” when giving an answer. Put it on a website with a counter?

If we can start making him look like more of a fool for his answers perhaps we may have a chance of him being accountable.
- Gangnam Style 3.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 9:47 am
  
  Heres Don Trump saying ‘china’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDrfE9I8_hs
- DoublePlusGood 3.2
  
  8 September 2015 at 11:26 am
  
  Another good one would be “Most New Zealanders” or perhaps every time he’s blamed Labour.
  - JanM 3.2.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 3:28 pm
    
    or ‘relaxed’
- Ant 3.3
  
  8 September 2015 at 6:51 pm
  
  “What I can say is …….”
The Chairman 4

8 September 2015 at 9:27 am

Subcontractors call for tighter controls on companies going bust and then carrying on business under a new entity.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/71759596/subbies-call-for-tighter-controls-on-builders
- DH 4.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 11:11 am
  
  Good luck with that one, it’s been going on for as long as I can remember and no Govt has ever show any interest in sorting it out. I long ago concluded National won’t do it because too many of their backers are guilty of it and Labour MPs are just too ignorant about business.
  
  General securities should simply be banned entirely. They distort the ‘free market’ by transferring most to all of the risk of a business to unsecured creditors. Interest on loans should also never be securable.
  - tc 4.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 4:21 pm
    
    What a cop out atitude with a generalised smear on labour MP’s into the bargain….classy.
    
    More of that ‘free market’ in action. Personal guarantees is a better option then it doesn’t matter what dodgy moves they pull as they are personally liable and you can bankrupt the individual.
    
    Once again it’s an endemic failure of self regulation in an industry dominated by fletchers/CHH and an industry body that carries as much punch as a wet tissue.
  - The Chairman 4.1.2
    
    8 September 2015 at 7:38 pm
    
    @ DH
    
    All to often we hear of companies leaving behind a fiscal trail of destruction in their wake. Resulting in tax, wages, contractors and suppliers not being paid with work undertaken incomplete, leaving investors out of pocket.
    
    As far as I’m aware Labour are currently attempting to allure the business vote.
Chooky 5

8 September 2015 at 9:34 am

Falling Meat and Milk prices in Europe…farmers take action

https://www.rt.com/news/314628-protest-brussel-water-attack/

….”Green MEP Molly Scott Cato added that EU agriculture ministers “clearly need to provide urgent assistance to those farmers hit by the crisis of overproduction and plummeting prices.”….

(Clearly in New Zealand government farmer assistance is better than selling New Zealand farms and their assets eg Silver Fern Farms off to the Chinese!… and other foreigners ( who is this benefiting and why…certainly NOT New Zealand farmers and New Zealanders!)

…we should also be looking forge markets with the Russians ( John Key put Fonterra off doing this!) …Russia is open to New Zealand agricultural produce and dairy and have banned European farmer produce… in retaliation for the USA politically inspired EU placing boycotts on Russian trade…many European farmers and politicians from European countries want agriculture trade with Russia to resume!

In Europe governments do NOT sell off their farmers, farm land and farming assets to foreigners as easily as this jonkey Nactional government does!

New Zealand farmers should be voting NZF or Labour or Green if they want to retain their land and assets…certainly NOT Nactional)
- The Chairman 5.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 10:12 am
  
  It will be interesting to see who will secure the farming vote this election.
  - fisiani 5.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 8:20 pm
    
    Duh. National will of course.
    - The Chairman 5.1.1.1
      
      8 September 2015 at 8:49 pm
      
      Like in Northland? Ha.
- save NZ 5.2
  
  8 September 2015 at 10:44 am
  
  +1
Draco T Bastard 6

8 September 2015 at 9:51 am

A poll on which flag is actually liked by NZers. Most preferred are four silver fern designs.
- Sabine 6.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 10:23 am
  
  NZ is gonna get what it is asking for.
  What a generally dumb country. Rubgy, piss, flag changes. Go NZ.
  - BM 6.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 10:51 am
    
    Maybe you should emigrate?
    You’d probably be a lot happier.
    - Thom Pietersen 6.1.1.1
      
      8 September 2015 at 11:39 pm
      
      Maybe you should fuck off.
      
      How about we all piss off and you can have your weetbix flag, rugby, low wages and over priced breezy cow sheds.
      
      Maybe you’d be a lot happier, cash in on that douchebag.
  - Chooky 6.1.2
    
    8 September 2015 at 10:57 am
    
    However looks like despite all the msm PR …the flag change committee of highly paid stooges …and the $26 million being spent on John Key’s vanity flag project….most New Zealanders want to keep their existing flag!!!!
    
    ‘Flag change opposed by two-thirds – poll’
    
    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/flag-change-opposed-by-two-thirds-poll-q09308.html
    
    “The poll, taken before the final four potential flag designs were announced, shows 66 per cent want to keep the current flag, up 2 per cent from 18 months ago….
    
    ( a waste of the $26 million …could have gone to helping refugees from the MIddle East wars…or New Zealanders to retain their Silver Fern Farms)
  - The lost sheep 6.1.3
    
    8 September 2015 at 12:32 pm
    
    What country are you going to shift to where you will not be able to find anything to sneer at?
    
    And would you be happier there?
    Like quite a few other TS regulars, I reckon you actually enjoy rolling around in the shallow stupidity of the masses. Give’s you a bit of a warm glow to think of your own moral and intellectual superiority?
    
    Hubris.
    Word of the day for you Sabine.
    - The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 6.1.3.1
      
      8 September 2015 at 3:42 pm
      
      Don’t be stupid, The lost sheep, they live for the sneer. It makes them feel superior.
Sabine 7

8 September 2015 at 10:29 am

who was asked?
when?

also, NZ is gonna get what it is obviously asking for. Shit entertainment, piss 24 hours a day to make everything bearable, rugby games to feel manly, a flag change.

Go NZ, the future will be bright and shiney.

I don’t expect anything other from Dear Leaders Fanboys and girls, but the Left?

A cycleway for 330 million……, a new currency for 89 million….., a new flag 26 million + other non disclosed expenses……

but nothing
nada
Zilch
nothing

to Feed the Children
house the homeless, or freezing cold
to build and maintain schools that actually teach
provide adequate healthcare for the sick
pay a decent wage for our carers of the elderly or disabled

Fucking Priorities, this country has them……ME ME ME ME ME ME ME and to fuck the rest. Greed. NZ has voted for it, cheap fucking entertainment, give em more they have not had enough yet.

Fucking waste.
- Thom Pietersen 7.1
  
  9 September 2015 at 12:02 am
  
  It’s ingrained now Sabine, a generation believing in business over societal morals, started by… oh fuck… Labour. Can’t deny this… puts me in skitso mode.
travellerev 8

8 September 2015 at 12:37 pm

Can You Hear The War Drums Or Why We Only Get To See The Dead Children Of The Next Country They Want To Bomb!

The only violence against children, women and cultural heritage sites are the ones in countries which for some reason are on the list of the Let’s Bomb A Country” club John Key wants us to be part of.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 9

8 September 2015 at 3:28 pm

Danyl says this is one of the best left wing governments we’ve ever had.

But they are still making good on their other big election promise: free doctor’s visits for under-13s. In some ways the third-term Key National government has been one of the best left-wing governments we’ve ever had. They raised core welfare benefits for the first time in almost forty years, and now they’ve raised the refugee quota for the first time in thirty years.

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/some-ways-one-best-left-wing-governments-we%E2%80%99ve-ever-had-178441
- joe90 9.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 3:37 pm
  
  You didn’t cite the best bit….
  
  And the dumbest, most awful people on talkback are a useful barometer of what National’s backbench MPs think on any given issue.
- weka 9.2
  
  8 September 2015 at 5:39 pm
  
  “They raised core welfare benefits for the first time in almost forty years”
  
  That’s not quite true, and hides the real truth that National just don’t give a shit about poor people until they are forced too. There is nothing left wing about it.
  - The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 9.2.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 5:58 pm
    
    Better tell Danyl.
    - weka 9.2.1.1
      
      8 September 2015 at 7:02 pm
      
      You’re the one trying to run the line here.
- b waghorn 9.3
  
  8 September 2015 at 6:38 pm
  
  “””What’s happening here, I think, is that all the energy that normal governments put into developing new policies and implementing agendas is going into maintaining Mr Key’s popularity, the perpetuation of which has become a goal in itself, not a means to an end.””
  
  Thats all national is now ,a vehicle for keys ego stroking hope of a fourth term.
Anthonyb 10

8 September 2015 at 4:34 pm

OK I have a project to keep me happy. I am going to put together a clip of all John Keys “you knows” relaxed” and “most New Zealanders”. Happy for people to email me clips I can use. The guy is not just a incompetent spastic imbecile, poor with economics he also is a horrible nasty uncaring goof.
- rod 10.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 5:27 pm
  
  Key was tought all those sayings by Crosby Textor and Brownlee.
  - Pat 10.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 6:05 pm
    
    shouldnt that read tort?
McFlock 11

8 September 2015 at 5:35 pm

paid parental leave to be extended, but only for parents of preterm babies.

A good start, but applies to far fewer parents than Sue Morony’s bill that got turned down earlier this year (which applied to all). Only 7 or 8% of births would allow an additional week of parental leave, and less than 1% of all births would get the parents 26 weeks leave (although they’d definitely need it).

But the headline looks good, at any rate.
fisiani 12

8 September 2015 at 7:37 pm

Question Time showed yet again the absolute uselessness of the Opposition.Oh for a decent Opposition.
- Kevin 12.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 8:02 pm
  
  I think you will find that it is Question Time that is the joke Fisiani. Doesn’t seem to matter what the question is, or who it is to, the Government members either a, pass it on to someone else; or b, simply refuse to give an answer that even relates to the question. A gutless speaker who refuses to hold Government members to any sort of account caps it all off.
  - John Shears 12.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 10:23 pm
    
    A Gutless Speaker ? rather a biased Speaker who is letting this sort of thing happen time & time again.
Chooky 13

8 September 2015 at 9:16 pm

‘Refugee crisis: David Cameron lowered the flag for the dead king of Saudi Arabia – will he do the same honour for little Aylan Kurdi?’

“In the ever-growing chasm between the people of Europe and their immoral leaders there is a far more serious challenge for the future…

By Robert Fisk , The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/refugee-crisis-david-cameron-lowered-the-flag-for-the-dead-king-of-saudi-arabia–will-he-do-the-same-honour-for-little-aylan-kurdi-10485261.html
The Chairman 14

8 September 2015 at 10:03 pm

English said the Government may beef up the Overseas Investment Office to make it quicker for foreigners to get permission to buy New Zealand assets.

English confirmed complaints from overseas applicants about delays may prompt the Government to put more staff and resources into the stretched agency.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/71846414/nz-first-government-should-bail-out-silver-fern-farms
The Chairman 15

8 September 2015 at 10:22 pm

Winston Peters says taxpayers should stump up $100m to stop the country’s largest meat company falling into Chinese hands.

English suggested farmers should put their money where their mouth is.

Little said the Dunedin-based co-operative processor was crucial to the meat industry.

“I think we have got to be very careful about surrendering that to overseas owners who might not have New Zealand’s best interests at heart.

Little failed to state what Labour would do or support. Do they support Winstons stance? English’s position? Or something else?

Little did state in the end the OIO has to look very carefully at any application for this. Going on to say the OIO did not do enough monitoring once a purchase had gone through.

But once again failed to state if Labour would make any changes to the OIO process.

This was an opportunity to show voters what Labour stands for, but it came off rather vague. Intentional or not?

Thoughts?
- The Chairman 15.1
  
  8 September 2015 at 11:11 pm
  
  Will remaining coy help Labour secure more votes? Or leave voters wondering what they stand for?
  
  Does failing to position with Peters reinforce the perception of the opposition rowing in different directions?
  
  Should Labour have been more clear?
  
  Thoughts?
  - Thom Pietersen 15.1.1
    
    8 September 2015 at 11:44 pm
    
    A lot a traditional Labour voters agree with Winnie – workers that is, not the PC brigade that has absolutely destroyed any credibility with the working/average man (woman).
    - The Chairman 15.1.1.1
      
      8 September 2015 at 11:51 pm
      
      In that case, no doubt they will feel Labour (going off the comments above) have fallen short. There was no consensus with Winston in those comments.
      - Thom Pietersen 15.1.1.1.1
        
        9 September 2015 at 12:10 am
        
        Probably agreed – I’m somewhat confused on the meaning of the second sentence – may be being dim.
        
        The Chairman 15.1.1.1.1.1
        
        9 September 2015 at 12:37 am
        
        It’s a well crafted comment that implies a concern (to appease those concerned) but it doesn’t explicitly say they are against the sale as along as our best interest is at heart and on-going checks are done.
  - The Chairman 15.1.2
    
    9 September 2015 at 12:06 am
    
    Rather than bail them out (as Winston has advocated) should Labour’s position be to buy in and become a stakeholder?
    - Thom Pietersen 15.1.2.1
      
      9 September 2015 at 12:37 am
      
      Sounds very Chinese a government taking an interest in part of the countries core business – how could this work??
      
      The bankers could lose out – and what about trickle down economics?
      - The Chairman 15.1.2.1.1
        
        9 September 2015 at 12:44 am
        
        It’s far better than just giving them the money.
        
        As a stakeholder the Government will have a say and more importantly, a share in future returns. Ensuring those returns stay onshore
        
        Thom Pietersen 15.1.2.1.1.1
        
        9 September 2015 at 1:16 am
        
        And I whole heartily agree… now purge those red views of yours. Commie.
        
        The Chairman …
        
        9 September 2015 at 11:28 am
        
        Taking over the economy is communism. Government filling local market voids is a necessity.
        
        Unless, of course, we are happy to see offshore investors fill that void?
- The Chairman 15.2
  
  9 September 2015 at 12:18 am
  
  It seems shareholders have place themselves in this position by accepting a constitution that robs them of their vote.
  
  Under SFF’s constitution, if an investment is less than 20 per cent of SFF’s total asset value, shareholders do not get to vote on the proposal.
  
  http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/71613077/foreign-investment-in-silver-fern-farms-opposed-by-farmers
- The Chairman 15.3
  
  9 September 2015 at 1:11 pm
  
  Chinese buyers want 50 per cent of Silver Fern Farms?
  
  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11507943
  - The Chairman 15.3.1
    
    9 September 2015 at 1:50 pm
    
    I wonder if Labour believe they have our best interest at heart, thus support it?
    - The Chairman 15.3.1.1
      
      9 September 2015 at 1:55 pm
      
      And how do Labour supporters feel about that?
      - The Chairman 15.3.1.1.1
        
        9 September 2015 at 2:09 pm
        
        Don’t be shy.
        
        Are there any other Labour supporters prepared to comment on this major issue?
        
        The Chairman 15.3.1.1.1.1
        
        9 September 2015 at 2:34 pm
        
        Funnily enough, I’ve seen people on this site complaining about crime stories headlining the nightly news, yet I’ve gotten more discussion out of you lot on the latest shooting than this major economic and political issue.
        
        What’s up with that?
North 16

8 September 2015 at 11:33 pm

Trev’ writes the Ponce Key noble…..’Shill Laureate’ one day Trev’……

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11509348

Comments are now closed

Articles RSS

CommentsOpinions

FeedsPartyGovtMedia

Skeptical Science New Research for Week #52 2024

Open access notables Trends in Oceanic Precipitation Characteristics Inferred From Shipboard Present-Weather Reports, 1950–2019, Tran & Petty, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres: Although ship reports are susceptible to subjective interpretation, the inferred distributions of these phenomena are consistent with observations from other platforms such as satellites and coastal surface stations. ...

Skeptical Science

16 hours ago
Todd Stephenson and Stephen Rainbow: David Farrar’s Ideological Plant In The Human Rights Commissi...

In 2018, David Farrar wrote a series of suggestions on Kiwiblog as to how the far right might best promote freedom of speech as a method of limiting other civil rights (in this particular case, academic freedom, a campaign that has just paid off this this month as David Seymour ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

1 day ago
A Magical Time of Year

Because you're magicYou're magic people to meSong: Dave Para/Molly Para.Morena all, I hope you had a good day yesterday, however you spent it. Today, a few words about our celebration and a look at the various messages from our politicians.A Rockel XmasChristmas morning was spent with the five of us ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 day ago
Climate Adam: 2024 Through the Eyes of a Climate Scientist

This video includes personal musings and 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). 2024 has been a series of bad news for climate change. From scorching global temperatures leading to devastating ...

Skeptical Science

2 days ago
Merry Christmas To All Bowalley Road Readers.

Ríu Ríu ChíuRíu Ríu Chíu is a Spanish Christmas song from the 16th Century. The traditional carol would likely have passed unnoticed by the English-speaking world had the made-for-television American band The Monkees not performed the song as part of their special Christmas show back in 1967. The show's ...

Bowalley Road

2 days ago
Merry Christmas: 2024

Dunedin’s summer thus far has been warm and humid… and it looks like we’re in for a grey Christmas. But it is now officially Christmas Day in this time zone, so never mind. This year, I’ve stumbled across an Old English version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: It has a population of just under 3.5 million inhabitants, produces nearly 550,000 tons of beef per year, and boasts a glorious soccer reputation with two World ...

Skeptical Science

3 days ago
Meri Kirihimete 2024

Morena all,In my paywalled newsletter yesterday, I signed off for Christmas and wished readers well, but I thought I’d send everyone a quick note this morning.This hasn’t been a good year for our small country. The divisions caused by the Treaty Principles Bill, the cuts to our public sector, increased ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

3 days ago
Bernard’s Pick ‘n’ Mix for Tues, Dec 24

This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30 am include:Kāinga Ora is quietly planning to sell over $1 billion worth of state-owned land under 300 state homes in Auckland’s wealthiest suburbs, including around Bastion Point, to give the Government more fiscal room to pay for tax cuts and reduce borrowing.A ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

3 days ago
A Birthday Wish!

Hi,It’s my birthday on Christmas Day, and I have a favour to ask.A birthday wish.I would love you to share one Webworm story you’ve liked this year.The simple fact is: apart from paying for a Webworm membership (thank you!), sharing and telling others about this place is the most important ...

David FarrierBy David Farrier

3 days ago
Love, happiness, blur

The last few days have been a bit too much of a whirl for me to manage a fresh edition each day. It's been that kind of year. Hope you don't mind.I’ve been coming around to thinking that it doesn't really matter if you don't have something to say every ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

4 days ago
All I Want For Christmas

The worms will live in every hostIt's hard to pick which one they eat the mostThe horrible people, the horrible peopleIt's as anatomic as the size of your steepleCapitalism has made it this wayOld-fashioned fascism will take it awaySongwriter: Twiggy Ramirez Read more ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

4 days ago
The 1 Good Thing Left In Journalism

Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...

David FarrierBy David Farrier

4 days ago
Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Monday, December 23

This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30am include:Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to maternity jobs in the health system;Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

4 days ago
2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #51

A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 15, 2024 thru Sat, December 21, 2024. Based on feedback we received, this week's roundup is the first one published soleley by category. We are still interested in ...

Skeptical Science

5 days ago
Dance Magic

Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

5 days ago
Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities&#821...

ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

5 days ago
Fact brief – Are we heading into an ‘ice age’?

Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are we heading ...

Skeptical Science

6 days ago
As Our Power Lessens: Published

So the Solstice has arrived – Summer in this part of the world, Winter for the Northern Hemisphere. And with it, the publication my new Norse dark-fantasy piece, As Our Power Lessens at Eternal Haunted Summer: https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/winter-solstice-2024/as-our-power-lessens/ As previously noted, this one is very ‘wyrd’, and Northern Theory of Courage. ...

A Phuulish FellowBy strda221

6 days ago
By Any Other Name.

The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...

Bowalley Road

6 days ago
Bernard’s last Saturday Soliloquy for 2024

The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

6 days ago
Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on UnsplashEvery morning I get up at 3am to go around the traps of news sites in Aotearoa and globally. I pick out the top ones from my point of view and have been putting them into my Dawn Chorus email, which goes out with a podcast. ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

6 days ago
2024 OIA stats

Over on Kikorangi Newsroom's Marc Daalder has published his annual OIA stats. So I thought I'd do mine: 82 OIA requests sent in 2024 7 posts based on those requests 20 average working days to receive a response Ministry of Justice was my most-requested entity, ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

7 days ago
Climate Change: A perverse incentive

The government published its first Biennial Transparency Report under the Paris Agreement yesterday, and the media has correctly noted that it is missing any plan to actually meet our target. While it hypes domestic emissions reductions so far - which have been good, but will likely get worse thanks to ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

7 days ago
Economic Bulletin December 2024

Welcome to the December 2024 Economic Bulletin. We have two monthly features in this edition. In the first, we discuss what the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury and the Budget Policy Statement from the Minister of Finance tell us about the fiscal position and what to ...

NZCTUBy Jack McDonald

7 days ago
NZCTU make submission in opposition to Treaty Principles Bill

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi have submitted against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, slamming the Bill as a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an attack on tino rangatiratanga and the collective rights of Tangata Whenua. “This Bill seeks to legislate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles that are ...

NZCTUBy Jack McDonald

7 days ago
ZB’s Power Couple

I don't knowHow to say what's got to be saidI don't know if it's black or whiteThere's others see it redI don't get the answers rightI'll leave that to youIs this love out of fashionOr is it the time of yearAre these words distraction?To the words you want to hearSongwriters: ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago
Austerity thumps GDP most since 1991

Our economy has experienced its worst recession since 1991. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, December 20 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above and the daily Pick ‘n’ Mix below ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
Weekly Roundup 20-December-2024

Twas the Friday before Christmas and all through the week we’ve been collecting stories for our final roundup of the year. As we start to wind down for the year we hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas and new year. If you’re travelling please be safe on ...

Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland

1 week ago
The Hoon around the year to December 20, 2024

The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the year’s news with: on climate. Her book of the year was Tim Winton’s cli-fi novel Juice and she also mentioned Mike Joy’s memoir The Fight for Fresh Water. ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
The baby-boomers’ last gasp

The Government can head off to the holidays, entitled to assure itself that it has done more or less what it said it would do. The campaign last year promised to “get New Zealand back on track.” When you look at the basic promises—to trim back Government expenditure, toughen up ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

1 week ago
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #51 2024

Open access notables An intensification of surface Earth’s energy imbalance since the late 20th century, Li et al., Communications Earth & Environment: Tracking the energy balance of the Earth system is a key method for studying the contribution of human activities to climate change. However, accurately estimating the surface energy balance ...

Skeptical Science

1 week ago
Join us at 5pm for 2024’s last Hoon

Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guests and , ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
Christmas Gifts: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.

“Like you said, I’m an unreconstructed socialist. Everybody deserves to get something for Christmas.”“ONE OF THOSE had better be for me!” Hannah grinned, fascinated, as Laurie made his way, gingerly, to the bar, his arms full of gift-wrapped packages.“Of course!”, beamed Laurie. Depositing his armful on the bar-top and selecting ...

Bowalley Road

1 week ago
GDP Figures No Christmas Present for New Zealand

Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed a significant slowdown in the economy over the past six months, with GDP falling by 1% in September, and 1.1% in June said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “The data shows that the size of the economy in GDP terms is now smaller ...

NZCTUBy Stella Whitfield

1 week ago
Cheeseburgers and Stunt Monkeys

One last thing before I quitI never wanted any moreThan I could fit into my headI still remember every single word you saidAnd all the shit that somehow came along with itStill, there's one thing that comforts meSince I was always caged and now I'm freeSongwriters: David Grohl / Georg ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago
MSD rejecting 220 pleas for food grants each day

Sparse offerings outside a Te Kauwhata church. Meanwhile, the Government is cutting spending in ways that make thousands of hungry children even hungrier, while also cutting funding for the charities that help them. It’s also doing that while winding back new building of affordable housing that would allow parents to ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
The Wing Parties’ Economic Policies.

It is difficult to make sense of the Luxon Coalition Government’s economic management.This end-of-year review about the state of economic management – the state of the economy was last week – is not going to cover the National Party contribution. Frankly, like every other careful observer, I cannot make up ...

PunditBy Brian Easton

1 week ago
Back on Track

This morning I awoke to the lovely news that we are firmly back on track, that is if the scale was reversed.NZ ranks low in global economic comparisonsNew Zealand's economy has been ranked 33rd out of 37 in an international comparison of which have done best in 2024.Economies were ranked ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tūī

1 week ago
Book Review: How Big Things Get Done

This is a guest post by George Weeks, reviewing a book called How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner Want to know how to do something big? Ask someone who has done it before! Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has spent his career studying megaprojects. In 2023, ...

Greater AucklandBy Guest Post

1 week ago
Gordon Campbell On Why We Can’t Survive Two More Years Of This

Remember those silent movies where the heroine is tied to the railway tracks or going over the waterfall in a barrel? Finance Minister Nicola Willis seems intent on portraying herself as that damsel in distress. According to Willis, this country’s current economic problems have all been caused by the spending ...

WerewolfBy ScoopEditor

1 week ago
Dragging our way towards the finish line, the end of this year can’t come soon enough for many…

Similar to the cuts and the austerity drive imposed by Ruth Richardson in the 1990’s, an era which to all intents and purposes we’ve largely fiddled around the edges with fixing in the time since – over, to be fair, several administrations – whilst trying our best it seems to ...

exhALANtBy exhalantblog

1 week ago
Handling Democracy.

String-Pulling in the Dark: For the democratic process to be meaningful it must also be public. WITH TRUST AND CONFIDENCE in New Zealand’s politicians and journalists steadily declining, restoring those virtues poses a daunting challenge. Just how daunting is made clear by comparing the way politicians and journalists treated New Zealanders ...

Bowalley Road

1 week ago
Open letter to the Minister of Dwindling Finances

Dear Nicola Willis, thank you for letting us know in so many words that the swingeing austerity hasn't worked.By in so many words I mean the bit where you said, Here is a sea of red ink in which we are drowning after twelve months of savage cost cutting and ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

1 week ago
Open Government: The joke ends

The Open Government Partnership is a multilateral organisation committed to advancing open government. Countries which join are supposed to co-create regular action plans with civil society, committing to making verifiable improvements in transparency, accountability, participation, or technology and innovation for the above. And they're held to account through an Independent ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
An unusual sort of press conference

Today I tuned into something strange: a press conference that didn’t make my stomach churn or the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Which was strange, because it was about the torture of children. It was the announcement by Erica Stanford — on her own, unusually ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

1 week ago
This substack has talked about this government’s seeming corruption & pro-corporate issues...

This is a must watch, and puts on brilliant and practical display the implications and mechanics of fast-track law corruption and weakness.CLICK HERE: LINK TO WATCH VIDEO Our news media as it is set up is simply not equipped to deal with the brazen disinformation and corruption under this right wing ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tūī

1 week ago
NZCTU: Minister needs to listen to the evidence on engineered stone ban

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting Secretary Erin Polaczuk is welcoming the announcement from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden that she is opening consultation on engineered stone and is calling on her to listen to the evidence and implement a total ban of the product. “We need ...

NZCTUBy Stella Whitfield

1 week ago
Wednesday 18 December

The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...

NZCTUBy Jack McDonald

1 week ago
Can the government change its mind on the ferries?

The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
Notes from Afar: Will Luxon Attend Waitangi Day? And Opposition Calls Out Nicola Willis for “C...

Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tūī

1 week ago
Member’s morning

Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
Going Backwards

We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago
Blaming Treasury & Labour, Willis looks for even more Austerity

Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
December-24 AT Board Meeting

Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...

Greater AucklandBy Matt L

1 week ago
The Making of a Mental Health Rockstar

Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...

David FarrierBy David Farrier

1 week ago
It could have been worse

Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...

PolitikBy Richard Harman

1 week ago
The Deep Divisions of Local Government

The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...

Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi

1 week ago
Willis’ austerity strategy just isn’t working

Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
Sabin 33 #7 – Are solar projects hurting farmers and rural communities?

On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia ...

Skeptical Science

1 week ago
Join us for a pop-up Hoon at 5pm on HYEFU

Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
‘Ideas Worth Saving’: A Call for Papers

Some years ago, I found myself pondering the power of literature to endure. Or at least the power of some of it to endure, while the rest vanishes in mere decades: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/look-on-my-works-ye-mighty-and-despair-the-literary-future/. I have similarly had fun with the subject in some of my short stories, such as Another Alexandria ...

A Phuulish FellowBy strda221

1 week ago
Corrections is torturing prisoners again

In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
HYEFU and BPS data shows New Zealand is way off track

New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...

NZCTUBy Jack McDonald

1 week ago
“Better economic management”

At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...

No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant

1 week ago
Shameless, clueless

AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...

More Than A FeildingBy David Slack

1 week ago
Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...

NZCTUBy Jack McDonald

1 week ago
Crazy ’bout a Sharp-dressed Man

Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...

Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel

1 week ago
How much should you worry about a collapse of the Atlantic conveyor belt?

This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson In this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...

Skeptical Science

1 week ago
8% ACT Party Creates One Ring To Rule Them All

In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour 1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...

Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tūī

1 week ago
When austerity worsens public debt & cuts GDP

Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...

The KakaBy Bernard Hickey

1 week ago
Govt to double number of toll roads

On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...

Greater AucklandBy Matt L

1 week ago

National’s Greatest Misses 2023-4

National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...

Labour Blog

7 days ago
Release: Minister’s plan for tertiary sector a backwards step

Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...

Labour Blog

7 days ago
Release: National buries 1019 planned homes

It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Rule-Czar bill a right-wing power grab

The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom

The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession

The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis

Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
ECE no place to cut corners

The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders

A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects

Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects

The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity

The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less

The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis

With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’

Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...

Māori Party

1 week ago
Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again

For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards

The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...

Greens

1 week ago
Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes

All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...

Labour Blog

1 week ago
Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again

The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers

The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex

The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty

The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat

The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction

New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day

The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families

Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas

Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation

Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker

The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
One year on, still no progress on new ferries

Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more

After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban

The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...

Labour Blog

2 weeks ago
Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare

After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh

In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...

Greens

2 weeks ago
Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation

The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...

Greens

3 weeks ago
Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech

Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...

NZ First Press Release

3 weeks ago
Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre

Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...

Greens

3 weeks ago
He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan

Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...

Greens

3 weeks ago

Be wise around water this summer

Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Drive safely this summer

The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

4 days ago
Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

5 days ago
PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
New intelligence oversight appointments

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
New housing developments able to progress more quickly

Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Actions to speed up air travel delivering results

The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

7 days ago
Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua

The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions

The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants

The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas

People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Appointments to the ENZ board

Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ

The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
More gangs added to Gangs Act list

Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Judicial appointment announced

Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
GDP data highlights importance of growth

The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Strengthening Free Speech in Universities

Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service

Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge

State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge

The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Government boosts support for avian influenza response

The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Levelling the playing field for media advertising

Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Inspector-General of Defence appointed

Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses

The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land

The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient

Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Diverse skills in community trust appointments

A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit

The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
A busy year in the House

It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Consultation opens on working with engineered stone

“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments

Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
New appointments to the Charities Registration Board

Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Building consent processing times improve

More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Faster access to support through Innovation Fund

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response

New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis

The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup

Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago
Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading

The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...

BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz

1 week ago

Like your pet more than people? So did some of the Greco-Romans

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, researching Greco-Roman antiquity, The University of Melbourne Jacques Mossot/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA The Roman writer Claudius Aelian (2nd–3rd century CE) tells us a curious story about a boy and a pet snake: A boy bought ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
From the Big Bogan to Larry the Lobster, why do towns build Big Things?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Clarke, Senior Lecturer in History, specialising in built heritage and material culture, University of the Sunshine Coast Big Things first appeared in Australia in the 1960s, beginning with the Big Scotsman (1962) in Medindie, South Australia, the Big Banana (1964) in ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
We don’t all need regular skin cancer screening – but you can know your risk and check yourself

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By H. Peter Soyer, Professor of Dermatology, The University of Queensland Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates globally, with nearly 19,000 Australians diagnosed with invasive melanoma – the most lethal type of skin cancer – each year. ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
Children can be more vulnerable in the heat. Here’s how to protect them this summer

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wen-Qiang He, Research Fellow in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney maxim ibragimov/Shutterstock Extreme heat is increasingly common in Australia and around the world and besides making us uncomfortable, it can harm our health. For example, ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
Dogs and cats get diabetes too. Here’s what to look out for and how to manage it

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquie Rand, Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland Elena Vorman/Shutterstock Learning a pet has diabetes can be a shock. Sadly, about 20% of diabetic cats and dogs are euthanised within a year of diagnosis due to the ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
Sport produces mountains of high-tech waste. We are finding new ways to recycle it

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Hadigheh, Senior Lecturer, Structural Engineering, University of Sydney Pavel1964/Shutterstock In the early days of the modern Olympics and Paralympics, athletes competed using heavy, non-aerodynamic equipment. The record for throwing a javelin, for instance, has almost doubled since 1908, when the ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
Regular lessons have paused – but your kids should still practise their swimming this summer

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Peden, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Population Health & co-founder UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney MarKord/Shutterstock Many swimming schools have temporarily closed for the summer holidays. But this doesn’t mean you should take a break from helping ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
From Cleopatra to Wellington, leaders have always taxed beer. But Australia’s system has made beer...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthea Gerrard, Assistant Professor of Law, Bond University ELEVATE/Pexels Beer has existed for thousands of years. It was the drink of choice in ancient Egypt, in northern Europe in the Middle Ages and, of course, remains popular around the world ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
Australia has a remarkable history of outdoor cinema. Here’s why Netflix will never beat it

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruari Elkington, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries & Chief Investigator at QUT Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC), Queensland University of Technology Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema In December 1916, as war raged in Europe, an entrepreneurial pearl diver took a chance on ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

4 hours ago
‘One hell of a shock’: Why not everyone wants flowers from David Lomas

Alex Casey chats to David Lomas about the art of finding needles in haystacks. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. There are around 100 ...

The SpinoffBy Alex Casey

6 hours ago
What I write about when I write about mermaids

Summer reissue: Megan Dunn’s mer-moir, The Mermaid Chronicles, is an immersive, moving and funny search for the meaning of mermaids and the anchors of interests and family in the ebb and flow of life. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these ...

The SpinoffBy Megan Dunn

7 hours ago
Reviewing the very first episode of bro’Town, 20 years on

Summer reissue: The groundbreaking show has had mixed reviews over the past two decades. Madeleine Chapman revisits a classic. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...

The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman

7 hours ago
Can NYC ever live up to the hype?

Summer reissue: After three decades of inhaling American-dominated, disproportionately New York-based media, Sharon Lam’s first time in the city became a traipse through a collage of movie sets rather than any real place. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds ...

The SpinoffBy Sharon Lam

7 hours ago
Selling security, delivering anxiety: The rise of home surveillance cameras

Summer reissue: Why do so many of us install security cameras – and are they breaching other people’s rights? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...

The SpinoffBy Gabi Lardies

8 hours ago
Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 27 December

Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 27 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

8 hours ago
Daily crossword, Friday 27 December

The post Daily crossword, Friday 27 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

8 hours ago
Hopes versus expectations for ALL survivors

This year has been a big one for me personally and professionally. The firm won the Litigation and Disputes Resolution Firm of the year award on November 28 and I was an Excellence Finalist in the category of firm leader for a firm with under 100 staff. I was also ...

NewsroomBy Sonja Cooper

12 hours ago
2024, the year of the election

Opinion: In 2024, 64 countries were scheduled to hold different types of national elections this year for an array of offices.Some of these, of course, were more democratic than others, but it made for a bumper year for election nerds like me.Incumbents had a bad year – more than three ...

NewsroomBy Michael Swanson

12 hours ago
Five journalists killed by Israeli air strike near hospital – media watchdogs condemn killings

Pacific Media Watch Five Palestinian journalists have been killed in a new Israeli strike near a hospital in central Gaza after four reporters were killed last week, reports Al Jazeera citing authorities and media in the besieged enclave. The journalists from the Al-Quds Today channel were covering events near al-Awda ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

14 hours ago
Powerful 7.3 magnitude quake strikes Vanuatu – serious damage in Vila

RNZ Pacific A large 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila , shortly after 3pm NZT today. The US Geological Survey says the quake was recorded at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). Locals have been sharing footage of serious damage to infrastructure ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

19 hours ago
Cardinal David slams Israel, says Jesus would have been born in Gaza

By Victor Barreiro Jr in Manila Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, bishop of Kalookan, has condemned the state of Israel on Christmas Eve for its relentless attacks on Gaza that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. “I can’t think of any other people in the world who live in darkness ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

20 hours ago
Publisher tells of storytelling and its role in shaping Fiji’s identity

By Cheerieann Wilson in Suva Veteran journalist and editor Stanley Simpson has spoken about the enduring power of storytelling and its role in shaping Fiji’s identity. Reflecting on his journey at the launch of FijiNikua, a magazine launched by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Christmas Eve, Simpson shared personal anecdotes ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

23 hours ago
All 29 road tunnels in New Zealand ranked from worst to best

Summer reissue: From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter ...

The SpinoffBy Group Think

1 day ago
A life story

Summer reissue: David Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. Doug (I’ll call him ...

The SpinoffBy David Hill

1 day ago
‘The mission is clearly possible’: On watching every single Tom Cruise movie ever made

Summer reissue: I watched all 46 of Tom Cruise’s films over the past 12 months. The question on everyone’s lips: why? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be ...

The SpinoffBy Caroline Shepherd

1 day ago
A trip to the beach with the poo detectives

Summer reissue: In recent years, checking online for a green tick has become a necessary habit for Aucklanders heading to the beach. Shanti Mathias tags along with the team tasked with testing the water for pollution – and figuring out how to stop it. The Spinoff needs to double the ...

The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias

1 day ago
Who killed the Johnsonville mall?

Summer reissue: After two decades of promised redevelopment, Johnsonville Shopping Centre remains neglected and half empty. Joel MacManus searches for answers in the decaying suburban mall. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter ...

The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus

1 day ago
Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 26 December

Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. .wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .entry-title { font-size: 1.2em; } .wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .entry-meta { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; margin-top: 0.5em; } .wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .entry-meta { font-size: 0.8em; } .wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .avatar { height: 25px; width: ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

1 day ago
Daily crossword, Thursday 26 December

The post Daily crossword, Thursday 26 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

1 day ago
Digging up dirt in our own wee patch

Comment: I’ve been digging up dirt over the past few weekends. I plan to dig up more over summer.As global geo-politics heats up, I’ve impulsively turned to tending my wee patch of the world. The world is complex and messy. But I’m determined my quarter acre won’t be. Apparently, this is ...

NewsroomBy Jo Cribb

2 days ago
Seymour takes aim at politics, the media, and economic recovery

Winston Peters was 47 when he founded NZ First. David Seymour is 41. “It’s probably unlikely I’ll still be in Parliament when I’m 47,” he tells Newsroom.“I always said, I have no intention of being a Member of Parliament when I’m 70-something.”In saying that, Seymour has already exceeded his own ...

NewsroomBy Laura Walters

2 days ago
Gaza Christians pray for end of Israeli war’s ‘death and destruction’

Asia Pacific Report Silent Night is a well-known Christmas carol that tells of a peaceful and silent night in Bethlehem, referring to the first Christmas more than 2000 years ago. It is now 2024, and it was again a silent night in Bethlehem last night, reports Al Jazeera’s Nisa Ibrahim. ...

Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report

2 days ago
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shares Christmas message

"From our family to yours, we hope you have a very Happy Christmas," Christopher Luxon posted to social media. ...

Radio NZ – political

2 days ago
From dead galaxies to mysterious red dots, here’s what the James Webb telescope has found in just ...

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Themiya Nanayakkara, Scientist at the James Webb Australian Data Centre, Swinburne University of Technology Dust in the heart of galaxy NGC628. NASA / ESA / CSA / Judy Schmidt, CC BY On this day three years ago, we witnessed the nail-biting launch ...

Evening ReportBy The Conversation

2 days ago
Returning to a different New Zealand after 32 years away

Summer resissue: Has the country changed all that much in three decades? Loveni Enari compares his two New Zealands. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...

The SpinoffBy Loveni S Enari

2 days ago
I survived five hours on Christchurch’s first murder mystery train ride

Summer reissue: Alex Casey goes on a killer journey aboard the Tormore Express. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. It was a dark and ...

The SpinoffBy Alex Casey

2 days ago
The need for speed: What I learnt competing in an online jigsaw puzzle competition

Summer reissue: Speed puzzling is like a marathon for the mind – intense, demanding, surprisingly exhausting. But does turning it into a sport destroy it as a relaxing pastime? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read ...

The SpinoffBy Calum Henderson

2 days ago
The complete top 100 NZ TV shows of the 21st Century

Summer reissue: In October, we counted down the top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century so far (read more about the process here). Here’s the list in full, for your holiday reading pleasure. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue ...

The SpinoffBy The Spinoff's Top 100

2 days ago
The epic inside story of The Spinoff’s first 10 years

Summer reissue: Told in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. 2014: An ...

The SpinoffBy Duncan Greive

2 days ago
Daily crossword, Wednesday 25 December

The post Daily crossword, Wednesday 25 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...

NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles

2 days ago

Open mike 08/09/2015

Related Posts

66 comments on “Open mike 08/09/2015 ”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Open mike 08/09/2015

Share this:

Related Posts

66 comments on “Open mike 08/09/2015 ”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Share this:

Related Posts

Share this:

Related Posts

Share this:

Related Posts

Share this:

Related Posts