Open mike 10/02/2021
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For several decades under Labour and National-led governments New Zealand has claimed to have an independent (and sometimes autonomous) foreign policy. This foreign policy independence is said to be gained by having a “principled but pragmatic” approach to international relations: principled when possible, pragmatic when necessary. More recently NZ foreign ...7 hours ago - The science denial being taught in schools
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- Pacific languages funding reopensMinister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the reopening of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ (MPP) Languages Funding in 2021 will make sure there is a future for Pacific languages. “Language is the key to the wellbeing for Pacific people. It affirms our identity as Pasifika and ...4 days ago
- ERANZ speech April 2021It is a pleasure to be here tonight. Thank you Cameron for the introduction and thank you for ERANZ for also hosting this event. Last week in fact, we had one of the largest gatherings in our sector, Downstream 2021. I have heard from my officials that the discussion on ...4 days ago
- Strengthening Māori knowledge in science and innovationResearch, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has today announced the 16 projects that will together get $3.9 million through the 2021 round of Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, further strengthening the Government’s commitment to Māori knowledge in science and innovation. “We received 78 proposals - the highest ...4 days ago
- Government delivers next phase of climate actionThe Government is delivering on a key election commitment to tackle climate change, by banning new low and medium temperature coal-fired boilers and partnering with the private sector to help it transition away from fossil fuels. This is the first major announcement to follow the release of the Climate Commission’s ...4 days ago
- Continued investment in Central Otago schools supports roll growthSix projects, collectively valued at over $70 million are delivering new schools, classrooms and refurbished buildings across Central Otago and are helping to ease the pressure of growing rolls in the area, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. The National Education Growth Plan is making sure that sufficient capacity in the ...4 days ago
- Two more Christchurch schools completeTwo more schools are now complete as part of the Christchurch Schools Rebuild Programme, with work about to get under way on another, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. Te Ara Koropiko – West Spreydon School will welcome students to their new buildings for the start of Term 2. The newly ...4 days ago
- Independent experts to advise Government on post-vaccination futureThe Government is acting to ensure decisions on responding to the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic are informed by the best available scientific evidence and strategic public health advice. “New Zealand has worked towards an elimination strategy which has been successful in keeping our people safe and our economy ...4 days ago
- Supporting Māori success with Ngārimu AwardsSix Māori scholars have been awarded Ngārimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial scholarships for 2021, Associate Education Minister and Ngārimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The prestigious Manakura Award was also presented for the first time since 2018. “These awards are a tribute to the heroes of the 28th ...4 days ago
- Global partnerships propel space tech researchNew Zealand’s aerospace industry is getting a boost through the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), to grow the capability of the sector and potentially lead to joint space missions, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has announced. 12 New Zealand organisations have been chosen to work with world-leading experts at ...4 days ago
- Government backs more initiatives to boost food and fibre workforceThe Government is backing more initiatives to boost New Zealand’s food and fibre sector workforce, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “The Government and the food and fibres sector have been working hard to fill critical workforce needs. We've committed to getting 10,000 more Kiwis into the sector over the ...4 days ago
- Minister welcomes Bill to remove Subsequent Child PolicyMinister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the first reading of the Social Security (Subsequent Child Policy Removal) Amendment Bill in the House this evening. “Tonight’s first reading is another step on the way to removing excessive sanctions and obligations for people receiving a Main Benefit,” says ...5 days ago
- Mental Health Amendment Bill passes first readingThe Government has taken a significant step towards delivering on its commitment to improve the legislation around mental health as recommended by He Ara Oranga – the report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment ...5 days ago
- Whenua Māori Rating Amendment Bill passes third readingLocal Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has welcomed the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill passing its third reading today. “After nearly 100 years of a system that was not fit for Māori and did not reflect the partnership we have come to expect between Māori and the Crown, ...5 days ago
- Trans-Tasman bubble to start 19 AprilNew Zealand’s successful management of COVID means quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia will start on Monday 19 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the conditions for starting to open up quarantine free travel with Australia have ...5 days ago
- Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill passes Third ReadingMinister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little welcomed ngā uri o Ngāti Hinerangi to Parliament today to witness the third reading of their Treaty settlement legislation, the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill. “I want to acknowledge ngā uri o Ngāti Hinerangi and the Crown negotiations teams for working tirelessly ...5 days ago
- Independent group announced to advise on firearms mattersMinister of Police Poto Williams has announced the members of the Ministers Arms Advisory Group, established to ensure balanced advice to Government on firearms that is independent of Police. “The Ministers Arms Advisory Group is an important part of delivering on the Government’s commitment to ensure we maintain the balance ...6 days ago
- Kiri Allan to take leave of absenceKiri Allan, Minister of Conservation and Emergency Management will undertake a leave of absence while she undergoes medical treatment for cervical cancer, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “I consider Kiri not just a colleague, but a friend. This news has been devastating. But I also know that Kiri is ...6 days ago
- Excellent progress at new Waikeria prison buildExcellent progress has been made at the new prison development at Waikeria, which will boost mental health services and improve rehabilitation opportunities for people in prison, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says. Kelvin Davis was onsite at the new build to meet with staff and see the construction first-hand, following a ...1 week ago
- Expert panel proposes criminal limits for drug drivingTo reduce the trauma of road crashes caused by drug impaired drivers, an Independent Expert Panel on Drug Driving has proposed criminal limits and blood infringement thresholds for 25 impairing drugs, Minister of Police Poto Williams and Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill ...1 week ago
- Covid-19 immigration powers to be extendedTemporary COVID-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, providing continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Over the past year, we have had to make rapid decisions to vary visa conditions, extend expiry dates, and ...1 week ago
- Covid-19 imgration powers to be extendedTemporary COVID-19 immigration powers will be extended to May 2023, providing continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Over the past year, we have had to make rapid decisions to vary visa conditions, extend expiry dates, and ...1 week ago
- More support for mums and whānau struggling with alcohol and other drugsThe Government is expanding its Pregnancy and Parenting Programme so more women and whānau can access specialist support to minimise harm from alcohol and other drugs, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “We know these supports help improve wellbeing and have helped to reduce addiction, reduced risk for children, and helped ...2 weeks ago
- Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition Field Day – Tātaiwhetū Trust at Tauarau Marae, Rūātoki*** Please check against delivery *** It’s an honour to be here in Rūātoki today, a rohe with such a proud and dynamic history of resilience, excellence and mana. Tūhoe moumou kai, moumou taonga, moumou tangata ki te pō. The Ahuwhenua Trophy competition is the legacy of a seed planted ...2 weeks ago
- Crown accounts again better than forecastThe economic recovery from COVID-19 continues to be reflected in the Government’s books, which are again better than expected. The Crown accounts for the eight months to the end of February 2021 showed both OBEGAL and the operating balance remain better than forecast in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal ...2 weeks ago
- FIFA Women’s World Cup to open in New ZealandSport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson and Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash have welcomed confirmation New Zealand will host the opening ceremony and match, and one of the semi-finals, of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Grant Robertson says matches will be held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin, ...2 weeks ago
- 1 April changes raise incomes for 1.4 million New ZealandersChanges to the minimum wage, main benefit levels and superannuation rates that come into force today will raise the incomes for around 1.4 million New Zealanders. “This Government is committed to raising the incomes for all New Zealanders as part of laying the foundations for a better future,” Minister for ...2 weeks ago
- New Dunedin Hospital – Whakatuputupu approved for fast track consenting processThe New Dunedin Hospital – Whakatuputupu has been approved for consideration under the fast track consenting legislation. The decision by Environment Minister David Parker signifies the importance of the project to the health of the people of Otago-Southland and to the economy of the region. “This project ticks all the ...2 weeks ago
- Next steps for Auckland light railTransport Minister Michael Wood is getting Auckland light rail back on track with the announcement of an establishment unit to progress this important city-shaping project and engage with Aucklanders. Michael Wood said the previous process didn’t involve Aucklanders enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism fund to prioritise hard-hit regionsThe Minister of Tourism is to re-open a government fund that supports councils to build infrastructure for visitors, with a specific focus on regions hardest hit by the loss of overseas tourists. “Round Five of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund will open for applications next month,” said Stuart Nash. It ...2 weeks ago
- Governance Group to lead next phase of work on a potential new public media entityA Governance Group of eight experts has been appointed to lead the next phase of work on a potential new public media entity, Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi announced today. “The Governance Group will oversee the development of a business case to consider the viability of a new ...2 weeks ago
- New funding to keep tamariki and rangatahi Māori activeMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today helped launch a new fund to provide direct financial support for tamariki and rangatahi Māori throughout the South Island who is experiencing financial hardship and missing out on physical activity opportunities. “Through Te Kīwai Fund, we can offer more opportunities for Māori to ...2 weeks ago
- Single tāne, sole parent dads supported into papakāinga housingSix whānau in Pāpāmoa receive the keys to their brand-new rental homes today, in stage four of a papakāinga project providing safe and affordable housing in the regions. Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson congratulates Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated on the opening of three affordable rentals and three social housing ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to Disarmament and Security CentreKia ora tatou. It’s great to be here today and to get a conversation going on the disarmament issues of greatest interest to you, and to the Government. I’m thrilled to be standing here as a dedicated Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, which I hope reinforces for you all ...2 weeks ago
- Housing affordability is a problem. Here’s why super-for-housing isn’t a solution
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Coates, Program Director, Household Finances, Grattan Institute The idea that young Australians should be able to dip into their super to help buy their first home keeps going round and round. The most recent iteration put forward by the Coalition’s Tim ...8 hours ago - Rawiri Waititi: “Rotorua Council Needs To Clean It’s Shit Up”, After Sewerage Catastrophe
This week MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi was invited to attend a community hui at Hurungaterangi Marae in Ngapuna, Rotorua - where locals spoke of the physical and psychological suffering they are experiencing, caused by faulty sewerage plant ...9 hours ago - An ode to … Mike Hosking
Dunedin writer Victor resumes his Sunday odes to public figures. Today: Mike Hosking The Hosky and Cindy Show I want you on my show. And then I do not. I’ve fired you again. You’ve had your shot. You cancelled yourself. You’re on the shelf. But now ...17 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Sunday 11 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...18 hours ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Sunday 11 April
...18 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Sunday 11 April
...18 hours ago - The sexiest lines from New Zealand’s sexiest new book, Devil’s Trumpet
Sex is life in acclaimed Waikato writer Tracey Slaughter’s latest short story collection. Of course it’s there in Slaughter’s stories about affairs. In those pieces sex thumps and pants and dominates, it goes so hard it knocks grit off the ceiling and onto the bed, it sets fire to a marriage, ...19 hours ago - The Sunday Essay: What to get rid ofBathroom, kitchen, sitting room, bookshelves, friends, memories – Linda Burgess ponders the decluttering of life. Made possible thanks to the support of Creative New ZealandOriginal illustrations by Gary Venn Go to the second drawer down in your bathroom. Open it. In it are countless small bottles of shampoo and skin cream ...19 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Rumours of Collins being rolled by Luxon and BridgesAnalysis by Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Judith Collins’ National Party leadership is under more scrutiny, with increased talk in the media of her being replaced by brand new MP Christopher Luxon. For many commentators it’s just a question of “when” rather than “if” Collins is replaced. While ...1 day ago
- Kiwi Seafarers Endangered By Vaccine PolicyKiwi Seafarers continue to feel shortchanged by the New Zealand Government. On the 1st of December 2020 the UN general Assembly called for all Seafarers to be designated as Key Workers . International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack ...1 day ago
- Trading Military Equipment With Israel Is A Human Rights OutrageRevelations that foreign affairs officials have approved the sale of military equipment to a host of human-rights-abusing countries, including Israel, is an outrage. In recent years foreign affairs has been dominated by trade priorities with concerns ...1 day ago
- Too hot, heading south: how climate change may drive one-third of doctors out of the NTSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Quilty, Senior Staff Specialist, Alice Springs Hospital. Honorary, Australian National University A sizeable chunk of Northern Territory’s doctors are thinking about leaving the territory because of climate change, our new research shows. Our study, just published in The Lancet Planetary Health, ...2 days ago
- A tale of two terminals – splitting Auckland Airport in half
With the trans-Tasman bubble on the way, Auckland Airport has undertaken the unique challenge of splitting one airport into two. Matthew Scott went along to see what the parallel worlds look like. Birdsong is piped into an empty hallway. A message to nobody plays on the intercom. Luxury stores ...2 days ago - College Of General Practitioners Marks Death Of PatronThe Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is today marking the death of their patron, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Phillip had been patron of the College for 47 years, since he formally handed over ...2 days ago
- Short story: Tunnel Beach, by Rebecca Styles
"People are walking up the hill, as we walk down, with their hands on their hips, their faces red, or looking directly at the path, not game enough to look up to see how far they’ve got to go": a portrait of a relationship set in a Dunedin landmark, by ...2 days ago - Public Statement By The Governor-General – For HRH Prince PhilipIt was with great sadness that I received notification from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness Prince Philip has died at Windsor Castle. The death of His Royal Highness is a great loss to Her Majesty the Queen, the members of the Royal Family ...2 days ago
- RCS Statement On The Passing Of HRH The Duke Of EdinburghThe Royal Commonwealth Society expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal Commonwealth Society expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to our Patron, Her Majesty ...2 days ago
- MNZ Expresses Sadness At Passing Of Prince Philip9 April 2021 Monarchy New Zealand today expresses its sadness at the passing of Queen of New Zealand’s consort, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Prince Philip died aged 99. Prince Philip is the longest-serving consort in New Zealand’s history. ...2 days ago
- Seymour Statement On Prince Philip"On behalf of ACT, I would like to express sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family. "Prince Philip will be remembered for his long dedication to public service. He has selflessly contributed to a long period of stability ...2 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Saturday 10 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...2 days ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Saturday 10 April
...2 days ago - Voyeurism beyond Hitchcock's wildest dreams
Critic's Chair: Guy Somerset salutes Losing Alice, a compelling eight-part psychological thriller showing on Apple TV+ Who doesn’t like a compliment, a bit of flattery? But, unless you happen to be Donald J Trump, when the flattery spills over into sycophancy you tend to get suspicious. Alice Ginor (Ayelet Zurer) ...2 days ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Saturday 10 April
...2 days ago - Pure As: Monica Falkner
WATCH: Silver Ferns shooter Monica Falkner talks about the pain of losing her dad, then fighting back from injury in part three of Pure As. Monica Falkner knows her dad, David, would have shed tears watching her finally play for the Silver Ferns against England last year - after five harrowing ...2 days ago - The laughable quest of saving a first home deposit in 2021Rampant house prices mean saving money for a deposit on a home is becoming increasingly fruitless. But just how long does it take in today’s market compared to a few years ago?Of all the essential and obscure pecuniary concepts that we learn throughout life, saving is one of those things ...2 days ago
- Moving on while looking back: How I dealt with unspeakable griefFrom the trauma of loss, Jean Sergent built a stage production that offers an invitation to others to embrace the radical possibility that things can get better.I’ve always been interested in death and dying – not the mechanics of it, but the social conditions. How death is prepared for, announced, ...2 days ago
- Whatever happened to Onzo bikes?For almost three years, Onzo’s black and yellow fleet littered New Zealand’s streets with an accessible and affordable two-wheel option. Then it vanished, leaving behind a trail of angry and perplexed customers. Auckland’s first dockless bike-share scheme has disappeared in much the same way it first arrived – quietly, mysteriously and ...2 days ago
- Brian Turner and the open spaceArdent disciple of mountain, valley, river and sky, Brian Turner is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated poets. Michelle Langstone travelled to his central Otago home to meet and hear the man who commands the language of the landscape.The landscape starts speaking to you from the turnoff on to the ...2 days ago
- An introvert’s ultimate birthday party: 24 hours alone in InvercargillGeorge Driver heads to the end of the Earth to spend his birthday alone in New Zealand’s forgotten city.“Don’t go to Invercargill.”I’d spent most of my life a couple of hours’ drive from Invercargill. But every time I considered going I was confronted with this advice: “Don’t go, it’s not ...2 days ago
- We found methane-eating bacteria living in a common Australian tree. It could be a game changer for ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Jeffrey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Southern Cross University Trees are the Earth’s lungs – it’s well understood they drawdown and lock up vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But emerging research is showing trees can also emit methane, and it’s ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Voters could wreak vengeance if Scott Morrison can’t get rollout back on trackSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Last week, people were falling over themselves to get vaccination appointments and had to be told, by their doctors and their government, to be patient. Patience is still needed — indeed, more than ever — ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Voters could extract vengeance if Scott Morrison can’t get rollout back on tra...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A week ago, people were falling over themselves to get vaccination appointments and had to be told, by their doctors and their government, to be patient. Patience is still needed — indeed, more than ever ...2 days ago
- A balancing act between benefits and risks: making sense of the latest vaccine newsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Last night, the federal government announced substantially revised plans for the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia. Due to concerns about the vaccine’s possible links to a rare blood-clotting disorder, and following advice from ...2 days ago
- There’s a long and devastating history behind the proposal for a nuclear waste dump in South Austr...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Aigner, PhD candidate Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy, Australian National University On Saturday at the Adelaide Festival there will a public showing of Australian Atomic Confessions, a documentary I co-directed about the tragic and long-lasting effects of the atomic weapons testing ...2 days ago
- Transparency Needed On Temporary Suspension Of Travel Says Human Rights CommissionThe Human Rights Commission is calling for more information on the justification behind the temporary suspension of travel from India. “Temporarily banning New Zealanders from returning home from India is a significant limitation on their freedom ...2 days ago
- Resort developers found guilty over Fiji island disaster
The Chinese developers who caused an environmental disaster on an idyllic Fijian island have been found guilty on two counts of undertaking unauthorised developments in relation to a planned 370-bure resort and casino. The Suva Magistrates Court delivered its verdict against Freesoul Real Estate today, after the ruling date was pushed out twice with no ...2 days ago - Australian vaccine rollout needs all hands on deck after the latest AstraZeneca news, mass vaccinati...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Hanly, Research Fellow, UNSW Australia’s vaccine rollout is due to be reset after the news last night the AstraZeneca vaccine would not be recommended for people under 50. Instead, this age group will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, with the federal ...2 days ago
- Australia’s bungled COVID vaccine rollout suffers another setback. Here’s how we can get it back...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of South Australia Australia’s vaccine rollout is in chaos. The news last night the AstraZeneca vaccine, the only one Australia has guaranteed supply of, would not be recommended for people under 50 due to ...2 days ago
- Design makes a place a prison or a home. Turning ‘human-centred’ vision for aged care into reali...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Golembiewski, Researcher, University of Technology Sydney The Royal Commission into Aged Care left organisations that provide housing for aged care wondering how they will put its recommendations into effect. Most of these recommendations relate to the models of care and levels ...2 days ago
- We should brace for the boiler ban – but $22.88m has been handed out to help businesses decarbonis...
Our Beehive bulletin The Government’s ban on new low and medium temperature coal-fired boilers and partnering with the private sector to help it transition away from fossil fuels perhaps ranked as the most important Beehive announcement yesterday. It was the first major announcement to follow the release of the Climate ...2 days ago - Vaccination alone will not provide full protection. When borders open, NZ will still be managing COV...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nikki Turner, Professor, University of Auckland From next week, unvaccinated staff working at managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities will be moved to low-risk jobs, following a case of a worker who missed vaccination appointments and then tested positive for COVID-19. The ...2 days ago
- Efforts To Improve Quality Of Law-making WelcomedThe proposed Regulatory Standards Bill has been welcomed by Energy Resources Aotearoa as a useful tool in developing better public policy. The Bill was drawn from the members ballot at Parliament on Thursday. "This should help deliver better policy ...2 days ago
- Golriz Ghahraman: Why NZ South Asian communities are so nervous about the halt on all arrivals from ...Division and social discord has undermined Covid-19 responses in other western nations. We must do everything we can to prevent that taking seed here, writes Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman. The Ministry of Health has done a stellar job in keeping us all safe. I have no doubt that the latest ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller list for the week ending April 9The 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 The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw (Vintage, $38)Excerpt from Emma Espiner’s fantastic Spinoff review of this fantastic ...2 days ago
- Capital thinking on decolonisation – give voting rights to tribal appointees on council committee...
Eight Wellington City Councillors – given the critical constitutional choice of Treaty partnership or democracy – yesterday voted in favour of further undermining the council’s democratic election and decision-making structures by granting voting rights to the representatives appointed by Maori tribes to sit on council committees. Only six councillors voted ...2 days ago - Yesterdaze: Bailing, running and waffling at the wheel
Mike Hosking did, didn’t, does, doesn’t, will and won’t want to have the PM on his radio show, while simultaneously accusing the New Zealand media of being asleep at the wheel, writes James Elliott It was reported in the news this week that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere ...2 days ago - Green Party Mp “Attack Dog” Comment Prime Example Of Loopy Left’s LogicGreen Party MP Ricardo Menendez March’s labelling of police dogs as being “attack dogs” is as out of touch as it is insulting to our entire police force, says Darroch Ball co-leader of Sensible Sentencing Trust. “A bill seeking to increase the maximum ...2 days ago
- Here’s why the Coalition favours optional preferential voting: it would devastate LaborSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Reilly, Professor, University of Western Australia Could a change be afoot in the way Australians vote in federal elections? The Coalition government may be eyeing a shift to optional preferential voting — as used in New South Wales — which allows ...2 days ago
- Kiwi Who Allegedly Ripped Off German Taxpayers Must Face JusticeThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is urging action in the case against New Zealand-born Paul Mora, who allegedly fraudulently claimed €113 million in German tax credits. Paul Mora is wanted by Interpol in relation to the Cum-Ex tax affair after failing ...2 days ago
- The Haka Party Incident masterfully brings to life a bold act of resistanceAn almost forgotten moment in our history, brought into the spotlight by a gutsy new theatre show, reveals uncomfortable truths about the history of race relations in Aotearoa.In a country that has until very recently avoided teaching its own history in schools, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a confrontation between university ...2 days ago
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on India travel suspension: 'I want people to be safe in their jo...
Jacinda Ardern spoke to media a day after announcing a suspension of travel from India because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases. ...2 days ago - The Friday Poem: Ode to Mons Pubis, by Claudia JardineA new poem from Ōtautahi-based poet Claudia Jardine.Ode to Mons Pubisfatty tissue, edifice of overturesjoints, ligaments, bones, cartilagedark turns to stars when I think aboutthe buttress of pubic symphysisyes! paths of faery lights, yes! brambly wadsyes! tracks of calligraphic gastropodsyes! tender grasses, yes! boxed bedsclippings from a crooner’s greenhousetopiary of ...2 days ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to mediaPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking to media a day after announcing a suspension of travel from India because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases. ...3 days ago
- Govt increases Air NZ loan by $600mThe government has increased how much money Air New Zealand can borrow, as it defers its plan for a capital raise until September. ...3 days ago
- Educators' Union Supports Tamariki Striking For Climate ActionThe country's largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, is backing the school students striking for climate action across the country today. NZEI Te Riu Roa President Liam Rutherford says the organisation "fully supports tamariki and educators who ...3 days ago
- We Can Fix Housing By Changing New Zealand’s Perspective On How We LiveAt its core, Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing crisis is not about houses, but about the way we think about wealth, community, ourselves and our neighbours, the economy, education system, and much more. The only solutions to this problem involve everyone. ...3 days ago
- Marking 1 Year Of MIQOne year ago today managed isolation became mandatory for travellers arriving into New Zealand. The joint heads of Managed Isolation and Quarantine, Megan Main and Brigadier Jim Bliss, have paid tribute to the efforts of those who’ve contributed ...3 days ago
- Freedom Camping: Have Your SayPublic feedback is now invited to improve freedom camping in New Zealand. To support the public consultation, the first of a series of public meetings throughout Aotearoa is being held at the Ellen Melville Centre in central Auckland from 2pm – 4pm on ...3 days ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 9 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily. Today’s content Covid: India travel ban Luke Malpass (Stuff): Is the the ‘temporary’ India travel ban proportional ...3 days ago
- The battle for gender-inclusive language in healthcareHospitals should be a place of welcome and healing. But for gender-diverse people and their families, going to the hospital can feel like walking into a linguistic minefield. While a child was being treated at a New Zealand hospital last month, a health professional kept using the wrong gender pronouns ...3 days ago
- Opportunity To Lift Freedom Camping Burden From Ratepayers WelcomedLocal Government New Zealand welcomes the long overdue review of self-contained freedom camping rules announced by Tourism Minister Stuart Nash today. “Many councils across the country welcome the contribution freedom campers make to local economies,” ...3 days ago
- Taranaki Community Transition Plan Wants Fossil Fuel Phase Out By 2030A new just transition plan released today by Climate Justice Taranaki calls for a major shift towards a domestic economy and away from exports and imports in a phase out of fossil fuels by 2030. The document focuses on Aotearoa’s three main greenhouse ...3 days ago
- Renters United Calls For Rent Control In Their New Campaign For #RentControlsNowToday Renters United launches their campaign for #RentControlsNow. This comes just weeks after the Government announced it’s housing package, a package that Renters United said “fell short of delivering any change to over one third of New Zealanders ...3 days ago
- Are rocket launches rubbishing our backyard?Three… two… one… blast-off! They’re an incredible sight, but what’s the impact of rocket launches on the environment? Mirjam Guesgen investigates.Commercial space flights, moon colonies and missions to Mars are all exciting prospects. Some of them are even being helped along by New Zealand companies. Rocket launches are loud, ground-shaking, smoggy ...3 days ago
- Bills On Tax Creep And Sound Law-making Deserve Public Debate – FedsA government committed to fairness and responsible law-making should not allow two bills recently drawn from the Member’s Ballot to sink without debate, Federated Farmers says. "At the very least the Regulatory Standards Bill and the Income ...3 days ago
- Phone wet and won’t turn on? Here’s how to deal with water damage (hint: soaking it in rice won...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ritesh Chugh, Senior Lecturer – Information Systems and Analysis, CQUniversity Australia If you’ve ever gotten your phone wet in the rain, dropped it in water or spilt liquid over it, you’re not alone. One study suggests 25% of smartphone users have damaged ...3 days ago
- Workplace whistleblowers deserve more protection than NZ’s new law will deliverSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Macaulay, Professor of Public Administration, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Following a number of high-profile inquiries into workplace misconduct — including within parliament, the police and fire service — it became clear people who report such behaviour in ...3 days ago
- Most Australians support First Nations Voice to parliament: surveySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Deem, Lecturer – Law, CQUniversity Australia The deaths in custody of five Indigenous Australians since March highlight the treatment of First Nations peoples as one of the most pressing policy issues facing the Australian government. They also come at a time ...3 days ago
- Pictures of COVID injections can scare the pants off people with needle phobias. Use these insteadSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Holly Seale, Associate professor, UNSW This year is shaping up as the year of the COVID-19 vaccination photo, with the pandemic providing seemingly endless photo opportunities. We’ve seen stock photos of people getting vaccinated in news reports, images of the prime minister ...3 days ago
- In an AI world we need to teach students how to work with robot writersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucinda McKnight, Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Curriculum, Deakin University Robots are writing more of what we read on the internet. And artificial intelligence (AI) writing tools are becoming freely available for anyone, including students, to use. In a period of rapid ...3 days ago
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Here's a reminder of what can be achieved by people working together against crooks, bullies, manipulators and parasites.
"This is for you, Dad"
https://taibbi.substack.com/p/this-is-for-you-dad-interview-with
Yes I think very few wealthy people realize how desperate are large part of the population had become and now accelerated by Covid…it feels like the pitch forks are on the horizon.
"Pitchforks Coming – Billionaire Nick Hanauer Unpacked – Bridging Economic, Political and Moral Gaps – Affordable Housing and Manufactured Homes"
but please keep the dress code in parliament. Call me conservative, just mho
Anket Women can wear what they want to why can't men
So long as they don't show their ankles.
Yup, definitely no ankles on display in NZ Parliament.
There's a post about that topic: https://thestandard.org.nz/parliaments-tie-issue/
Sorry everyone meant to post it on the Tie post not open mike.
Call me old fashion but I support a dress code for parliament. I can justify this by saying that pushing to change the dress code is wasting valuable time when they should be focussing on us! Realise that is not the strongest arguement, but the dress code is a distraction from what they are there to do. I think there is some sort of code for women in parliament.
Many people have to wear a uniform in the workplace. Some of us chose to dress in a way that reflects the role.
Ruffs and codpieces I say. Anything less is a shocking debasement.
Let's have a uniform for them all then. Problem solved.
… it’s about getting on and representing us on what matters to kiwis.
Exactly. So why are you fixating on what they wear?
Finally the Wuhan report is out
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300225983/coronavirus-who-team-in-wuhan-dismisses-covid19-lab-leak-theory-in-report
It'll be a disappointment for the China haters
As will be the Atlantic's report on Chinese debt traps
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/china-debt-trap-diplomacy/617953/
So after arriving a year too late to do any meaningful investigation – the team concludes they have no idea where the virus came from, except that it cannot possibly have come from the one lab that was working on coronavirus GoF research.
Well done.
Surely the preliminary report of the WHO investigators is good news – certainly puts the hypothesis that Covid-19 leaked from a research lab in the bin. Isn't that a relief? After all, why on earth would anyone hope that hypothesis was true?
Looks like working Americans are about to get screwed just as bad from the other side now, turns out you do get what you vote for….
Biden Caves On $15 Minimum Wage, BREAKING Key Promise
The only thing breaking is how the $15 minimum wage element has been included in the Biden stimulus bill… As he says he wanted in the first 15 seconds of your video. lol
The Senate is an undemocratic handbrake on legislation Biden like Obama have to do deals with the repugnants to get legislation passed a 2/3rd majority is required in many cases.Gerrymandering voter suppression on top of that makes the US one of the least democratic countries in the developed world.
When a small rural state has more voting power than urbanised states,poverty will continue to rise..
Well it's great to see Cuba finally opening up its economy a wee tad more, now that their tourist enclaves are dead.
At some point they'll have to open up to having some actual human rights as well.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/09/americas/cuba-private-work-analysis-oppmann-intl/index.html
Yes and great to see Socialist Cuba's medical research and production sectors showing the rest of the world what can and should be done when profit motive is taken out of an essential service…and especially in a crisis…
Cuba’s COVID-19 Vaccines Serve the People, Not Profits
https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/02/08/cubas-covid-19-vaccines-serve-the-people-not-profits/
It's a rare perfectly competitive moment to have multiple entities all releasing drugs to combat the same disease within weeks of each other.
And not a single word about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine!? Probably because it didn’t suit his narrative.
Que?
Whose narrative ?
I believe it was Ad who brought Cuba under the spotlight.
I wasn't replying to Ad
"his narrative" ??
Whitney's a woman
No, he’s not “a woman” and it is utterly irrelevant anyway
At some point they’ll have to open up to having some actual human rights as well.
Then hopefully the United States and other rogue regimes like Australia and the U.K. might follow suit.
Although, on the grim evidence in this Reuters report, there’s little chance of that happening….
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-justice-assange/biden-administration-plans-to-continue-to-seek-extradition-of-wikileaks-assange-official-idUSKBN2A92T4
He's gone burger.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300226344/sean-plunket-has-left-magic-talk
However, those who make the decision to 'outflank' Newstalk ZB remain on their salaries.
The advertisers that continue to pay for air time on Magic, don't cop any criticism. They only develop a conscious when a host is a little bit too racist.
Don't get me wrong, I am no Plunkett fan, nor talkhate radio, but as per usual a token sacrifice is offered to appease the twittisphere.
Commercial interests can cancel RW voices – they do so fairly rarely and it triggers a firestorm of hyperbole about 'freedom of speech'. Commercial interests have almost always stopped genuine LW voices from even making it onto the air – not so much cancellation as suppression – with very little ensuing discussion of 'freedom of speech'.
This doesn't mean that the profit motive is agnostic in matters of political/economic ideology. It isn't – but it will throw the more unruly members of its own cabal under the bus if it really has to.
oh noes, but what if left wing commentary becomes a commercial liability for talkback radio? "Can't-sell culture" might see the end of talkback hosts like… um… er… ???
What is that person doing in the background to Jacinda's response???
https://ondemand.parliament.nz/parliament-tv-on-demand/
Which video?
Marja Lübeck, in a fleeting moment of clarity, addressed Trevor Mallard, as "Mr Squeaker" !!!
Unforgettable – if you caught it 🙂
https://ondemand.parliament.nz/parliament-tv-on-demand/
Same Q again.
Question 2
Not a good look from Menendez taking a spot in MIQ (and expecting special treatment to queue jump) when people cant get spots to see sick and dying relatives.
Green MP tried to jump the queue as Kiwis stuck in the UK desperately seek MIQ spots (msn.com)
Some are more equal than others.
Horrendous look. Newshub reporting he always travels to Mexico for 6 weeks this time of year.
Link please
He was seeing sick and/or dying relatives.
JuCo echos your comment,
But RMM is a New Zealander who was spending time with his family. Why should he be any different?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/436160/green-party-gave-list-mp-ricardo-menendez-march-permission-to-travel-overseas
Family First strike back:
"Family First New Zealand
Sponsored · Paid for by Family First New Zealand
·
A legal opinion has just been released on the proposed law to ban ‘conversion therapy’ which shows that the proposed ban will be yet another attack on parents’ rights and is fundamentally flawed and dangerous.
The legal opinion says that a ban would criminalise parents who wish to protect their child from the physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by gender dysphoria. Parents would be criminalised and liable to six months imprisonment simply for affirming that their sons are boys and their daughters are girls. These bans will lock children into transgenderism. The government wants to legislate against the discussion and practice of alternatives to hormones, surgery and confusion."
Just had a read through of the FB page for Family First. First came the overwhelming confusion as I took in the twist on reality they seem to have.