Open mike 10/04/2024

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:00 am, April 10th, 2024 - 166 comments
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166 comments on “Open mike 10/04/2024 ”

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dv 1

10 April 2024 at 7:46 am

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350240619/anatomy-political-misfire-how-pms-accommodation-supplement-saga-unfolded

Huge amt of time by civil servants to sort this out.
Gota wonder how much that cost ….
- ianmac 1.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 8:55 am
  
  How sad for Mr Luxon. He was entitled after all.
  
  Interesting to read the lines prepared by staff and the way he can't deviate or ad lib.
  - AB 1.1.1
    
    10 April 2024 at 11:36 am
    
    Is there a journalist reckless enough to direct a question to Hamish Rutherford, who lurks at Luxon's side in pressers, rather than to Luxon himself? As in "Can I ask Hamish a question? I'd prefer to talk to the ventriloquist, not his dummy”.
Phillip ure 2

10 April 2024 at 7:54 am

Yr heart has to go out to all the media people whose lives are being messed up today..

They will have mortgages…and the like..

It's just ghastly…
- Graeme 2.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 8:33 am
  
  Not a nice time be laid off with a mortgage that you've been paying down for a while.
  
  BNZ, and I presume all the others removed the re-draw facility from their existing mortgage agreements this week. So you've got to make a new application to borrow funds to tide you over the initial unemployment until you find a new job.
  
  Fun times.
Nic the NZer 3

10 April 2024 at 8:49 am

Where voucher schooling has been used the consistent conclusion is that it does not work as advertised.

https://larspsyll.wordpress.com/2024/04/07/the-swedish-for-profit-free-school-disaster-2/
- ianmac 3.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 8:59 am
  
  Seymour was an advocate for voucher schools I think.
- Traveller 3.2
  
  10 April 2024 at 9:18 am
  
  There is quite a body of research that would disagree.
  
  The impact of voucher programs: A deep dive into the research (fordhaminstitute.org)
  
  I'm not convinced about the appropriateness of voucher systems in the NZ setting, although we already have a quasi voucher system (with scholarships etc). NZ has "a much smaller market for – and culture of – private schooling than many other OECD countries" (Research-Note-The-State-of-Schooling.pdf), however that same research (from 2020) found that "state schools are underperforming compared with state-integrated and private schools", and that has to change.
  - Nic the NZer 3.2.1
    
    10 April 2024 at 9:40 am
    
    That research doesn't even address the question, let alone challenge it. Since vouchers are a state level choice about how to run the entire education system then the effectiveness of that choice needs to address the performance of the whole education system in comparison to public funding. Examples of successful students, teachers or institutions do not make that point, regardless of how successful examples they may be.
    
    We should also keep in mind that there is a survival bias to successful examples. The schools which fail and are subsequently closed due to their failure or absorbed into the public system are not around to study (and there are numerous examples of this style even in NZ, where we already saw the evidence of these schools undermining student testing at a national level).
    - ianmac 3.2.1.1
      
      10 April 2024 at 9:46 am
      
      I think that Finland does not allow any form of private schools but expects that every state school is of the highest standard and funds it accordingly.
      - mac1 3.2.1.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 10:01 am
        
        They also as a society value education and understand the benefits to everyone in the society so, as expounded in 'Viking Economics', people are happy to pay higher taxes to get the mutual benefits of an educated work force.
        
        What is happening here? We are cutting services, encouraging a two tier system of health and education, not ensuring enough quality graduates for our needs, allowing to go overseas many of those graduates we do produce because of the lack of employment.
        
        We are cutting taxes and impoverishing our country by doing so, developing an unfair society and we will pay the cost of all that.
        
        Nic the NZer 3.2.1.1.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 10:30 am
        
        You should disconnect the taxation issue from the funding of education. Its a choice to undervalue education and to systematically reduce the salary of teachers over time and that choice is not constrained by the amount of taxation collected by the government. The actual restriction the government faces is in the number of educators who will work in the public education system and the ability to train them to and have them perform well in their teaching.
        
        This is a relevant point with Lars P Syll being a member of the MMT group of economists (you could find posts on his blog describing this fact). It over complicates things to link these together when its much more clear that this National led govt really doesn't value public education very highly as a profession.
      - alwyn 3.2.1.1.2
        
        10 April 2024 at 12:23 pm
        
        That isn't actually true. They do exist.
        
        There are private schools, although not very many. Apparently about 3% or pupils go to private schools. They teach the State Curriculum and are financed by the state,
        
        An acquaintance, whose son lives there has told me that this is a reasonable review of the system. I don't have personal knowledge.
        
        https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/finland/organisation-private-education
      - bwaghorn 3.2.1.1.3
        
        10 April 2024 at 12:27 pm
        
        Yip ban private schools and health insurance,
        
        Michael P 3.2.1.1.3.1
        
        11 April 2024 at 6:32 pm
        
        If the public education and health systems were of a high enough standard you wouldn't need to ban private schools and health insurance, they just wouldn't exist.
      - Traveller 3.2.1.1.4
        
        10 April 2024 at 12:42 pm
        
        Private education is not prohibited in Finland (aacrao.org)
    - Traveller 3.2.1.2
      
      10 April 2024 at 12:26 pm
      
      "That research doesn't even address the question, let alone challenge it. "
      
      The comment you made was "Where voucher schooling has been used the consistent conclusion is that it does not work as advertised."
      
      The Fordham research shows that voucher schooling can and does work, and points out the nuances.
      
      "We should also keep in mind that there is a survival bias to successful examples."
      
      And we should also point out that there in education (as with other disciplines) there is strong ideological bias that is often directed against alternatives to education.
      - Nic the NZer 3.2.1.2.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 1:25 pm
        
        First I will just point out that nobody is proposing alternatives to education which appear to be, no education.
        
        Now otherwise you have again failed to contend the important question regarding vouchers (which are a change to the school system as a whole), which is do they make the overall school system better, improve performance overall, etc… The question is not can some schools succeed in their mission when they are paid in vouchers.
        
        Now you can very well claim that the structure of public education is mostly driven by ideology all you want (I guess with the unstated implication that its not objectively well structured due to that), but the onus is still on research to demonstrate that the voucher alternative is actually better overall. The evidence is on the contrary that institutional competition for funding has and does damage the primary purpose of these institutions and most frequently undermines the standards of assessment well before it improves performance in those standards.
        
        Traveller 3.2.1.2.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 1:50 pm
        
        "Now otherwise you have again failed to contend the important question regarding vouchers (which are a change to the school system as a whole), which is do they make the overall school system better, improve performance overall, etc…"
        
        That's not the question you posed. You said "Where voucher schooling has been used the consistent conclusion is that it does not work as advertised."
        
        "…which are a change to the school system as a whole…"
        
        Vouchers are not a change to the school system as a whole. They are a means for allocating financial resources.
        
        "do they make the overall school system better, improve performance overall, etc… "
        
        I don't know. Fordham's research says they do, but there are exceptions and nuances.
        
        "The evidence is on the contrary that institutional competition for funding has and does damage the primary purpose of these institutions and most frequently undermines the standards of assessment well before it improves performance in those standards."
        
        What evidence? How do you define the 'primary purpose'?
        
        I could point to work that suggests that competition between institutions is indeed healthy for those institutions and for student outcomes, including Does Competition Work in Education? | Center for Excellence in Education (cee.org) and The Education Competition Index: Quantifying competitive pressure in America’s 125 largest school districts (fordhaminstitute.org). But no doubt you could point to studies that present a different picture because this is not settled. But to suggest that competition damages 'the primary purpose of these institutions' is in my view an unsustainable claim.
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        10 April 2024 at 2:01 pm
        
        That is the question I posed. You may well not have understood that when you replied, but that is the question. And yes, vouchers are a change to the overall school system. You could very well set a voucher school in NZ today which would of course have zero chance of accepting voucher pupils, because the voucher system needs a systematic legislative change to even exist.
        
        Finally, you seem to be search for just what is the primary purpose of education institutions? That would be to provide education, at least to their students.
        
        Traveller …
        
        10 April 2024 at 3:06 pm
        
        "That would be to provide education, at least to their students."
        
        I would suggest that any definition should include some kind of qualitative ambition. Anyway…
        
        "And yes, vouchers are a change to the overall school system."
        
        We'll have to agree to disagree. We have vouchers of sorts operating in the education system already, and we have choice in the system already. Vouchers are merely a mechanism to simply funding of those choices and any others the government may wish to introduce.
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        10 April 2024 at 3:31 pm
        
        Your saying these existing funding mechanisms, which you are referring to as effectively vouchers, are not implemented via govt legislation and budgeting? I mean what are you even disagreeing with here. NZ's education system is overwhelmingly public even as far as it contains private schools which are still quite largely publicly funded.
        
        Traveller …
        
        10 April 2024 at 3:41 pm
        
        "Your saying these existing funding mechanisms, which you are referring to as effectively vouchers, are not implemented via govt legislation and budgeting?"
        
        No, I'm not saying that.
        
        "NZ's education system is overwhelmingly public even as far as it contains private schools which are still quite largely publicly funded."
        
        They are publicly funded as state schools are. I'm not sure what your point is.
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        10 April 2024 at 4:15 pm
        
        Good so we seem to agree then that implementing a voucher system is a change to the overall school system. This is very clearly quite important to my claim, that if we are going to change the school system then one of the government goals should be to improve overall that system.
        
        I mean if the govt wanted they could instead set up a bunch of new charter schools and then fund those over and above the level of public schools and if they were not incompetent in doing that they might very well succeed in creating some relatively successful new charter schools. But the justification of the public interest of such a policy appears to be does that improve the overall performance of NZs school system.
        
        That is the supposed promise of voucher funding, that incentives are setup to make the delivery of education more 'efficient' and incentivized than the public sector (where efficient in this context supposedly means quite unrealistically having better teaching outcomes). But if that incentive structure undermines the overall education system performance its quite clearly not justified as an education policy.
        
        Traveller …
        
        11 April 2024 at 6:39 pm
        
        "Good so we seem to agree then that implementing a voucher system is a change to the overall school system. "
        
        Please don’t misrepresent me. I repeat, voucher systems are not a change to the overall school system. Voucher systems are simply a funding mechanism to facilitate choice, choice that is already in place in many cases.
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:34 pm
        
        Awesome. In that case it seems we already in NZ have the worlds most comprehensive voucher school system in place, no further school system reform necessary. School choice delivered.
        
        Traveller []
        
        12 April 2024 at 9:12 am
        
        What gives you the idea we have ‘the world’s most comprehensive voucher school system in place’?
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        12 April 2024 at 9:20 am
        
        You have convinced me of this. Apparently legislation of the school system is not needed to implement this, so I willed it into existence in my own thinking based on what you told me.
  - mac1 3.2.2
    
    10 April 2024 at 9:47 am
    
    Did the 2020 research state the reasons why the underperforming happened, and therefore help understand what would be needed to achieve parity in performance?
    - Traveller 3.2.2.1
      
      10 April 2024 at 12:36 pm
      
      For some reason my link to the reasearch broke – here it is Research Note: The State of Schooling | The New Zealand Initiative (nzinitiative.org.nz)– download the PDF from there. The answer to your question is that the report examines outcomes, not reasons for the outcomes, however section 3 does look at "which socioeconomic factors predict school authority attendance".
      
      The full report concludes with this:
      
      "Putting educational ideology aside, this report shows the absence of evidence for which schools are succeeding and which are falling behind. For too long, families have had to rely on prejudiced anecdotal evidence, and misleading league tables and decile ratings to decide the ‘right’ school for their child. More needs to be done and more can be done, but we must first use the right tools. Without the right information and tools, New Zealand will remain blind to serious educational problems and the successes that should be celebrated."
      - tWig 3.2.2.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:10 pm
        
        NZ Initiative… rw thinktank. Why do you believe their views on a voucher system are worth espousing on a lw opinion site?
        
        A solution in search of a problem, seems to me. Greater resource targetting to low decile schools is a better answer, surely, than a 'free-market' approach. The aim should be to provide equitable education to all NZ children.
        
        For examples of failed 2-tier education systems, you have only to look to UK (academies/charter schools run for profit, with expensive business management that sucks resource from the students and from the public sector); or to Oz (where private fee-paying schools are paid significantly more by the government than state schools).
        
        Traveller 3.2.2.1.1.1
        
        11 April 2024 at 6:44 pm
        
        The link about voucher systems was not from NZI. The voucher link is from my comment at https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10-04-2024/#comment-1995786, and is https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/impact-voucher-programs-deep-dive-research
      - KJT 3.2.2.1.2
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:14 pm
        
        If you have winner and loser Schools then you have winner and loser children, through no fault of their own.
        
        Finland's system works because it aims for a high standard for their entire education system. Something ours also aspires to, but gets knee capped periodically by Governments wedded to dogma, rather than informed research.
        
        New Zealand's has suffered from too much knee jerk simplistic bombastic "solutions'" by, mostly right wing, rote learning, cannon fodder for industry ideology. A two tier Education system.
        
        They want to have a basic system for the "bottom feeders" and an elite system for their own children. Ironically they want other tax payers to subsidise a higher standard education for their children, with all the advantages of smaller class sizes, subject ranges, skilled Teachers and personalised Teaching they oppose funding in State Schools.
        
        Traveller 3.2.2.1.2.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 9:26 pm
        
        "If you have winner and loser Schools then you have winner and loser children, through no fault of their own."
        
        It doesn't have to be that way. There is plenty of research that shows competition can improved educational outcomes, but certainly there have to be controls.
        
        "New Zealand's has suffered from too much knee jerk simplistic bombastic "solutions'" by, mostly right wing, rote learning, cannon fodder for industry ideology."
        
        My experience is that it has come from right and left. My children were exposed to educational philosophies such as the Numeracy Project (Un(ac)countable: Why millions on maths returned little | The New Zealand Initiative (nzinitiative.org.nz)) that was trialed under a National government but rolled out under a Labour administration. They were also unfortunate victims of the 'whole of language' experiment, which began as a system introduced in the 1970's to complement phonics, but somehow saw phonics based teaching relegated to such an extent that literacy rates fell alarmingly. My severely dyslexic child in particular suffered from this absurd ideological movement, which occurred under governments of left and right.
        
        I am not an educationalist, but I am close enough to the outcomes of the education system to be deeply concerned about the quality of education in this country, and what it means for the future of NZ.
      - mac1 3.2.2.1.3
        
        11 April 2024 at 2:07 pm
        
        "socioeconomic factors predict school authority attendance". What is a 'school authority attendance'?
        
        This does not seem to help, if it is about attendance figures, as the question concerned overall academic underperformance.
        
        Attendance rates no doubt is a factor but what else?
        
        Your final paragraph says in essence that the NZInitiative don't know, but criticise what information and argument based on that information is already published.
        
        Traveller 3.2.2.1.3.1
        
        11 April 2024 at 3:22 pm
        
        "What is a 'school authority attendance'?"
        
        The very first paragraph of the link defines it for you:
        
        "This research note takes a closer look at school effectiveness across state, state-integrated, and private schools, otherwise defined as school authority (or type) using the Initiative's school performance tool."
        
        Research Note: The State of Schooling | The New Zealand Initiative (nzinitiative.org.nz)
        
        "Your final paragraph says in essence that the NZInitiative don't know, but criticise what information and argument based on that information is already published."
        
        The research examined school effectiveness; it makes no claims about 'why' because that isn't its purpose.
        
        If you want to understand why NZ's educational system has been in such decline, that is a far more detailed conversation. However, this piece gives some clues (System in freefall: why NZ children face education tragedy | The New Zealand Initiative (nzinitiative.org.nz)), including this:
        
        "Like the governments before it, the current Labour-led administration and its Ministry of Education have shown themselves keen to jump on fashionable bandwagons. Anything that sounds kind, caring, inclusive and modern is in. Anything appearing old-fashioned, rigorous or demanding is out. In this way, over time, NZ’s education system has been hollowed out. There is no canon of knowledge enshrined in the curriculum. There is a lack of rigorous assessment. New teaching approaches are thrown at the system without proper monitoring or evaluation. The result is that the successive tiers of education play catch-up, catch up. Secondary schools are teaching what primary schools should have. And tertiary institutions spend an incredible amount of effort making up for the deficits of secondary schooling. NZ once prided itself in having a world-class education system. It has now become a country in education free fall."
        
        mac1 …
        
        11 April 2024 at 5:30 pm
        
        I am expected to treat what is little more than rhetoric as being worthy of the title of research? The use of exaggeration and generalisation is evident.
        
        " Anything that sounds kind, caring, inclusive and modern is in. Anything appearing old-fashioned, rigorous or demanding is out."
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 5:35 pm
        
        "… kind, caring, inclusive and modern…"
        
        The Business Roundtable to a T.
        
        Traveller …
        
        11 April 2024 at 5:52 pm
        
        The research note is in the PDF that you can download from the URL.
        
        mac1 …
        
        11 April 2024 at 6:10 pm
        
        The conclusions from whatever research was conducted are no more than political press releases and contaminate the research to the point of having to doubt their reliability and freedom from bias.
        
        Traveller …
        
        11 April 2024 at 6:36 pm
        
        The conclusions are drawn from the research. And that research is far from being an outlier. It's generally accepted that NZ's education system has been in decline for decades.
        
        mac1 …
        
        11 April 2024 at 7:29 pm
        
        Traveller, you wrote early on, "I am not an educationalist, but I am close enough to the outcomes of the education system to be deeply concerned about the quality of education in this country, and what it means for the future of NZ."
        
        I was a teacher and professionally worked with those concerns and for those outcomes.
        
        One thing I taught as an English and History teacher were the dangers of such errors as hyperbole, exaggeration, false and rash generalisations. You have not yet acknowledged that danger in what you are quoting. If you can't see it, then your conclusions are as faulted.
        
        Traveller …
        
        11 April 2024 at 8:10 pm
        
        "One thing I taught as an English and History teacher were the dangers of such errors as hyperbole, exaggeration, false and rash generalisations. You have not yet acknowledged that danger in what you are quoting. If you can't see it, then your conclusions are as faulted."
        
        Have you read the actual research paper? What is your assessment of the actual data and conclusions reached?
        
        mac1 …
        
        11 April 2024 at 9:11 pm
        
        "The conclusions are drawn from the research."
        
        These are the conclusions."Anything that sounds kind, caring, inclusive and modern is in. Anything appearing old-fashioned, rigorous or demanding is out."
        
        What does that say about the research?
        
        But we've been here before………
        
        Traveller …
        
        11 April 2024 at 9:14 pm
        
        "These are the conclusions."Anything that sounds kind, caring, inclusive and modern is in. Anything appearing old-fashioned, rigorous or demanding is out.""
        
        That's commentary. Have you read the actual research paper and it’s conclusions and recommendations?
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        12 April 2024 at 8:12 am
        
        Traveller wrote:
        
        "The research examined school effectiveness; it makes no claims about 'why' because that isn't its purpose."
        
        Then why are you promoting vouchers?
        
        Did the Business Roundtable suggest them?
        
        You've quoted them extensively in your comments.
        
        Traveller []
        
        12 April 2024 at 9:08 am
        
        There are two threads to this conversation. One is about the decline in the education system, the other about vouchers. My comment you quoted is from the former.
        
        mac1 …
        
        12 April 2024 at 10:14 am
        
        Traveller. now that has been sorted. My error- it is commentary and obviously now the NZInitiative's generalisation is their reaction to their reading of the research. What was the response of the authors of the research to that summation of their work, I wonder.
        
        It didn't help your argument, by the way, to be quoting the NZInitiative's reaction to support your original arguments. Distractive at best.
        
        Is the original research sound in your opinion?
        
        I wish you well on your travels.
        
        Traveller …
        
        12 April 2024 at 12:04 pm
        
        "Is the original research sound in your opinion?"
        
        Yes. And it's supported by other work including
        
        Now_I_dont_know_my_ABC_final-1.pdf (theeducationhub.org.nz)
        
        Ed-Hub_Long-literacy-report_v2.pdf (theeducationhub.org.nz)
        
        "I wish you well on your travels."
        
        And you!
Phillip ure 4

10 April 2024 at 9:58 am

The guardian website has the roundup of late nite u s. comedians…(always a recommended watch..)

And Jon stewart does an effective dissection of gaza/america's relationship with israel..

(And he has the first funny God/gender-wars joke I have heard…)
Tiger Mountain 5

10 April 2024 at 10:21 am

Re this COC Govt. once Winston has to hand over his Deputy PM possie to Atlas Dave he could well turn on them. Not suggesting it would involve principles!

Pre the last election he had a letter prepared for the Governor General withdrawing support for PM Ardern, which he never sent in the end, but he is certainly capable of being the worm that turned…again.
Robert Guyton 6

10 April 2024 at 10:37 am

"If you have looked hard at the manner of things, if you have surveyed the troubles of our time, and cannot discover a way forward, do not despair. Do better. Grieve: mount an altar to the sensuous feelings of loss that swim through you. In the stinging fumes that redden the eyes, you might partly recover a clear vision of where to go. You might come to see that forward movement is no longer possible in these moments, and that the way to go was never forward anyway – but awk-ward: into the blackness of catacombs, into the shadows of sanctuary, into the riven cracks signed with the pen of the trickster, into the heat of compost, into the position of a prostrated man who knows that when the storm roars the thing to do is to be still. In that stillness, entire worlds churn."

~ Bayo Akomolafe
newsense 7

10 April 2024 at 11:33 am

There’s no Fair Go in Luxon’s New Zealand.
newsense 8

10 April 2024 at 11:42 am

The Newshub shutdown is fake panic. It’s TINA, when it’s really what the very right wing US owners wish to do, which is erode our democracy and make us more pliant.

The disaster of the media and a National government of whatever kind this is is real, but this is opportunism. There will be no more Dame Jacinda’s doing the correct thing supported by the country’s media. We will have opposition for its own sake and the further rise to prominence of the extreme.
- Dolomedes III 8.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 12:34 pm
  
  What is your evidence that "the very right wing US owners wish to … erode our democracy and make us more pliant"?
- Ad 8.2
  
  10 April 2024 at 12:47 pm
  
  It's a life crisis for 250 people and their families and subcontractors.
- Anne 8.3
  
  10 April 2024 at 5:50 pm
  
  I agree. This situation suits NAct very well. Pretty much no competition any more. TVNZ journalists/reporters will know if they run stories which do not present the govt. in a good light they are likely to be dumped on by this govt., which has demonstrated they have no ethical standards. It's happened before under the Muldoon administration.
  
  Probably the reason Melissa Lee has been sitting on her a***e doing nothing. She's been told not to.
  - Traveller 8.3.1
    
    10 April 2024 at 9:38 pm
    
    Hi Anne. IMHO, doing nothing is entirely the correct response. Newshub is a private company that has failed. Other private media formats are rising up and taking their place. It's simply the circle of life. and while unfortunate for those personally affected, no amount of corporate welfare should be put in their direction.
weka 9

10 April 2024 at 11:52 am

Day 2 of Tickle v Giggle in Australia. Do women have the right to single sex spaces?

Evolutionary biologist Colin Wright is giving evidence for Giggle today. Presumably because it's now necessary to establish what biological sex is. Tickle is arguing that they are female because of having a gender recognition certificate, and therefore should be treated as a woman (and allowed in women's only spaces).

Wright will be presenting evidence that there are two sexes in humans, and that humans cannot change sex.

https://twitter.com/tribunaltweets2/status/1777841201007472750
- weka 9.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 11:58 am
  
  correction to the above. Tickle has been able to legally change his birth certificate to female, in Queensland. Queensland has no gender recognition certificate process.
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_rights_in_Australia
  
  The key piece of legislation in this case is the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, initially set up because of women's rights and so that Australia would comply with being a signatory to CEDAW
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_the_Elimination_of_All_Forms_of_Discrimination_Against_Women
  
  The SDA was amended in 2013 to include gender identity and sexual orientation.
  
  https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A02868/latest/text
  - Tabletennis 9.1.1
    
    10 April 2024 at 12:38 pm
    
    https://twitter.com/hjoycegender/status/1777596165191586127
    
    Helen Joyce (Director of Advocacy Sex Maters UK)
    
    "What it means to "live as a woman" in one pithy tweet. Roxy Tickle's evidence that he is a woman hinges on his repeated and ongoing intrusion on women only spaces, where by definition he is not permitted, because he's a man not a woman. Then he turns up in court and says that the very fact that he intrudes on women's spaces is evidence that he's entitled to be there. Trans logic is circular logic"
    - Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1
      
      10 April 2024 at 1:29 pm
      
      " Trans logic is circular logic"
      
      Is that like saying all Māori are animists?
      
      Trans logic. What is "trans logic"?
      - Tabletennis 9.1.1.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 2:10 pm
        
        Dear Robert
        
        I do appreciate all your attention you give me, but it is getting a bit too creepy.
        So, in case this needs a translation for you: back off.
        
        Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 2:39 pm
        
        Attention?
        
        I don't understand what you mean by "trans logic".
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        10 April 2024 at 3:31 pm
        
        I would have thought the logic adopted by trans people…..on its literal and plain meaning.
        
        We have discussed ad nauseam the most egregious examples of this logic namely that some mechanism exists to change one's biologic sex from male to female.
        
        From this cherished held to heart belief from TRAs come
        
        1 the ability for a man ro say he is a woman and enter and race against women in sports or sports teams despite research showing that a male passing through male puberty maintains strength, muscle and other sports advantages no matter how they dress currently.
        
        2 the notion that as a man says he is a women he is able to enter into women's toilets and changing rooms. NB this need for men is tied to a conditon known as AGP Autogynephilia is defined as a male's propensity to be sexually aroused by the thought of himself as a female.
        
        https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22005209/#:~:text=Autogynephilia%20is%20defined%20as%20a,of%20himself%20as%20a%20female.
        
        3 the idea that a man should be held in a prison designated as one for women only. Some womens prisons now hold prisoners who have raped women.
        
        The list of these leaps in logic is endless leading to the shorthand 'trans logic' and I am sure you actually know this.
        
        I suspect this is part of the reason for Tabletennis’ comment about it being ‘creepy’ as well meaning people have explained over and again how male sexuality, in the form adopted by the trans community has an impact on women.
        
        My fundamental belief about trans is that it is at heart misogynistic. Men may believe, even support, the notion that whatever other men want to do in the way of sexuality is ‘ok by them’
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 3:47 pm
        
        Well, I surprised you are comfortable conflating all trans people with a certain style of logic – are they not individuals, with individualistic views of the world? It's just like saying "women's logic" isn't it?
        
        I thought you'd be all over that sort of broad-brush misrepresentation.
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:36 pm
        
        Thanks for the sarcasm and the deliberate, I suspect, bearing mind how long this issue has been discussed here, misreading of my remarks.
        
        What I was explaining is the current set of beliefs adopted as part of the trans arguments.
        
        'Logic' is some times used as a simile for belief.
        
        It is common to group people into say 'cohorts' to look at them and their beliefs as a group. This does not mean that as being part of this group they lose their identity. Of course not. They may still vote Labour, or Democrat, support certain sports teams etc.
        
        What we are saying is that here is a group of people who have decided to believe things that are ? possibly? lacking in logic. Prime among these beliefs is that by dressing as a woman a man becomes a woman.
        
        For me it has a smidgen of similarity to the battle between proponents of trans- and con- substantiation.
        
        The overriding belief is that a man can turn into a woman by adopting dress or womanface or by just saying they are a woman.
        
        My belief is this belief or 'trans logic' can be seen through a lens of misogyny, ie inherent male beliefs. Others explain it through the lens of psychiatric makeup ie as a paraphilia/psychiatric illness. These all help people to understand why someone would say they are some thing they are not or belive some thing that is a biological impossibility.
        
        Looking at children we can see the influence of social contagion and still, that some may do all they can to ensure their child does not present when grown up, as gay. It is tragic that any parent would do this to a child.
        
        Again as David says below
        
        It’s fairly obvious Robert.
        
        David …
        
        11 April 2024 at 9:43 am
        
        Shanreagh, Something that I have noticed as I have aged… There have always been men who get quite wound up with women who don’t know their place. As they get older they become rather peculiar, and have funny ideas about women/girls. Unfortunately I’ve had to deal with the consequences within my own extended family. For some reason Robert cannot comprehend that women themselves should have a say in their own issues, without the input from a man, or transwomen.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:07 am
        
        David – are you the person who calls trans people "funny little men"?
        
        David []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:31 am
        
        No Robert, I’m referring to those funny little men, especially older men, who are very controlling of women and girls. For some reason they get wound up by the idea that women and girls are able to decide and do things without the consent of men. Anyone would think that a woman must get their opinions from that woman’s male owner.
        
        Presumably they have a gender hierarchy, at the top Men, then transwomen (a man who believes that he is a women), then much further down the list it is women.
        
        In saying that, in my extended family a number several are gay/lesbian. I have noticed how a young nephew and his boyfriend, as well as some of his friends, have disturbing views of girls, particularly lesbians. Disgusting is a term that comes to mind, but as they are gay/bisexual/non binary, they believe that they can say whatever they like about women and girls.
        
        Anyway, for the life of me, I can’t fathom why you seem to be so invested with this issue. If woman are concerned about transwomen in women’s spaces, then it’s a discussion for women to have.
        It’s kinda obvious to me, and maybe others, that you as a man, have an issue with women discussing this, especially if they have the audacity to disobey you, and hold and express views that contradict yours.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 5:41 pm
        
        David writes:
        
        "If woman are concerned about transwomen in women’s spaces, then it’s a discussion for women to have."
        
        which begs the question, "Why does David comment so regularly on this issue?
        
        David []
        
        12 April 2024 at 12:26 pm
        
        Robert, the reason why I comment on this issue is because so many men (including men who identify as a woman) are telling women what to do. And heaven forbid, should a woman, or group of women, decide that they want to have a say in women’s issues, men shut them down.
        
        In my opinion Robert, I get the impression, that you are one of those men who who gets a little wound up, if woman do their own thing, without your approval.
        
        I appreciate that you may disagree with this, but it is the impression that I get from your comments around this topic.
        
        Michael P …
        
        11 April 2024 at 6:56 pm
        
        "…'trans logic' can be seen through a lens of misogyny, ie inherent male beliefs."
        
        Which of course doesn't mean that 'misogyny' is an essential part of being male.
        
        What are 'male beliefs'?
        
        And David you say “If woman are concerned about transwomen in women’s spaces, then it’s a discussion for women to have.”
        
        Women (and girls) are the ones directly affected but it’s not just women that are concerned. Men have Mothers, Wives, Daughters, Girlfriends, etc so many men are also concerned.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:51 pm
        
        Shanreagh said;
        
        "I would have thought the logic adopted by trans people…" and I have to ask if you believe all trans people think the same.
        
        If you don't think that, and I hope you don't, you'll perhaps review your statement.
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        10 April 2024 at 9:13 pm
        
        As a cohort, as a group. The overwhelming prime belief is that a person can trans into a being that they are not, by the mere expression of the belief.
        
        So if a man says 'I am a woman therefore I am a woman or if 'I shop in womens clothing stores therefore I am a woman,…..etc
        
        My belief that I am a princess does not mean I am a princess.
        
        The belief that, say Roxy Tickle has, that he is a woman does not mean that he is a woman
        
        Biological facts cannot be upstaged by beliefs.
        
        I suspect you know this.
        
        Drowsy M. Kram …
        
        10 April 2024 at 10:37 pm
        
        With apologies to Hughes Mearns:
        
        Yesterday, upon the stair,
        I met a trans who wasn't there
        They were not there again today
        I wish, I wish they'd go away…
        
        Biological facts cannot be upstaged by beliefs.
        
        Facts of all kinds have been regularly 'upstaged' by human beliefs, not to mention by new knowledge, since time immemorial.
        
        https://undsci.berkeley.edu/understanding-science-101/how-science-works/even-theories-change/
        
        I certainly prefer 'facts', but beliefs are powerful – such are the mysteries of the human mind, and imho our species still has much to learn, time and circumstances permitting.
        
        Trump judicial nominee said transgender children are part of ‘Satan’s plan’, defended ‘conversion therapy’
        [20 Sept 2017]
        
        Can a person be born with the wrong gender?
        
        Biological sex in humans has been immutable throughout history.
        If, at some time in humanity's future, that was no longer the case, who might be opposed to people changing their sex, and why?
        The devil is in the 'anomaly'
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 9:39 am
        
        not quite sure what you mean there. Biological sex in humans is the way that we reproduce. It is inherently binary: we have the people that have the physiology that produces eggs and the ones that have the physiology that produces sperm.
        
        Are you suggesting that in the future we might reproduce differently from that?
        
        It’s not possible for humans to change sex, and I don’t see a potential mechanism by which that might be possible in the future. Afaik, sex is hardwired in soon after conception, and leads to two different pathways of development (egg/sperm people) that includes chromosomes, differences in physical body shape and size which then feeds into differences in strength and capacity. Short of imagining a magic wand, how would it be possible to change all that (barring intervention at conception, which precludes any notion of informed consent)?
        
        Molly …
        
        11 April 2024 at 9:54 am
        
        @Drowsy M. Kram
        
        "Facts of all kinds have been regularly 'upstaged' by human beliefs, not to mention by new knowledge, since time immemorial."
        
        Yes. When a new concept or theory is proposed that answers more questions than it creates. Usually accompanied by good evidence pertaining to this change. This is not the case regarding human sex.
        
        "Biological sex in humans has been immutable throughout history.
        If, at some time in humanity's future, that was no longer the case, who might be opposed to people changing their sex, and why?"
        
        Biological sex in humans is binary and immutable.
        
        Historical truth, contemporary truth, and future truth.
        
        Your last question is the stuff of SF fan-fiction, not the basis for legislative and policy changes, nor for significant iatrogenic harmful medical interventions.
        
        However, I would answer it will be those who understand biology, psychology, ethics and safeguarding.
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:09 am
        
        Sex is determined by a mechanism originating before conception. The sex of the zygote is determined by the chromosome carried by the fertilizing sperm. In humans its called either an X or Y chromosome with the egg providing an X chromosome. The resulting genome is usually either XX (female) or XY (male).
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:14 am
        
        Drowsy M.Kram posed an interesting question:
        
        "Biological sex in humans has been immutable throughout history.
        If, at some time in humanity's future, that was no longer the case, who might be opposed to people changing their sex, and why?"
        
        It should be possible to entertain such a question, for the purpose of testing one's beliefs; that's what Ursula le Guin does with her "impossible sci-fi stories" and we like Ursula here, don't we 🙂
        
        I especially liked the last line,
        
        "who might be opposed to people changing their sex, and why?"
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:35 am
        
        I’d take this more seriously if I saw any attempt by you to challenge your own beliefs. Did you miss the three explanations of what biological sex is and why it can’t be changed?
        
        If you want to do an abstract thought experiment and reference Le Guin, you’d need to give some kind of explanation for how it’s relevant to this conversation today. But of course you won’t, because explaining is losing and it’s only other people, not yourself, that bother sharing their ideas and clarifying.
        
        Nic the NZer …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:22 am
        
        Politics as science fiction Robert?
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:40 am
        
        weka – which of my beliefs are you referring to; ones I've stated, or those claimed by others on my behalf?
        
        A quoted example would suffice, please and thank you.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:59 am
        
        take your pick. Any belief you hold in this conversation today, expressed or not, tell us what it is and how you challenge that belief. You talk about others needing to be challenged but I don’t see you applying that principle to yourself.
        
        Drowsy M. Kram …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:45 am
        
        @RG (10:14 am)
        
        Yes, Le Guin is a great favourite of mind/mine – so imaginative, and what would Homo sapiens be without the gift of imagination.
        
        Embracing uncertainty can open up new possibilities – "the future’s not ours to see" – mind you, I don’t fancy the idea of thought police!
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:58 am
        
        the problem here is that you appear to be both arguing that trans people are being disappeared and arguing in a conversation about the necessity of centring biological sex in law, policy and culture. Did you mean to erase women’s culture, or was that accidental.
        
        I can’t tell if RG doesn’t care about women’s sex based rights, doesn’t understand them, or is simply arguing abstract whatevers for the sake of his own thought experiment agenda, but you I have more expectation of.
        
        If a woman cannot call a man a man without permission from that man, there are no women’s rights.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:52 am
        
        Nic – Drowsy has, I believe, posed a question that requires a suspension of belief, in order to uncover base motivations in those taking part in the thought experiment. Hunkering down and declaring that the proposal is impossible is a not-unexpected response. It's a thought exercise, designed to stretch thinking and reveal calcification of thought (I reckon). I find it interesting, in a way similar to reading science fiction 🙂
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:06 am
        
        again, this would only have credibility if you demonstrated any kind of self reflection about your own beliefs. You think expressing biological sex matters hinders the thought experiment, but I see it as enhancing it. I can both do an imaginative exercise about fantasy of humans changing sex and hold an understanding of material reality. You on the other hand appear to want to ignore biological sex/material reality in favour of fantasy, how very binary of you.
        
        You also utterly fail to take any account of why material reality matters. Transcendence of/denial of material reality is the patriarchal wet dream. It’s the core of male dominated religions that kill nature and hate women, as well as being core to trans activism where it has transhumanism as an end goal. It’s also why we have climate change and the ecological crisis. That the loss of women’s rights is happening at the same time isn’t a coincidence.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:09 am
        
        So weka, you won't or can't provide one single quote to back your assertion?
        
        Come on.
        
        You wrote:
        
        "Any belief you hold in this conversation today"
        
        Okay.
        
        "Drowsy M.Kram posed an interesting question".
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:19 am
        
        You wrote:
        
        “Any belief you hold in this conversation today”
        
        What I actually said,
        
        If you want to do an abstract thought experiment and reference Le Guin, you’d need to give some kind of explanation for how it’s relevant to this conversation today. But of course you won’t, because explaining is losing and it’s only other people, not yourself, that bother sharing their ideas and clarifying.
        
        And you have yet again failed to answer. You don’t have to of course, and that leaves people free to come to their own conclusions.
        
        Drowsy M. Kram …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:09 am
        
        I can’t tell if RG doesn’t care about women’s sex based rights, doesn’t understand them, or is simply arguing abstract whatevers for the sake of his own thought experiment agenda…
        
        I don't know either, weka, but I suspect – Lord save us from men (and women) with agendas.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:13 am
        
        Well, Drowsy, you could ask.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:17 am
        
        Well, Drowsy, you could ask.
        
        Why would anyone bother doing that when you so consistently fail to share or clarify your thinking, or answer direct questions?
        
        Drowsy M. Kram …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:16 am
        
        No need to ask for myself, Robert.
        I could ask on behalf of others, if that would be helpful
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:18 am
        
        Go on then, give it a whirl!
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:24 am
        
        Wot?
        
        weka[]
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:19 am
        
        You wrote:
        
        “Any belief you hold in this conversation today”
        
        What I actually said,
        
        If you want to do an abstract thought experiment and reference Le Guin, you’d need to give some kind of explanation for how it’s relevant to this conversation today. But of course you won’t, because explaining is losing and it’s only other people, not yourself, that bother sharing their ideas and clarifying.
        
        And you have yet again failed to answer. You don’t have to of course, and that leaves people free to come to their own conclusions.
        
        weka[]
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:59 am
        
        take your pick. Any belief you hold in this conversation today, expressed or not, tell us what it is and how you challenge that belief. You talk about others needing to be challenged but I don’t see you applying that principle to yourself.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:30 am
        
        possibly the wrong quote, but if can’t see what I was meaning, or go back and figure it out yourself, I’m not doing the work for you.
        
        You selectively quote to support your own point or position and make it harder to follow the other person’s argument. It’s dishonest.
        
        Drowsy M. Kram …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:31 am
        
        Ok Robert, here goes.
        
        It appears that you have been given three options/characterisations to choose from, none of which seem particularly appealing (to me):
        
        RG doesn’t care about women’s sex based rights,
        
        [RG] doesn’t understand them [women’s sex based rights], or
        
        [RG] is simply arguing abstract whatevers for the sake of his own thought experiment agenda.
        
        I suspect it's none of the above, although it might be the third one – who knows what agendas lie in the hearts of men (and women.)
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:40 am
        
        Thanks, Drowsy, I appreciate your courage in joining the fray. If you're happy, I'll quote and add my responses in italics.
        
        "It appears that you have been given three options/characterisations to choose from, none of which seem particularly appealing:"
        
        It certainly does appear that way. Yes, I have been "given"(unasked) those options. Again, yes, they aren't particularly appealing.
        
        RG doesn’t care about women’s sex based rights,
        
        [RG] doesn’t understand them [sex based rights], or
        
        [RG] is simply arguing abstract whatevers for the sake of his own thought experiment agenda.
        
        I suspect it's none of the above, but who knows."
        
        You are quite right in your suspicion that, " it's none of the above ".
        
        As to who knows, well, I know 🙂
        
        The claim is often made, that I don't answer questions posed to me.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:42 am
        
        and in the absence of you saying what it is, I will continue to make my own conclusions based on what you have been doing on TS on this topic for some time.
        
        The context for my three points was that I expect more from Drowsy. I have zero expectations of you now.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:42 am
        
        "possibly the wrong quote," she says, breezily…
        
        Certainly the wrong quote and to me, it matters.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:45 am
        
        weka!
        
        " It’s dishonest."
        
        Are you accusing me of dishonesty?
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:45 am
        
        yes
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:48 am
        
        That's unkind. I'd like a second (mod) opinion, please.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:52 am
        
        it’s got nothing to do with me being a mod, and I’m not moderating you (if I was, it would be in bold), it’s my personal opinion.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 12:00 pm
        
        Just wondering, weka, how many "Robert Guyton to weka" comments have been posted on TS over the years. My guess would be hundreds, at least. Despite that high level of interaction, you claim that I don't answer your questions. On the face of it, that would seem unlikely. If there were no "Robert Guyton to weka" comments, a person might wonder if I was refusing to engage with you, but that's clearly not the case. Is it possible, do you think, that you haven't been recognising that I am responding to you in an open, honest way, but that you aren't perceiving it thus?
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 1:15 pm
        
        my comment was specifically about this topic. Other topics I see you sharing your thinking.
        
        you appear to be conflating ‘replying to a comment’ with ‘answering a question’ or ‘clarifying one’s point’
        
        it’s not just me, you do this with a range of people.
        
        it’s possible and likely you are not being intentionally dishonest. However telling me that basically I’m the one with the misperception again demonstrates an unwillingness to examine your own beliefs despite using rhetoric to challenge others.
        
        in the past day I have pointed out multiple times where you are avoiding clarifying or answering directly. In the face of that you mostly have continues to avoid clarifying or answering directly. 🤷‍♀️
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 1:41 pm
        
        it’s like you want to play but only on your terms. This is why, I think, David makes the points he does. I think he is wrong in the characterisation, but I can see why he gets that impression, and you never do anything to show that you are not what he says.
        
        Drowsy M. Kram …
        
        11 April 2024 at 1:09 pm
        
        I have zero expectations of you [Robert Guyton] now.
        
        That's disappointing. To quote the wisdom of GoT:
        
        A good act does not wash out the bad, nor a bad act the good. Each should have its own reward.
        – King Stannis Baratheon [“I am your King!”]
        
        I expect more from Drowsy.
        
        What “more” do you expect, I wonder.
        
        We all have views on this (and that), what's good (and bad), and one's own views are invariably the best (or so it seems to me), but I could never "have zero expectations" of either weka or Robert.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 1:17 pm
        
        on this particular topic, it’s RG’s behaviour I am pointing to. Who knows what his actual views are, he almost never says. We are left to guess, and then he objects. It’s such a long standing pattern of behaviour, I’m surprised I have to even explain it. But unlike RG, I think explaining is winning, for us all.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 1:21 pm
        
        as an example, from today, I laid out three potential explanations for RG’s behaviour/position. RG played some word games with that and eventually said it was none of them. What he didn’t so was say what he actually thinks. This is how he often/usually engages on this topic. All the time. He had the opportunity to clarify and he chose not too.
      - David 9.1.1.1.2
        
        10 April 2024 at 6:26 pm
        
        It’s fairly obvious Robert.
        
        Funny little men, who are so desperate to control women, that they indulge in circular logic that just goes around in circles and goes nowhere.
        
        Transwomen could always organise their own spaces, but for some reason they seem to be determined to take over women’s* spaces, & tell them what to do.
        
        * Women in this case meaning actual real women. Not men who believe that they are women.
        
        Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.2.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 6:38 pm
        
        David; that's just ditzy!
        
        Have you anything constructive to say on the issue?
        
        Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.2.2
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:03 am
        
        David wrote:
        
        "Transwomen could always organise their own spaces…"
        
        Please expand on this claim, David. Perhaps with regard public toilets. Or changing rooms at public swimming pools.
        
        Cheers!
        
        weka …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:08 am
        
        Plenty of discussion out there about third and NB spaces if you care to educate yourself.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:10 am
        
        Are you covering for David?
        
        weka …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:24 am
        
        David made a valid point about TW organising their own spaces.
        
        You framed that as a claim and asked him to expand on that, specifically on toilets and changing rooms.
        
        I pointed out that there has been widespread discussion on that.
        
        You attempt a derail.
        
        My conclusion is that you have no intention of educating yourself and will continue with your sophistry (although tbf, a chunk of wha you do doesn't even meet the bar of sophistry).
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:26 am
        
        I addressed my request to David, in response to a claim he made.
        
        Still waiting for his response, though not holding my breath.
        
        You may conclude whatever you wish. I'm hanging out for David's reply.
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:31 am
        
        Still waiting for his response, though not holding my breath.
        
        😂
        
        David []
        
        11 April 2024 at 3:00 pm
        
        Engaging with Robert reminds me of the parable of the donkey & the tiger..
        
        As a kiwi bloke who is on the wrong side of 50 I have learned many things.
        
        In this case, shall I say women’s issues.
        
        When a woman (real/actual women, not transgender women) is in need to hear a man’s opinion or view on women’s issues, she will then advise you (the man, or transgender person) what your options/views will be. Your response will be, yes dear you are right, as usual.
        
        Following this little piece of advice will allow you to enjoy the rest of your day.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 3:40 pm
        
        I asked David to explain his claim, as it seemed to me he was quite wrong in making it.
        
        You suggested I do my own research.
        
        I chose rather, to ask David; I still can't see the error in that. Perhaps, weka, you could explain why directing a question about a claim made by an individual, to that individual, is insufficient?
        
        David wrote;
        
        ""Transwomen could always organise their own spaces…"
        
        I don't think that's a reasonable claim. I hope David will respond and respond in a way that's more useful than this drivel 11 April 2024 at 3:00 pm
        
        David []
        
        12 April 2024 at 12:33 pm
        
        Robert, I find little point in replying to you, as you either don’t understand, or deliberately misunderstand what others are saying.
        
        As for “drivel” you’re just reinforcing my thoughts regarding your attitude around this issue.
        
        If you want to believe weird stuff, that’s up to you.
      - Molly 9.1.1.1.3
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:30 pm
        
        "Is that like saying all Māori are animists?"
        
        No.
        
        Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.3.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:54 pm
        
        It seems very much like that, claiming that one group of people have one “logic", which is what you are supporting.
        
        It's just not the case., is it.
        
        Molly …
        
        10 April 2024 at 9:17 pm
        
        "It seems very much like that," – but it's not.
        
        The reasoning behind "Transwomen are women" is an example of circular logic.
        
        weka …
        
        11 April 2024 at 11:15 am
        
        I don't think RG knows what circular logic is.
    - Robert Guyton 9.1.1.2
      
      10 April 2024 at 1:46 pm
      
      A home-owner could live as a homeless person, simply by getting out on the street and living rough.
      - Mikey 9.1.1.2.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 6:05 pm
        
        But that doesn't mean s/he is a homeless person. Is that your point?
        
        Robert Guyton 9.1.1.2.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 6:08 pm
        
        My point is, they live as a homeless person. just a someone might live as a woman.
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:10 pm
        
        Sure they could live as a women meaning dress as a women etc. Living/dressing does not alter biology though.
        
        The leap in logic occurs when the wish to live/dress then is magicked by some alchemy to say they are a woman. This cannot happen any more than me dressing as a princess will make me a princess or dressing in a green suit will make me into Kermit the frog.
        
        To take the princess analogy further having dressed as a princess I make it my life's work to insist that all that I meet treat me as a princess. First I insist, ie compelled in speech to call call me 'Your Highness', I may change my surname to reflect a long obscure set of Germano-Spanish Portugese royalty that I say are my ancestors. I then force people to curtsy to me. I may change my name my Deed Poll to Princess Susannah. I then insist on getting some sort of payment from the Govt.
        
        All the way along kind people are helping me to check out that I am seeing the world correctly, to get help, to offer help. They may try to stop me gatecrashing events where real royalty is. Because I am so fixed in my ideas I may be arrrested if I breach protocols/boundaries around real Royalty as I am a threat, as imposters always are, to real Royalty.
        
        To live as a woman does not involve compelling people to act as if you are a woman ie being part of your delusions. It does not involve going into womens safe spaces or into womens sports teams or even into womens prisons.
        
        Aside from seeing drag performers, I worked with one man who dressed as a woman and he never expected that we belived he was a woman and he always used the mens toilets at work. A gentle soul we all treated him with kindness/caring. He did not change his name to a female one. He was good at his job, he just like dressing as a woman.
        
        Funny little men, who are so desperate to control women, that they indulge in circular logic that just goes around in circles and goes nowhere.
        
        as David says or the violent, foul men of the type that Weka has pictures. often caught on camera masturbating in front of women in toilets, of raping women in prisons.
        
        As I said above the whole concept now is one of misogyny, adopting womanface. Many are fetishists or autogynephiliacs. Many would benefit from counselling and care.
        
        What we as a society do not need to do is to pander to their delusions by making woman the props to support deluded men.
        
        I suspect you may know this though.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 9:03 pm
        
        "Sure they could live as a women meaning dress as a women…"
        
        along with other womanish behaviours… live as a woman.
        
        Yes, that's correct and what I was saying.
        
        "Living/dressing does not alter biology though."
        
        I didn't say it does. You folk read that in, as you do.
        
        gsays …
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:10 pm
        
        Doesn't make them homeless as they have a home, just as it doesn't make them a woman.
        
        And you reckon David was being ditzy!
        
        Edit; “Trans logic. What is “trans logic”?
        Trans Woman is a woman = Trans logic.
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:38 pm
        
        Edit; “Trans logic. What is “trans logic”?
        Trans Woman is a woman = Trans logic.
        
        Got it in one gsays.
        
        That is the prime illogical belief.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 7:44 pm
        
        I genuinely believe you folk have messed-up thinking and I mean that most kindly.
        
        Molly …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:29 pm
        
        Doesn't matter how you mean it.
        
        Point out the error in calling it circular logic:
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:41 pm
        
        "It", Molly?
        
        Calling what "circular logic?
        
        gsays …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:44 pm
        
        "…messed up thinking…"
        
        You are the one that wants us to share your belief that someone with a home is homeless.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:48 pm
        
        "You are the one that wants us to share your belief that someone with a home is homeless."
        
        That's not what I said, gsays, I wrote:
        
        "My point is, they live as a homeless person. just a someone might live as a woman."
        
        as as as as as as
        
        Can you see the difference?
        
        Molly …
        
        10 April 2024 at 9:21 pm
        
        @Robert Guyton
        
        "It"? – that which you mean kindly.
        
        "Calling what "circular logic?"
        
        Going around in circles a bit yourself here, so linking to my reply to get you back on the straight and narrow:
        
        https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10-04-2024/#comment-1995893
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:46 pm
        
        gsays; do you believe all trans people believe/claim that "Trans Woman is a woman"?
        
        Or are you painting all trans people with the same brush, in the same way someone might say, "All women…blah, blah, blah"?
        
        If you don't mean that, then you might look at your statement,
        
        Trans Woman is a woman = Trans logic." with fresh eyes.
        
        gsays …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:57 pm
        
        Shanreagh has replied to you at 9.1.1.2.1.1
        
        The answers to your many questions are there.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        10 April 2024 at 8:58 pm
        
        They have missed it, just as you have.
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        10 April 2024 at 9:27 pm
        
        So Robert if a man dresses as a woman then presumably there is no onus on society to go along with the belief that this dressing/living has somehow made him a woman?
        
        Then while dressed as a woman surely a man would have no expectation of going into women's safe spaces or to play in women's sports.
        
        He remains a man just dressed a little differently so he uses the male toilets and continue to play in men's sport.
        
        Presumably you will agree with this as I have confined to to just dressing as a woman.
        
        The examples of the trans logic we are facing is
        
        1 when a person feels that dressing means morphing into a woman,
        
        2 that dressing entitles a man to go into women's toilets
        
        3 that dressing entitles a man to play in women's sports.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 8:14 am
        
        So Shaneagh if you go to a party as a pirate, you could just as easily go to a party as a woman. You could spend your time living as a homeless person, even though you owned a home. If there is such a thing as trans logic, there will also be lesbian logic. Is there?
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        11 April 2024 at 8:32 am
        
        Robert
        
        The examples of the trans logic we are facing is
        
        1 when a person feels that dressing means morphing into a woman,
        
        2 that dressing entitles a man to go into women's toilets
        
        3 that dressing entitles a man to play in women's sports.
        
        Are you able to address these? After all this is the topic of the conversation.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 8:46 am
        
        It may have been the topic of your conversation, Shanreagh, but it wasn't mine. I asked only about just 2 things. I'm disinterested in the other points raised by others here and have made no comments about them, consequently I don't feel compelled to answer questions on them.That you (and others) think I hold certain views about them is a mistake that compounds every time one of you claims this or that about my position.
        
        Shanreagh …
        
        11 April 2024 at 9:02 am
        
        I don't understand what you mean by "trans logic".
        
        Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.1.1
        
        10 April 2024 at 2:39 pm
        
        It is this I am trying to explain. Perhaps it would be clearer if you accepted I have (tried) to answer this, thanked me and then moved on to your different questions.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 10:00 am
        
        Thank you, Shanreagh, for trying. You've given me examples of what you believe are manifestations of "trans logic", but that's not what I'm asking for. I'm trying to understand how anyone can describe/define the way a group of people think by calling it, "X-logic". For example, can we justifiably use the term, "lesbian logic", or "Asian logic". Do you think, "trans logic" means the logic employed by trans people? Would you also say, "Asian logic" when describing the way Asians view the world?
        
        weka []
        
        11 April 2024 at 12:26 pm
        
        What’s meant here is TRA logic. It’s an ideological belief set and political movement that uses circular logic.
        
        it’s a mistake to see TRA = trans or vice versa.
        
        Robert Guyton …
        
        11 April 2024 at 3:57 pm
        
        weka – your comment @
        
        11 April 2024 at 12:26 pm
        
        "What’s meant here is TRA logic. It’s an ideological belief set and political movement that uses circular logic.
        
        it’s a mistake to see TRA = trans or vice versa."
        
        seems to be, at last, addressing my original question:
        
        "What is "trans logic"?
        
        Dozens of responses later and I'm still in the dark, but perhaps what you have said will cast some light: are you meaning that the phrase, "trans logic" is not a valid one, and that TRA logic is?
        
        weka []
        
        12 April 2024 at 9:14 am
        
        ‘trans logic’ is vague. What Joyce was talking about is the ideology. Which obviously is not something that all trans people subscribe to. It’s better to think about TRA logic, or gender identity ideology logic. Circular reasoning is not uncommon there.
Visubversa 10

10 April 2024 at 12:32 pm

The long awaited Cass Review final report is out.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/09/cass-review-nhs-children-gender-dysphoria

It covers all the things that Gender Critical people have been saying for several years including:
- Acknowledgment of the lack of evidence for the benefits of cross-sex hormones, the need for caution and the importance of data collection and follow-up. NHS England must now follow the recommendation for a review of cross-sex hormones and include them in a broader research programme.
- The recommendation for provision of specialised NHS services for detransitioners and those who regret their medical transition. This is an urgent requirement.
- Insufficient research on social transition, inconclusive evidence of any benefits but clear risk of creating persistence of an identity that would in all likelihood have resolved by itself. Governments should use this information to end the practice of social transition in schools carried out by untrained adults. The impact on other children of adults pretending a child has changed their sex is outside the terms of reference for this report, but it is something the government must address.
- Recognition that no formal science-based training in psychotherapy, psychology or psychiatry teaches or advocates ‘conversion therapy.’ Normal “exploration of complex psychosocial challenges and/or mental health problems an adolescent may be experiencing is essential to provide diagnosis, clinical support and appropriate intervention”, and it is harmful to equate this approach to ‘conversion therapy.’
- Tabletennis 10.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 12:46 pm
  
  Visubversa
  "The long awaited Cass Review final report is out."
  
  And now see what the Te Whatu Ora is going to do with this information…Their long awaited report on the use, safety and effectiveness, of puberty blockers has still not seen the light of day.
- tWig 10.2
  
  10 April 2024 at 7:56 pm
  
  And to balance the Cass report, a critique from those raising trans children in the UK.
  
  Points from the critique:
  
  1. Parents interviewed by Cass were looking for depathologisation of trans children, and decentralisation of supporting services away from a single UK centre, and into mainstream medicine, as seen in other countries.
  
  Instead, the report focusses on unpicking why children are trans, as if it's a mental health problem, not on providing the best medical support for trans kids and their families.
  
  2. The review panel was 'naive', having no one experienced with the trans research community in the UK or internationally involved in the report output. Cass herself has no experience of trans people in her social circle. This is like reviewing Maori health initiatives without anyone Maori being part of debate, vs only being interviewed.
  
  3. As an outcome of this, the Cass report is unbalanced in naming 'trans ideology' as a bias, without a corresponding recognition of the significant anti-trans bias pushed over the past 5 years in the UK.
  
  4. No trans treatment processes from outside the UK were evaluated for effectiveness as potential alternative models to to GID service. Once again, the Cass framed trans kids as a 'mental health problem' issue, completely erasing the identity of trans kids and their families.
  - weka 10.2.1
    
    11 April 2024 at 7:32 pm
    
    Instead, the report focusses on unpicking why children are trans, as if it's a mental health problem, not on providing the best medical support for trans kids and their families.
    
    I'd like to know if that's really true. I haven't read the report, but everything I have since in the last day, including interviews with Hilary Cass, shows that there are issues with large numbers of children with concurrent mental health issues, abuse histories and undiagnosed autism. All things that GIDS was ignoring in favour of affirmation only.
    
    I used to think that transness wasn't a pathology, and I think that could be true, but needing hormones and surgery suggests to me that it is. And what is gender dysphoria if it's not a mental health issue? I think that the need to transition via extreme body modification is something that is largely culturally imposed. If we lived in societies that valued gender non-conformity, then the whole born in the wrong body bullshit wouldn't exist like it does.
Joe90 11

10 April 2024 at 3:30 pm

I move we scrap official limits on the acceptable number of politicians clubbed to death, too.

Pricks.

An official limit on the acceptable number of sea lion deaths in commercial fishing nets is no longer necessary, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

Despite the number of sea lion pups inexplicably plunging by almost a third last year, Jones has scrapped the Fishing Related Mortality Limit (FRML), which sets the maximum number of sea lion deaths each year before a squid trawl fishery in the Southern Ocean has to close.

The New Zealand sea lion, or rāpoka, is the world’s rarest and with a population of just 10,000 features on an international “red list” of endangered species.

Last year, an annual count was so low it triggered a government review of squid fishing in their foraging grounds, around the remote subantarctic Auckland Islands.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350240291/death-limit-endangered-new-zealand-sea-lions-scrapped
- Bearded Git 11.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 4:28 pm
  
  Joe-IMHO very few of the things this government is doing are vote winners.
  
  Standardistas need to compile a list of these stupid/crazy/crap policies to roll out at the next election and say "do you really want to continue with this lot in charge?"
  - Rosielee 11.1.1
    
    10 April 2024 at 7:06 pm
    
    You mean like selling our land to foreigners?
- Tabletennis 11.2
  
  11 April 2024 at 2:56 pm
  
  @Joe
  "An official limit on the acceptable number of sea lion deaths in commercial fishing nets is no longer necessary, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says."
  
  I believe the only reason Shane Jones became an MP again, so he can ~~abuse~~ use his position to give any conservationist, NGO, conservation volunteer, animal lover, etc the middle finger.
  
  Yet there is no kai to be found on a dead planet.
  This government doesn't seem to include the costs, to the tax payer, associated with all the hours put into legislation and laws such that we do not have a society where some people have all the rights and others non.
Robert Guyton 12

10 April 2024 at 5:30 pm

"Teanau Tuiono's Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill, which would correct one of the great historical crimes of the Muldoon era. National will likely vote that down too, out of racism. "

ACT are supporting the bill!
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2024/04/members-day.html
ianmac 13

10 April 2024 at 7:13 pm

Question Time on Demand today seems stuck on 28 March. Anyone else get it?
- Robert Guyton 13.1
  
  10 April 2024 at 8:42 pm
  
  It is stuck. Can't understand why that might be.
  - Kat 13.1.1
    
    10 April 2024 at 10:45 pm
    
    Most likely one of Nicola's 'wasteful spending' cut backs…….
    - ianmac 13.1.1.1
      
      15 April 2024 at 8:36 pm
      
      Or a reduction of transparency?
- Traveller 13.2
  
  12 April 2024 at 12:49 pm
  
  The Parliament website has changed it's format, and you're probabaly looking at a cached version.
  
  Go to home page – New Zealand Parliament (www.parliament.nz).
  
  Click 'Watch'.
  
  Select 'On Demand' from the top banner bar.
  
  Under "Selected Video" you will see a date that is currently playing, or you can select a date from the filtering dialogue box on the right hand side.
  
  The site no longer allows you to choose a particular question form a list of questions. On the right there is a scrolling list of speakers. You will need to scroll down to the name of the person asking the first question, or the particular question you are interested in, click on the name and the video will begin.
  
  I'm finding it very clunky, but it does work. Hope that helps.
  - ianmac 13.2.1
    
    15 April 2024 at 6:59 pm
    
    Thanks Traveller. It is downright difficult to manage. Clunky? Yep.

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Bryce Edwards writes – It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Gordon Campbell on the psychological horror film Possession
This is one of the (extra) weekly columns on music or movies. Plenty of solid analyses of Possession exist online and most of them – inevitably – contain spoilers. This column is more in the way of a first-timer’s aid to getting your initial bearings. You don’t need to have ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
4 days ago

Portrait of a Man.
I am painting in oil, a portrait of a manWho has taken all the heart aches,And all the pain he can stand.I am using all the colors of blue,I have here on my stand.I am painting in oil, a portrait of a man.This has been an interesting week for me. ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
4 days ago

The Hoon around the week to May 17
Helen Clark joins the Hoon as a special guest talking whether Aotearoa should join Aukus II, and her views on the fast track legislation and how Luxon and the new Government are performing. File Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

Weekly Roundup 17-May-2024
We’re at the end of another week. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked if the Herald’s poor journalism will cost lives On Tuesday Matt covered Wayne Brown’s proposal for public transport in the Long ...
Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
4 days ago

Rishi’s relaunch
With an election due in less than nine months, Britain’s embattled PM, Rishi Sunak, gave a useful speech earlier this week. He made a substantial case for his government, perhaps as compelling as is possible in the current environment. Quite an achievement. His overall theme was security, first pulling ...
Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
4 days ago

Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20 2024
Open access notables Publicly expressed climate scepticism is greatest in regions with high CO2 emissions, Pearson et al., Climatic Change: We analysed a recently released corpus of climate-related tweets to examine the macro-level factors associated with public declarations of climate change scepticism. Analyses of over 2 million geo-located tweets in the U.S. showed that climate ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

The thrilling possibilities of charter schools
You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

This Unreasonable Government.
Losing The Room: One can only speculate about what has persuaded the Coalition Government that it will pay no electoral price for unreasonably pushing ahead with policies that are so clearly against the national interest. They seem quite oblivious to the risk that by doing so they will convince an increasing ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

Supreme Court weighs in on name suppression
Name suppression decisions can be tough sometimes. No matter your views on free speech, you have to be hard-hearted not to be torn by the tug of the competing arguments. I think you can feel the Supreme Court wrestling with that in M v The King. The case for ...
Media Law JournalBy Steven
5 days ago

Is This A “Merchants” Government?
The Merchants of Menace: The Coalition Government has convinced itself that the “Brahmins’” emollient functions have become much too irksome and expensive. Those who see themselves as the best hope of rebuilding New Zealand’s ailing capitalist system, appear to have convinced themselves that a little bit of blunt trauma is what their mollycoddled ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

This is what corruption looks like
When National first proposed its Muldoonist "fast-track" law, they were warned that it would inevitably lead to corruption. And that is exactly what has happened, with Resources Minister Shane Jones taking secret meetings with potential applicants: On Tuesday, in a Newsroom story, questions were raised about a dinner Jones ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

Take that, Vladimir – and be warned: we have plenty more sanctions (at least, we hope so) in our ...
Buzz from the Beehive One day – hopefully – we will push that Russian rascal, Vladimir Putin, beyond breaking point. Perhaps it will happen today, when he learns that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is again tightening the thumbscrews. Peters announced further sanctions, this time on 28 individuals and 14 entities ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
5 days ago

More Harm Than Good.
How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought New Zealand to the brink of economic and cultural chaos.TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition Government’s failure to retain, and build upon, the public ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

The Ombudsman fails again
In 2020, the Operation Burnham inquiry reported back, finding that NZDF had lied to Ministers and the New Zealand public about its actions in Afghanistan. The inquiry saw a large number of documents declassified and released, which raised another problem: whether they had also lied to the Ombudsman in his ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

No Time To Think: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
“Members of Parliament don’t work for us, they represent us, an entirely different thing. As with so much that has turned out badly, the re-organising of MPs’ responsibilities began with the Fourth Labour Government. That’s when they began to be treated like employees – public servants – whose diaries had ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

Bryce Edwards: Lobbying for Waikato’s Medical School causing problems for the Govt
It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

Picking Sides.
Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

Universities offer course in self-serving cowardice
Henry Ergas writes – When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

The teacher trainee challenge
David Farrar writes – Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Words and (in)actions
New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision Michael Reddell writes – When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

What do you hope for/fear from the budget?
Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

Gordon Campbell on ACT’s charter schools experiment
If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
5 days ago

Drought fuels wildfire concerns as Canada braces for another intense summer
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, May 16
Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

Controversial proposal could threaten coalition
The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

Of Rings of Power Annatar, Dramatic Irony, and Disguises
As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
6 days ago

The future of Nick's Kōrero.
This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

The PM promises tax relief in the Budget – but will it be enough to satisfy the Taxpayers’ Union...
Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
6 days ago

Fucking useless
Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
6 days ago

Setting things straight.
Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
6 days ago

Far too light a sentence
David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

Unwinding Labour’s Agenda
Muriel Newman writes – Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

Sequel to “Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour”
Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

The Govt’s Fast-Track is being demolished by submissions to Parliament
Bryce Edwards writes – The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

A generation is leaving at a rate of one A320-load per day
An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
6 days ago

NZUP RORS back to life
The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
6 days ago

School Is Out.
School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

How Are You Doing?
Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
6 days ago

The Rings of Power: Season Two Teaser Trailer
I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
6 days ago

At a glance – What ended the Little ice Age?
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Skeptical Science
7 days ago

Talking Reo with the PM
“The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
7 days ago

Release: Another announcement, still no funding for more public houses
The Government has yet again failed to do the one thing that needs to happen to ensure houses can be built – commit to ongoing funding, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 hour ago

Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell them
The Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...
Greens
18 hours ago

Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell them
The Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...
Greens
18 hours ago

Release: Treasury advice show flaws in Fast Track Approvals Bill
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Labour Blog
1 day ago

State of the Planet speeches, 2024
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...
Greens
2 days ago

State of the Planet: Government must be guided by values not money
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Release: Chris Hipkins’ speech: New Zealand in 2040 – A vision worth fighting for
...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and counting
More than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

No-cause evictions leave no hope for renters
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Release: National winding back mental health work
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamariki
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Gang policy setting communities up for failure
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Charter schools not a serious solution
We need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievement
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New Zealand
The Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori children
Government has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals bill
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Māori Party
1 week ago

New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect women’s spaces
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Release: Support for climate adaptation inquiry
Labour supports a Notice of Motion in the House today to move the Finance and Expenditure Committee to conduct an inquiry on climate adaptation. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Greens welcome cross-party approach to climate adaptation
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACC
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Government shows allergy to evidence in benefits crackdown
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Minister of Finance reheats austerity politics
This morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

A win for Wellington – Greens welcome more housing
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kids
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford Union
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Members Bill will prevent Māori land confiscations
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

TIKANGA IS NOT LAW. IT IS CULTURAL INDOCTRINATION.
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Release: National won’t commit to full Nelson Hospital upgrade
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Labour calls for fast track list to be released
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National gaslights women fighting for equal pay
National has scrapped the pay equity taskforce that fights for equal pay for women and looks at ethnic pay gaps. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Release: More job cuts, fewer houses under National
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Release: Children fall deeper through the cracks in Govt cuts
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Release: Labour honours memory of Sir Robert Martin
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Release: 130,000 cattle saved from live export
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fire
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

New unemployment figures paint bleak picture
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Release: National’s job cuts already starting to bite as unemployment rises
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Government to rollout roadside drug testing
The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
16 hours ago

Minister responds to review of Kāinga Ora
The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
17 hours ago

Pseudoephedrine back on shelves
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
20 hours ago

New Zealand-China Business Summit
Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

New measures to protect powerlines from trees
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming award
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

District Court Judges appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.    “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Further sanctions against Russia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

One year on from Loafers Lodge
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Minister attends global education conferences
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Panel announced for review into disability services
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Minister welcomes Police gang unit
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

New Chief of Defence Force appointed
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

$571 million for Defence pay and projects
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Government to continue with Aukus talks despite China's warning
The Prime Minister says New Zealand's relationship with China is mature enough to withstand differences of opinion. ...
Radio NZ – political
53 mins ago

Politics live: National MP David MacLeod stood down after failing to declare donations
New Plymouth's David MacLeod says he's "extremely disappointed" after failing to declare $178,000 of donations. ...
Radio NZ – political
53 mins ago

The cost of being: A SuperGold Card holder on solar power
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a part-time media librarian and superannuitant explains how he spends and saves. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Male Age: 65 Ethnicity: European Role: Media librarian ...
The SpinoffBy The Cost of Being
2 hours ago

Ngati Ruanui On Fast Track Ballot
The Government’s Environmental Select Committee is refusing to engage meaningfully when it matters the most over new fast tracking environmental legislation, says Ngāti Ruanui. ...
Scoop politics
2 hours ago

Flu vaccines are no longer free for all under-12s in NZ – children living in poverty and at higher...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Marsh, Senior Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Christoph Soeder/dpa New Zealand’s decision to no longer offer free influenza vaccines for all children under 12 will likely wipe out recent gains in uptake. And it ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

People with dementia aren’t currently eligible for voluntary assisted dying. Should they be?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology Inside Creative House/Shutterstock Dementia is the second leading cause of death for Australians aged over 65. More than 421,000 Australians currently live with ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

A pest of our own making: revealing the true origins of the not-so-German cockroach
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theo Evans, Associate Professor of Applied Entomology, The University of Western Australia Erik Karits, Shutterstock German cockroaches thrive in buildings all over the world. They’re one of the most common cockroach species, causing trouble for people both here and overseas. But ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

‘How a healthy community should be’: how music in youth detention can create new futures
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Anja Kallio, Deputy Director (Research), Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University Many young people in contact with the justice system come from backgrounds of extreme poverty, parental abuse or neglect, parental incarceration and disrupted education. These complex traumas often manifest as addictions ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Household costs the main priority for Labour's finance spokesperson
The Labour Party's finance spokesperson has set out her portfolio priorities, with household costs at the top of her list. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

What the future holds for Kāinga Ora
The agency was found to be underperforming and ‘not financially viable’, explains Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A damning report A government-ordered ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
3 hours ago

Politics live: Kāinga Ora in for shake-up, Labour's Barbara Edmonds makes pre-Budget speech
Follow the latest in politics as Labour looks to the Budget and National shakes up Kāinga Ora. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

What will it take for NZ to be a 'rockstar' economy again?
Consumers have been hit with all the pain of getting economy on even footing again, economist says. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

NZ First toilet bill: Not enough unisex loos, planning expert says
Despite Winston Peter's suggestion that anyone who wants to use one can, an academic says there aren't enough unisex toilets in the country. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

How Palestine fights ecocide with biodiversity and sustainability resistance
Asia Pacific Report For more than 76 years, Palestinians have resisted occupation, dispossession and ethnic cleansing, culminating in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Yet in the midst of this catastrophic seven months of “hell on earth”, it is a paradox that there exists an extraordinary oasis of peace and nature. ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
4 hours ago

The scariest driver of school non-attendance: more parents who just don’t care
Parents in a UK study knew attendance rates had gone down. The problem was, they didn't care. Could the same be true here? ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

Private jet use is increasing in New Zealand, climate crisis be damned
You’ll never set foot in one. But its emissions still effect you. Shanti Mathias reports on a campaign to make private jet owners pay for their emissions in some way. The private jet passengers saunter down the red carpet, wearing sunglasses and heels; paparazzi cameras flash. The sky is blue, ...
The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias
6 hours ago

There’s a silver lining to the Ministry of Education job cuts
Quality teachers back on the front line can only be a good thing. One of the difficult things we teach in senior English classes at secondary school is the development of an idea. This involves deepening your argument, without instead “going sideways” and merely adding examples while repeating the same ...
The SpinoffBy Alastair Crawford
6 hours ago

Daily crossword, Tuesday 21 May
The post Daily crossword, Tuesday 21 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
6 hours ago

Luxon’s ‘clear-eyed’ stance on China security issues
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon balanced promotion of ‘critical’ trade ties with ‘clear-eyed’ security talk at a China summit The post Luxon’s ‘clear-eyed’ stance on China security issues appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Sam Sachdeva
6 hours ago

Mega prison would cost mega bucks, so follow the money
Opinion: As an indication of the eye-watering sums involved for the mega-prison plans announced two weeks ago by Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell, consider that $932 million has already been spent on a separate facility due to open at Waikeria next year – that’s about $1.5 million for each of the ...
NewsroomBy Liam Martin
6 hours ago

How to lessen stigma and gaslighting in the health sector
Opinion: People with certain types of health conditions are more likely than others to have their symptoms dismissed, minimised or disbelieved. These conditions are diagnosed based on the patient self-report of symptoms, where there is no definitive diagnostic test that can prove the existence of disease or demonstrate structural or ...
NewsroomBy Dr Fiona Imlach
6 hours ago

Restoring fiscal discipline – and trust
Opinion: Without an appropriate focus on value for public spending, trust in government is likely to erode The post Restoring fiscal discipline – and trust appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Dr Eric Crampton
6 hours ago

Hit by a digital guillotine
The intensity of it, ironically, can feel like bullying. Social media activism is reaching something of a peak with the war in Gaza, using the hashtag Blockout2024. It started at this year’s MetGala when influencer and model Haley Kalil was caught on video muttering ‘let them eat cake’ – suddenly ...
NewsroomBy Sharon Brettkelly
6 hours ago

‘I will never give birth to a child’
It’s 2011 and I am 43 years old. My partner, Christine, and I got together when I was 36. We had been friends for about 10 years before that. One of the first things I asked Christine was whether she wanted to have kids. I had just come out of ...
NewsroomBy Hinemoana Baker
6 hours ago

Phase out mid point: Govt commits to low-energy user charges review
The Consumer Advocacy Council is pleased the Government will review the phase out of fixed low-user energy plans The post Phase out mid point: Govt commits to low-energy user charges review appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
6 hours ago

Problems persist even in environment ministry’s alternative fast-track bill
Analysis: The Ministry for the Environment still couldn’t shake concerns about local voices, legal risks and environmental degradation The post Problems persist even in environment ministry’s alternative fast-track bill appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Fox Meyer
6 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 21 May
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,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, Tuesday 21 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
6 hours ago

Any online ‘kidfluencer’ content or images of children can be sexualised, as Four Corners repor...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Jane Archer, Senior Lecturer, Communication, Edith Cowan University guruXOX/Shutterstock The latest episode of the ABC’s flagship investigative program, Four Corners, makes for grim viewing. It reveals cases of men making inappropriate and sexual comments on online images of children, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Stalking legislation review potentially next year – but could take longer
The government has a full slate of "justice commitments" already this year, the Justice Minister says. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

Kiwis trapped in Nouméa: Air NZ won’t fly from New Caledonia for days
New Caledonia’s Tontouta International Airport remains closed, and Air New Zealand’s next scheduled flight is on Saturday — although it is not ruling out adding extra services. Air NZ’s Captain David Morgan said on Monday evening flights would only resume when they were assured of the security of the airport ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
11 hours ago

Nakba Gallery: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free
Asia Pacific Report As Israel drives the Palestinians deeper into another Nakba in Gaza with its assault on Rafah, the Palestine Youth Aotearoa (PYA) and solidarity supporters in Aotearoa New Zealand tonight commemorated the original Nakba — “the Catastrophe” — of 1948. The 1948 Nakba . . . more than ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
11 hours ago

Kanaky New Caledonia unrest: Young people will ‘never give up’ – journalist
Young people on the streets in New Caledonia are saying they will “never give up” pushing back against France’s hold on the Pacific territory, a Kanak journalist in Nouméa says. Pro-independence Radio Djiido’s Andre Qaeze told RNZ Pacific young people had said that “Paris must respect us” and what had ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
12 hours ago

PODCAST: A View from Afar – Is a second Trump Presidency Possible?
This episode of A View from Afar podcast was recorded live from 12:45pm May 20, 2024 (NZST). Political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine: The United States and how the world is engaging with it geopolitically. Specifically, Paul and Selwyn analyse what has changed in this regard in ...
Evening ReportBy Selwyn Manning
14 hours ago

Fast-track laws, parliamentary urgency, Treaty tension, media retreat: warning signs for NZ's &...
Analysis - Power is not being abused, but it is not being well managed either. New Zealand democracy, unique and currently brittle, should be handled with greater care, Alexander Gillespie writes. ...
Radio NZ – political
15 hours ago

Forcing a government rethink on Gaza 'a cause worth dying for' – Will Alexander
A former Shortland Street actor says he doesn't want to die but changing the government's policy matters hugely to him. ...
Radio NZ – political
16 hours ago

Has logging really stopped in Victoria? What the death of an endangered glider tells us
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Forest Conservation Victoria, CC BY-NC-ND Victoria’s native forest logging industry ended on January 1 this year. The news was met with jubilation from conservationists. But did logging really ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

What’s the difference between fiscal and monetary policy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Crosby, Professor, Monash University Rose Marinelli/Shutterstock This article is part two of The Conversation’s “Business Basics” series where we ask leading experts to discuss key concepts in business, economics and finance. How governments should manage their budgets, and how ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

Is it time for Australia to reassess its position on France’s role in New Caledonia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole George, Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies, The University of Queensland On Sunday afternoon, Australian citizens who have been trapped in New Caledonia were called to a meeting at one of the large hotels in the capital, Noumea. The ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

MediSecure data breach: why is health data so lucrative for hackers?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan Prictor, Senior Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock The latest large-scale ransomware attack on a health technology provider, electronic prescription company MediSecure, was revealed last week. MediSecure announced it had suffered a “cyber security incident” affecting people’s personal ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Our research shows what the rental market is really like for international students
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Soong, Senior Lecturer and Socio-cultural researcher, UniSA Education Futures, University of South Australia International students have come under fire from both sides of federal politics in the past week. The Albanese government introduced legislation to parliament last Thursday to put ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Watch: PM, Housing Minister discuss Kāinga Ora review
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has ruled out a mass sell-off of state houses. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

Kāinga Ora underperforming, not financially viable – Sir Bill English
The agency paid limited attention to value for money and had opaque transparency around internal costs and revenue, the review found. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to media following Cabinet
PM Christopher Luxon and Housing Minister Chris Bishop are discussing a review of Kainga Ora led by Sir Bill English. ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

The ‘dead internet theory’ makes eerie claims about an AI-run web. The truth is more sinister
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jake Renzella, Lecturer, Director of Studies (Computer Science), UNSW Sydney An example of shrimp Jesus. Shutterstock AI Generator If you search “shrimp Jesus” on Facebook, you might encounter dozens of images of artificial intelligence (AI) generated crustaceans meshed in various forms with ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
19 hours ago

Some sports leaders are trying to defy term limits – which can open the door to corruption
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua McLeod, Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University Being a sport administrator comes with many perks, so it’s no surprise many want to stay in their positions as long as possible. Recently, a trend has emerged whereby leaders in sport are seeking ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
19 hours ago

I can’t afford olive oil. What else can I use?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Joyisjoyful/Shutterstock If you buy your olive oil in bulk, you’ve likely been in for a shock in recent weeks. Major supermarkets have been selling olive oil for up to ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

On the pain and pleasure of cooking
A conversation with artist and home cook Prairie Hatchard-McGill, aka @cacioeprairie. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. A few weeks ago, I spotted Prairie strolling down Ponsonby Road at sunset, a bunch of celery tucked under her arm. She was too far away for me ...
The SpinoffBy Lucinda Bennett
21 hours ago

Three Kiwis Launch Haka Challenge To Free Assange In London
The Haka Challenge invites anyone to learn and record the Ka Mate haka as performed by the All Blacks, to show their support for "the South Pacific's greatest truth teller". ...
Scoop politics
21 hours ago

Former Shortland Street Actor Will Alexander Goes On Hunger Strike Over NZ Government’s Complicity...
At the Christchurch rally in support of Palestine, he started his hunger strike and vowed to continue until the government stops supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. ...
Scoop politics
21 hours ago

In stories of unrest in New Caledonia, Kanak voices should not be an afterthought
With Nouméa reeling as mainly young, politically active Kanak people take to the streets and protest, a spirit that has been dormant since the 1980s has awoken. Tāmaki Makaurau-based Kanak Joseph Xulué provides some context. As reports continue to emphasise the fires burning through the streets of Nouméa (the capital ...
The SpinoffBy Joseph Xulué
21 hours ago

Oranga Tamariki proposal to cut critical records unit 'incredibly disrespectful' – a...
"For a system that desperately needs help, any budget cuts to me are outrageous but especially in record-keeping," Lisa McLaren says. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Passport delays cause applicants to pay an extra $1.2m for urgent service
An unintended consequence of the backlog could have the DIA making hundreds of thousands of dollars in expedited passport applications. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Joining AUKUS could be seen as 'taking sides' – Chinese ambassador
Wang Xiaolong told an audience New Zealand joining the military pact could look like "taking sides". ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Labor and Albanese gain in post-budget Newspoll, but other polls don’t look as rosy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Newspoll, conducted after the May 14 budget from a sample of over 1,200 people, gave Labor a 52–48% lead over ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Kanaky New Caledonia unrest: NZ student in Nouméa taught to use fire extinguishers
A New Zealander studying at the University of New Caledonia says students have been taught to use fire extinguishers as firefighters are unlikely to come help if there is an emergency. It comes as days of unrest followed a controversial proposed constitutional amendment which would allow more French residents of ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
22 hours ago

Green MP Darleen Tana investigation costs $43,000 so far
Darleen Tana was suspended nine weeks ago amid allegations of migrant exploitation relating to her husband's company . ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

Fast-track laws, parliamentary urgency, Treaty tension, media retreat: warning signs for NZ’s ‘b...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images There have been so many submissions on the government’s proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill – 27,000 written, with 2,900 wanting to appear before the select committee in person – that a ballot ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love feral robots: Atlas (Netflix, May 24) Look, if you thought This is Me…Now: A Love Story was Jennifer Lopez at her most intense, then ...
The SpinoffBy New to streaming
24 hours ago

LIVE RECORDING: A View from Afar – Is a second Trump Presidency Possible?
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 20, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). Today, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will examine: The United States and how the world is engaging with it geopolitically. Specifically, we will ...
Evening ReportBy Selwyn Manning
24 hours ago

Scams are surging – this team blocked 1.3 million in a month
After falling victim to a scam over the phone, Russell Brown spent the day with One NZ’s cyber defence and fraud prevention teams to see the work they do to stop millions of scam attempts every year. The only windows in the Cyber Defence Centre at One NZ’s Auckland headquarters ...
The SpinoffBy Russell Brown
1 day ago

Thousands sign petition to make stalking illegal
The proposal has gained steam since 2022, when Auckland woman Farzana Yaqubi was murdered by a stalker she had previously reported to police. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Treasury Advice Show Flaws In Fast Track Approvals Bill
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Chloe Swarbrick on Green MPs Darleen Tana and Julie Anne Genter
Darleen Tana has been suspended amid allegations of migrant exploitation. while Julie Anne Genter is before Parliament's Privileges Committee. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Has cutting 'corporate welfare' left a hole in government climate plans?
National scrapped a fund for companies to switch from coal. Now NZ might not meet emissions targets, officials say. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Why has an Israel-Hamas ceasefire been so elusive? A timeline of key moments in the search for peace
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Ever since armed conflict has existed, ceasefires have been thought of as a bridge between war and peace. Consequently, their success has been measured by their ability to stop violence between warring parties ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Oral retinoids can harm unborn babies. But many women taking them for acne may not be using contrace...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antonia Shand, Research Fellow, Obstetrician, University of Sydney Backgroundy/Shutterstock Oral retinoids are a type of medicine used to treat severe acne. They’re sold under the brand name Roaccutane, among others. While oral retinoids are very effective, they can have harmful effects ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Australia is set to ban live sheep exports. What will this mean for the industry?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Renwick, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand This month the federal government announced a plan to ban live sheep exports, set to come into effect from May 1 2028. The announcement coincided with the release of a highly ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

How are the stocks of the fish on the iconic poster going? ‘Munted’, says one expert
Another technical answer: ‘no one really knows.’ It smells like hot fat and fish. You hug the warm bundle of newspaper, translucent with grease, swaddling it like a newborn babe. Behind the counter is a small child doing her homework, and the grumpiest Chinese lady in the world. Above you, ...
The SpinoffBy Asia Martusia King
1 day ago

Mahé Drysdale on mayoralty bid: 'I'm running to make Tauranga NZ's best small city&#...
The two-time Olympic gold medalist will have to beat out a number of people - and his own uncle - for the top job in Tauranga. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Fears Queenstown's homeless problem is about to snowball
The town may see an influx of hundreds of people sleeping in tents this winter, advocates warn. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Kiwis Urged To Give Shane Jones ‘The Finger’
New Zealanders are being called on to give Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones “the finger” in a cheeky new campaign that aims to dramatically boost marine protection in Aotearoa. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Ancient DNA from an extinct native duck reveals how far birds flew to make New Zealand home
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Auckland Island merganser. Artistic reconstruction by J. G. Keulemans from Bullers Birds of New Zealand (1888) Bullers Birds of New Zealand, Author provided Ask a bird lover if they have heard of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

The left gears up for 2026 – and beyond
Leaders from three of the biggest political parties addressed party faithful over the weekend, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A weekend ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
1 day ago

Treasury warns of Fast-Track Bill’s ‘significant risks’
Treasury has said the fast-track bill poses “significant risks”, despite being neither cheaper nor faster than other options The post Treasury warns of Fast-Track Bill’s ‘significant risks’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Fox Meyer
1 day ago

Ministry for the Environment warns of Fast-Track Bill’s ‘significant risks’
Environment Ministry says the fast-track bill poses “significant risks”, despite being neither cheaper nor faster than other options The post Ministry for the Environment warns of Fast-Track Bill’s ‘significant risks’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Fox Meyer
1 day ago

Open mike 10/04/2024

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