Under their Code of Ethics they have to be fair and balanced. If they do not offer comments on the scrutiny of the recent avalanche of spending from Bill English in the same article, their code says that is ok so long as they are doing a series.
Audrey Young owes us one on National on that basis from earlier in the week and now stuff owes us one. When do you reckon we will get it? Sept 24?
Of thes state of our health system.
Of the state of our Waterways
Of the numbers in our Prisons
Of the state of our Education system
Of the levels of our emissions
Of the levels of Child poverty
Of the levels of inequality
Of the levels of drug abuse including alcohol
Of the levels of obesity
Of the levels of homelessness
Of the levels of home ownership
Of the levels of foreign ownership of New Zealand
Of the levels of corporate lobbying in NZ
The comment “Young people have been clamouring for the superannuation age to be lifted” seems to a statement of fact as written but when asked for evidence of this “clamouring” – no response!
It is particularly risible considering that the two points she singles out for scrutiny, tax and the age of eligibility for superannuation, have been subjected to nothing but scrutiny since they first surfaced. The entire article could be reduced to “Heather du Plessis Allen opines that media coverage of the election campaign should continue until the election.”
Well said. The irony of an article lacking real scrutiny bemoaning the lack of scrutiny of Labour. Where is the scrutiny of the avalanche of money suddenly available from Bills cold dead hands? Taxpayer money on a Cathedral and NOW 30m for other random churches…
As for the “mean girl” nonsense. When women resort to sexist generalisations we are the worst for it.
Referencing the Smiling Assassin pisses me of cos most John Keyers saw it as a badge of honour. And no scrutiny there. Where were the journoes finding victims of the asassin and seeing how their lives have worked out?
John Key ran this country for 8 years on the back of his popularity and people like HDA and Soper worshipped at his feet. It looks like now it is a woman…
I agree with the tenet that Labour has deliberately sought to cannabalise Green votes. However I am not on the front page of Stuff. Scrutinise Act and NZF and so on as well. It is like HDA is suffering from Ardern ardour envy?
‘The smiling assassin’ was Sir John’s nickname and to use it in reference to Jacinda Ardern is infantile & unoriginal and expresses some kind of misplaced nostalgia for a political ‘chapter’ that should be turned over ASAP or, even better, written over with a completely new chapter.
I don’t think it’s quite that simple. Tame’s piece is relatively harmless, although it does peddle a couple of annoying right-wing memes unquestioningly (the electorate votes with its collective wallet; it isn’t the substance that counts, but the perception), and the editorial “Jacinda should reveal more” actually contains some analysis of what Labour’s thinking on tax might be, rather than the constant screeching about every conceivable tax under the sun. However, the presence of all three pieces all in one go certainly shows that someone is toeing the editorial line we all expect from the Herald.
Getting back to Tame’s piece, though, if one were to substitute “courageous” for “risky” in the title, and make a couple of minor tweaks to the article, such as replacing some references to “voters” with “National and the media”, it would actually be quite positive for Labour. Perhaps his framing’s deliberate, but perhaps it’s just symptomatic of political journalists’ being a rather closed chattering circle that constantly feeds off its own memes…
it is even less than ‘relatively harmless’…it is almost cleverly supportive (wonder how his masters let that one slip through)…..he rationalises Labours stance for those seeking reassurance…..remembering it is not the tribally opposed that will determine this election, they are beyond reassurance.
Nice analysis. Before your piece I had wondered if it was Soper and he and HDA wrote their pieces for Herald and Stuff respectively over eggs benedict yesterday.
I do not think Tame has it in for Labour. Quite the opposite.
For a former ACT leader, libertarian, promoter of choice and freedom, and an advocate of legalised suicide to want to restrict the ability of women to chose is utter hypocrisy.
And throwing in the suggestion that women will be able to terminate at full term is pathetic for someone of his standing and snatched straight from the Down’s Syndrome advocacy group’s Facebook page.
Hide’s also just a poorly constructed piece. He starts off arguing that Ardern’s stance is misguided because taking any firm stance at all risks alienating some voters, then segues into arguing that, although the current law is unfit for purpose, changing it is a bad idea because there are issues to be tackled.
He doesn’t even attempt to draw any conclusion from these two disparate arguments, nor does he offer any insight into the issues beyond what has already been put out there by Saving Downs, whose “information”, moreover, has already been highlighted as unconnected to Ardern’s undertaking to remove abortion from the Crimes Act. It almost goes without saying that he makes no attempt to refute that assessment.
Hide seems to be a perfect example of the Peter Principle: elevated to party leadership and political commentator on the basis of a formidable reputation as a “perkbuster”, but found to be woefully inadequate in any pursuit other than embodying that phenomenally stupid term.
On Q+A this morning at 9am, is a debate about the environment, “there are 7 parties in tomorrow’s debate: @winstonpeters @ScottSimpsonMP @DavidParkerMP @damianlight @FoxMarama @dbseymour @jamespeshaw”
Why isn’t Nick Smith there, he is the minister for the environment, but instead scott simpson is rolled out? I’m confused. He ran away from the nelson markets yesterday after the sculpture turned up next to his caravan, is he still running away?
Here are some facts for hdpa.
She could have read this before writing her puff article defending her rich mates interests.
‘Beneficiary groups have slammed Work and Income over a new report showing people missing out on $200 million a year in entitlements.
Beneficiary advocacy groups say figures released under the Official Information Act paint a damning picture of the government and Work and Income.
According to the figures, there could be $200 million or more in payments not being collected by beneficiaries.
Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Alastair Russell said Work and Income case managers deliberately withhold information about benefit entitlements.’
If you don’t know what entitlements are available at WINZ then how can you possibly apply for them ? Advocates and financial mentors have a wealth of knowledge and can support their clients at WINZ appointments. Always wise to take along a witness (although it didn’t work out that well for Winston).
Bryan Bruce has documentary out on TV3 Tuesday at 8.30 p.m.
This is from his Facebook page on 7 September.
“I have to get my facts right. Politicians don’t. In documentaries like the one coming up next Tuesday on THREE I have to make every effort to get my facts right. If I don’t do my research and just make stuff up then I face the prospect that I and the broadcaster are fined for inaccuracy .(It’s never happened to me by the way).
Not so with National’s Cabinet members Steven Joyce or Anne Tolley When Finance Minister Joyce was asked by Guyon Espiner today to name one other person in New Zealand who agreed there was a $ 11.7 Billion hole in Labour’s fiscal policy he couldn’t do it
And here’s Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley quoted in a Newsroom article by Bernard Hickey “In addition, one in five beneficiaries tell us that drug use is a barrier to them getting a job ” 1 in 5 …. Really? According to her own Ministry – last year, there were 31,791 referrals for drug testable positions nationwide and just 55 sanctions for failing a drug test. (See Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11639758 ) So which is it Minister? 1 in 5 beneficiaries on drugs.. or 1 in 576 according to your own actual tests?
The more National just makes stuff up , the less credibility they have. Just take a look at the poll released tonight . National is at the lowest level its been since 2005.
So … watch out for some inconvenient truths in my doco next Tuesday. Some politicians may squeal – but I can back up every fact I give with very credible resources.”
He’s a bit off target with the drug testing comments, one of the big problems at the moment are people turning down job offers because they are scared of failing a drug test and then getting sanctioned. Multiple agencies and NGOs are dealing with this problem.
Doesn’t just effect beneficiaries either but workers looking to move up into higher skill higher paying jobs.
Do you have any data on that? The problem with Tolley’s credibility here is that she is making a claim that just *happens* to support the long-standing policy and propaganda of her party, but providing no verifiable data to back it up, whereas the available data make her claims seem counter-intuitive at best.
But we townies are hypocrites for damaging our urban environment. We plan badly, use land wastefully, underinvest in homes, infrastructure, civic amenities and environmental systems, and devalue our landscapes, coasts and water – fresh and salt.
We criticise cockies for high nitrate levels in water. Well, our emissions of nitrogen oxides from vehicles are second only to Mexico’s in the OECD.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, we’re failing to reap the deeper economic benefit of fast-growing urban areas. Wages are higher than in rural areas but productivity and wage growth is equally sluggish.
Oram feeds the cockies arguments that the cities are big polluters so get off our backs. And at present it is the cockies chosen political party that keeps the pollution levels as high as they are, because of that political party, National, being kept in power by cockies and the indifferent classes.
So don’t blame we townies for being hypocrites Rod. You are spreading the muck around too widely. Don’t be like the back end of a hippopotamus with us thank you very much. I didn’t vote the Nationals in. I am working for and thinking about having a better NZ but my agency is small compared to the vast machine of National’s that bulldozes flat every practical thought that would improve NZ in any way.
We have all got to demand and meet higher standards of thinking, planning, resource use and dealing with the effects of our activities on the environment.
For urban planning, look to the ribbon development happening all over the country. The number of urban stormwater and sewerage systems that are effectively combined at high flows is staggering. The heavy metals and hydrocarbons in urban stormwater is a disgrace. We all have to do a lot better than we are.
Rural environmental performance won’t improve unless there’s a change in urban attitudes, and equally urban performance won’t change unless there’s a change in rural attitudes. It’s not a rural / urban thing, it’s a New Zealand thing and we won’t get any improvement unless we all change.
But the real thrust of Oram’s argument is economic. We’ve spent the last 30 years trying to get richer by seeking to reduce costs, rather than have the best , highest value products and living environment. And we’ve all got to think how we do that.
“But voters should also ask a question of themselves: how can each of us help create a distinctive New Zealand urbanism, one that matches our natural environment for capturing the imagination of people the world over?”
Graeme you are exactly right. But make your point to the self-satifsied that I meet every day. Not in the community help, the environmental concern places, but in the pubs where they drink their problems away, in the financial houses, the women’s garment shops and hairdressers where they buy the look of having made it (that’s in the world of Success), the real estate houses, the farmer offices where they plan their next buy-out and study the prices for future commodity markets.
How do you make your point to them? They probably won’t be found on this blog, if they do come they are armed with a brain that is packed with bubble wrap to prevent anything impacting its delicate and fragile substance.
Fed Farmers took Invercargill City to task recently regarding ICC’s stormwater / sewer discharges. Robert Guyton might be able to provide some background on what went on there. So they actually get it, but I’m not sure whether in a positive way. But Fed Farm won’t get anywhere getting their members to have greater environmental responsibility if they don’t demand other users / abusers are held to the same account. And good on them.
Farmers I know and do work for are really onto looking after and maintaining their farm and neighbouring environments. But I also see some shockers, and not just farmers. But generally these are activities that haven’t had a consent renewal in the last 20 years.
Ngai Tahu have made QLDC buck their ideas up regarding sewer discharges and have had a very active role in water take consents in Otago. Their values make a lot of sense.
Some one is using my email to open a discus
Account I think I no who it is as discus track how many hit you get and links to Twitter Facebook an other multi media!!!!,
Nice to see the jokey foxpeters interaction. Didn’t see the same lightheartedness between labour and the greens – why are we in such a mess? Watch everyone except Shaw to find out.
Same Marty, it was a goodie. David Parker owned scott simpson more than once, James Shaw has proven to be outstanding in all the debates, and Foxy cracks me up big time. Winnie and rimmer dang. Ryan Gosling barely got a look in.
Jessica Much did a fantastic job keeping that lot under control.
Here’s a link for any that missed the Debate on the Environment it’s entertainment plus lolz. Still wondering why nick no show couldn’t even come and front the ministry he is responsible for, useless. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/episodes/s2017-e27
Maybes nick is a bit butt hurt post Saturday market.
The sculpture was at the Mot markets today, a truly impressive work of art, the detail and craftsmanship, really well done, right down to the towels wrapped around his ankles as socks and the undone shoe laces. Drew quite an audience, lots of laughter, and the kids ROFL, I asked some of them if they knew who it was, Donald Trump they reply, so I filled them in, cheeky boys asking me what was hanging between the legs of the ‘feral statue’, dang local kids crack me up. The artist was generous in that dept lolz.
The stall holder at nicks rear told me he had been put in the arseholes section of the market and should get a discount for the site, LMAO, he was soooo funny, some fella was getting his photo taken in between nicks legs, and the stall holder was like… ‘careful mate, you’ll be the biggest dick head in Motueka if you stay there too long” everyone laughing. Many came just to view the sculputure.
I wonder if nick will challenge the artist again, saying “nothing you make could offend me”, may not having been the wisest comment nick made when the artist was invited to dinner one night.
be good to see that sculpture over the hill for our sat market but wrong electorate so who knows – lots of lols from your report – nice, nick needs to go
Greens, Internet, Labour, Māori, do well on support for Industrial relations, while National, top, NZ First and ACT get a NO.
On all their criteria, the GP get a tick (Yes) of approval; Internet get all ticks except for an In Principle (IP) judgement on housing; Labour mostly ticks with a few IPs; TOP a mix of Nos, Yeses and IPs; Māori 1 No plus a mix of Ys and IPs; National and ACT responses dominated by red N(o)s
The PSA one says that National ‘supports’ raising benefits to a liveable rate. Which is news to me and such a mistake that it makes me question their whole chart.
Basically, on Social Security, the Nats said No to all these:
A rewrite of the Social Security Act to recognise that work is not always available and that people may have caring responsibilities, or physical and mental health needs that means work is neither possible nor desirable.
Review of the sanctions regime with a view to removing the most unfair and punitive sanctions.
Index benefits, including Working for Families payments, to the average wage.
Maintain the age of superannuation eligibility at 65 years.
And the only social security measure the Nats said Yes to was this one:
Increase basic benefit levels to ensure they are set at liveable levels.
Which seems somewhat contradictory, and open to what they mean by “liveable”, given they don’t want to index benefits to the “average wage”.
Confound the Science
Nice melodic parody on Trump! Peace to all…..and good luck to the Greens launching their climate change policy later today in Auckland.
If you go to a shelter for #Irma, be advised: sworn LEOs will be at every shelter, checking IDs. Sex offenders/predators will not be allowed— Polk County Sheriff (@PolkCoSheriff) September 6, 2017
the conservatives did something similar in the uk and it simply increased demand and so prices….also english is saying that this deposit will enable people to buy $600k houses but forgets they cannot make the repayments …..building cheap but quality state houses is the way to go
Einstein may or may not have said…”the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result” but there appears no dispute he said
‘Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. ”
So the MAORI seat debate so I purposed abandoning them because in my view they were unfair on the left so for the MAORI
Seats to be fair there should be 15 seats and not seven. The seats should be based on population numbers to be fair to Maori.
How could Korako Nuk sit there and back national bull shit policy the only reason only Scotty Morrison cut him down was because the others were respecting his seniority in age if not they would have cut him down good on you Scotty.
Marana Davis is right to say that the people that were in the state care state and abused many of them end up in gangs are owed a investigation. And the people and state held accountable for there actions and the state to pay compensation to these people.
I have seen prefab house built on small pieces of land quiet fast.
So we need to come up with a simple efficient designs to build eco efficant house
And the workers need to build these house well we have plenty of people to train it doesn’t take long for someone to learn to be a hammer hand you need one qualified builder for 3 hammer hand so natianal DON’T go pissing in the wind about needing 50.000 immigrants to build more house’s . We just need the right plan And the will to build.
The council’s and high schools can help train builder’s and build good houses.
Clean green are we??
I don’t think so; watch this.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/
Polluted Paradise
People & Power investigates New Zealand’s water pollution problem as regional elections gear up.
31 Aug 2017 12:41 GMT | New Zealand, Water, Pollution
Unicef is looking for money to deal with Hurricane Irma, the Mexico earthquake, famine in the Yemen, floods in India and various other calamities occurring simultaneously – they say their “resources are stretched as never before” . You can donate at https://www.unicef.org.nz/.
Weekend thought from the utterances of Lao Tzu. (Before the weekly utterances of the combatting political parties.) The meanings are not clear, confusing even.
May be good for sharpening our minds to define the difference between truth, half-truth and ‘smoke gets in your eyes’.
Wu wei (無爲), literally “non-action” or “not acting”, is a central concept of the Daodejing. The concept of wu wei is multifaceted, and reflected in the words’ multiple meanings, even in English translation; it can mean “not doing anything”, “not forcing”, “not acting” in the theatrical sense, “creating nothingness”, “acting spontaneously”, and “flowing with the moment.”[44]
It is a concept used to explain ziran (自然), or harmony with the Dao. It includes the concepts that value distinctions are ideological and seeing ambition of all sorts as originating from the same source. Laozi used the term broadly with simplicity and humility as key virtues, often in contrast to selfish action. On a political level, it means avoiding such circumstances as war, harsh laws and heavy taxes. Some Taoists see a connection between wu wei and esoteric practices, such as zuowang “sitting in oblivion” (emptying the mind of bodily awareness and thought) found in the Zhuangzi.[43]
Some of Laozi’s famous sayings include:
“When goodness is lost, it is replaced by morality.”
“Without Darkness, there can be no Light.”
“The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness.”
“The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way.”
“When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.”
“Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.”
“Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know.”
“When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”
“A journey of a thousand miles starts under one’s feet.”
“The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be.”
— Laozi, Tao Te Ching
Looks like the Cyclone will have seriously trashed the coast of Cuba but looks as though it might now head to the Gulf of Mexico reducing the effect on Florida.
“”We’re the first generation that will feel the effects of climate change, and the last that can stop it. We have a responsibility to act, and the Green Party has a plan to do it,” Shaw said.”
Not so sure we can stop it and I like this talk from the Greens. We have a responsibility to give the Greens a chance to enact their policies and with Labour (hopefully) getting serious about the issue, real change could happen.
Shaw was serious as. Great to hear Fitzsimons saying that governments have to follow the people and that we need climate action not just climate policy.
re stopping it, I see it as a continuum. Best case scenario and worst case scenario and the gradations in between. We do have choices about stopping the worst case scenarios.
Yeah, I’m in the same situation. 69% Green, 64% Labour, 58% Maori, 50% Mana in my case, but when I read through the direct comparisons of my answers with the Mana Party, the main differences consist either in their not having provided an answer to that question, or in their having said “No”, whereas I answered “No, and…”. The fact is though, that I have generally found myself generally agreeing with Harawira’s statements, both on values and policy, over many years, whereas my agreement with Labour pronouncements has been much less consistent.
Having said that, I decided several months ago to give my party vote to the Greens, and I haven’t seen any reason to change that as yet, so the tool is not entirely without merit.
Today, Shaw said current polls – which “sometimes make my teeth grind” – showed the question now was not whether Labour will win, but who they will invite into government with them.
“If you…don’t want Winston Peters holding Labour over a barrel, I am asking you to give your party vote to the Greens…[for] the most environmentally friendly, most progressive government in generations.”
And Jacinda says, “Labour would ban sales of existing houses to non-resident, foreign buyers “by Christmas”, immediately stop any sales of any state houses, and pass legislation to introduce standards for heating and ventilation in rental property.
At the top end of the property market the restriction may not have much effect unless the buyer is a dodgy bastard. If you can stump up 20 million for a property you can probably arrange residency as well.
I have been told by a couple of people from different families that New Zealand citizens who work overseas cannot buy a home in New Zealand unless they come home and reside here. One lives in Adelaide and owned a home here previously which is now sold and wishes to purchase a home here to come home to and she was not allowed to, she was told to be able to purchase she had to be living here. Another couple live in Hongkong and have also at some time sold their home here and wish to buy another to return home to – again they were told they have to come home and reside here to purchase a home.
Is this correct – and why should whoever who bought Key’s home, be in China when he purchased it. What is going wrong here and am I hearing correct that NZ born citizens who work overseas cannot purchase a home here unless they return home and reside here.
Early voting starts tomorrow and probably most of you have already decided how you will vote. For me, it will be Labour as my candidate vote and Green as my party vote. I have been helping our local Labour candidate in various ways, including door-knocking, and I gave my party vote to Labour at the last election.
If you are on the Māori roll then remember the Māori Party have sided with National for 9 years and voted for the sell off of state houses.
There are a few reasons for me giving my party vote to the Green Party this time but the two main ones are that they will push for benefit reform and their polling is dangerously low. They need every vote they can get to ensure that they can be a effective voice in a new Labour led government. A coalition with the Greens will mean we get a better Labour government, so if you are tossing up between the Greens and Labour for your party vote then I’d urge you to choose the Greens this time. They need every vote they can get.
Some may be considering giving their party vote to Mana or TOP. Please do not do this. It will be a wasted vote. It is highly unlikely that Hone will win and even if he did manage to scrape in Mana will not get enough for another seat.
I like our local Labour candidate so the choice is easy for me. Mostly, the candidate vote doesn’t actually matter; the only seats that count for candidate votes are Epsom and the Māori seats. In Epsom give your candidate vote to the Nat Paul Goldsmith and it may be enough to get rid of Seymour and Act.
If you are on the Māori roll then remember the Māori Party have sided with National for 9 years and voted for the sell off of state houses.
I don’t see TOP getting anywhere this election, so agree that a party vote for them is essentially wasted this time.
If they keep going, however, I can see them siphoning the National votes away — particularly those people with a social conscience who skew right on economics. (Or just greedy people who nevertheless understand that climate change will render hoarding up ‘wealth’ in the form of numbers in accounts a pointless exercise, unless it is dealt with.)
Having spoken to some TOP people at some length last Sunday, it is interesting that they marry some Greens ideas with what I would consider ‘conventional’ neo-liberalism. I would prefer sensible Tories to take some political power away from the more extreme and unthinking variant.
Newshub has some more of those Reid Research polls of the Māori seats. Flavell beating Coffey in Waiariki, bad news for Fox if Howie wins Te Tai Hauāuru. Mahuta is also streets ahead in Hauraki-Waikato – take that Tuku!
Great to see Māori King’s political intervention in Hauraki-Waikato so dramatically thwarted by ordinary Māori voters.
Let’s hope he – and the Iwi Elite – learn an important lesson.
(I should have added a Trigger Warning for the middle-class Luvvie Culturalist wing of the Identitarian Left who tend to self-indulgently romanticise anyone with a dollop of Māori ethnic heritage, blind to the severe clash of class interests that have opened up within Māoridom. All power to the whistleblowers who have tried to keep a Neo-Liberal Iwi Elite honest over recent years)
National, ACT, UF and the Māori Party don’t say anything about charter schools on their websites. The other main parties oppose them. UF doesn’t have anything about school-level education policies.
I don’t understand you, Weka. You put up a moderator note at 8.6.1 and asked for a response. You said I needed to cite the links. So that’s what I did. And now I have another final warning – but don’t bother to reply. I can see you’re very busy. As I am doing campaigning stuff.
I just wanted to inform people that Labour has had its climate change and environment policies worked out for a very long time. By saying these were extracts from our Policy Platform, I thought that was quite enough for a citation. But now I understand it wasn’t.
[A general link to Labour’s policy means that me and anyone else who is interested has to go hunt for what you are referring to. As I just explained, yet here you arguing about it again and still not providing the actual links/cites. If you don’t want to link/cite then don’t cut and paste, it’s pretty simple.
And here you are still commenting under my post when I’ve asked you not to. You are now banned from my posts until the end of the year. The other moderation warning stands re OM. – weka]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
ah ! I get the picture. Anne – you’d better not say anything in support of my comments about Labour also having environmental and climate change policies. Be warned !
As to The Standard moderators – I am now going to step outside of your self-imposed rules, and say I thought you wanted reasonable discussion on various Party policies – but maybe you only want discussion on Party policies you agree with, or know about. From a strong left (Labour) point of view, that’s more than a bit disappointing.
Cheerio.
[you didn’t get moderated for talking about Labour policy, you got moderated for repeatedly ignoring requests and warnings from a moderator about citing quotes and staying out of posts when you couldn’t do as an author asked. Making shit up about why you’ve been moderated is likely to get more moderator attention, as is wasting moderator time.
Anne, or anyone, is free to support what you said about Labour. She did and didn’t get moderated because she did so well within the site rules. Read the Policy, but the bottom line is that authors moderate on behaviour especially where their time is getting taken up with unnecessary back and forths like today. – weka]
Not sure I can be bothered, Anne. So much still to do to make sure Labour gets elected as a government this time. NZ cannot take any more of the shit dealt out by the neo-libs over the last three decades….. which I have spent the last 30 years or so fighting against ….. and petty little arguments about whether or not I should have cited things properly are just too time-consuming.
why not just put the cite in – you cut and pasted it anyway – it isn’t petty imo it is important especially with billshit and dildo joyce trying to muddy the waters
I think your approach of putting some facts up is good, you just have to put where you got the info from – let go of ego and just do it if you want Labour to win – that is more important than feeling hurt (and I can understand why you may feel that way I really can) – and I’m saying all the ego stuff to myself too. Kia kaha
Pat, thanks so much for posting, that is by far the most wonderfully written opinion piece I’ve read in quite some time. Brilliant, so funny, so good. Shakespearian almost, it’s going to make the best bed time story to read to the kids, epic.
Thanks, David Slack, most excellent
“And the men in the temple were sore troubled, saying: “How do we stop her, Bill?” And then the one known as Steven said: “Hold my myrrh”.
Now Steven was a wise man, according to his CV, and also he was not a wise man according to his academic record, for the grades saying “economics” did bear the words “Did not complete.”
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I spent some time reading the Regulatory Impact Statement and Bill of Rights Act advice for the government's odious control order scheme today. I am not impressed with either of them. Starting with the RIS, it is built on some pretty questionable assumptions. For example:Unless individuals have been convicted of ...
#NoFly: Walking the talk on climate change, by Shaun Hendy. BWB Texts, 2019. Reviewed by Robert McLachlan In June 2018, Swede Maja Rosén founded We stay on the ground with a pledge not to fly in 2019, and a goal of persuading 100,000 other Swedes to join her. In August, ...
We all know that NZ First is a party of and for old people who hate the young. But they've topped their previous pedophobia with a proposal that all young people be forced to do 100 hours community work:NZ First wants all young people to do 100 hours of community ...
A couple days ago the NZ Herald published a story with the headline, “Science says Bella Hadid is world’s most beautiful woman“, and followed up with the ridiculous statement that Supermodel Bella Hadid has been declared as the world’s most beautiful woman following a scientific study into what constitutes as ...
A Sustainable Proposition: With as much as 18 percent of the electorate declaring itself “undecided” about who to vote for, there is obviously plenty of space for a party like former Green Party member, Vernon Tava's, about-to-be-launched "Sustainable NZ Party" to move into. The most hospitable political territory for such ...
Keir Starmer has hinted that Labour might vote in favour of the Johnson government's shoddy deal, with the proviso that a second referendum is attached:Speaking to BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We will see what that looks like but it makes sense to say that by whatever ...
In 1994, I was the editor for an issue of Planet magazine focused on cannabis, its culture and the prospects for the end of its prohibition. Part of that issue was an interview with 'Ringo', an experienced cannabis dealer.I recently posted my essay from that issue, and I figured it ...
Dr Helen Waite, sports sociologist and former elite athlete, on the invasion of women’s sport by men and the anti-scientific and misogynist ideology used to rationalise it. ...
As Brexit comes to a grisly conclusion (perhaps) people on all sides are saying intemperate and uwise things. Some, like the Daly Mail, have been doing it for years.People as normally level headed as Jon Lansman are calling for automatic deselection of MPs who vote against a (likely) Labour three ...
I've got one source saying more Labour MPs than expected are mulling whether to vote for the deal - including names who were not on the letter to Juncker and Tusk— Emilio Casalicchio (@e_casalicchio) 17 October 2019 I've compiled a list of possible reasons why Labour ...
On Wednesday, the government was loudly telling us that it needed to legislate to allow it to impose "control orders" - effectively a parole regime, but imposed without charge, prosecution, conviction or real evidence - on suspected terrorists because they couldn't be prosecuted for their supposed crimes. Today, it turns ...
On Monday, the Hit and Run inquiry heard from NZDF's former director of special operations, who claimed that the defence Minister knew everything about the Operation Burnham raid. Today, the inquiry heard from that (former) Minister - and it turns out that he didn't know nearly as much as NZDF ...
Yoga gurus and cult leaders – I’ve seen a few. Two weeks ago, I unknowingly joined an alleged new-age cult at the Kāpiti coast, together with a giant kraken and some neatly dressed pensioners who would make any book club proud.They were among the two hundred people of all ages ...
The last decade has seen a trend of increasing weapons availability to police. Assault rifles. Tasers on every hip. Guns in cars. And following the march 15 massacre, pistols on every hip, all over the country. At the same time, its also seen an increase in the abuse of force: ...
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been busy preparing for our summer paper on Science Communication. Looking for something amusing about ‘risk’ in science, I came across this neat xkcd.com cartoon about why so many people come knocking on my door (or phoning me, or emailing me) desperately wanting ...
by John Edmundson The International Socialist Organisation (ISO) have recently reposted a February article, by Romany Tasker-Poland, explaining ISO’s position in the “trans rights” debate. It is available on their website and on their Facebook Page. The article sets out to explain why “socialists support trans rights”. It reads more ...
"Auckland City Mission: 10% of Kiwis experiencing food insecurity", RNZ, 16 October 2019:About half a million people are experiencing food insecurity, according to new research from the Auckland City Mission. Food insecurity, or food poverty, is defined as not having enough appropriate food. The City Mission said over the last ...
Media Statement for Immediate Release 16th October 2019 “Fake News” from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers Despite comments from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers—Herald Newspaper Tuesday Oct 15th–there is very little evidence ...
Would You Buy A Used Propaganda Video From This Man? Bridges and the National Party’s strategists have discovered that the ideas and attitudes considered acceptable by today’s editors and journalists are no longer enforceable. The rise and rise of the Internet and the social media platforms it spawned means that ...
There is plenty of evidence of the way the business mentality has permeated every level of society since the recrudescence of market liberalism 35 years ago. You only need to think of how citizens in need of help from their government, their state, their country, are now routinely described as ...
John MacCormickOver the last 40 years, New Zealanders – and people in other countries – have experienced big changes in the jobs they do and where they live and work. These changes include: a decline in manufacturing jobs an increase in jobs in ‘information-intensive’ industries (which are better paid ...
Nick Wilson, Leah Grout, Mereana Wilson, Anja Mizdrak, Phil Shoemack, Michael BakerProtecting waterways has the benefits of: (1) protecting water from hazardous microbes; (2) minimising cancer risk and other problems from nitrates in water; (3) avoiding algal blooms that are hazardous to health; (4) protecting mahinga kai uses (cultural ...
by The Council of Disobedient Women In a press release today Massey University announced it has decided to rebrand and reorientate after struggling to be a University for grown-ups. For some time the University has wanted to be a safe play space for wee-woke-misogynists who have been really badly triggered ...
After a brief dalliance with 'hard Revoke' it looks like the Lib Dems are changing ground on on Brexit, with leader Jo Swinson reverting to calling for a second referendum on Johnson's deal.The party has tabled an amendment to the Queen’s speech requesting that any deal brought back from Brussels ...
The government has decided that someone has done Something Bad. But despite their belief, there seems to be no evidence that they have actually broken the law. So the government's solution is to pass a retrospective law allowing them to be punished anyway, on a lower standard of proof. If ...
So, Judith Collins has done a Facebook rant about climate change, peddling the same shit National has been shovelling for the past twenty years: the impacts are overstated, there's no need to do anything about it, and its too hard anyway (oh, and its so unfair that people who peddle ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzThere is a lot of discussion on the benefits of ...
I came across this song quite by accident. If it isn't one of Greta Thunberg's favourites - it should be.Video courtesy of YouTube.This post is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
Last month, NZDF's shoddy coverup of what it knew about civilian casualties in Operation Burnham began to fall apart, with the revelation that a report on the matter, which NZDF claimed not to have, had been sitting in an NZDF safe for the past nine years. Yesterday, the man responsible ...
While many imagine that countries like the USA and Europe dominate space activities, in fact India is now a major player on this stage. It launches satellites for its own purposes and also commercially, and has constellations orbiting our planet and returning data of vital importance to that nation in ...
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...
For the past week, Extinction Rebellion has been peacefully protesting in London to demand action on climate change. The British government's response? Ban their protests:Police have banned Extinction Rebellion protests from continuing anywhere in London, as they moved in almost without warning to clear protesters who remained at the movement’s ...
An essay by Judith Collins MP reported on Carbon News yesterday seems to show an alarming shift in attitude within the National Party. Collins argues against the Zero Carbon Bill, the Paris Agreement, and downplays the magnitude of climate impacts. The Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015 and ratified ...
When they were running for election, Labour promised to overhaul the Employment Relations Act and introduce fair pay agreements to set basic pay and conditions on an industry level, preventing bad employers from undercutting good ones. They followed this up by establishing a working group, which reported back in January ...
A list of indicators of bad science – many of these are found in articles promoted by anti-fluoride activists. Anti-fluoride activists have been pouring money into a scaremongering campaign warning pregnant women not to drink fluoridated water. They claim fluoride will lower the IQ of their future child. Fluoride ...
Nothing Left To Say: Labour's pollster, Stephen Mills, remains swaddled-up in the comforting myths of the 1980s. As if the experience of Roger Douglas’s genuinely radical post-Muldoon policy agenda was literally a once-in-a-lifetime thing – as much as the party could possibly absorb for at least the next 50 years.MEMO ...
The Royal Commission on abuse in care is very significant for the disability community. For many decades last century, thousands of disabled children, and adults who managed to survive, were locked away from families and communities. This was not for anything they had done, but for the perceived threat their ...
With an unfair voting system, uneven electorates and an un-elected upper house, the UK's "democracy" is barely worthy of the name. But now the government wants to make it worse:The government has been accused of suppressing voters’ rights with the potential disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of people after plans ...
Back in the 90's and early 2000's, the building industry was building leaky homes which should never have been granted consent. Now it turns out they've been building dodgy office blocks as well:New imaging technology has revealed hundreds of major buildings nationwide have defective or missing concrete or reinforcing steel. ...
Local body election results were released over the weekend, to joy or despair depending on where you live. In Auckland, Phil Goff trounced John Tamihere, who is muttering darkly about running for Parliament again (but which party would want him?) Wellington is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weta Workshop, except ...
How could government evolve over the next decades? Reports of democracy’s imminent demise are greatly exaggerated. However, satisfaction with political systems in many countries is low, so there is much to do for governments of all political stripes to improve relevance and trust. Digital technologies are seen as one ...
Two years have now gone by since the Friday afternoon when my university-student son and I headed out of our Barcelona flat to a nearby primary school, designated as a polling station for the vote that was to be held the following Sunday: the referendum on Catalonia’s independence from Spain ...
Overruled: The joint decision of Finance Minister, Grant Robertson (Labour) and his Associate Minister, David Parker (Labour) arguably the two most powerful ministers in Jacinda Ardern’s government, to grant OceanaGold the consents which Land Information Minister, Eugenie Sage (Greens) had earlier denied them, offers bitter proof of how hard fighting ...
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...
A Statement on Abortion Law Reform by the Council of Disobedient Women On the eve of bringing an end to antiquated, anti-women abortion laws Green MP Jan Logie intends to write women out of the Bill. With a stroke of the pen, the woke are aiming for total erasure ...
Musings continue apace about “the experienced businessman!” soon to be taking up a National Party MP position. Or to be more accurate, being parachuted into a seat to shut down their former MP Jamie-Lee Ross, who despite his own shortcomings shed at least some more light on the inner workings ...
The Ugandan government wants to murder gay people:Uganda has announced plans to impose the death penalty on homosexuals. The bill, colloquially known as “Kill the Gays” in Uganda, was nullified five years ago on a technicality, but the government said on Thursday it plans to resurrect it within weeks. The ...
Hassan Vally, La Trobe UniversityWho doesn’t want to know if drinking that second or third cup of coffee a day will improve your memory, or if sleeping too much increases your risk of a heart attack? We’re invested in staying healthy and many of us are interested in reading ...
Freedom Of Speech? The Säuberung (cleansing by fire) was the work of the German Student Union which, on 10 May 1933, under the watchful eye of the Nazi Reichminister for Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, consigned 25,000 books to the flames in a ritual exorcism of “un-German thought”. According to the logic of the ...
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...
New Zealand has prided itself for decades with regard to its lack of pollution, and all will be aware that the ‘100% Pure New Zealand‘ meme is under threat through land, water and air pollution of various causes. There is another type of contamination that the country also faces: light ...
New Zealand’s media is doing its part in Japan, reassuring those in the path of the storm that they won’t miss any rugby while away from their flooded homes. New Zealand sports reporters stationed in Japan for the Rugby World Cup have had the rare and heartwarming opportunity to inform ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is the only Cabinet member in favour of putting it all on green. As Finance Minister Grant Robertson finds himself with an enormous $7.5 billion surplus, the Government has begun intense, at times contentious conversations about whether to put the money on red or black at ...
by Susanne Kemp At the start of September close to 100,000 school teachers went on strike in Jordan. They demanded a 50% pay rise. A pay rise actually agreed to by the regime back in 2014. In early October, however, in the face of government repression and threats, the teachers’ ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzWhy do people still think climate change isn’t real?David ...
Back in 2011, journalist Nicky Hager published Other People's Wars, an expose on NZDF's activities over the previous decade of the "war on terror". NZDF didn't like this, and especially didn't like the fact that it was base don leaks from their own. So, they had the SIS investigate him ...
The Zero Carbon Bill is due back from select committee in two weeks, and will likely pass its final stages in November. So naturally, farmers are planning a hate-march against it. But they're not just demanding lower methane targets so they can keep on destroying the planet; they're also demanding ...
Last year, California burned. This year, to stop it happening again (or rather, to stop themselves from being found liable if it happens again), Pacific Gas and Electric is cutting power to half the state for a week:Schools are closed. Traffic lights down. Tunnels dark. Businesses unopened. Hospitals running on ...
The Best Way: Missing from the on-line voting debate is any reference to the voting system that produces turn-out figures ranging from 77 to 93 percent of registered voters. The voting system used to collect and count the votes cast in our parliamentary elections. The system that involves citizens making ...
Among the great new bunch of political friends we have been making recently is the excellent Australian-based Marxist gender-critical site, Freer Lives. So we asked the comrade who set up that blog to write something for Redline on the blog, himself, his analysis of the rise of gender politics and ...
by Don Franks The Auckland City Mission is struggling with a 40 percent increase in demand for food parcels this year. A total of 23,020 were needed by June. Last month Missioner Chris Farrelly told the Herald the “cupboards are bare” and without an emergency food drive, he can’t see ...
by The Council of Disobedient Women Massey Wellington Student Association had a sit-in today. Imagine a sit-in. On a campus. Against a women’s rights meeting. Did the ’60s really happen or did we fucking dream it? They gathered in the student square, an echo chamber. Sitting on soft pillows ...
For some reasons, my post about the mystery message from inside the Downing Street bunker seemed to catch people's attention. Quite a lot of hits from NZ (unsurprisingly) and the USA (a bit more puzzlingly, but hi there, USAians!!) and 76 views from the Ukraine.I've celebrated my Ukrainian readers in ...
Journalist Andrew Dickens, reporting from the 2019 New Zealand First Conference, states that the Party once again proved “they are more than a sideshow”. In his op-ed article for NewstalkZB, Mr Dickens said he has always been an admirer of the Party, saying they are “a true centrist party”. “[NZ ...
New Zealand First's potential policy of compulsory community service for ages 15-19 years old has been getting support from those in the industry. A policy remit was passed during their recent Conference in Christchurch, gaining the support of a majority of its membership. Party leader Winston Peters has been talking ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the Party hopes to decide it’s stance pill testing at music festivals "before the season of concern", with festivals generally held during the summer months. Mr Peters' comments come in an interview with TVNZ's Q+A and follow a remit from the party's youth ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he has been told to be "alert" to potential cost blowouts for the light rail project in Auckland. Mr Peters said no such concerns were raised with him from ministerial colleagues, including Transport Minister Phil Twyford of the Labour Party. He suggested that ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters Leader of New Zealand First The Benefits of having New Zealand First in the Centre: Security, Experience & Balance 2.00pm, 20th October 2019 Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you all for your warm welcome to this, the party’s 26thConvention. Speaking on behalf of caucus colleagues, it’s great to ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Fletcher Tabuteau is travelling to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu this week to continue toadvance important bilateral relationships in our region consistent with thePacific Reset. Mr Tabuteau will engage in a range of bilateral meetings and visit New Zealand development ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is predicting a hard Brexit for the United Kingdom, as he believes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won’t be able to negotiate terms before the October 30 deadline. The Minister, who was one of the first to publicly come out and predict British voters would leave ...
Speaking at the Council of Trade Unions' (CTU) biennial conference, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told unionists that any future attacks on the Government won't work. "Now, we are being attacked by the union movement in this country. You can have your views but I'm here to say standing ...
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...
Defence Minister Ron Mark has used his powers to overrule a noise complaint ruling against Whenuapai airbase on the grounds of "national security". The Environment Court last month released a ruling in favour of a private developer, declaring the Auckland airbase had to comply with noise restrictions when it performs ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has opened fire against "unreconstructed morons" after NZ First MP Shane Jones was photographed on holiday holding an AR-15 rifle. Mr Peters is defending Mr Jones, telling Magic Talk host Peter Williams that his MP was just having fun "like most people do". "The ...
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau was in attendance during the morning blessing of the Rotorua Lakefront development project. Around 60 people gathered on the shores of Lake Rotorua, including city mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy Dave Donaldson. The Lakefront development is a ...
Forestry Minister Shane Jones is considering reining in on conversions of farmland to forestry, and also issued a warning to foreign-owned forestry companies that make up nearly 75 per cent of the industry. He said too many foreign companies had not provided enough access for domestic processors to get timber. ...
Speaking to Radio NZ, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the tightening of the parental category visa is a direct result of the Party’s coalition negotiations with the Labour Party. He said the new changes switch the financial onus from the parent moving to New Zealand to the child ...
The Coalition Government is set to cut red tape in the building and construction sector in an effort to allow more houses to be built, including prefabricated houses. The changes will enable the mass factory production of "high quality" buildings, slash the likely number of building inspections for factory produced ...
Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to tackle homelessness and make sure everyone has a warm, dry home. And today, on World Homeless Day, we want to report back and update you on our progress so far. ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has hit back at National Party leader Simon Bridges who criticized the Coalition Government’s approach to crime, and said that the latter isn't credible in his attack on the Government over gang recruitment. "We've got as massive drug problem in this country. It is ...
New Zealand Mānuka honey exporters have welcomed an initiative by the Coalition Government to help secure the term “mānuka honey” to be used exclusively by Kiwi exporters, ensuring that our multimillion-dollar industry is protected. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had recently announced that a Provincial Growth Funding of $5.7 ...
Political commentator Mike Hosking has labelled New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as “the voice of reason in a government soft on drugs”, for the Party’s stance on drug testing at music festivals. “If common sense is worth a vote, Winston Peters is quids in,” Mr Hosking said. The Labour ...
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau has announced Provincial Growth Funding to ensure work opportunities in Turangi and Whanganui, through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi. A fund of $500,000 will go to Rafting NZ in Turangi for a 16-week river guide training course to train ...
Treasury has shown that the Coalition Government has a $7.5 billion surplus, which is $4 billion higher than what was expected in the 2019 Budget unveiled last May. It is also $2 billion higher than the actual surplus unveiled this time last year, and at a size that has not ...
Official Information Act figures released to NZME show there were 350 assaults on officers in the year to the end of June, 79 more than the year before. The increase in attacks have sparked calls for more legal protection for first responders to be enacted. The assaults included officers being ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
We're making progress on tackling the long-term challenges: from homelessness, to strengthening border security, to bringing banking back New Zealand's small towns. ...
Associate Transport Minister Shane Jones has backed the ambitious plan to move Auckland’s port to Northport, at Whangarei harbour, which he says will be the “King Kong of infrastructure”. The plan is part of the recommendations of a six-person independent working group, which has recommended the Ports of Auckland be ...
A six-member independent working group selected the option of moving Auckland’s port to Northport, in Whangarei, ahead of other options. In what could be New Zealand’s most ambitious infrastructure project yet, a major expansion of the Marsden Point port could happen within 15 years. The project, officially called the “Upper ...
The final Electricity Price Review recommended prohibiting prompt payment discounts but allowing “reasonable” late fees. The findings of this review was welcomed by the Coalition Government, but they hope companies will follow through with its recommendations without regulations needed to be passed. Meridian Energy had already stopped prompt payment discounts, ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF)through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi,will invest nearly $600,000 to ensure work opportunities for locals in Turangia and Whanganui, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “I’m pleased to announce the PGF ...
An export-led economy is one of New Zealand First’s key principles, and our commitment to achieving this is shown by the continuing skyrocketing demand for our beef and sheep meat exports. Beef + Lamb New Zealand's New Season Outlook 2019-20 report forecasts beef, lamb and mutton prices to lift from ...
Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, has selected Arihia Bennett MNZM, Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as the Te Puni Kōkiri appointed representative on the New Zealand-China Council. The New Zealand-China Council (the Council) was established in 2012 as a New Zealand led and funded organisation ...
Responsibility for processing the small number of Southern Response claims still to be settled will be transferred to EQC by the end of the year. “As claim numbers reduce, it no longer makes sense for the Crown to have two organisations processing the remaining Canterbury claims,” Grant Robertson says. “Since ...
Health Minister David Clark is encouraging Whanganui residents to take up the opportunity for free bowel screening, which can detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Over the next two years 12,000 Whanganui locals, aged 60 to 74 will be invited to participate in the National Bowel Screening ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, heads to Oslo today to represent New Zealand at the sixth Our Ocean Conference, which is being hosted by the Norwegian Government from the 23-24 October. “The Our Ocean Conference mobilises real action on issues like marine plastic pollution and the impacts of ...
Two secondary-school initiatives are being expanded as part of the Government’s plan to see more young New Zealanders take up a trade to help close the skills gap. This includes the largest single increase in Trades Academy places in recent years. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris ...
Session 4: Pacific Connectivity – Youth, Media and New Opportunities Kia ora tatou katoa and Warm Pacific greetings to one and all. Representatives of Tainui, the local people of the land, or manawhenua – the indigenous peoples of this area – have welcomed you this morning in accordance with ...
The Government today announced its support for a project that could substantially reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. The announcement was made as part of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to Nelson’s Cawthron Aquaculture Park. The Cawthron Institute will receive $100,000 from the Government’s ...
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the first reading of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension Legislation Amendment Bill. “Every New Zealander has a stake in New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension,” says Carmel Sepuloni. “They are our most common form of social assistance – nearly 800,000 New ...
Babies in Auckland aged six months and over can receive a free vaccination and children will all have access to vaccines, Associate Minister of Health Julie Anne Genter announced today at Papatoetoe High School. The move comes as part of Government efforts to step up the fight against measles. ...
***Check against delivery*** Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here, and to have the honour of opening this important conference on behalf of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Let us take the opportunity to acknowledge all the people who have helped make today possible, including our special ...
Police Minister Stuart Nash says the safety of frontline officers and members of the public will be the focus of a new trial of specialist Police response teams in three of our largest urban centres. Police have this morning released details of an initiative to be trialled in Counties Manukau, ...
The Minister of Fisheries is calling for entries for a new public award to celebrate innovation in our seafood sector. “I have established the Seafood Sustainability Awards to recognise and celebrate those throughout industry, tangata whenua and communities who demonstrate outstanding dedication and innovation towards the sustainability of New Zealand’s ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter welcomes leaders in the private sector taking action on closing their gender pay gaps to ensure a fairer workplace for all New Zealanders. Ms Genter today launched a new report, Addressing the gender pay gap and driving women’s representation in senior leadership, from the Champions for ...
Government Ministers today welcomed the release of a marine environment report highlighting the four key issues affecting our oceans, estuaries and coastlines. The release underlines the importance of government proposals to combat climate pollution, ensure clean freshwater, protect biodiversity, make land use more sustainable, and reduce waste and plastic. Environment ...
The Government has approved funding for a new acute mental health facility for Waikato which will provide better care and support to people with mental health and addiction issues. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Dr David Clark announced the $100 million project to replace the aging Henry Rongomau ...
The Government is making progress on its goal to integrate te reo Māori into education by 2025, with over 500 teachers and support staff already graduating from Te Ahu o te Reo Māori, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Kelvin Davis made the announcement at an awards ceremony in Waikanae today, for ...
Statistics Minister James Shaw has welcomed the first release of 2018 Census data. The first release of data today, 23 September, includes key data on population, regional growth, the number of homes and the size of different ethnic groups in New Zealand. Data from the 2018 Census will support the ...
Minister for Statistics James Shaw today announced a public consultation on a proposed algorithm charter for government agencies. The charter has been developed by the Government Chief Data Steward in response to growing calls for more transparency in government use of data. Computer algorithms – procedures or formulas for solving ...
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Climate Change Minister James Shaw and visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte co-hosted a business roundtable in Auckland this morning focused on working together to address climate change. “The Netherlands is an important partner for New Zealand. We share a strong agricultural history. Sustainable agribusiness and ...
The Government is taking action to build an inclusive economy where more of us receive our fair share at work and businesses can compete on great products and services, not undercutting wages and conditions, Immigration and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. Two consultations launched today seek feedback ...
The future for New Zealand’s threatened indigenous freshwater fish looks brighter with the passing of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill in Parliament today said Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage. “Until now, our freshwater fish legislation has been 20 years out of date. We have lacked effective tools to ...
At 1.30pm tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will join about 65 million people around the globe in ShakeOut, the world’s biggest earthquake drill. The annual drill is to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake which is to Drop, Cover, Hold, and to practise their ...
Kiwis are benefiting from higher wage growth and low inflation under the Coalition Government. Stats NZ data out today shows the rise in the cost of living remains low, as annual Consumers Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 1.5% in September from 1.7% in June. “The low inflation comes as ...
New Zealand’s economic strength and resilience has been recognised in a major update on the state of the global economy. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook released overnight shows a reduced global growth forecast over the next two years as issues like the US-China trade war and Brexit take hold. ...
Justice Minister Andrew Little has today introduced a new Bill to prevent terrorism and support the de-radicalisation of New Zealanders returning from overseas. The Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill gives the New Zealand Police the ability to apply to the High Court to impose control orders on New Zealanders who ...
A Bill that proposes targeted changes to simplify the processes for Māori land owners when engaging with the Māori Land Court has had its First Reading today. “The approach taken by the Government is to ensure that the protection of Māori land remains a priority as we seek to improve ...
Let me first thank all the new unionists and members in the room. There is nothing more important to improving people’s working lives than people making the decision to care, to get on board and help, to take up the reins and get involved. Congratulations to you. You bring the ...
Minister of Defence Ron Mark has signed a certificate exempting the activity of engine testing at Whenuapai Airbase from the Resource Management Act 1991. The Act gives the Minister of Defence the power to exempt activities for the purposes of national security. The certificate will mean the recent Environment Court ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced New Zealand will join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action while attending APEC meetings in Chile. The objective of the 39 member Coalition is to share information and promote action to tackle climate change. It was formed in April this year, in ...
Feedback sought– Lyttelton commercial zone parking The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove on-site car parking requirements for new developments in the Lyttelton commercial zone. The proposal, by Christchurch City Council, asks that powers under section 71 of the Greater ...
Hon Minister Poto Williams Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration MEDIA STATEMENT Tuesday 15 October 2019 Feedback sought – Hagley Oval The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal about Hagley Oval. The proposal was developed by Regenerate Christchurch ...
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...
"Let’s start by acknowledging that it has been a huge year. " Police Association Annual Conference James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel Wellington Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou katoa. President of the Police Association, Chris Cahill; Members of the Association and ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Ron Mark have announced the New Zealand Government’s decision to again deploy a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 (P-3) maritime patrol aircraft to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. New ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand continues to have serious concerns for peace and stability in north-east Syria. “Recent reports that hundreds of ISIS-affiliated families have fled from a camp are deeply concerning from a humanitarian and security perspective”, Mr Peters says. “While we acknowledge Turkey’s domestic security ...
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor is warning travelling Kiwis to be vigilant as the high-season for the crop-eating brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is under way. “We’re on high alert to stop BMSB arriving in NZ. The high season runs until April 30 and we’ve strengthened our measures to stop stink ...
The Government is moving swiftly to change the law to improve the welfare and pastoral care of students living in university halls of residence and other tertiary hostels. Cabinet has agreed to several changes, including creating a new mandatory Code of Practice that sets out the duty of pastoral care ...
The Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage has launched a new comprehensive trapping guide for community trappers to help them protect our native birds, plants and other wildlife, at Zealandia in Wellington today. ‘A practical guide to trapping’, has been developed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), and was launched during ...
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter welcomes PHARMAC’s move to improve access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs). PHARMAC has today announced it will fund the full cost of Mirena and Jaydess for anyone seeking long term contraception, lifting previous restrictions on access to Mirena. “I welcome women having greater choices ...
The Government has approved the next stage of a major redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, which will deliver new and improved facilities for patients. Health Minister Dr David Clark has announced details of a $300 million dollar project to build a new East Wing at the New Plymouth hospital. It ...
“The Prime Minister must publicly support an immediate ban on Gay Conversion Therapy . If I was Jacinda I would feel morally obligated to give more confidence on where I stand, when I have asked for, and received, support from that community.” ...
New abortion law marks significant and needed progress for reproductive rights in New Zealand Amnesty International has today made its submission to the Abortion Legislation Committee in Wellington. The rights at stake in the legislation include the rights ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Transport Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): NZ Transport Agency to Phil Twyford: We should have done better ...
Crisis of Safety and Confidence in our Engineering, Building and Construction Industries Please find attached a copy of an Open Letter from Professor Maan Alkaisi, Spokesperson CTV Families Group. This was sent a short time ago to the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, ...
Safe speed limits are survivable speed limits and this is what AT has endorsed in its step change decision today. This decision is a landmark that sets the scene for a new focus on road safety in New Zealand. ...
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) says the inadequate treatment of urology patients in Southern District Health Board is distressing and should serve as a broad reminder to DHB management to listen when specialists raise concerns. ...
Informed via telegram that Netflix has released a full trailer for the new season of The Crown, Tara Ward puts on her best boxhat and white gloves to find out what round three will bring. The good Lorde told us we’ll never be royals, so the first full trailer for the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has some sobering reading to do over the coming weeks: an 88-page Senate report into the government-sponsored bill to repeal the medevac law that allow refugees and asylum seekers in Papua ...
Eric Crampton has fun imagining a version of MBIE that worried it could be subject to cartel criminalisation provisions for the anticompetitive regimes it has established. ...
Criminologist Antje Deckert has just completed a two-year study of how women offenders are portrayed in New Zealand newspapers. The results show that journalists are telling very different stories abut Māori and Pākehā. That our criminal justice system is in desperate need of reform and that we need to reduce the ...
China continues its march into the Pacific with a China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Samoa this week. Ahead of the forum, Beijing has signed seven new agreements with Samoa covering education, trade, e-commerce, investment, infrastructure and agriculture. China’s Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua heads his delegation in Apia ...
It might be tempting to yell, but there are more effective ways to talk to doubters about the value of vaccines, write Julie Leask and Maryke Steffens.Your neighbour is telling you about his new baby. He feels nervous about vaccinating, and says he’s considering delaying Lucy’s vaccines.Your mother’s group is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debra Wain, Academic in Professional and Creaive Writing, Deakin University Why do we tell stories, and how are they crafted? In this series, we unpick the work of the writer on both page and screen. Anna Spargo-Ryan’s debut novel, The Paper House ...
The Movies, a documentary series that celebrates movies and their impact on culture, is available on TVNZ OnDemand today. Sam Brooks pulls some of the best quotes from its galaxy of stars.Ever wanted to get a snapshot of cinematic history without leaving the comfort of your couch, or even your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ronald F Pol, Senior researcher NZ, La Trobe University Money laundering rarely gets as literal as the case in Thailand last week, where police raided homes of a ring suspected of laundering a billion baht (about A$48 million) of drug proceeds and ...
The NZTA chair has acknowledged the agency dropped the ball in its early handling of Auckland's light rail project, as the NZ Infra proposal grips ministers. ...
On Friday it was announced that Armed Offenders Squad patrols will be trialled in Counties Manukau, Waikato and Canterbury over the next six months. The data suggests this will increase police violence and unfairly target Māori, writes Emilie Rākete.Police Commissioner Mike Bush announced on Friday that cars of Armed Offender ...
This summary is provided to assist in the understanding of the Court’s judgment. It does not comprise part of the reasons for that judgment. The full judgment with reasons is the only authoritative document. The full text of the judgment and reasons ...
There’s something about the feeling of wind whipping my face that brings me out of my head and into the moment. Once a month we pedal as a group: recreating the feeling of childlike glee riding our bikes together, writes Helen King.The first bike I learned to ride belonged to ...
More than 10,000 school support staff around the country have begun two weeks of paid union meetings to discuss progress on pay equity, and next steps following the Ministry of Education's failure to present a collective agreement offer. ...
Government ministers are adamant New Zealand’s economic fundamentals are solid, unemployment is at a record low, growth is faster than in Australia, and the surplus in the government accounts and low debt present further opportunities to strengthen the economy. Yet, across the road from the Beehive, the view from the ...
Wellington's mayor-elect Andy Foster says talk about a recount is causing a "distraction" for the council at the start of their term, but the incumbent Justin Lester says it's essential for a democratic process. ...
Police Commissioner Mike Bush has today announced an independent review of the systems and processes NZ Police has in place to address complaints of bullying. ...
The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry has formalised an integrated pathway for survivors to seek justice for the abuse they suffered in State care or in the care of faith-based institutions. ...
The small-claims mediation process is meant to give real people a voice, but the financial and emotional sacrifice just isn’t worth it, writes Jai BreitnauerWhen we moved to the semi-rural dreamland of Te Henga (Bethell’s Beach) in 2017, we couldn’t imagine that anything would be able to tarnish the beautiful ...
The New Zealand Bar Association welcomes a Court of Appeal decision which gives detailed guidance on sentencing people convicted of offences related to the importation, manufacture and supply of methamphetamine. ...
Methamphetamine (meth) dealers who can prove their own addiction caused their drug offending could have their sentences cut by 30 per cent, according to a landmark judgement released by the Court of Appeal. The role of an offender in a drug network ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, Senior Lecturer, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Australians picked up their morning papers yesterday to find heavily blacked-out text instead of front-page headlines. This bold statement was instigated by the “Your Right to Know” campaign, an ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul McGreevy, Professor of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Science, University of Sydney The slaughter of horses bred for racing in Australia, as revealed in the ABC’s investigation, highlights the challenge of what to do with racehorses when their careers are over. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carlina Black, PhD candidate, La Trobe University It’s a year since the national apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. While national apologies can acknowledge survivors, sorry is just the beginning. Access to healing is needed. Our research shows ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Right now, two projects have been proposed to import gas from overseas to supply eastern Australia. This is an absurd prospect. Australia is a resource-rich ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Pitman, Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University In a recent nation-wide survey by online tutoring company Cluey Learning, 75% of Australian senior students said their ATAR score would impact on the rest of their life. And more than 80% said a score ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shih-Wen Sue Chen, Senior Lecturer in Writing and Literature, Deakin University There is a new challenger to Disney’s hold on the global animation industry, and he is a Chinese demon child. [embedded content]Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child, from Chengdu Coco ...
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Wellington’s new mayor faces difficult three years, Zero Carbon bill select committee report comes back, and extremist preacher barred from NZPartly because it was a widely unexpected result, the opening days of Wellington mayor Andy Foster’s tenure have been gripping. He ...
After her own troubled teenage years, Fran McEwen doesn't want to see other girls going through the same challenges. So she's running a race across a Middle Eastern desert to help them. ...
Laurence Fearnley, author of a best-selling novel about perfumes, proposes a radical new scheme in which people of refined noses set out together and establish a sniffing group. ...
A string of failures over the past 25 years has drawn attention to the quality of regulatory practice in NZ. Jeroen van der Heijden looks at what we can do differently. ...
Last night, the two titans of the cannabis referendum came together for their first televised debate on the issue – Paula Bennett and Chlöe Swarbrick.From a distance, Paula Bennett and Chlöe Swarbrick don’t feel like the most likely opponents. What with Paula Bennett recently-ish stating she would not seek re-election ...
Andrew Little’s terrorism suppression bill is facing two very different forms of resistance, from National and from the Greens. What is the legislation, and why is it controversial?What this then? The Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill, introduced to parliament by the justice minister, Andrew Little, last Wednesday, seeks to introduce “a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Given her status as holding two vital Senate crossbench votes Pauline Hanson is at times, in the eyes of senior government figures, She Who Must Be Obeyed. And so it was last week, when Hanson ...
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says he'll be watching out for potential cost blow-outs for Auckland's light rail project, after warnings from a source within the transport industry. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Mercer, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, Curtin University Fully Sikh, directed by Matt Edgerton, Perth’s Studio Underground The foyer is adorned with colourful fabric and bunting. We’re welcomed by the sounds of Indian music while members of the Sikh community offer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Mercer, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, Curtin University Fully Sikh, directed by Matt Edgerton, Perth’s Studio Underground The foyer is adorned with colourful fabric and bunting. We’re welcomed by the sounds of Indian music while members of the Sikh community offer ...
New Zealand First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.Trying to make sense of the New Zealand First party can be difficult at the best of times. Political journalists and commentators attempt to work out where the party ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.TV3 sale Tim Batt (Metro): What if THREE’s problem isn’t TVNZ but… MediaWorks? Alex Braae ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Miller, Professor of Violence Prevention and Addiction Studies, Deakin University Over recent weeks, the alcohol industry has been drumming up mediadiscussion around Australia’s new drinking guidelines. Australia’s guidelines on alcohol consumption are under ongoing review by the National Health and ...
Extremist Baptist pastor Steven Anderson has just been blocked from entering New Zealand, making us the 34th country to reject his hate speech-filled sermons. American pastor Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church has been denied entry to New Zealand on character grounds, putting a stop to his plans to ...
Twenty years ago Stephen Chbosky had a massive hit with coming-of-age novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Now the director/producer/scriptwriter is back with an epic, kid-centric horror. Early on in Stephen Chbosky’s frustrating new horror novel, Imaginary Friend, its seven-year-old protagonist Christopher is sitting down to watch his favourite cartoon, ...
Hold on to your sponge nubbins, New Zealand’s loveliest reality show Great Kiwi Bake Off is back for a second serving. Before the show’s return on November 3, Tara Ward takes a sneak peek at 2019’s contestants. Lay me down on a soft bed of whipped cream and swab my forehead with a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ronald F Pol, Senior researcher NZ, La Trobe University Money laundering rarely gets as literal as the case in Thailand last week, where police raided homes of a ring suspected of laundering a billion baht (about A$48 million) of drug proceeds and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wilfred Wang, Lecturer, Communications & Media Studies, Monash University The Australian society has changed significantly since cemeteries in Victoria were planned and designed 150 years ago. But there haven’t been any major redevelopment or review of the community’s changing requirements for what ...
NZ Post’s failure to maintain an adequate postal voting infrastructure has been the subject of two submissions to Parliamentary Select Committees by the Postal Workers Union since the last Local Authority postal vote in 2016. The union maintained that ...
New Zealand honey growers appear to have so far avoided the heavy hand of the Australian government in their dispute with apiarists across the Tasman. ...
A downturn in Tourism Holdings' (THL) vehicle sales business in the United States is likely to have a material negative affect on its full year results, the company warns. ...
The troubled Auckland Light Rail project is back in the news again, and not for good reasons. So what does it all mean for transport and traffic congestion in New Zealand’s biggest city?What’s all this then?It seemed like such a good plan at the time. Over the course of 10 ...
Since taking office in this Govt, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has applied heft to NZ’s role in the Pacific. Now, 18 months on, he reflects on what has been achieved. Speaking to the NZ Institute of International Affairs, he said NZ is moving away from the donor-recipient dynamics of the ...
A white police officer who shot and killed an African American woman in her home in Fort Worth, Texas, in the presence of her eight-year-old nephew has been charged with murder after resigning from the force. The Fort Worth Police Department said its officers had been responding to a call from a neighbour, ...
Madeleine Chapman took her piano-playing nephew Harper to see the orchestra for the first time. Madeleine: When I was very small, I used to sit in the hallway at home with my closest siblings and we would ask our brother Bernard, a teenager at the time, to play songs on the ...
Otago-grown agricultural technology company Techion has cornered an international market. Its founder, Greg Mirams, explained how the internet of things and fast fibre broadband has transformed the way he does business.In a Dunedin bedroom in 1992, Greg Mirams invented Techion’s founding product: FEKPAKG2. It was developed to help local farmers ...
Botany is an electorate that deserves a representative who is committed to their community which is the reason New Conservative has confirmed Elliot Ikilei as the candidate for the 2020 election. ...
Anyone who would like to submit an account of their experience of state care to the Māori Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki has 10 days left before submissions close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Shaw, Conservation Biologist, The University of Queensland This year, five of the seven Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science were awarded to women. While this is a welcome development, the great majority of awards and prizes for science, technology, engineering and mathematics ...
Open Mike 10/09/2017 
There was another police chase in Christchurch this morning, resulting in a crash which killed one person and injured five more. Because someone died, the chase is being investigated by the Independent Police Conduct Authority. And based on previous reports by the IPCA, we know how it will go: the ...3 hours ago
Back in 2010, I wrote about the strange tale of the zombie ants, which do the bidding of their fungal overlords. (They’re not an isolated example; a range of parasites change their hosts’ behaviour. See here and here for example – though as you’ll find, the toxoplasmosis story may be ...7 hours ago
8 hours ago
by the Council of Disobedient Women We call on the Council of Trade Unions to show some fortitude and take a stand with your sisters. Unionists know that there is a material world, otherwise workers could simply identify out of poverty. They could declare themselves Well Paid. Why stop ...23 hours ago
Keir Starmer has hinted that Labour might vote in favour of the Johnson government's shoddy deal, with the proviso that a second referendum is attached:Speaking to BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We will see what that looks like but it makes sense to say that by whatever ...1 day ago
In 1994, I was the editor for an issue of Planet magazine focused on cannabis, its culture and the prospects for the end of its prohibition. Part of that issue was an interview with 'Ringo', an experienced cannabis dealer.I recently posted my essay from that issue, and I figured it ...3 days ago
Dr Helen Waite, sports sociologist and former elite athlete, on the invasion of women’s sport by men and the anti-scientific and misogynist ideology used to rationalise it. ...3 days ago
Media Statement for Immediate Release 16th October 2019 “Fake News” from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers Despite comments from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers—Herald Newspaper Tuesday Oct 15th–there is very little evidence ...5 days ago
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz There is a lot of discussion on the benefits of ...6 days ago
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...1 week ago
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...1 week ago
A list of indicators of bad science – many of these are found in articles promoted by anti-fluoride activists. Anti-fluoride activists have been pouring money into a scaremongering campaign warning pregnant women not to drink fluoridated water. They claim fluoride will lower the IQ of their future child. Fluoride ...1 week ago
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...2 weeks ago
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Journalist Andrew Dickens, reporting from the 2019 New Zealand First Conference, states that the Party once again proved “they are more than a sideshow”. In his op-ed article for NewstalkZB, Mr Dickens said he has always been an admirer of the Party, saying they are “a true centrist party”. “[NZ ...4 hours ago
We're rebuilding our hospitals, protecting our oceans, and taking mental health seriously. ...4 days ago
Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, has selected Arihia Bennett MNZM, Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as the Te Puni Kōkiri appointed representative on the New Zealand-China Council. The New Zealand-China Council (the Council) was established in 2012 as a New Zealand led and funded organisation ...2 hours ago
“The Prime Minister must publicly support an immediate ban on Gay Conversion Therapy . If I was Jacinda I would feel morally obligated to give more confidence on where I stand, when I have asked for, and received, support from that community.” ...14 mins ago
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.
Informed via telegram that Netflix has released a full trailer for the new season of The Crown, Tara Ward puts on her best boxhat and white gloves to find out what round three will bring. The good Lorde told us we’ll never be royals, so the first full trailer for the ...2 hours ago
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A white police officer who shot and killed an African American woman in her home in Fort Worth, Texas, in the presence of her eight-year-old nephew has been charged with murder after resigning from the force. The Fort Worth Police Department said its officers had been responding to a call from a neighbour, ...1 day ago
HDPA doing her best for the National Party
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11919488
Tory puppet.
what part of her article is not factually correct?
See Hanswurst’s comment.
It’s an opinion piece, and contains no facts whatsoever. Glad I could help you try and grasp that.
Alan
Under their Code of Ethics they have to be fair and balanced. If they do not offer comments on the scrutiny of the recent avalanche of spending from Bill English in the same article, their code says that is ok so long as they are doing a series.
Audrey Young owes us one on National on that basis from earlier in the week and now stuff owes us one. When do you reckon we will get it? Sept 24?
Alan
Let’s have some election scrutiny.
Of thes state of our health system.
Of the state of our Waterways
Of the numbers in our Prisons
Of the state of our Education system
Of the levels of our emissions
Of the levels of Child poverty
Of the levels of inequality
Of the levels of drug abuse including alcohol
Of the levels of obesity
Of the levels of homelessness
Of the levels of home ownership
Of the levels of foreign ownership of New Zealand
Of the levels of corporate lobbying in NZ
I could go on.
The comment “Young people have been clamouring for the superannuation age to be lifted” seems to a statement of fact as written but when asked for evidence of this “clamouring” – no response!
It is particularly risible considering that the two points she singles out for scrutiny, tax and the age of eligibility for superannuation, have been subjected to nothing but scrutiny since they first surfaced. The entire article could be reduced to “Heather du Plessis Allen opines that media coverage of the election campaign should continue until the election.”
Well said. The irony of an article lacking real scrutiny bemoaning the lack of scrutiny of Labour. Where is the scrutiny of the avalanche of money suddenly available from Bills cold dead hands? Taxpayer money on a Cathedral and NOW 30m for other random churches…
As for the “mean girl” nonsense. When women resort to sexist generalisations we are the worst for it.
Referencing the Smiling Assassin pisses me of cos most John Keyers saw it as a badge of honour. And no scrutiny there. Where were the journoes finding victims of the asassin and seeing how their lives have worked out?
John Key ran this country for 8 years on the back of his popularity and people like HDA and Soper worshipped at his feet. It looks like now it is a woman…
I agree with the tenet that Labour has deliberately sought to cannabalise Green votes. However I am not on the front page of Stuff. Scrutinise Act and NZF and so on as well. It is like HDA is suffering from Ardern ardour envy?
I think I confused Stacey Kirk with HDA
The smiling assassin reference won’t do any harm. Middle NZ loves a bully.
‘The smiling assassin’ was Sir John’s nickname and to use it in reference to Jacinda Ardern is infantile & unoriginal and expresses some kind of misplaced nostalgia for a political ‘chapter’ that should be turned over ASAP or, even better, written over with a completely new chapter.
yes herald pulling out all the stops for nats today
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11918679
Looks like nat have finially settled on their brilliant plan……… scaremongering
And we find out the true colours of some in the media.
I don’t think it’s quite that simple. Tame’s piece is relatively harmless, although it does peddle a couple of annoying right-wing memes unquestioningly (the electorate votes with its collective wallet; it isn’t the substance that counts, but the perception), and the editorial “Jacinda should reveal more” actually contains some analysis of what Labour’s thinking on tax might be, rather than the constant screeching about every conceivable tax under the sun. However, the presence of all three pieces all in one go certainly shows that someone is toeing the editorial line we all expect from the Herald.
Getting back to Tame’s piece, though, if one were to substitute “courageous” for “risky” in the title, and make a couple of minor tweaks to the article, such as replacing some references to “voters” with “National and the media”, it would actually be quite positive for Labour. Perhaps his framing’s deliberate, but perhaps it’s just symptomatic of political journalists’ being a rather closed chattering circle that constantly feeds off its own memes…
it is even less than ‘relatively harmless’…it is almost cleverly supportive (wonder how his masters let that one slip through)…..he rationalises Labours stance for those seeking reassurance…..remembering it is not the tribally opposed that will determine this election, they are beyond reassurance.
Hanswurst
Your analysis of the Herald items – really good. Thanks – it’s easy to go to knee jerk reactions and miss the finer points.
Nice analysis. Before your piece I had wondered if it was Soper and he and HDA wrote their pieces for Herald and Stuff respectively over eggs benedict yesterday.
I do not think Tame has it in for Labour. Quite the opposite.
or perhaps interference from sub editor?
Agreed, and to accompany it they find the worst possible picture of Jacinda.
The editor writes the headline and adds the photo.
If I were Tame, I’d feel misrepresented by Roughan.
And then there is this….https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/96633168/stacey-kirk-move-over-john-key-jacinda-ardern-is-the-new-smiling-assassin.
Is the editor of the Sunday Herald different to normal editor?
Today there seems to be a whole heap of articles with an anti-Labour bias.
Hdpa
Hide
Tame
and an anonymous Editorial.
The Hide one was odious.
For a former ACT leader, libertarian, promoter of choice and freedom, and an advocate of legalised suicide to want to restrict the ability of women to chose is utter hypocrisy.
And throwing in the suggestion that women will be able to terminate at full term is pathetic for someone of his standing and snatched straight from the Down’s Syndrome advocacy group’s Facebook page.
What a horrible little man he is.
Hide’s also just a poorly constructed piece. He starts off arguing that Ardern’s stance is misguided because taking any firm stance at all risks alienating some voters, then segues into arguing that, although the current law is unfit for purpose, changing it is a bad idea because there are issues to be tackled.
He doesn’t even attempt to draw any conclusion from these two disparate arguments, nor does he offer any insight into the issues beyond what has already been put out there by Saving Downs, whose “information”, moreover, has already been highlighted as unconnected to Ardern’s undertaking to remove abortion from the Crimes Act. It almost goes without saying that he makes no attempt to refute that assessment.
Hide seems to be a perfect example of the Peter Principle: elevated to party leadership and political commentator on the basis of a formidable reputation as a “perkbuster”, but found to be woefully inadequate in any pursuit other than embodying that phenomenally stupid term.
On Q+A this morning at 9am, is a debate about the environment, “there are 7 parties in tomorrow’s debate: @winstonpeters @ScottSimpsonMP @DavidParkerMP @damianlight @FoxMarama @dbseymour @jamespeshaw”
Why isn’t Nick Smith there, he is the minister for the environment, but instead scott simpson is rolled out? I’m confused. He ran away from the nelson markets yesterday after the sculpture turned up next to his caravan, is he still running away?
Tweets by NZQandA
Hopefully the other parties will ask that question.
Here are some facts for hdpa.
She could have read this before writing her puff article defending her rich mates interests.
‘Beneficiary groups have slammed Work and Income over a new report showing people missing out on $200 million a year in entitlements.
Beneficiary advocacy groups say figures released under the Official Information Act paint a damning picture of the government and Work and Income.
According to the figures, there could be $200 million or more in payments not being collected by beneficiaries.
Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Alastair Russell said Work and Income case managers deliberately withhold information about benefit entitlements.’
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2017/339084/beneficiary-advocates-slam-winz
I’ve heard from more than one beneficiary that they are not told what they are entitled to, they have to ask. The info is not volunteered.
In fact it is in their KPIs according to some in the know to NOT tell what the client doesnt know
If you don’t know what entitlements are available at WINZ then how can you possibly apply for them ? Advocates and financial mentors have a wealth of knowledge and can support their clients at WINZ appointments. Always wise to take along a witness (although it didn’t work out that well for Winston).
Sorry, “financial mentors”?
Bryan Bruce has documentary out on TV3 Tuesday at 8.30 p.m.
This is from his Facebook page on 7 September.
“I have to get my facts right. Politicians don’t. In documentaries like the one coming up next Tuesday on THREE I have to make every effort to get my facts right. If I don’t do my research and just make stuff up then I face the prospect that I and the broadcaster are fined for inaccuracy .(It’s never happened to me by the way).
Not so with National’s Cabinet members Steven Joyce or Anne Tolley When Finance Minister Joyce was asked by Guyon Espiner today to name one other person in New Zealand who agreed there was a $ 11.7 Billion hole in Labour’s fiscal policy he couldn’t do it
And here’s Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley quoted in a Newsroom article by Bernard Hickey “In addition, one in five beneficiaries tell us that drug use is a barrier to them getting a job ” 1 in 5 …. Really? According to her own Ministry – last year, there were 31,791 referrals for drug testable positions nationwide and just 55 sanctions for failing a drug test. (See Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11639758 ) So which is it Minister? 1 in 5 beneficiaries on drugs.. or 1 in 576 according to your own actual tests?
The more National just makes stuff up , the less credibility they have. Just take a look at the poll released tonight . National is at the lowest level its been since 2005.
So … watch out for some inconvenient truths in my doco next Tuesday. Some politicians may squeal – but I can back up every fact I give with very credible resources.”
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1462834220465592&id=334536643295361&__tn__=%2As%2As-R
He’s a bit off target with the drug testing comments, one of the big problems at the moment are people turning down job offers because they are scared of failing a drug test and then getting sanctioned. Multiple agencies and NGOs are dealing with this problem.
Doesn’t just effect beneficiaries either but workers looking to move up into higher skill higher paying jobs.
I was gonna say, Hickey’s 1 in 576 is not necessarily incompatible with Tolleys 1 in 5.
A.
Do you have any data on that? The problem with Tolley’s credibility here is that she is making a claim that just *happens* to support the long-standing policy and propaganda of her party, but providing no verifiable data to back it up, whereas the available data make her claims seem counter-intuitive at best.
Rod Oram has a newsroom article about NZ’s failure to and need for plans for economically viable and environmentally sustainable cities and urban areas.
He destroys the government’s argument for the East/West corridor.
Oram feeds the cockies arguments that the cities are big polluters so get off our backs. And at present it is the cockies chosen political party that keeps the pollution levels as high as they are, because of that political party, National, being kept in power by cockies and the indifferent classes.
So don’t blame we townies for being hypocrites Rod. You are spreading the muck around too widely. Don’t be like the back end of a hippopotamus with us thank you very much. I didn’t vote the Nationals in. I am working for and thinking about having a better NZ but my agency is small compared to the vast machine of National’s that bulldozes flat every practical thought that would improve NZ in any way.
We have all got to demand and meet higher standards of thinking, planning, resource use and dealing with the effects of our activities on the environment.
For urban planning, look to the ribbon development happening all over the country. The number of urban stormwater and sewerage systems that are effectively combined at high flows is staggering. The heavy metals and hydrocarbons in urban stormwater is a disgrace. We all have to do a lot better than we are.
Rural environmental performance won’t improve unless there’s a change in urban attitudes, and equally urban performance won’t change unless there’s a change in rural attitudes. It’s not a rural / urban thing, it’s a New Zealand thing and we won’t get any improvement unless we all change.
But the real thrust of Oram’s argument is economic. We’ve spent the last 30 years trying to get richer by seeking to reduce costs, rather than have the best , highest value products and living environment. And we’ve all got to think how we do that.
“But voters should also ask a question of themselves: how can each of us help create a distinctive New Zealand urbanism, one that matches our natural environment for capturing the imagination of people the world over?”
Graeme you are exactly right. But make your point to the self-satifsied that I meet every day. Not in the community help, the environmental concern places, but in the pubs where they drink their problems away, in the financial houses, the women’s garment shops and hairdressers where they buy the look of having made it (that’s in the world of Success), the real estate houses, the farmer offices where they plan their next buy-out and study the prices for future commodity markets.
How do you make your point to them? They probably won’t be found on this blog, if they do come they are armed with a brain that is packed with bubble wrap to prevent anything impacting its delicate and fragile substance.
Fed Farmers took Invercargill City to task recently regarding ICC’s stormwater / sewer discharges. Robert Guyton might be able to provide some background on what went on there. So they actually get it, but I’m not sure whether in a positive way. But Fed Farm won’t get anywhere getting their members to have greater environmental responsibility if they don’t demand other users / abusers are held to the same account. And good on them.
Farmers I know and do work for are really onto looking after and maintaining their farm and neighbouring environments. But I also see some shockers, and not just farmers. But generally these are activities that haven’t had a consent renewal in the last 20 years.
Ngai Tahu have made QLDC buck their ideas up regarding sewer discharges and have had a very active role in water take consents in Otago. Their values make a lot of sense.
Some one is using my email to open a discus
Account I think I no who it is as discus track how many hit you get and links to Twitter Facebook an other multi media!!!!,
Q+A just started on tvnz, Environment Debate, link for live stream here if you are interested
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2017/08/31/live-stream-q-a.html
Thanks enjoyed that.
Nice to see the jokey foxpeters interaction. Didn’t see the same lightheartedness between labour and the greens – why are we in such a mess? Watch everyone except Shaw to find out.
Same Marty, it was a goodie. David Parker owned scott simpson more than once, James Shaw has proven to be outstanding in all the debates, and Foxy cracks me up big time. Winnie and rimmer dang. Ryan Gosling barely got a look in.
Jessica Much did a fantastic job keeping that lot under control.
Here’s a link for any that missed the Debate on the Environment it’s entertainment plus lolz. Still wondering why nick no show couldn’t even come and front the ministry he is responsible for, useless.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/episodes/s2017-e27
Maybes nick is a bit butt hurt post Saturday market.
The sculpture was at the Mot markets today, a truly impressive work of art, the detail and craftsmanship, really well done, right down to the towels wrapped around his ankles as socks and the undone shoe laces. Drew quite an audience, lots of laughter, and the kids ROFL, I asked some of them if they knew who it was, Donald Trump they reply, so I filled them in, cheeky boys asking me what was hanging between the legs of the ‘feral statue’, dang local kids crack me up. The artist was generous in that dept lolz.
The stall holder at nicks rear told me he had been put in the arseholes section of the market and should get a discount for the site, LMAO, he was soooo funny, some fella was getting his photo taken in between nicks legs, and the stall holder was like… ‘careful mate, you’ll be the biggest dick head in Motueka if you stay there too long” everyone laughing. Many came just to view the sculputure.
I wonder if nick will challenge the artist again, saying “nothing you make could offend me”, may not having been the wisest comment nick made when the artist was invited to dinner one night.
be good to see that sculpture over the hill for our sat market but wrong electorate so who knows – lots of lols from your report – nice, nick needs to go
It’s interesting to look at the ratings given to various political parties on various areas of interest.
Boots theory has links to some such ratings.
Of interest is that:
On climate change and health, (NZ climate and health council), The Greens by far the best, with TOP scoring quite badly – worse than Labour.
people’s agenda for Aotearoa, Greens, Māori and TOP score well, Labour slightly behind them.
PSA on various selected priorities, noticeably,
Greens, Internet, Labour, Māori, do well on support for Industrial relations, while National, top, NZ First and ACT get a NO.
On all their criteria, the GP get a tick (Yes) of approval; Internet get all ticks except for an In Principle (IP) judgement on housing; Labour mostly ticks with a few IPs; TOP a mix of Nos, Yeses and IPs; Māori 1 No plus a mix of Ys and IPs; National and ACT responses dominated by red N(o)s
The PSA one says that National ‘supports’ raising benefits to a liveable rate. Which is news to me and such a mistake that it makes me question their whole chart.
The PSA chart is based on the politcal partoes responses to their questions. So basically, it means that is what the Nats’ said.
The full list of responses to the PSA survey is here.
Basically, on Social Security, the Nats said No to all these:
And the only social security measure the Nats said Yes to was this one:
Which seems somewhat contradictory, and open to what they mean by “liveable”, given they don’t want to index benefits to the “average wage”.
“So basically, it means that is what the Nats’ said.”
Doesn’t that render it useless given we know National lies? I would have thought they would fact check.
Confound the Science
Nice melodic parody on Trump! Peace to all…..and good luck to the Greens launching their climate change policy later today in Auckland.
Nowhere in the Florida Keys is safe but the procession of people, their children and dogs, continues.
Cam location
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Southernmost+Point/@24.5248648,-81.7632164,75094m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88d1b6dc4e08c339:0xf94b45644a592e51!8m2!3d24.5465315!4d-81.7974323?dcr=0
Video,
Network error trying to use that cam. This is a shocking storm.
Looks like local cams are dropping out as they lose power.
btw, a list of twitter accounts to watch
https://twitter.com/mattdpearce/lists/hurricane-irma
edit: found a montage of cams
The worst of people.
its worse then you think if they cannot read or spell the ROE.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJTSsKQXcAEAk44.jpg:large
Florida man strikes.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/florida-gun-owners-encouraged-apos-213111921.html?.tsrc=fauxdal
https://twitter.com/_floridaman/
More spending promises by the National Party. When will Audrey Young check their numbers?
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2017/339097/national-pledge-to-add-10k-to-homestart
More like, “idiot National use tax payer money to drive up house prices another 10k.”
What a clueless policy, demonstrating a total ignorance of basic economics, from the party that pretends it is good with finance
Bernard Hickey @bernardchickey 31m31 minutes ago
“National doubles 1st home buyers grants again. Treasury says they just push up prices & hand subsidies to the rich.”
the conservatives did something similar in the uk and it simply increased demand and so prices….also english is saying that this deposit will enable people to buy $600k houses but forgets they cannot make the repayments …..building cheap but quality state houses is the way to go
2014
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11313568
2016
http://i.stuff.co.nz/business/money/82657663/First-home-buyers-get-boost-with-KiwiSaver-changes-Nick-Smith
2017
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/09/10/47097/election2017live-15days
Einstein may or may not have said…”the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result” but there appears no dispute he said
‘Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. ”
National…the epitome of both.
I thought it was illegal for Political Parties to offer bribes for votes?
If so, will English be charged?
Yep, it looks like Boring Bill is trying to buy votes with taxpayers money.
So the MAORI seat debate so I purposed abandoning them because in my view they were unfair on the left so for the MAORI
Seats to be fair there should be 15 seats and not seven. The seats should be based on population numbers to be fair to Maori.
How could Korako Nuk sit there and back national bull shit policy the only reason only Scotty Morrison cut him down was because the others were respecting his seniority in age if not they would have cut him down good on you Scotty.
Marana Davis is right to say that the people that were in the state care state and abused many of them end up in gangs are owed a investigation. And the people and state held accountable for there actions and the state to pay compensation to these people.
I have seen prefab house built on small pieces of land quiet fast.
So we need to come up with a simple efficient designs to build eco efficant house
And the workers need to build these house well we have plenty of people to train it doesn’t take long for someone to learn to be a hammer hand you need one qualified builder for 3 hammer hand so natianal DON’T go pissing in the wind about needing 50.000 immigrants to build more house’s . We just need the right plan And the will to build.
The council’s and high schools can help train builder’s and build good houses.
On election day, spare a thought for Lani Hagaman. 😈
Clean green are we??
I don’t think so; watch this.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/
Polluted Paradise
People & Power investigates New Zealand’s water pollution problem as regional elections gear up.
31 Aug 2017 12:41 GMT | New Zealand, Water, Pollution
Big upps to everyone in NZ and around the world for using social media to fight for changes to the fucked up systems that run our world and country.
Unicef is looking for money to deal with Hurricane Irma, the Mexico earthquake, famine in the Yemen, floods in India and various other calamities occurring simultaneously – they say their “resources are stretched as never before” . You can donate at https://www.unicef.org.nz/.
A.
Dr. Gerald Horne is the Chair of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston talks to Abby Martin. Great interview, 33 minutes.
Weekend thought from the utterances of Lao Tzu. (Before the weekly utterances of the combatting political parties.) The meanings are not clear, confusing even.
May be good for sharpening our minds to define the difference between truth, half-truth and ‘smoke gets in your eyes’.
Wu wei (無爲), literally “non-action” or “not acting”, is a central concept of the Daodejing. The concept of wu wei is multifaceted, and reflected in the words’ multiple meanings, even in English translation; it can mean “not doing anything”, “not forcing”, “not acting” in the theatrical sense, “creating nothingness”, “acting spontaneously”, and “flowing with the moment.”[44]
It is a concept used to explain ziran (自然), or harmony with the Dao. It includes the concepts that value distinctions are ideological and seeing ambition of all sorts as originating from the same source. Laozi used the term broadly with simplicity and humility as key virtues, often in contrast to selfish action. On a political level, it means avoiding such circumstances as war, harsh laws and heavy taxes. Some Taoists see a connection between wu wei and esoteric practices, such as zuowang “sitting in oblivion” (emptying the mind of bodily awareness and thought) found in the Zhuangzi.[43]
Some of Laozi’s famous sayings include:
“When goodness is lost, it is replaced by morality.”
“Without Darkness, there can be no Light.”
“The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness.”
“The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way.”
“When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.”
“Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.”
“Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know.”
“When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”
“A journey of a thousand miles starts under one’s feet.”
“The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be.”
— Laozi, Tao Te Ching
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi
Greens livestream climate change policy announcement is about to start,
(should be able to see that without a login, just click past the prompts)
Am watching it currently – very interesting!
And talking of climate change the current wind map is here:
https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-81.97,24.57,1815
Looks like the Cyclone will have seriously trashed the coast of Cuba but looks as though it might now head to the Gulf of Mexico reducing the effect on Florida.
That’s some serious shit from the Greens.
“”We’re the first generation that will feel the effects of climate change, and the last that can stop it. We have a responsibility to act, and the Green Party has a plan to do it,” Shaw said.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96690066/green-party-to-set-up-a-climate-commission-and-instate-universal-dividend-from-climate-fund
Not so sure we can stop it and I like this talk from the Greens. We have a responsibility to give the Greens a chance to enact their policies and with Labour (hopefully) getting serious about the issue, real change could happen.
Shaw was serious as. Great to hear Fitzsimons saying that governments have to follow the people and that we need climate action not just climate policy.
re stopping it, I see it as a continuum. Best case scenario and worst case scenario and the gradations in between. We do have choices about stopping the worst case scenarios.
One of those online voter quizzes and I was surprised to see how close Greens and TOP were in my results.
https://newzealand.isidewith.com/
Maybe because of the questions asked. Little on industrial relations, housing, social security,etc.
I got 73% GP
70%Labour
67%TOP
61% Maori
54% Mana
Basically, I’m more for Mana than Labour, so I say it’s nonsense.
Yeah, I’m in the same situation. 69% Green, 64% Labour, 58% Maori, 50% Mana in my case, but when I read through the direct comparisons of my answers with the Mana Party, the main differences consist either in their not having provided an answer to that question, or in their having said “No”, whereas I answered “No, and…”. The fact is though, that I have generally found myself generally agreeing with Harawira’s statements, both on values and policy, over many years, whereas my agreement with Labour pronouncements has been much less consistent.
Having said that, I decided several months ago to give my party vote to the Greens, and I haven’t seen any reason to change that as yet, so the tool is not entirely without merit.
“A Labour-led Government would ban foreign purchases of New Zealand property “by Christmas”, leader Jacinda Ardern told her supporters at a rally in Wellington this afternoon.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11920642
Today, Shaw said current polls – which “sometimes make my teeth grind” – showed the question now was not whether Labour will win, but who they will invite into government with them.
“If you…don’t want Winston Peters holding Labour over a barrel, I am asking you to give your party vote to the Greens…[for] the most environmentally friendly, most progressive government in generations.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11920649
And Jacinda says, “Labour would ban sales of existing houses to non-resident, foreign buyers “by Christmas”, immediately stop any sales of any state houses, and pass legislation to introduce standards for heating and ventilation in rental property.
So Key guessed that Labour would be in power so sold his house for $20million to a Chinese foreigner. After Christmas he would not be able to. 1500 people at her meeting in Wellington.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11920642
At the top end of the property market the restriction may not have much effect unless the buyer is a dodgy bastard. If you can stump up 20 million for a property you can probably arrange residency as well.
Twenty million buys quite a residence in my books.
I have been told by a couple of people from different families that New Zealand citizens who work overseas cannot buy a home in New Zealand unless they come home and reside here. One lives in Adelaide and owned a home here previously which is now sold and wishes to purchase a home here to come home to and she was not allowed to, she was told to be able to purchase she had to be living here. Another couple live in Hongkong and have also at some time sold their home here and wish to buy another to return home to – again they were told they have to come home and reside here to purchase a home.
Is this correct – and why should whoever who bought Key’s home, be in China when he purchased it. What is going wrong here and am I hearing correct that NZ born citizens who work overseas cannot purchase a home here unless they return home and reside here.
I hear the banks here generally won’t lend to non-residents anymore. So non-residents need to be cashed-up or able to borrow overseas to buy in NZ.
So it appears it’s the banks making it hard, not government regulation.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/those-shoes-quite-moving-see-jacinda-ardern-tears-up-speaking-youth-suicide-awareness-event
Totally agree with Jacinda – the only acceptable suicide figure is 0.
Early voting starts tomorrow and probably most of you have already decided how you will vote. For me, it will be Labour as my candidate vote and Green as my party vote. I have been helping our local Labour candidate in various ways, including door-knocking, and I gave my party vote to Labour at the last election.
If you are on the Māori roll then remember the Māori Party have sided with National for 9 years and voted for the sell off of state houses.
There are a few reasons for me giving my party vote to the Green Party this time but the two main ones are that they will push for benefit reform and their polling is dangerously low. They need every vote they can get to ensure that they can be a effective voice in a new Labour led government. A coalition with the Greens will mean we get a better Labour government, so if you are tossing up between the Greens and Labour for your party vote then I’d urge you to choose the Greens this time. They need every vote they can get.
Some may be considering giving their party vote to Mana or TOP. Please do not do this. It will be a wasted vote. It is highly unlikely that Hone will win and even if he did manage to scrape in Mana will not get enough for another seat.
I like our local Labour candidate so the choice is easy for me. Mostly, the candidate vote doesn’t actually matter; the only seats that count for candidate votes are Epsom and the Māori seats. In Epsom give your candidate vote to the Nat Paul Goldsmith and it may be enough to get rid of Seymour and Act.
If you are on the Māori roll then remember the Māori Party have sided with National for 9 years and voted for the sell off of state houses.
Thanks Karen.
Yep in Te Tai Tonga I am voting for the Greens with 2 ticks even though it is a major long shot for Metiria to get in.
For me – no vote is wasted.
Good luck to everyone – let’s kick these gnats out!!!
Big ups for giving Metiria Turei your electorate vote. I’d hate to see her out of Parliament.
Out of interest Karen which electorate are you in?
nice one karen…i have been helping labour but will vote green
The number of Lefties who have suggested they might just vote for the Blue-Green TOP is a shocker. Utterly Wasted vote – might as well vote Tory.
I don’t see TOP getting anywhere this election, so agree that a party vote for them is essentially wasted this time.
If they keep going, however, I can see them siphoning the National votes away — particularly those people with a social conscience who skew right on economics. (Or just greedy people who nevertheless understand that climate change will render hoarding up ‘wealth’ in the form of numbers in accounts a pointless exercise, unless it is dealt with.)
Having spoken to some TOP people at some length last Sunday, it is interesting that they marry some Greens ideas with what I would consider ‘conventional’ neo-liberalism. I would prefer sensible Tories to take some political power away from the more extreme and unthinking variant.
Newshub has some more of those Reid Research polls of the Māori seats. Flavell beating Coffey in Waiariki, bad news for Fox if Howie wins Te Tai Hauāuru. Mahuta is also streets ahead in Hauraki-Waikato – take that Tuku!
Great to see Māori King’s political intervention in Hauraki-Waikato so dramatically thwarted by ordinary Māori voters.
Let’s hope he – and the Iwi Elite – learn an important lesson.
(I should have added a Trigger Warning for the middle-class Luvvie Culturalist wing of the Identitarian Left who tend to self-indulgently romanticise anyone with a dollop of Māori ethnic heritage, blind to the severe clash of class interests that have opened up within Māoridom. All power to the whistleblowers who have tried to keep a Neo-Liberal Iwi Elite honest over recent years)
you are good with cutting and pasting the numbers – the other stuff not so much.
RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH!, and babby Yeshua and my magic sceptre, and lower your millibars, you hurricane you!.
Interesting comparison of what parties say on their websites about charter schools.
National, ACT, UF and the Māori Party don’t say anything about charter schools on their websites. The other main parties oppose them. UF doesn’t have anything about school-level education policies.
I don’t understand you, Weka. You put up a moderator note at 8.6.1 and asked for a response. You said I needed to cite the links. So that’s what I did. And now I have another final warning – but don’t bother to reply. I can see you’re very busy. As I am doing campaigning stuff.
I just wanted to inform people that Labour has had its climate change and environment policies worked out for a very long time. By saying these were extracts from our Policy Platform, I thought that was quite enough for a citation. But now I understand it wasn’t.
[A general link to Labour’s policy means that me and anyone else who is interested has to go hunt for what you are referring to. As I just explained, yet here you arguing about it again and still not providing the actual links/cites. If you don’t want to link/cite then don’t cut and paste, it’s pretty simple.
And here you are still commenting under my post when I’ve asked you not to. You are now banned from my posts until the end of the year. The other moderation warning stands re OM. – weka]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
.
Thanks Anne. Appreciated.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
ah ! I get the picture. Anne – you’d better not say anything in support of my comments about Labour also having environmental and climate change policies. Be warned !
As to The Standard moderators – I am now going to step outside of your self-imposed rules, and say I thought you wanted reasonable discussion on various Party policies – but maybe you only want discussion on Party policies you agree with, or know about. From a strong left (Labour) point of view, that’s more than a bit disappointing.
Cheerio.
[you didn’t get moderated for talking about Labour policy, you got moderated for repeatedly ignoring requests and warnings from a moderator about citing quotes and staying out of posts when you couldn’t do as an author asked. Making shit up about why you’ve been moderated is likely to get more moderator attention, as is wasting moderator time.
Anne, or anyone, is free to support what you said about Labour. She did and didn’t get moderated because she did so well within the site rules. Read the Policy, but the bottom line is that authors moderate on behaviour especially where their time is getting taken up with unnecessary back and forths like today. – weka]
It’s only the posts of one moderator Jenny. You can make comments on the other posts without fear of moderation.
Not sure I can be bothered, Anne. So much still to do to make sure Labour gets elected as a government this time. NZ cannot take any more of the shit dealt out by the neo-libs over the last three decades….. which I have spent the last 30 years or so fighting against ….. and petty little arguments about whether or not I should have cited things properly are just too time-consuming.
why not just put the cite in – you cut and pasted it anyway – it isn’t petty imo it is important especially with billshit and dildo joyce trying to muddy the waters
I think your approach of putting some facts up is good, you just have to put where you got the info from – let go of ego and just do it if you want Labour to win – that is more important than feeling hurt (and I can understand why you may feel that way I really can) – and I’m saying all the ego stuff to myself too. Kia kaha
I agree with marty’s comments.
.
Meanwhile, way across on the other side of the Atlantic, south of Cabo Verde, a tropical wave could well go full tropical depression within the week.
It’s going to be a long September for these folk.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=2
need a laugh?
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/96633028/david-slack-not-quite-the-greatest-story-ever-told
Is Joyce a descendent of Moses then?
maybe he’s Aaron reincarnate?
Pat, thanks so much for posting, that is by far the most wonderfully written opinion piece I’ve read in quite some time. Brilliant, so funny, so good. Shakespearian almost, it’s going to make the best bed time story to read to the kids, epic.
Thanks, David Slack, most excellent
“And the men in the temple were sore troubled, saying: “How do we stop her, Bill?” And then the one known as Steven said: “Hold my myrrh”.
Now Steven was a wise man, according to his CV, and also he was not a wise man according to his academic record, for the grades saying “economics” did bear the words “Did not complete.”
This is very funny ! thanks Pat.