Open mike 11/11/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, November 11th, 2022 - 99 comments
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99 comments on “Open mike 11/11/2022 ”

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  1. Shanreagh 1
    11 November 2022 at 8:25 am

    On the 11th hour of the 11day of the 11th month the guns fell silent. Armistice Day WW1.

    Der Elfte Elfte

    (Hopefully I have the article correct ….Sabine?)

    I was in Germany one 11/11.

  2. Visubversa 2
    11 November 2022 at 8:40 am

    It is also my parents wedding anniversary – they were married on 11/11/1945. The wedding pictures show my father still in Army uniform as although WW2 was over, he did not actually get "demobbed" until 1946. He had been working in malaria control in the Pacific during the later years of the war and when he returned from there, he was sent to the refugee camp for Polish children in Pahiatua to work with those suffering from malaria.

  3. Ad 3
    11 November 2022 at 8:59 am

    Does anyone want to have a crack at going through the different kinds of "left" now installed in government throughout central and south America?

    It's a bizarre variety.

  4. Belladonna 4
    11 November 2022 at 9:21 am

    Very thankful, for the sake of this young girl – that the Oranga Tamariki appeal has been dismissed.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300734578/moana-appeal-dismissed-young-mori-girl-can-stay-with-pkeh-caregivers

    I feel that it was deeply wrong for OT to have appealed this case in the first place. Children are not a football in the game for state agencies to challenge decisions they don't agree with.

    • Molly 4.1
      11 November 2022 at 10:21 am

      From the article, biological mother’s lawyer:
      "When you consider that time compared to a lifetime of being culturally disconnected, then that risk of potential problems with a properly managed transition pales into insignificance,” she said."

      Having close friends involved with both fostercare and permanent placement, it is apparent that much of the focus of OT is redirected away from the children in their care.

      There is – however – statistical evidence for a higher degree of disconnect for adults brought up in non-biological families. It occurs even if loving acceptance was the norm. So, any research showing that "cultural disconnect" is significant needs to take this underlying factor into account.

      In this case, the resultant distress caused to such a young child after four years of attachment should have been obvious. Unfortunately, my friends experienced worse.

      • Belladonna 4.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 11:08 am

        It's also a rubbish argument, when comparing 'cultural connectedness' with children who remain with their biological families. I know of dozens of families with Maori whakapapa who are thoroughly 'culturally disconnected' (in this context, that always means from traditional Maori culture – connectedness to other cultures is ignored). Does OT propose to remove all of those children and place them with culturally appropriate caregivers? /sarc/

        Some of those children may choose to explore that side of their ancestry when they grow up.

        The most important thing for any child in foster care or adoption (actually in any family whether biological or not) is that they be safe, secure, cared for, and loved. That should be OT's number one priority. Of course, family placement should be considered first (although, frequently they don't meet the criteria for the same reasons the parents don't).

        OT have enough issues to work on to ensure their caregivers meet the basic criteria – without vindictively pursuing excellent and loving caregivers through the court system in what appears to be an attempt to vindicate the bias of a social worker.

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476106/ombudsman-accuses-oranga-tamariki-of-litany-of-failures-before-malachi-subecz-s-death

        NB: this case also outlines why some parents should not have control over appropriate placement for their children.

    • Anne 4.2
      11 November 2022 at 10:50 am

      I recall a similar case a few years back. Don't think it was the same one but same situation:

      A little Maori girl was with Pakeha foster parents who were in the throes of adopting her. They loved her dearly and were doing everything they could to make sure she grew up knowing her Maori heritage and ensuring she had ties to her whanau.

      A media video of the actual moment she was taken away from those 'parents' broke my heart into a thousand pieces – a little girl sobbing her heart out being removed from the only 'parents' she had known.

      I can't imagine what it did to that little one. I think she was four or five years old at the time.

      • Molly 4.2.1
        11 November 2022 at 11:05 am

        I think there's been a few reports over the years since that cultural policy was introduced (a couple of decades ago?).

        A depressingly repetitive scenario.

      • Belladonna 4.2.2
        11 November 2022 at 11:28 am

        True family-by-marriage story.
        Mother of 3 kids – is basically incompetent (drug issues, gang/criminal connections, evidence of sexual abuse of the children by the men in her life, basic lack of care and parenting). OT have thrown more than $500K and counting – at her in an attempt to remedy the situation. It hasn't worked. You have to want to change, in order for change to happen.
        In the meantime, the kids have been in and out of foster care multiple times (at least 5 I'm aware of) – since they were babies/toddlers – they're now in their teens. The kids have AFAICS lost any ability to attach to anyone, and any trust that any adult in their life is there for the long term. And, I can see the cycle beginning all over again – the oldest, at 16 is pregnant – the 'father' (TBH, really a sperm donor – he demonstrates no 'fatherly' traits) wants nothing to do with her or the baby – and she has zero ability to look after herself, let alone a baby. She is clinging to the idea that finally, someone will love her (the baby). We all can see how that tragedy is going to play out.

        The best possible result for those kids would have been for them to have been placed in permanent foster (or adoptive) care as babies/toddlers. Preferably with no contact with the mother – who is a profoundly destabilizing influence. Then they would have had a chance at a decent life. They sure don't have much of a shot at one now.

  5. Molly 5
    11 November 2022 at 10:28 am

    School dress code appears to have been approved by the Ontario School Board:

    https://thepostmillennial.com/breaking-ontario-school-board-determines-busty-biological-male-teacher-allowed-to-wear-fetish-props-to-school

    "“It is clear from the above analysis that the implementation of a formal staff dress code or grooming standards would likely expose the Board to considerable liability,” said the report in conclusion. “Even if a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group of employers on the basis of their Code-protected rights.”

    In other words, if a male’s gender identity is female and the expression of that gender identity involves wearing pornographic fetish gear in a classroom full of children, the Ontario Human Rights Code protects that individual’s right to do so and the school is powerless to protect the children in their care from such inappropriate behavior."

    • Visubversa 5.1
      11 November 2022 at 10:38 am

      16lb of fake tits, a "camel toe" insert in the front of his shorts, and a long blond wig in a woodwork and metal shop classroom. What could be more appropriate for a secondary school setting?
      “But it is not a fetish”!

      • Molly 5.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 11:02 am

        I don't know for sure. There were rumours that he was attempting to be fired last year, so it may be a fetish – or a grievance preparation strategy. Whichever – if either – is true, the individual is an occurrence.

        The real issue lies with the legislation and interpretation of law that means the Ontario School Board feels unable to address this responsibly.

        Or any other occurrences in the same vein.

        • weka 5.1.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 12:40 pm

          I also heard rumours (twitter) that he is not trans and was taking the piss and/or making a political statement

    • roy cartland 5.2
      11 November 2022 at 11:08 am

      Surely there's a safety issue, with dangerous machinery and such.

    • millsy 5.3
      11 November 2022 at 11:16 am

      The Post Millennial is a conservative Christian publication that seeks the imposition of Biblical values via legislation, in other words, it wants homosexuality, transgenderism, abortion, birth control all outlawed, and women to be completely subservient to their husbands and of course, our friend the dead Palestinian carpenter. Quite frankly what business left wing woman like you should have in reading that filth , I have no idea.

      Needs to be remembered that those who oppose transgenderism are lining up with the Christian Taliban.

      [I count at least 7 claims of fact in your first paragraph. You will now provide evidence of the following or you will acknowledge that your comment was unfactual.

      Evidence means a link, AND a quote (links alone are insufficient, I’m not doing your work for your by reading whole articles to parse your evidence). Audio or video must have a time stamp.

      1. conservative Christian publication
      2. seeks the imposition of Biblical values via legislation
      3. wants homosexuality outlaws
      4. likewise transgenderism
      5. and abortion
      6. and birth control
      7. wants women to be subservient to husbands and Jesus

      You have so much form for making shit up like this that you can count this as your only warning. Ban will be double whatever it was last time. – weka]

      [below Millsy acknowledges that they made their first paragraph up – weka]

      • Belladonna 5.3.1
        11 November 2022 at 11:41 am

        Do you have some counter evidence that there is another side to this story?

        Because – I (as a parent) would be just as opposed if my kid's woodwork, or English or Maths teachers, for that matter – dressed up in fetish gear at school – regardless of their sexuality or gender orientation.

        Do what you please in your own time. But, at school, there are appropriate standards of dress – and this doesn't meet them.

        You appear to be conflating an opposition to a hyper-sexualised environment being created in the classroom, with opposition to transgenderism.

        • millsy 5.3.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 1:36 pm

          From what I read, this was a guy taking the piss out of school board policies around gender identity, not an actual transgender teacher.

          Sorry, but I don't have a source, but this was from a Twitter post by someone close to the school.

      • Molly 5.3.2
        11 November 2022 at 11:57 am

        "The Post Millennial is a conservative Christian publication "….

        Yes, posted an article so those that don't know the context can view. Feel free to find and post your own approved source. yes

        For the puritans who know everything without context here is the report written for the school board:

        https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhJBIB-X0AARVtd?format=jpg&name=4096×4096

        … and the Ontario Human Rights Commission legislation that informed the report:

        https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-preventing-discrimination-because-gender-identity-and-gender-expression

        Now that you've done your usual attempts of shaming, and passing judgment as well as telling " left wing woman like you …., …. I have no idea." wink, are you able to offer any contribution about the content of the post, and the situation the Ontario School Board find themselves in?

        (I suspect bringing up the impact on the students and other adults in the school may be a step too far, so we'll leave that for now).

        • Molly 5.3.2.1
          11 November 2022 at 12:14 pm

          @ millsy – FWIW, I did try and find the original source for "Halton School Board report 22147" before posting, but had no success, so the article with the Twitter link provided the only copy I had.

          Also, unless an article itself promotes what you say, I usually take it on the same face value I do with any article. Which leads to checking for other source confirmations whether linked or not.

          Here are the other three mentions I could find of the school board response, which I have also not checked for "untoward" thoughts. Perhaps you can grade them regarding acceptable places for left wing women accordingly:

          https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontario-halton-district-school-board-teacher-dress-code-giant-fake-breasts

          https://www.insauga.com/school-board-wont-stop-transgender-oakville-teacher-from-wearing-provocative-clothing/

          https://globalnews.ca/news/9268026/oakville-teachers-attire-dress-code-review/

          Re: approved sources, is there not a question about why left-wing sites would not consider this worth reporting on?

            • Molly 5.3.2.1.1.1
              11 November 2022 at 12:36 pm

              Thanks yes.

              Will read later. Heading out.

              Quick skim, it appears concluding remarks remain relevant:

              “Concluding Remarks

              The Board has requested that the Director of Education provide information on the potential implications which may arise from a decision to implement a staff dress code.

              It is clear from the above analysis that the implementation of a formal staff dress code or grooming standards would likely expose the Board to considerable liability. Even if a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group of employees on the basis of their Code-protected grounds.

              Finally, and most importantly, we note that if the employer desires to foster a culture of professionalism, respect, equity and inclusion, a truly reasonable and non-discriminatory dress code or grooming standards would most likely fail to yield the intended results.”

          • millsy 5.3.2.1.2
            11 November 2022 at 1:53 pm

            So called left wing women, especially those who identity as being 'gender critical' are sounding more and more like Phyllis Schafly every day.

            • weka 5.3.2.1.2.1
              11 November 2022 at 2:02 pm

              you're in premod until I am satisfied with your response to my moderation above.

              • weka …
                11 November 2022 at 2:03 pm

                and if you choose not to respond and instead disappear, I will simply ban you.

              • millsy …
                11 November 2022 at 2:07 pm

                See my reponse above. I retract the above comment as well.

                • weka …
                  11 November 2022 at 2:16 pm

                  here’s your problem. It took time to write the mod note, then put in you premod. When I saw your retractions I looked up your moderation history and see moderators have spent a lot of time moderating you. Last time there was discussion in the backend about permanently banning you. Your last ban was something like 9 months. You have a long history of a pattern of behaviour of making inflammatory, misleading and unfactual comments that tie up a lot of time on bullshit debate and people trying to get corrections or evidence. I’m not seeing anything that suggests you will stop doing this, other than the threat of a long ban.

                  Next time I see you doing what you have done today, I will ban you without warning. Expect at least a year.

                  If you do want to change, even just to retain commenting privileges, here’s what I suggest:

                  1. stop making claims of fact unless you have fact checked what you want to say
                  2. pre-emptively supply links *and quotes to support your assertions

                  That’s standard fare at TS and you’ve been here more than long enough to know this. Ball is in your court as to whether you get to keep commenting here.

      • Visubversa 5.3.3
        11 November 2022 at 12:34 pm

        There are multiple publications reporting this story. Unfortunately the so called "progressive " media is reluctant to do so.

      • weka 5.3.4
        11 November 2022 at 1:50 pm

        mod note.

      • millsy 5.3.5
        11 November 2022 at 2:04 pm

        OK, weka. Fair enough. My comment was unfactual. I hereby withdraw my allegations.

      • weka 5.3.6
        11 November 2022 at 2:05 pm

        Needs to be remembered that those who oppose transgenderism are lining up with the Christian Taliban.

        I'm going to address this in a comment, because you have enough modding going on above to do for now.

        Gender critical people don't inherently 'oppose transgenderism'. Many are left wing and have no trouble with gender non-conforming people. Their politics is focused on gender identity ideology, the queer theory movements, and the impacts of those on women, children, lesbians and gays, and children, as well as society as a whole.

        Some GC are transphobic and so oppose transness it self.

        The statement that GC people are lining up with the Christian Taliban is a piece of propaganda from the GI ideologists. There are issues in the US about GC people allying with the religious right, but it's complex and related to the weird US political scene.

        In the UK, gender critical feminism is a left wing/centre left movement. Many GCFs and other GC people actively distance themselves from the religious right (and from proto-fascism. For obvious reasons.

        Anyone running GC is allied to the religious right is pig ignorant. You running this line here tells me that you are reading only material that affirms your prejudices against GC positions, and it suggests that you don't know what GC positions are.

        • Shanreagh 5.3.6.1
          12 November 2022 at 12:23 am

          I agree Weka. The simple fact is that transness in some of its flavours is the only human right gained at the expense of another set of people who are/have been marginalised.

          So bio women who may have been assaulted ot scared by bio males are now faced with having to share intimate private spaces such as toilets and the like with the self same bio males. They also may have be expected to have to allow themselves to counselled, or not at all by bio males (Canadian case where trans but bio male was employed to counsel rape survivors.) They may have to share a prison, where they face rape from bio men.

          So the right of a bio woman to have safety is potentially threatened. Most of us put personal safety quite high up on the list to be protected as we as women go about our daily lives.

          Most of us, having been on the wrong end of the rights argument in health, education and work experiences would usually be welcoming to another marginalised group.

          Some involved in transness don't bother to seek hormonal or other changes to 'personify' their alleged new gender and act as Lia Thomas has in being a complete bio male, competing in women's events and changing in female changing rooms.

          The point is that transness even accepting the rightness of not discriminating can be inherently threatening

    • Belladonna 5.4
      11 November 2022 at 11:31 am

      I'd suggest that the parents withdraw their kids from the class. If there are no kids to teach, the board would have to 'regretfully' let her go….

      • Molly 5.4.1
        11 November 2022 at 12:03 pm

        The larger issue is not the individual, it is the fact that the School Board is unable to address this in a sensible way because of fear of being successfully sued:

        "“It is clear from the above analysis that the implementation of a formal staff dress code or grooming standards would likely expose the Board to considerable liability,” said the report in conclusion. “Even if a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group of employers on the basis of their Code-protected rights.”"

        Apparently, the Education Minister has asked for a review, after this incident came to light, but that has not been produced as yet, and appears to be a case of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted:

        "Back in September, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce requested that the Ontario College of Teachers review and “consider strengthening” provisions regarding professional conduct “in the interest of all kids in Ontario.” The results of this review are still pending."

        • AB 5.4.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 2:08 pm

          Yep – but why on earth are they trying to address it under the dress code? It is nothing to do with dress. It's an overtly sexualised display that is either intended to, or will in effect, undermine students' ability to learn, and make them feel uncomfortable or distressed. The rules on student welfare and teacher code of ethics could quite non-controversially handle that whoever does it – straight gay, transgender, male, female, both, neither or any imaginable or unimaginable combination of all of them.

      • Visubversa 5.4.2
        11 November 2022 at 12:41 pm

        Why should children not get their required education because their teacher appears to have decided that every day is a "bring your paraphilia to work" day?

        • Belladonna 5.4.2.1
          11 November 2022 at 12:51 pm

          Oh, I agree that it's not ideal. Just practical.

          IIRC we had a similar situation many, many years ago at uni – with a lecturer. Not sexual issues, just an utterly incompetent teacher. The word went quietly around not to enrol in his papers one year – and he was 'regretfully' retired.

    • weka 5.5
      11 November 2022 at 12:39 pm

      I decreased the image size because it was hurting my brain 😉

    • Muttonbird 5.6
      11 November 2022 at 5:37 pm

      I didn't want to go there but the current headlines at The Post Millennial are obsessed with, in no particular order, antifa, transgenders, non-binaries, biological males, gender clinics, MSNBC pundits, Kari Lake, Maricopa County, Hunter Biden, Democrats controlling media, etc. Millsy's assumption that it is a conservative christian outlet is a fair assumption, imo.

      It is definitely a far right transphobic outlet.

      After reading their hate site and this thread @5 I've concluded The Post Millennial is a far more dangerous entity than Kayla Lemieux:

      Andy Ngo has been editor-at-large since 2019. Ngo was previously with Quillette. Several advertisers such as Logitech pulled ads from the site due to its association with Ngo.

      In 2021, The Post Millennial played a key role in creating a viral story in right-wing media where it was falsely claimed that some members of the US women's soccer team had disrespected a 98-year-old World War II veteran when he played the Star-Spangled Banner prior to a game.

      Many of their articles use use aggregated content from other new sources, social media sites, and press releases with "inflammatory headlines" that have been described as rage bait used by "far-right social media".

      Yeah, looks like it picks up a few…

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Post_Millennial

      • Molly 5.6.1
        12 November 2022 at 12:43 am

        "After reading their hate site and this thread @5 I've concluded The Post Millennial is a far more dangerous entity than Kayla Lemieux:"

        All good.

        Like millsy, if you can source an approved left-wing site reporting on the situation, post it here.

        Or – perhaps – comment on the situation and discuss.

  6. joe90 6
    11 November 2022 at 11:37 am

    A potential 11 gigawatts of generation. France ain't fucking around.

    In France, solar just got a huge boost from new legislation approved through the Senate this week that will require all parking lots with spaces for at least 80 vehicles – both existing and new – to be covered by solar panels.

    The new provisions are part of French president Emmanuel Macron’s large-scale plan to heavily invest in renewables, which aims to multiply by 10 the amount of solar energy produced in the country, and to double the power from land-based wind farms.

    Starting July 1, 2023, smaller carparks that have between 80 and 400 spaces will have five years to be in compliance with the new measures. Carparks with more than 400 spaces have a shorter timeline: They will need to comply with the new measures within three years of this date, and at least half of the surface area of the parking lot will need to be covered in solar panels.

    https://electrek.co/2022/11/08/france-require-parking-lots-be-covered-in-solar-panels/

  7. Incognito 7
    11 November 2022 at 12:05 pm

    Today is an important day and another step for Three Waters Reforms.

    This week, the majority of MPs on a Parliamentary committee will recommend the Three Waters reforms proceed.

    The woman whose impassionate plea won over Three Waters MPs

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/pro/the-impassioned-plea-that-won-over-mps [Subscription required]

    After reading 6,600 submssions, a select committee [the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee] today reports back on pleas to remove parks and sports fields and farmers’ private stormwaters from the Government’s ambitious Three Waters reforms.

    The gathering stormwaters: Pressure to reduce reforms to just Two Waters

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/pro/water-services-entities-bill-stormwaters [Subscription required]

  8. Ad 8
    11 November 2022 at 12:24 pm

    Kherson's going to resemble Dunkirk pretty quick.

    • joe90 8.1
      11 November 2022 at 12:33 pm

      An artilleryman's dream – 30k closely massed troops crossing a 1500 metre wide waterway packed in small boats and ferries.

      • Stuart Munro 8.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 3:27 pm

        I imagine the drivers of those drone watercraft are pretty keen on it too.

          • Scud 8.1.1.1.1
            11 November 2022 at 11:36 pm

            If Twitter is anything to go by atm?

            Apparently there is No Russian Air Defence Units covering the Bridgeheads & any surviving Air Defence Units are some 50-80kms behind the Russian Forward Edge of the Battlefield ouch!!!

            As a result the Ukrainian Airforce are having a field day in-between the Artillery bombardment when the Ukrainian Drop Shorts move from position to position to avoid the Russian counter battery Fire.

            My gut feeling is Tsar Poot's has couple of Aces up his sleeve & I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians now that dam up river or pops a dirty bomb?

            Or either that the entire Russian Army has totally collapse in the Sth and it's Run Rabbit Run as the Ukrainian Drop Shorts go boom boom?

            To undertake a Withdrawal under fire is the hardest Military manoeuvre to do even with a highly motivated & disciplined force & it could very well turn into a rout that could very well take a life of it own.

            Which would be the last thing that Tsar Poot's needs atm. Especially the Ukrainian's Logistics hold up & the Ukrainian's gain a couple Bridgeheads?

            May we live interesting times?

            Or as great Kiwi, Sir Keith Park ACO Group 11, reportable said when the Luftwaffe were late to arrive the follow morning after the 15th September raids 1940 "bastards are up to something!"

    • Sanctuary 8.2
      11 November 2022 at 12:56 pm

      Reports are of Ukrainian advanced elements in Kherson already and Russian troop concentrations under heavy fire on the banks of the Dniepr. I saw a Russian telegram channel that talked of panic.

      Strategically, the Ukrainians will now once again control the water supply to Crimea. The key Russian supply hub at Chaplynka is going to be in easy range of HIMARS, a weapon the Russians currently have no anwer for. The right bank of the Dniepr consists of high bluffs overlooking the left bank for some distance, so the Ukrainians will basically be able to observe and decimate any Russian units trying to form up there.

      This is a big victory for the Ukraine. Psychologically it is a huge blow to the Russians – the scale of the Russian defeat will tell us something of the realtive state of each side in the Kherson attrition battles. If the Ukrainians don't capture much equipment or many prisoners and seem happy to simply observe and follow up the Russian retreat and let their artillery smash the evacuation points then IMHO that points to troop exhaustion and the rumoured high losses in the September offensive battles may be correct. Conversely, if the Russians manage to pull off a competent withdrawl that will speak to improving planning capability on their side.

      A big Russian defeat potentially unhinges the entire Russian position from Kherson to Melitopol/Mariupol. The Ukrainians have incrementally made gains in the centre and are almost in HIMARS range of the M14 route and Mariupol, whilst their special forces (called “Partisans” by the Ukrainians) are interdicting Russian supplies coming along the M14 road – this is the only available supply route left to the Russians since the Ukrainians took out the the Crimea bridge rail and road link, so I would expect the next big Ukrainian effort will be to cut off the supply routes Russian troops west of Mariupol (in winter, that means no food or heating) and cause a complete Russian withdrawl into Crimea and evacuation of Mariupol before the end of winter.

      Things are looking bad for Putin, I am not sure how many more big defeats he can survive by simply blaming the army. A dictator can only piss off the most heavily armed organisation in his country for so long.

      • joe90 8.2.1
        11 November 2022 at 3:19 pm

        Twitter saying the UAF has gone for annihilation, >500 artillery/rocket strikes/min on four ferry crossings.

      • Jenny are we there yet 8.2.2
        11 November 2022 at 4:45 pm

        Ukrainian forces are reported to be advancing "warily" being careful of not walking into a death trap.

        With all Putin's talk of escalating the war, and fighting to the last Ukrainian, this retreat is out of character.

        My guess; Russian withdrawal from Kherson is a tactical retreat only. It is plausible that Russia is preparing to turn Kherson into a free fire zone to wipe out as many Ukrainians as possible, both military and civilian, with a scorched earth policy using some sort of genocidal weapon of mass destruction, either a dirty bomb, or by blowing the Kakhovka Dam. Blaming the Ukrainians of killing their own to gain sympathy from the West. A lie which will be amplified by pro-Russian trolls, and repeated by useful idiots, around the globe.

        https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/is-kakhovka-dam-ukraine-about-be-blown-2022-10-21/

  9. Incognito 9
    11 November 2022 at 1:13 pm

    In the face of mounting [financial] challenges, the Board of Eke Panuku has unanimously agreed to take a 10% pay cut, effective today – to be reviewed at the end of the current financial year (30 June 2023). In the current environment we think that is tika. As professional directors, we are not looking for any of you to follow suit.The well-being of the Eke Panuku staff and families is of the utmost importance to the Board.

    https://www.ekepanuku.co.nz/news-and-blogs/eke-panuku-board-chair-update-8-november

    It doesn’t sound like much but with the rapidly rising CoL a 10% pay-cut is bigger than it seems.

    • Ad 9.1
      11 November 2022 at 1:52 pm

      This is flagellating before Caesar; Nos morituri te salutavit …

      Brown is going to use his majority on Council to eradicate Panuku entirely. His committee structure integrates Finance with full Council, so he's going to smash it through himelf.

      And there goes about 200 salaries over $130k that Auckland won't miss in the middle of a sharp collapse in development.

      • Incognito 9.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 2:18 pm

        Nope, Nero is just a fiddler; this is the start of a PR war.

        • Ad 9.1.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 2:29 pm

          Seems an entirely one sided war since only the Mayor has the weapons.

          His line-by-line committee will have on its list stuff we haven't seen since Shipley's gang hit Bruce Jesson at the ARC:

          – Sell the port operation

          – Sell the airport shares

          – Sell off Panuku as a going concern, wipe the board

          – Bring AT fully in house, wipe the board

          – Disband the economic part of Auckland Unlimited and bring the Zoo and Museum in house, wipe the board

          – Has no choice but to let Watercare go when the legislation goes through

          – Wipe out all the community support functions in council

          He could even keep the IMSB happy by offloading more parks management to them.

          All of this and more will be on the table soon for his first budget proposal.

  10. Macro 10
    11 November 2022 at 1:36 pm

    Oh Dear! Trumpty Dumpty (Who couldn't even build a wall) has had a great fall.

    Can all the GOP put him back together again?

    • Ad 10.1
      11 November 2022 at 2:22 pm

      Not sure quite what they are complaining about.

      Republicans have won Congress and within a hair's breadth of controlling the Senate.

      They already control the Supreme Court for many terms to come. They have electoral war chests galore.

      It's now a contest between Democrats having support destroyed fast by inflation, or Republicans having support destroyed by DoJ Trump indictments.

      Not unreasonable that Trump Republicans would come out better than Biden Democrats.

  11. Poission 11
    11 November 2022 at 2:36 pm

    Well known altruists promote the new future at Bahamas conference.

    In the vein of his famous philanthropic streak – “effective altruism” – he wanted to spend his money to help “people who will make sure to follow through on common sense things to try to not have what happened to us over the last few years happen again,”

    Yep if you have just lost 32b of investors money (and counting due to levered assets) it would be remarkable if any reinvested what they did not own anymore, a Bear Sterns moment some might say.

    https://twitter.com/DoombergT/status/1590647335696338945?cxt=HHwWgsDQ8d_UjpMsAAAA

    https://twitter.com/markets/status/1590806500934504448?cxt=HHwWgMCqqbGF15MsAAAA

    https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2022/11/10/washington-dcs-buddy-sam-bankman-fried-has-some-explaining-to-do/

  12. joe90 12
    11 November 2022 at 3:03 pm

    He flapped his gums and threatened to buy Twitter, got bored and moved on. But the board didn't and they wanted their money. Two weeks in and he's talking bankruptcy?

    Way to piss $44 billion away, Elon.

    https://twitter.com/ZoeSchiffer/status/1590812793787518977

  13. observer 13
    11 November 2022 at 3:20 pm

    Curia poll (not lefty spin) backs up Newshub's in one regard: both show Luxon losing support. But this one is in line with all the others, suggesting Newshub's is the outlier.

    A tweet, poll not yet in the media

    • Alan 13.1
      11 November 2022 at 4:27 pm

      Both show a change of government -so what is your point

      • observer 13.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 4:35 pm

        OK, you need it explaining.

        LOTO polling: Ardern's went up. Key's went up. Clark's went up (99 not 96, when she lost).

        No LOTO has won under MMP with low (in fact, declining) personal support.

        If you think it's OK for National to risk defeat by carrying a major handicap, that's great. For Labour and the Greens, even Winston.

        • mosa 13.1.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 10:09 pm

          " OK, you need it explaining ”

          Do you know how arrogant you are Observer ?

          No of course not !

          Someone so obnoxious and obviously pretentious as you would never been tolerated in the real Labour party.

          But you fit right in on here.

          • observer 13.1.1.1.1
            11 November 2022 at 11:34 pm

            I'm not a member of the Labour party, and never have been.

            I don't know why anyone would base their views of a party (or even their vote) on political blog comments. Spend 5 minutes on Kiwiblog and joining the communists starts to look attractive. Spend 5 minutes on the Daily Blog and swing back to the right.

            Or you could weigh up the policies of the parties and their leaders and decide what kind of government you'd like. Most voters do that without ever reading any blogs, which is probably just as well.

            As for the comment you responded to, you could address the points made, agree or disagree … but you don't seem interested in debate here, so it's not clear what you want.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 13.1.1.2
          11 November 2022 at 10:43 pm

          Hence all the talk of Ardern upping sticks – expect much more of this desperate stuff.

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-the-increasing-speculation-about-jacinda-ardern-quitting/U72FTQFMEJFADALEK5HKF4BXTY/

          If NAct win in 2023, Luxon will become the least politically experienced NZ PM ever, with only half the prior experience of Key – couldn't come at a better time, could it.

    • observer 13.2
      11 November 2022 at 4:41 pm

      Here's the NZME link:

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-and-act-govern-on-new-poll-but-labour-greens-close-gap/IT3ETDE4P5GYDMJJ4SIGHIZJIA/

      Note that Luxon is in negative territory. That is remarkable: parties and leaders usually go up/down together. When the gov't is at a low ebb, the leader of the opposition is becoming more unpopular.

      Nicola for National 2023, put your house shirt on it.

    • ianmac 13.3
      11 November 2022 at 4:56 pm

      Seems surprising that Newhub's poll came out on the evening of Labour Conference. Very surprising.

      Taxpayer's Poll today not too grim for Labour Greens:

      https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/latest-poll-puts-national-act-power

    • swordfish 13.4
      11 November 2022 at 5:15 pm

      .

      But this one is in line with all the others, suggesting Newshub's is the outlier.

      No, don’t think so.

      Newshub’s no more an outlier than Talbot-Mills … broader point: polls all in relative agreement.

      …………………………………… Right Bloc …. Left Bloc …. Right advantage

      Curia (3-8 Nov)…………………. 48 …………….. 43 ………………. 5

      Newshub (25 Oct-3 Nov) ….. 51 ……………. 42 ………………. 9

      Curia (2-11 Oct)…………………. 49 ……………. 42 ………………. 7

      Talbot-Mills (Oct) ……………… 46 ……………. 44 ……………….. 2

      Roy Morgan (Sep) …………….. 49 ……………. 42 ……………….. 7

    • Belladonna 13.5
      11 November 2022 at 7:01 pm

      Do you mean Horizon, rather than Newshub – being the outlier?

      The most recent Newshub poll seems to be pretty much in line with the Curia one.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_New_Zealand_general_election

  14. Visubversa 14
    11 November 2022 at 3:50 pm

    These folks get the message.

    Offering male, female and non-binary as categories of competition conflates sex (immutable and consisting of two, male and female) with gender identity (fluid and difficult to define). The two are not the same. A non-binary category also introduces something which is totally irrelevant in sport — belief — as a sports category. Other beliefs, such as religion or political affiliation, are as irrelevant in sport as the belief that one is non-binary. Elite sporting events do not offer separate prize money based on religion or political affiliation because we recognize those divisions are not meaningful for elite competition. The same should be true of gender identity.

    A non-binary category discriminates against females because males run, on average, about 10% faster than females (the women’s world record is 2:14:04; thousands of men have run faster). So females in the non-binary category are not competing on a level playing field."

    https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/11/gender-identity-has-no-place-in-sport/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

    • weka 14.1
      11 November 2022 at 5:17 pm

      good on them. I think society needs to draw a line between acceptance of difference and those that wish to 'smash the binary' (as in do away with physical reality), either because of mental distress/dysphoria, or ideology, or both. Compassion, yes. Making fundamental changes to society that affect everyone because of mental distress or undebated politics? No.

      I'm also increasingly of the opinion that if women want to escape being female via NB identity, then they can opt out of the social goods that go with being female as well. And if they want to run in races against men, have at it. Set up their own sports organisations, see how they get on.

      • Nic the NZer 14.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 5:50 pm

        Most sporting codes have some allowance for women to compete in the male categories already.

        I know of one women who was playing in the higher (not quite the top) Wellington Soccer grades for Upper Hutt in goal. I think she was also a Football Fern, though I don't have a specific name. It's pretty rare but can be done where the players can compete at the required level.

        A non-binary event sounds like it would be more about a social group than a sporting event. There are also quite a few mixed leagues and competitions around if players are not too serious (and don't mind mentioning that they pass as female for the purposes of the leagues gender balance rules).

        • weka 14.1.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 6:52 pm

          (and don't mind mentioning that they pass as female for the purposes of the leagues gender balance rules).

          that's the problem right there though, some NB people refuse to acknowledge their biological sex. It's the insistence on changing things so that others have to pretend there is no femaleness in the person. If someone IDs as NB and acknowledges their femaleness where it matters, all good. Play in women's teams, or men's where that is allowed, or NB teams. But if they deny they are female, then stay out of women's teams and don't expect everyone else to deny as well.

          I once had an argument with a NB male online, who objected to the term 'NB male' and who thought he should have access to women's spaces. He wasn't transitioning, he just like dressing up in quite beautiful, creatively expressive clothes and makeup, interesting. Obviously male, nothing to do with women (as compared to say transsexual women). It's just weird that NB want access to opposite sex spaces, although I can see for males it's probably a safety thing re toilets.

          • Nic the NZer 14.1.1.1.1
            11 November 2022 at 7:35 pm

            In mixed team games the binary is broken down a little differently. The two categories are, allowed on the field and, not allowed on the field without the other team alleging your cheating and complaining to the referee.

            The main take away is there is no real case of sports bodies preventing participation of gender categories. Basically everybody can always play in the male events at minimum.

            • weka 14.1.1.1.1.1
              11 November 2022 at 9:12 pm

              Sorry, but that makes little grammatical sense.

              The two categories are, allowed on the field and, not allowed on the field without the other team alleging your cheating and complaining to the referee.

              What were you trying to say here? In mixed teams, males and females are allowed on the field, and not allowed on the field? What?

              The main take away is there is no real case of sports bodies preventing participation of gender categories. Basically everybody can always play in the male events at minimum.

              No-one is trying to stop people with a gender identity playing sports. What is being objected to is males playing in women's sports. Because it's obviously, grossly unfair. Also being objected to is the idea that sports can ignore biology (for the most part it can't, and again, obviously, in the sport were it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter).

              Mixed teams and NB teams are not the same thing. Plenty of sport isn't played in teams.

              • Nic the NZer …
                11 November 2022 at 10:00 pm

                In mixed grades the rules will be some version of minimum of two female players on the field (or you can go a player down). But since its basically social grades the enforcement of that is whatever the other team objects to. Whatever genders a team believes are participating is not really relevant.

                I was playing some Masters the other night where the rule is up to two underage players at once. Although the opposition were clearly within that rule, my teams been bitching all week, because our opponents fielded a player from the top Wellington grade and he scored all their goals single handedly.

                I've never noticed a non-binary identified person playing sports anyway and some how doubt enough could be grouped to form a team, let alone a competition.

                The main point about sports participation is, the claim that sex categories in sports are excluding people from participation, by their gender beliefs. That claim is obvious fiction. As far as I've seen there is some kind of competitive pressuring, alleging and demanding of sporting bodies to change their rules but miniscule interest in actual participation by supposedly represented communities.

  15. Ad 15
    11 November 2022 at 4:14 pm

    Keep pressing on Minister Mahuta. All power to you. Make the farmers quake.

    Three Waters co-governance retained after 88,000 public submissions – NZ Herald

    • observer 15.1
      11 November 2022 at 4:25 pm

      A useful (and very informative) test that anyone can try:

      When somebody says they "oppose 3 waters", ask them to name … the 3 waters. Yes, as easy as that.

      Answers will often include "co-governance", "Mahuta", "Cindy", etc.

      But actually knowing what the policy is … not so much.

      • Alan 15.1.1
        11 November 2022 at 5:26 pm

        Another very useful test that anyone can try;

        "Do you believe in democracy, one person, one vote?"

        • swordfish 15.1.1.1
          11 November 2022 at 5:45 pm

          .

          The exclusive little Establishment club that is Wokedom certainly doesn't.

          I mean, why would you allow the hoi polloi, the great unwashed, the 80% of the public who are absolute deplorables to have a say in our future ??? That's sounds absolutely ghastly !!!

          Certainly the remarkably rarefied guests at various upmarket Kelburn & Wadestown dinner parties are aghast at the very thought.

          No, sod the proles … everything's best left to a cadre of affluent, ruthlessly self-interested narcissistic slobs inhabiting the upper echelons of the professional-managerial class … who, it seems, possess moral sensibilities so much more unusually refined than the rest of us.

        • Incognito 15.1.1.2
          11 November 2022 at 5:52 pm

          If that sums up your understanding of the concept of democracy then you and I are likely to talk past each other.

        • Nic the NZer 15.1.1.3
          11 November 2022 at 5:54 pm

          If that's your rule I think you must surely stick to it.

          Will you be voting electorate candidate or political party in the next general election?

          • Incognito 15.1.1.3.1
            11 November 2022 at 6:24 pm

            Nah, Alan strikes me as someone would give his 2 votes to a fringe party that won’t make the 5% threshold, so in essence his 2 = 0, which is hugely unfair, of course, but that’s democracy for you.

            • Nic the NZer 15.1.1.3.1.1
              11 November 2022 at 6:54 pm

              Its a risky strategy, I tend to bet on the favourites myself but the payout is often low.

              I did get an anonymous tip that, the best margin is in the trifecta, so I recommend picking all your top 3 in order at the general election.

        • observer 15.1.1.4
          11 November 2022 at 6:28 pm

          I agree that we should change the current absurdity where one person can have more than one vote in local elections, because they own more than one property.

          Unfortunately National and ACT MPs are not keen to change this. Perhaps you could contact them to let them know how strongly you feel about "one person, one vote", or even get a petition going. Good luck.

        • roblogic 15.1.1.5
          11 November 2022 at 11:57 pm

          “One person one vote” is really cool if you’re in the Pakeha majority, voting to confiscate Maori land, perfectly legally, under the Public Works Act

          “Let’s all be one culture” is a great way to wipe out Te Reo and Māori culture and deny 800,000 people a voice in their own land

          ”Let’s have one health system” is fine until you actually look at the data re Māori health outcomes, longevity, lifestyle, and lack of engagement with Pakeha institutions

          One would almost think this One Nation rhetoric was white supremacist bullshit designed to suppress a minority culture struggling for its own identity

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    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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