Biden: Now I want to hand over to the President of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin… There's a pause and some polite applause, but Biden quickly realises his error.
Biden: President Putin? He is going to beat President Putin! President Zelensky. I am so focused on beating Putin…
Zelensky: I am better.
He is correct.
It's hard to know whether Biden's pre-presser error was a simple slip of the tongue or a sad sign of decline. But many will diagnose from afar.
My diagnosis from afar is that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden. It has proven itself a recidivist offender – but folks may acclimatise to it. Biden seems sufficiently on the ball when the glitch doesn't happen.
"My question for you is: how are you incorporating these developments into your decision to stay and, separately, what concerns do you have about Vice-President Harris's ability to beat Donald Trump if she were at the top of the ticket?"
Biden began his response by saying: "Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice-President Trump to be vice-president [if] I think she was not qualified to be president."
Words aside, VP Trump's qualifications aren't the point of the question, which was about a hypothetical – so Biden was dodging that. Is such an evasion a sign of weakness? Yes, but merely traditional politics, so no real problem for him. Or her.
Biden denied he needs an early bedtime. The president's age, acuity and health were always going to dominate this press conference. He no doubt knew that. But he still seemed to bristle a little at some of those questions.
As long as he has someone to tuck him in at night, who cares? If it gets reported that he has difficulty extracting himself from bed in the morning, voters will respond `yeah, me too'. He ended the presser on a realistic note…
the campaign really hasn't even started, hasn't started in earnest yet. "Most of the time, it doesn't start until after September, after Labour Day. So a lot can happen."
“that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden.”
Biden has been making the same 'gaffes' every since he was a Senator
This from NY times from when he was selected as running mate for Obama in 2008
Senator Joseph Biden Jr., the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, is an experienced, serious and smart man. But he does say some curious things. A day on the campaign trail without some cringe-inducing gaffe is a rare blessing. He has not been too blessed lately.
Thats the trouble with making a remote diagnosis without knowing the previous situation- a long history of not matching names to faces
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said “While my immediate priority is delivering a welfare system that is more proactive about supporting people on welfare into jobs, I am always considering whether the right incentives exist for people to shift into work”.
They already exist.
The Government believed New Zealanders should be rewarded for their hard work, “which is why Budget 2024 delivered tax relief that enable them to keep more of their hard-earned money”.
Work was about more than money, Upston said, as it provided “a sense of purpose, independence, and connectedness, leading to a better future and helping families break the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence”.
A person on the DPB not being better off from work is not supposed to happen.
IMO a lot of people who have had to deal with WINZ/MSD will have found their interactions to be, at best, far from seamless….and at worst, a nightmare.
MSD receives almost 5000 complaints about staff in two years
Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson Brooke Stanley said MSD operated in a low-trust model.
"It's quite common for us to hear from people that come in to seek our support about how dehumanising the culture is at Work and Income.
"[MSD] treats people coming in to see them as if they're suspicious, or the support that they need they could have gotten it elsewhere."
I have heard this..from people who have had the misfortune to desperately need their "help" . If not patronising/condescending….sometimes borderline aggressive : (
And..if you are already struggling (with mental/health/personal problems) you should definitely take an Advocate with you !
Work and Income, MSD slammed for 'humiliating' treatment of Kiwis in need
Jacqui Southey from Save the Children and Tavia Moore from the Beneficiary Advisory Services
The various incarnations of WINZ have always been like that. Nearly 40 years ago when my sweetie and I first got together she was on the "dole" and absolutely dreaded the periodic visits to ensure the continuation of her benefit.
Although she now has a Masters Degree – at the time her working class family saw no value in educating girls and she was taken out of school 3 days before her 15th birthday and moved into a factory job "until she got married". She was fired from that job when she turned 18 and had to be paid the adult wage.
She was fortunate to find a WINZ case officer in the 1970's who recognised her writing ability and got her various PEP jobs doing research work and writing for community groups.
Such assistance was certainly not the norm, but it did get her into writing and into various feminist and Union activities which led to better employment and our relationship.
including after paying childcare and petrol costs.
These stories disingenuously try to suggest at the same time benefit rates are too high – i.e. you are better off staying on benefit than working you might as well bludge and say that the governments help for people to work is not enough so pay me more but in a different way so I'm not counted as a bludger.
No different from the framing of bludgers on a benefit turning miraculously into into "I've paid taxes all my life" worthy citizens when they turn sixty-five and get even more money on super from the government.
So what are these articles designed to do?
Suppress benefits further so she is better off working?
Bemoan the cost of childcare and ask for further subsidisation the of childcare industry through the tax system – cause you know that's not the same thing as getting a sullied benefit – except when trying to tax the rich when it is trotted out that most poor people don't really pay any tax anyway and all the tax is paid by the rich anyway.
Suggest that her wage rate is too low and her scumbag employer should lift her wages?
Tell her to get off her lazy arse and work more hours or get a better job?
Show how virtuous/stupid they were be not seeking help earlier and using all their savings
Show how virtuous white people can horrifyingly become bludgers – "If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone".
In the 80's we had to choose between two working and one working with the other looking after the kids due to both the children having disabilities and the cost of childcare. I have no doubt the commercialisation of child-care for profit has further increased the relative cost since then. Due to the disability factor we chose one working.
What we need to go back to is universal payments and higher tax rates instead of the continual hodge podge of benefit payments and tax rebates. The whole system has turned into a mess. It's been designed by Theresa Gattung acolytes.
"Think about pricing. What has every telco in the world done in the past? It's used confusion as its chief marketing tool. And that's fine," said Gattung in a speech recorded on March 20.
"You could argue that that's how all of us keep calling prices up and get those revenues, high-margin businesses, keep them going for a lot longer than would have been the case.
"But at some level, whether they consciously articulate or not, customers know that's what the game has been. They know we're not being straight up."
Were currently seeing the same confusion method being applied to bundling services eg electricity and internet, sky and internet etc.
Successive governments know that the more complicated they make things that there will always be a drop-off of people who are entitled who will give up and never apply. The potential debt burden further puts people off.
Working for Families debt has increased by more than $42 million in nine months, new data shows, and people are being warned it could get worse as unemployment rises.
Inland Revenue said total Working for Families debt had reached $280.025 million at the end of May this year.
Last August, it was $238m. In July 2020, 44,000 people owed $162m.
My point is when a sole parent is required to work (children over 5 and free primary school), they are better off on part-time work.
Even some parents with FT jobs don't work when there are two pre-schoolers (despite free hours 3-5, or rebate 2-3yo).
And yes she is of a type
“I want to pay my own way, raise and pay for my own kids. I don't want to sit on the benefit, taking taxpayer money when I know I can be out there working.”
She has no FT job. Getting a DPB, while she has no full-time job, is not what is stopping her from getting one.
Childcare is a huge barrier to working for sole-parents (usually Mums).
'Free' hours are illusory – in order to get a place in a childcare centre (or at least in a reasonable quality one), you have to sign up for considerably more than the 'free' hours – and the cost of the additional hours are very significant (they're loaded to cost more than the government-funded 'free' hours).
Yes, you can 'choose' to only book for the free hours – and the Childcare centre can also 'choose' to not have a place for you. Most have substantial waiting lists – and prioritize the full-time kids, rather than the part-timers.
In addition, there are school holidays (good luck with finding a workplace which will give you 14 weeks a year holiday). Yes, there are holiday programmes – more $$$$ out of your budet.
And, finally, there is sick leave. With schools now not accepting (or sending home) kids with coughs and sniffles (regardless of whether you think that's a good thing, or not) – your standard 10-days of sick leave a year is rapidly eaten up by your kid's illnesses (let alone yours). Not to mention that you don't actually *get* any sick leave until you've been working for a year.
Finally, 'school hours' jobs tend to be the lowest paid and least value in career building. If you already have a career (and are returning part time after having children, it's a different story), but if you don't have those marketable skills/qualifications – you're likely to be stuck in a dead-end minimum-wage job, with no prospects of promotion. And also likely to be the first one fired if/when the business downsizes staff.
There is the option of funding 3-5 year old pre schools (no holidays) as we do primary schools (after hours and holiday programmes).
Sick leave is not required for older children with the flu (apart from the law about adult supervision for those under 14) and older children can care for the younger ones (in work income dependent families this happens).
For now a good option for sole parents is to job share and care for each others children – they can both work 20 hours and get free child care. This also covers the holidays and sickness (advantages the employer).
Having seen many people trying, and failing, to find jobs that fit in with having children and the need for childcare.
Even more impossible with a special needs child that gets expelled from daycare.
Jobs like that, are like Unicorns.
Not to mention the exorbatent costs of privatised childcare, the lack of after school care, and the waiting lists for Kindegartens. (Where parents are lucky to get a place for their child before age 4)
And. Pigs might fly. Meanwhile. In the real world.
Employers offer part time uncertain "on call" work with irregular hours. Random on call 365 days a year without compensation is the norm, not an outlier. Few like job share arrangements. The chances of a group of mums being able to co-ordinate working hours to share childcare is almost non-existant.
Finance for Kindegartens, Teacher aids and help for special needs, never adequate, is being taken to with a scythe.
Childcare for "difficult" children doesn't exist unless you are extremely rich. Schools, lacking resources, send them home at any signs of issues. I know several parents who cannot keep a job because of this. One, who has a small business, loses customers and income regularly because of having to collect her ADHD child whenever the school has had enough.
Childcare providers insist on regular hours, and more than 20 hours a week so they can pad out their fees.
An answer is to job share (one the morning, the other the afternoon) and child care share.
TBH I was kinda wondering where you were/are going with this ? You assume that the "partner" If there is one (might be non child friendly, unable,moved away….or even.. passed away)
Jobs in after school care and other care work might leads to an opportunity to work as a teacher aide.
Sounds like something a WINZ/MSD person might dream up ?
PLA, I was referring to two sole parents (this began with a story about a sole parent) providing child care for each others children while working part-time – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Sounds like something a WINZ/MSD person might dream up
If you look at it, they prefer teacher aides to have experience (but there is no qualification requirement) – basically after school care and care work is most relevant (or being a parent volunteering).
I'm guessing from your comments that you've never been a single parent, and probably don't know any either (or know them well enough to understand the issues they have to deal with on a daily basis).
This all sounds like a theoretical exercise in a rose-tinted world.
Part-time work can work for some single parents. But it is certainly not easy. It's a lot harder if you're looking at minimum wage jobs. And, if you have any other issues going on (neurodivergent kid, ill health, etc) – it's going to be virtually impossible to keep a job. And, once you've lost one, your chances of getting another are diminished.
In the real world, if there is competition for jobs (which there certainly is at the bottom end of the market right now), job-sharing single-parents are not going to be the first choice for any employer.
BTW, you do realize that teacher aides and other school support roles don't get paid for the school holidays. What do you think the single-income family is going to live on over this period?
You're making the case for adequate income from benefits to support sole parents and or the need to make it easier for sole parents to work – whether part-time or full-time. Well done.
One idea is pre school free and fully funded like primary school is – from age 3 at least.
The other is better employment rules, to support the employment of sole parents.
I am simply stating what can be done now.
One sole parent (children under 5) offers to work the morning, the other the afternoon for the same employer. This allows each to care for all the kids when not working (no child care cost). Otherwise the two separately seek morning and afternoon work with separate employers to realise the same (no child care costs).
BTW, you do realize that teacher aides and other school support roles don't get paid for the school holidays. What do you think the single-income family is going to live on over this period?
Sole parents working less than FT (only morning or afternoon) are still on the DPB.
Sole parents working less than FT (only morning or afternoon) are still on the DPB.
Have you ever *tried* to work through variable hours payments with WINZ? It's a bureaucratic nightmare. People end up with benefits cut off, and with mandatory stand down times to get them re-established. Not to mention, the difficulty of even getting through to your 'case manager' using their phone system.
What 'better employment rules' are going to encourage businesses to split jobs – when they receive zero benefit from this, and have double the staff costs?
I think that you also have little understanding of the reality and trust required for effective job sharing. I'm guessing this is something else you've never done.
Sick leave is not required for older children with the flu (apart from the law about adult supervision for those under 14) and older children can care for the younger ones (in work income dependent families this happens).
You have to get through the first 14 years of coughs, colds, tummy bugs and sniffles, before you can leave kids at home alone! Also, are you advocating keeping older kids out of school to mind younger ones. Really?
Really, most employers don't want job shares (given the choice) – it's double the amount of admin (payroll, etc) for the same job. With no more flexibility (you can't have both of the job share parents working extra hours over a busy period, because who minds the kids?) Employers can make it work, but they do so to cover roles with specific expertise that they can't easily fill. Hint: those are not minimum wage jobs.
You have to get through the first 14 years of coughs, colds, tummy bugs and sniffles, before you can leave kids at home alone!
I never had a parent at home when off school with cold or flu (but then again I walked home in the Wahine Storm while in primary school – great for impersonating a concorde and remaining off the ground).
Also, are you advocating keeping older kids out of school to mind younger ones. Really?
The media has reported this is happening in Auckland.
The reason for employers practice is weak unions, carrying unemployment and access to easily exploited migrant labour.
The need for pre schools (3-5) being like primary schools (state funding) is obvious, as are better employment terms for parents of younger children.
Really. So you were home alone when you were sick from 5 years old?
And are advocating this as a responsible parenting solution?
The fact that older kids (almost always girls) are kept out of school to mind younger children, is a disgrace; not an option to be embraced.
The reason for the employers practice is that they make more money by hiring one full-time worker, than two job-share or part-time ones. Unions are never going to fix this (how do unions represent those people who aren't even employed). Full employment might – but when has that ever happened in your working lifetime? And there is no party in parliament now, who is realistically advocating for zero immigration, or even zero low-wage immigration.
Still an ivory tower intellectual exercise – totally divorced from the reality of people looking for work in 2024.
I can confirm that proper care for a Disabled child is at least ten times more than it was in the 80's. I know of parents who are skirting it some what, by hiring baby sitters so they can work. Which is a hell of responsibility to put on 16-17 year olds. But when your wages are shit – what ya going to do?
Its also of note that since the abatement rate was increased to $160 per week we have had inflation and wage increases, so any increase in earnings have just gone back to the government.
RNZ news has reported (7am & 8am this morning) Greenie Kevin Hackwell's critique of Luxon wanting to double our defense spending. Lux wants to toe the AUKUS line.
Perhaps Hackwell came out fast because he knows the Green Party's obsession with identity politics will continue to prevent them being a real opposition, and Labour are still doing complacency and irrelevance.
Luxon will have to specify what the increased spending will be on before anyone takes him seriously, which will require consensus between the three heads of the govt dog, and Winston is still busy barking at a passing car named Kiwirail.
Luxon has refrained from explaining that Russia and China have formed an Axis of Evil, which the white knights of capitalism must now tilt at. That would require use of an intellect, which he doesn't have. He just wants to be a team player, so postures demonstrating that must be presented on the global stage.
Just as likely, is that signalling an increase in defence spending is to defer a decision on AUKUS (the idea of co-operation between nations being an add-on to a nuclear powered sub deal with Oz by UK and USA was flawed).
And even then, CLuxon refers to a future defence plan, not yet decided on as to a purpose for the increased spending. It might well be a development over decades, as per the GW action – within economic constraints.
Intent, is not quick action. Hopefully he will look at sea lift and an Antarctica capable ship and an ocean going tug boat to manage our Cook Strait risk. And a plan to expand on the 5 Hercules air transport down the line (more or the Airbus alternative) and new passenger 757’s. Replacement of the frigates will pad out the budget.
Hackwell knows Greens will oppose increased defence spending, but there is nothing to oppose yet.
"the proposed defence budget will fall to NZ$4.95 billion ($3.03 billion) for the year that ends in June 2025. This year's defence budget was NZ$5.3 billion."
They might shell out a few more dollars to buy CL a new plane to get about in, (after cutting "saving" monies elsewhere in Defence funding) but that's as far as it goes.
Why don't we put some guns on the new cook strait ferries. Then we could take them out of the overcommitted transport budget and get them into the defence spending
Recent news reports state that a South Canterbury business (which started in 2021) has gone into liquidation owing $1.5 million tax to Inland Revenue. Incredibly, one reason given for the shutdown of the business was not allowing for taxation.
On 12 July Inland Revenue issued a press release stating in part:
" … we’re prioritising our compliance work to follow up outstanding returns, collect overdue debt, and prosecute taxpayers where necessary, … "
The plan also includes infusing Christian nationalism into every facet of government policy by calling for a ban on pornography and promoting policies that encourage “marriage, work, motherhood, fatherhood, and nuclear families.”
A commentator there quotes from Benjamin Doyle’s masters thesis:
Principles of Kaupapa Māori Theory provide a paradigm through which this research is conducted, with particular attention paid to the Indigenous Research Agenda. Importantly, this rangahau seeks to offer an alternative to the conventions of hegemonic empirical academia by centering the voices and lived experiences of those who have historically been subjected to the dehumanising objectification of Western research practices.
You can see why Chloe went public with her impassioned appeal recently. The prospect of being able to bombard the media with such utterances would enthrall any pc-driven Green Party parliamentarian. Speak truth to power, comrades!
I think there's more to her than that. The extent of the constraining effect of an in-crowd on one's view of what's feasible in a situation seems to have more of an influence on political behaviour than one's instinctive responses.
I noticed that James never tried to reframe the party positioning in opportunities where it would have enhanced it's public appeal but disturbed his colleagues. Yet I knew the guy enough to trust his instincts and judgment to considerable extent. When party constraints (due to ethos) limit a leader's options, the party suffers the consequences from not being able to extend popular support…
Then why did you reduce a complex personality such as hers to a caricature of a PC-driven parliamentarian?
The extent of the constraining effect of an in-crowd on one's view of what's feasible in a situation seems to have more of an influence on political behaviour than one's instinctive responses.
Huh? It seems you’re no longer talking about Chlöe Swarbrick but in abstract general terms!?
Your second paragraph is your typical mash of concepts and issues thrown together in inedible word soup.
You seem to criticise Swarbrick’s leadership – she’s been Co-Leader for only 4 months – when it’s clear that you neither know nor understand her. Then you revert again to some generic waffle about party politics and inner workings that you’re not privy to either.
None of what you wrote so far seems to have any bearing on the succession of Darleen Tana or Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis. Again, you criticise the Party and its Co-Leader without substance and based on innuendo and snide remarks.
No, my point has always been about the collective mind-set that continues to handicap the Greens.
Curiouser and curiouser, so it wasn’t about anything in particular then, not about Chlöe Swarbrick, Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis, or James Shaw!? Not clear either what exactly you’re negating.
The Greens need strong authoritarian leadership, e.g., the egotistical authoritarian style of the National Party without the unnecessary consensus approach to decision making, which fits so well with its Randian doctrine. The Green Party should just emulate that?
Her conformity is understandable in that context.
What conformity? To the Green Party values, policies, or processes? To the contents or foundational principles of Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis? Seems it’s all in your head and you’re looking for a pivot to have a tilt at your usual windmills.
Kudos to the authors of these two articles in Science for daring to speak truth to power, and to the editor who found the courage to accept these articles for publication – she risked being fired due to activist backlash. Few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.
Contrast with the behaviour of the Royal Society of NZ (supposedly a scientific body) who considered cancelling the membership of three scientist who dared to question the previous government’s decree that maatauranga is “co-equal” with so-called Western Science. Instead of promoting and defending science, RSNZ continues to peddle ideology: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/envisioning-a-fairer-future-auckland.
These are not science articles, but letters to the editor, and therefore opinion pieces.
And 2. Kind of you to include the measured response to the two anti letters, which takes apart the ideas they push. Basically, they make false equivalence by applying only the 'scientific' worldview as having value in education. Which is the whole point of presenting students with different cultural perspectives.
The response of Black and Tylianakis doesn't "take apart" anything – like you, all they have to offer is pedantry and equivocation. And it's not clear that you've understood much – contrary to what you've just said, neither of the two critiques claims that only the scientific worldview has value in education. They're attempting to circumscribe what does and doesn't belong in 21st century science classes. By all means teach traditional Maaori worldviews at school, but don't try to compel me to teach it in my science classes. I'm especially glad that Matzke has exposed the inclusion of vitalism (a debunked idea) in the NZ science curriculum.
But seeing you're interested in "different cultural perspectives", how would you feel about teaching kids the biblical creation story at school? After all, some Kiwis have fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
As has already been pointed out to you, these are letters, not “articles”, as you falsely claim. Given that you work in a NZ university, you would know the difference.
Kudos […] to the editor who found the courage to accept these articles for publication – she risked being fired due to activist backlash.
You’re fearmongering about a risk of being fired for doing her job and doing it well. You also made up the ‘activist backlash’ that would lead to this. You have no evidence for either and it’s basically BS.
Few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.
Ok, again, where’s your evidence for this assertion? These letters are intelligent, well-written, and evidence-based that criticise one position and defend another one and as such, they are without and above your illusory cries of “racism”, which is not mentioned even once. It looks to me that’s where you want to drag this.
Your description of RSNZ as a biased organisation captured by ideology is misleading, as demonstrated by the link that you provided. It’s one thing to criticise RSNZ for handling of the case but it’s another one to paint them as the enemy. As you know, RSNZ did not cancel anybody’s membership.
If you want to join and contribute to this debate then you should take a leaf out of those letters and response and provide intelligent evidence-based comment instead of misleading innuendo.
It is shameful that RSNZ even considered taking such action against the academics who dared to question government policy.
"An Editor is not a Censor."
Editors have the discretion to reject contributions that they deem unsuitable – you know this perfectly well. And when I was an editor of a NZ journal, I was pressured by my boss to reject an article for political reasons ("racism") – pressure that I did not succumb to.
"Ok, again, where’s your evidence for this assertion?" [that few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.]
Why have no similar critiques been published in NZ journals? Can tell me that, Incognito? Here is evidence of the sort of pressures and accusations that await anyone who sticks their head above the parapet of current political orthodoxy:
"Your description of RSNZ as a biased organisation captured by ideology is misleading, as demonstrated by the link that you provided"
As demonstrated by the link I provided? How so?
You're not doing the left any favours by gaslighting readers about the state of science and science education in NZ, or by misrepresenting other people's comments.
So what? How does that invalidate anything I've said? Hopefully you have more to offer than pedantry.
It casts doubt on your credibility and your retort further emphasises that you’re not commenting in good faith but with intent to mislead and gaslight exclaiming that “There is hope for NZ science after all!”, but not thanks to you.
As YOU know, I did not say that RSNZ cancelled anybody's membership. I stated (correctly) that they considered doing so: [link]
The initial reaction by RSNZ to the open letter in The Listener can be considered an over-reaction. However, they followed due process and things were not taken any further.
A controversial letter signed by seven University of Auckland academics about Mātauranga Māori and science is not worthy of a full Royal Society investigation, the body has said.
In a statement, the Royal Society Te Apārangi said an initial investigation panel was convened after several complaints were made about the letter, published in The Listener in July 2021.
The panel decided the complaints would not be progressed further because they demanded “open-ended evaluation of contentious expert opinion”.
The Panel decision is final, and cannot be appealed, the Royal Society said.
You’re trying to paint RSNZ in a much worse light than is justified based on this and cherry-picking one link only shows your biased agenda.
It is shameful that RSNZ even considered taking such action against the academics who dared to question government policy. [my emphasis]
So, in your mind, it was for political reasons, not because RSNZ received five complaints? Which specific ‘government policy’ are you referring to?
Editors have the discretion to reject contributions that they deem unsuitable – you know this perfectly well.
Indeed, editors follow the editorial policies of the publication, and censors have to classify and reject objectionable material. Jennifer Sills did a good job and there was nothing too controversial in any of those letters or in the response for that matter to warrant rejection by her on any other (NZ) journal editor. You’re looking for something that isn’t there.
And when I was an editor of a NZ journal, I was pressured by my boss to reject an article for political reasons ("racism") – pressure that I did not succumb to.
Was this a science journal? How did your situation compare to those two letters in Science? Where is the ‘racism’ in those letters in Science? Did you lose your position as Editor because of it? What does it have to do with anything? Where is your evidence that Jennifer Sills risked her job and where’s your evidence for an ‘activist backlash’ that would cause this? Without any other information we cannot verify your personal anecdote and you only provide more BS to support your previous BS claims & assertions.
BTW, as a former Editor you would care more about the distinction between a ‘letter’ and an ‘article’ submitted to and published in reputable scientific journal.
Why have no similar critiques been published in NZ journals? Can tell me that, Incognito? [sic]
Why do you answer my question with another question? If such letters have been submitted to NZ journals and rejected because ‘terrified as we are of cries of “racism”’ then provide your evidence. Without it this is just dangerous speculation on your behalf. So, put up or shut up.
Here is evidence of the sort of pressures and accusations that await anyone who sticks their head above the parapet of current political orthodoxy:
[4 links]
None of those links point to political interference at NZ journals as you implied.
Lapped up by an uncritical media.
Sure, and by overzealous crusaders like you who want to stoke controversy, polarise, and seed division, it appears.
More evidence of the climate of fear: [link]
As I said, you’re fearmongering, together with the uncritical media that lap it up and spread it further to increase their revenue, which raises the question about your motives.
As demonstrated by the link I provided? How so?
One cherry-picked link that is supposedly representative of all things done by RSNZ and their capture by ideology as alleged by you. You’re making it up as you go, don’t you? No room for error or doubt in your fixed & fixated mind.
You're not doing the left any favours by gaslighting readers about the state of science and science education in NZ, or by misrepresenting other people's comments.
What has ‘the left’ got to do with it? Poking holes in your disingenuous comments on this site is a dirty job that I’ll happily do as a service to all TS readers. No debate will ever be served by commentary such as yours.
Bryan Crump is busy trying to force his own right-wing views onto Grant Robertson while interviewing him in the "playing favourites" spot on Saturday Morning on RadioNZ.
His latest question was (paraphrasing) that "instead of enforcing vaccine mandates wouldn't it have been better to simply enforce mask wearing and wouldn't this have avoided the occupation outside parliament."
Earlier he asked questions that questioned the Labour government's over-spending and its resultant responsibility for the cost of living crisis.
Sounds like Cramp is propagating a false dichotomy and equivalence of mask wearing vs. vaccination. They are, of course, complementary and additive measures of risk mitigation.
Democrats are notorious pants pissers about every bump in every road.But I think there’s something more at work here. I think there are a lot of white liberals who are terrified of a potential black woman president and they see this as an opportunity to change the ticket.
Sure Harris as black and female is a political liability to becoming US President.
But the core to her political weaknss is that the southern border issue has been her primary policy focus. That is really, really important to winning Presidential and down-ballot votes in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Trump has owned the southern border issue since 2016 and the Republicans see it for the electoral lever it truly is for them. But when you look underneath the hood, Harris has rallied private sector investment into border-adjacent areas of more than US$5.2billion from over 50 companies and organisations.
Also, border incursion encounters have fallen from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras from over 700,000 in 2021 to 330,000 as of May this year, so arguably she's been effective.
If you go back to Harris's 2019 presidential campaign there's a clear hint that, should she become president, she may attempt a more aggressive use of executive action when it comes to granting protection to some illegal immigrants.
In her campaign platform, Harris promised to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) by executive order – which gives protection to illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. She said she would eliminate age requirements on applications, and use parole authority to create a "parole in place" program to put those illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship. Her campaign estimated that the executive actions would result in more than 2 million "Dreamers" being given a pathway to citizenship.
And that – not the colour of her skin – is where the US southern voter prejudice from both white and settled Latinos really kicks in against Harris and for Trump. The only way now for the centre-left to win again anywhere including the White House is to go super-hard against immigration.
I have now lived long enough to see a cabinet minister go both barrels on their Prime Minister and not get sacked.It used to be that the PM would have a drawer full of resignations signed by ministers on the day of their appointment, ready for such an occasion. But ...
This session will feature Simon McCallum, Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Computer Science (VUW) and recent Labour Party candidate in the Southland Electorate talking about some of the issues around AI and how this should inform Labour Party policy. Simon is an excellent speaker with a comprehensive command of AI ...
The proposed Waimate garbage incinerator is dead: The company behind a highly-controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in the Waimate District no longer has the land. [...] However, SIRRL director Paul Taylor said the sales and purchase agreement to purchase land from Murphy Farms, near Glenavy, lapsed at ...
The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been a vital tool in combatting international corruption. It forbids US companies and citizens from bribing foreign public officials anywhere in the world. And its actually enforced: some of the world's biggest companies - Siemens, Hewlett Packard, and Bristol Myers Squibb - have ...
December 2024 photo - with UK Tory Boris Johnson (Source: Facebook)Those PollsFor hours, political poll results have resounded across political hallways and commentary.According to the 1News Verizon poll, 50% of the country believe we are heading in the “wrong direction”, while 39% believe we are “on the right track”.The left ...
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs in the region. A new report from Massey University shows that pensioners are struggling with rising costs. ...
As support continues to fall, Luxon also now faces his biggest internal ructions within the coalition since the election, with David Seymour reacting badly to being criticised by the PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Not since 1988 when Richard Prebble openly criticised David Lange have we seen such a challenge to a Prime Minister as that of David Seymour to Christopher Luxon last night. Prebble suggested Lange had mental health issues during a TV interview and was almost immediately fired. Seymour hasn’t gone quite ...
Three weeks in, and the 24/7 news cycle is not helping anyone feel calm and informed about the second Trump presidency. One day, the US is threatening 25% trade tariffs on its friends and neighbours. The reasons offered by the White House are absurd, such as stopping fentanyl coming in ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
Thanks folks for your feedback, votes and comments this week. I’ll be making the changes soon. Appreciate all your emails, comments and subscriptions too. I know your time is valuable - muchas gracias.A lot is happening both here and around the world - so I want to provide a snippets ...
Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 ...
The December labour market statistics have been released, showing yet another increase in unemployment. There are now 156,000 unemployed - 34,000 more than when National took office. And having thrown all these people out of work, National is doubling down on cruelty. Because being vicious will somehow magically create the ...
Boarded up homes in Kilbirnie, where work on a planned development was halted. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 5 are;Housing Minister Chris Bishop yesterday announcedKāinga Ora would be stripped of ...
This week Kiwirail and Auckland Transport were celebrating the completion of the summer rail works that had the network shut or for over a month and the start of electric trains to Pukekohe. First up, here’s parts of the press release about the shutdown works. Passengers boarding trains in Auckland ...
Through its austerity measures, the coalition government has engineered a rise in unemployment in order to reduce inflation while – simultaneously – cracking down harder and harder on the people thrown out of work by its own policies. To that end, Social Development Minister Louise Upston this week added two ...
This year, we've seen a radical, white supremacist government ignoring its Tiriti obligations, refusing to consult with Māori, and even trying to legislatively abrogate te Tiriti o Waitangi. When it was criticised by the Waitangi Tribunal, the government sabotaged that body, replacing its legal and historical experts with corporate shills, ...
Poor old democracy, it really is in a sorry state. It would be easy to put all the blame on the vandals and tyrants presently trashing the White House, but this has been years in the making. It begins with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan and the spirit of Gordon ...
The new school lunches came in this week, and they were absolutely scrumptious.I had some, and even though Connor said his tasted like “stodge” and gave him a sore tummy, I myself loved it!Look at the photos - I knew Mr Seymour wouldn’t lie when he told us last year:"It ...
The tighter sanctions are modelled on ones used in Britain, which did push people off ‘the dole’, but didn’t increase the number of workers, and which evidence has repeatedly shown don’t work. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, ...
Catching you up on the morning’s global news and a quick look at the parallels -GLOBALTariffs are backSharemarkets in the US, UK and Europe have “plunged” in response to Trump’s tariffs. And while Mexico has won a one month reprieve, Canada and China will see their respective 25% and 10% ...
This post by Nicolas Reid was originally published on Linked in. It is republished here with permission. Gondolas are often in the news, with manufacturers of ropeway systems proposing them as a modern option for mass transit systems in New Zealand. However, like every next big thing in transport, it’s hard ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkBoth 2023 and 2024 were exceptionally warm years, at just below and above 1.5C relative to preindustrial in the WMO composite of surface temperature records, respectively. While we are still working to assess the full set of drivers of this warmth, it is clear that ...
Hi,I woke up feeling nervous this morning, realising that this weekend Flightless Bird is going to do it’s first ever live show. We’re heading to a sold out (!) show in Seattle to test the format out in front of an audience. If it works, we’ll do more. I want ...
From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
The PSA have released a survey of 4000 public service workers showing that budget cuts are taking a toll on the wellbeing of public servants and risking the delivery of essential services to New Zealanders. Economists predict that figures released this week will show continued increases in unemployment, potentially reaching ...
The Prime Minister’s speech 10 days or so ago kicked off a flurry of commentary. No one much anywhere near the mainstream (ie excluding Greens supporters) questioned the rhetoric. New Zealand has done woefully poorly on productivity for a long time and we really need better outcomes, and the sorts ...
President Trump on the day he announced tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, unleashing a shock to supply chains globally that is expected to slow economic growth and increase inflation for most large economies. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 9 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 3Politics: New Zealand Government cabinet meeting usually held early afternoon with post-cabinet news conference possible at 4 pm, although they have not been ...
Trump being Trump, it won’t come as a shock to find that he regards a strong US currency (bolstered by high tariffs on everything made by foreigners) as a sign of America’s virility, and its ability to kick sand in the face of the world. Reality is a tad more ...
A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 26, 2025 thru Sat, February 1, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
What seems to be the common theme in the US, NZ, Argentina and places like Italy under their respective rightwing governments is what I think of as “the politics of cruelty.” Hate-mongering, callous indifference in social policy-making, corporate toadying, political bullying, intimidation and punching down on the most vulnerable with ...
If you are confused, check with the sunCarry a compass to help you alongYour feet are going to be on the groundYour head is there to move you aroundSo, stand in the place where you liveSongwriters: Bill Berry / Michael Mills / Michael Stipe / Peter Buck.Hot in the CityYesterday, ...
Shane Jones announced today he would be contracting out his thinking to a smarter younger person.Reclining on his chaise longue with a mouth full of oysters and Kina he told reporters:Clearly I have become a has-been, a palimpsest, an epigone, a bloviating fossil. I find myself saying such things as: ...
Warning: This post contains references to sexual assaultOn Saturday, I spent far too long editing a video on Tim Jago, the ACT Party President and criminal, who has given up his fight for name suppression after 2 years. He voluntarily gave up just in time for what will be a ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
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Here's a review of Biden's performance yesterday: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/522011/seven-stand-out-moments-from-joe-biden-s-high-pressure-press-conference
He is correct.
My diagnosis from afar is that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden. It has proven itself a recidivist offender – but folks may acclimatise to it. Biden seems sufficiently on the ball when the glitch doesn't happen.
Words aside, VP Trump's qualifications aren't the point of the question, which was about a hypothetical – so Biden was dodging that. Is such an evasion a sign of weakness? Yes, but merely traditional politics, so no real problem for him. Or her.
As long as he has someone to tuck him in at night, who cares? If it gets reported that he has difficulty extracting himself from bed in the morning, voters will respond `yeah, me too'. He ended the presser on a realistic note…
Na he can tell people apart, the problem is processing his thoughts into the words he speaks – with names, we can notice this more easily.
This guy says that word retrieval is a problem of Parkinson's, and the physical decline is a symptom of this as well.
“that the sub-routine in the brain that matches faces to names currently has a glitch in Biden.”
Biden has been making the same 'gaffes' every since he was a Senator
This from NY times from when he was selected as running mate for Obama in 2008
Thats the trouble with making a remote diagnosis without knowing the previous situation- a long history of not matching names to faces
A woman says she is little better off from part-time work while on the DPB.
Given there is an exemption from abatement for work income, this should not be the case.
If you're a sole parent, you can earn up to $160 a week (before tax), before your benefit is affected. Once you earn over $160 a week (before tax):
We calculate this by:
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/tell-us/income/deduction-tables/sole-parent-support.html
This is what the Minister had to say
They already exist.
A person on the DPB not being better off from work is not supposed to happen.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350339517/im-no-better-single-mother-three-working-32c-hour
IMO a lot of people who have had to deal with WINZ/MSD will have found their interactions to be, at best, far from seamless….and at worst, a nightmare.
I have heard this..from people who have had the misfortune to desperately need their "help" . If not patronising/condescending….sometimes borderline aggressive : (
And..if you are already struggling (with mental/health/personal problems) you should definitely take an Advocate with you !
The various incarnations of WINZ have always been like that. Nearly 40 years ago when my sweetie and I first got together she was on the "dole" and absolutely dreaded the periodic visits to ensure the continuation of her benefit.
Although she now has a Masters Degree – at the time her working class family saw no value in educating girls and she was taken out of school 3 days before her 15th birthday and moved into a factory job "until she got married". She was fired from that job when she turned 18 and had to be paid the adult wage.
She was fortunate to find a WINZ case officer in the 1970's who recognised her writing ability and got her various PEP jobs doing research work and writing for community groups.
Such assistance was certainly not the norm, but it did get her into writing and into various feminist and Union activities which led to better employment and our relationship.
You left out an important bit.
including after paying childcare and petrol costs.
These stories disingenuously try to suggest at the same time benefit rates are too high – i.e. you are better off staying on benefit than working you might as well bludge and say that the governments help for people to work is not enough so pay me more but in a different way so I'm not counted as a bludger.
No different from the framing of bludgers on a benefit turning miraculously into into "I've paid taxes all my life" worthy citizens when they turn sixty-five and get even more money on super from the government.
So what are these articles designed to do?
In the 80's we had to choose between two working and one working with the other looking after the kids due to both the children having disabilities and the cost of childcare. I have no doubt the commercialisation of child-care for profit has further increased the relative cost since then. Due to the disability factor we chose one working.
What we need to go back to is universal payments and higher tax rates instead of the continual hodge podge of benefit payments and tax rebates. The whole system has turned into a mess. It's been designed by Theresa Gattung acolytes.
"Think about pricing. What has every telco in the world done in the past? It's used confusion as its chief marketing tool. And that's fine," said Gattung in a speech recorded on March 20.
"You could argue that that's how all of us keep calling prices up and get those revenues, high-margin businesses, keep them going for a lot longer than would have been the case.
"But at some level, whether they consciously articulate or not, customers know that's what the game has been. They know we're not being straight up."
Were currently seeing the same confusion method being applied to bundling services eg electricity and internet, sky and internet etc.
Successive governments know that the more complicated they make things that there will always be a drop-off of people who are entitled who will give up and never apply. The potential debt burden further puts people off.
Working for Families debt has increased by more than $42 million in nine months, new data shows, and people are being warned it could get worse as unemployment rises.
Inland Revenue said total Working for Families debt had reached $280.025 million at the end of May this year.
Last August, it was $238m. In July 2020, 44,000 people owed $162m.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/519689/warning-as-working-for-families-debt-increases-by-more-than-42m
Sure.
My point is when a sole parent is required to work (children over 5 and free primary school), they are better off on part-time work.
Even some parents with FT jobs don't work when there are two pre-schoolers (despite free hours 3-5, or rebate 2-3yo).
And yes she is of a type
She has no FT job. Getting a DPB, while she has no full-time job, is not what is stopping her from getting one.
Nah she wants state help – flexi-wage, tax relief etc but doesn't want to be branded as a bludger on a benefit.
Benefits are for the lazy and the poor, tax relief is middle class welfare. She wants to take tax payers money just not through a benefit.
Maybe she should join a union and ask for more pay…….
Childcare is a huge barrier to working for sole-parents (usually Mums).
'Free' hours are illusory – in order to get a place in a childcare centre (or at least in a reasonable quality one), you have to sign up for considerably more than the 'free' hours – and the cost of the additional hours are very significant (they're loaded to cost more than the government-funded 'free' hours).
Yes, you can 'choose' to only book for the free hours – and the Childcare centre can also 'choose' to not have a place for you. Most have substantial waiting lists – and prioritize the full-time kids, rather than the part-timers.
In addition, there are school holidays (good luck with finding a workplace which will give you 14 weeks a year holiday). Yes, there are holiday programmes – more $$$$ out of your budet.
And, finally, there is sick leave. With schools now not accepting (or sending home) kids with coughs and sniffles (regardless of whether you think that's a good thing, or not) – your standard 10-days of sick leave a year is rapidly eaten up by your kid's illnesses (let alone yours). Not to mention that you don't actually *get* any sick leave until you've been working for a year.
Finally, 'school hours' jobs tend to be the lowest paid and least value in career building. If you already have a career (and are returning part time after having children, it's a different story), but if you don't have those marketable skills/qualifications – you're likely to be stuck in a dead-end minimum-wage job, with no prospects of promotion. And also likely to be the first one fired if/when the business downsizes staff.
There is the option of funding 3-5 year old pre schools (no holidays) as we do primary schools (after hours and holiday programmes).
Sick leave is not required for older children with the flu (apart from the law about adult supervision for those under 14) and older children can care for the younger ones (in work income dependent families this happens).
For now a good option for sole parents is to job share and care for each others children – they can both work 20 hours and get free child care. This also covers the holidays and sickness (advantages the employer).
Where do you find part time regular hours jobs?
Under your hat?
Job ads dear Liza, job ads.
Having seen many people trying, and failing, to find jobs that fit in with having children and the need for childcare.
Even more impossible with a special needs child that gets expelled from daycare.
Jobs like that, are like Unicorns.
Not to mention the exorbatent costs of privatised childcare, the lack of after school care, and the waiting lists for Kindegartens. (Where parents are lucky to get a place for their child before age 4)
An answer is to job share (one the morning, the other the afternoon) and child care share. That means no child care cost.
Jobs in after school care and other care work might leads to an opportunity to work as a teacher aide.
And. Pigs might fly. Meanwhile. In the real world.
Employers offer part time uncertain "on call" work with irregular hours. Random on call 365 days a year without compensation is the norm, not an outlier. Few like job share arrangements. The chances of a group of mums being able to co-ordinate working hours to share childcare is almost non-existant.
Finance for Kindegartens, Teacher aids and help for special needs, never adequate, is being taken to with a scythe.
Childcare for "difficult" children doesn't exist unless you are extremely rich. Schools, lacking resources, send them home at any signs of issues. I know several parents who cannot keep a job because of this. One, who has a small business, loses customers and income regularly because of having to collect her ADHD child whenever the school has had enough.
Childcare providers insist on regular hours, and more than 20 hours a week so they can pad out their fees.
TBH I was kinda wondering where you were/are going with this ? You assume that the "partner" If there is one (might be non child friendly, unable,moved away….or even.. passed away)
Sounds like something a WINZ/MSD person might dream up ?
PLA, I was referring to two sole parents (this began with a story about a sole parent) providing child care for each others children while working part-time – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
If you look at it, they prefer teacher aides to have experience (but there is no qualification requirement) – basically after school care and care work is most relevant (or being a parent volunteering).
Not all employers.
Some working mornings, others the afternoons is not hard to organise.
I'm guessing from your comments that you've never been a single parent, and probably don't know any either (or know them well enough to understand the issues they have to deal with on a daily basis).
This all sounds like a theoretical exercise in a rose-tinted world.
Part-time work can work for some single parents. But it is certainly not easy. It's a lot harder if you're looking at minimum wage jobs. And, if you have any other issues going on (neurodivergent kid, ill health, etc) – it's going to be virtually impossible to keep a job. And, once you've lost one, your chances of getting another are diminished.
In the real world, if there is competition for jobs (which there certainly is at the bottom end of the market right now), job-sharing single-parents are not going to be the first choice for any employer.
BTW, you do realize that teacher aides and other school support roles don't get paid for the school holidays. What do you think the single-income family is going to live on over this period?
You're making the case for adequate income from benefits to support sole parents and or the need to make it easier for sole parents to work – whether part-time or full-time. Well done.
One idea is pre school free and fully funded like primary school is – from age 3 at least.
The other is better employment rules, to support the employment of sole parents.
I am simply stating what can be done now.
One sole parent (children under 5) offers to work the morning, the other the afternoon for the same employer. This allows each to care for all the kids when not working (no child care cost). Otherwise the two separately seek morning and afternoon work with separate employers to realise the same (no child care costs).
Sole parents working less than FT (only morning or afternoon) are still on the DPB.
Have you ever *tried* to work through variable hours payments with WINZ? It's a bureaucratic nightmare. People end up with benefits cut off, and with mandatory stand down times to get them re-established. Not to mention, the difficulty of even getting through to your 'case manager' using their phone system.
What 'better employment rules' are going to encourage businesses to split jobs – when they receive zero benefit from this, and have double the staff costs?
I think that you also have little understanding of the reality and trust required for effective job sharing. I'm guessing this is something else you've never done.
You have to get through the first 14 years of coughs, colds, tummy bugs and sniffles, before you can leave kids at home alone! Also, are you advocating keeping older kids out of school to mind younger ones. Really?
Really, most employers don't want job shares (given the choice) – it's double the amount of admin (payroll, etc) for the same job. With no more flexibility (you can't have both of the job share parents working extra hours over a busy period, because who minds the kids?) Employers can make it work, but they do so to cover roles with specific expertise that they can't easily fill. Hint: those are not minimum wage jobs.
I never had a parent at home when off school with cold or flu (but then again I walked home in the Wahine Storm while in primary school – great for impersonating a concorde and remaining off the ground).
The media has reported this is happening in Auckland.
The reason for employers practice is weak unions, carrying unemployment and access to easily exploited migrant labour.
The need for pre schools (3-5) being like primary schools (state funding) is obvious, as are better employment terms for parents of younger children.
Really. So you were home alone when you were sick from 5 years old?
And are advocating this as a responsible parenting solution?
The fact that older kids (almost always girls) are kept out of school to mind younger children, is a disgrace; not an option to be embraced.
The reason for the employers practice is that they make more money by hiring one full-time worker, than two job-share or part-time ones. Unions are never going to fix this (how do unions represent those people who aren't even employed). Full employment might – but when has that ever happened in your working lifetime? And there is no party in parliament now, who is realistically advocating for zero immigration, or even zero low-wage immigration.
Still an ivory tower intellectual exercise – totally divorced from the reality of people looking for work in 2024.
I can confirm that proper care for a Disabled child is at least ten times more than it was in the 80's. I know of parents who are skirting it some what, by hiring baby sitters so they can work. Which is a hell of responsibility to put on 16-17 year olds. But when your wages are shit – what ya going to do?
Its also of note that since the abatement rate was increased to $160 per week we have had inflation and wage increases, so any increase in earnings have just gone back to the government.
Hear, Hear.
Great piece SPC.
RNZ news has reported (7am & 8am this morning) Greenie Kevin Hackwell's critique of Luxon wanting to double our defense spending. Lux wants to toe the AUKUS line.
Perhaps Hackwell came out fast because he knows the Green Party's obsession with identity politics will continue to prevent them being a real opposition, and Labour are still doing complacency and irrelevance.
Luxon will have to specify what the increased spending will be on before anyone takes him seriously, which will require consensus between the three heads of the govt dog, and Winston is still busy barking at a passing car named Kiwirail.
Luxon has refrained from explaining that Russia and China have formed an Axis of Evil, which the white knights of capitalism must now tilt at. That would require use of an intellect, which he doesn't have. He just wants to be a team player, so postures demonstrating that must be presented on the global stage.
Just as likely, is that signalling an increase in defence spending is to defer a decision on AUKUS (the idea of co-operation between nations being an add-on to a nuclear powered sub deal with Oz by UK and USA was flawed).
And even then, CLuxon refers to a future defence plan, not yet decided on as to a purpose for the increased spending. It might well be a development over decades, as per the GW action – within economic constraints.
Intent, is not quick action. Hopefully he will look at sea lift and an Antarctica capable ship and an ocean going tug boat to manage our Cook Strait risk. And a plan to expand on the 5 Hercules air transport down the line (more or the Airbus alternative) and new passenger 757’s. Replacement of the frigates will pad out the budget.
Hackwell knows Greens will oppose increased defence spending, but there is nothing to oppose yet.
Gordon Campbell looks at what 2% GDP each year would mean.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2407/S00019/on-luxon-in-the-nato-pressure-cooker.htm
Increasing defence spending ? LOL
Its just smoke and mirrors to cover the current reduction- the Nats play this game all the time and the media fall for it.
Even commentors who show know better get sucked into 'what an increase would mean' memes . There isnt going to be an increase to 2% EVER
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-proposes-66-cut-defence-spending-amid-personnel-equipment-woes-2024-05-22/
"the proposed defence budget will fall to NZ$4.95 billion ($3.03 billion) for the year that ends in June 2025. This year's defence budget was NZ$5.3 billion."
Exactly.
They might shell out a few more dollars to buy CL a new plane to get about in, (after
cutting"saving" monies elsewhere in Defence funding) but that's as far as it goes.Why don't we put some guns on the new cook strait ferries. Then we could take them out of the overcommitted transport budget and get them into the defence spending
What's incredible is that in the photos you can hardly see the puppet masters strings…
David Seymour : Prime Minister. (Well, acting PM )
As if thats not bad enough, a reminder of some of his crew….
Cameron a denier….
Trump? MAGA? et al..
And ex FedFarm now ACT Hoggard…
Recent news reports state that a South Canterbury business (which started in 2021) has gone into liquidation owing $1.5 million tax to Inland Revenue. Incredibly, one reason given for the shutdown of the business was not allowing for taxation.
On 12 July Inland Revenue issued a press release stating in part:
" … we’re prioritising our compliance work to follow up outstanding returns, collect overdue debt, and prosecute taxpayers where necessary, … "
Coincidence?
Somniloquy?
Liquidates company ( $1.5m +hole) registers a new one 3 hours later
https://www.reddit.com/r/chch/comments/1dzsx43/south_canterbury_director_starts_new_company/
Look who's woken up. (goes to archivedotli)
/
@washingtonpost.com
·
3h
The plan also includes infusing Christian nationalism into every facet of government policy by calling for a ban on pornography and promoting policies that encourage “marriage, work, motherhood, fatherhood, and nuclear families.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/12/project-2025-summary-trump/
https://bsky.app/profile/washingtonpost.com/post/3kx47rlktho2x
TDB helpfully illuminates the next in off the list if Tana resigns. https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2024/07/12/comparing-tana-to-genter-and-how-the-greens-are-about-to-leap-out-of-the-woke-frying-pan-into-the-identity-politics-fire/
A commentator there quotes from Benjamin Doyle’s masters thesis:
You can see why Chloe went public with her impassioned appeal recently. The prospect of being able to bombard the media with such utterances would enthrall any pc-driven Green Party parliamentarian. Speak truth to power, comrades!
Ok boomer, you think that Chlöe Swarbrick is a PC-driven parliamentarian.
I think there's more to her than that. The extent of the constraining effect of an in-crowd on one's view of what's feasible in a situation seems to have more of an influence on political behaviour than one's instinctive responses.
I noticed that James never tried to reframe the party positioning in opportunities where it would have enhanced it's public appeal but disturbed his colleagues. Yet I knew the guy enough to trust his instincts and judgment to considerable extent. When party constraints (due to ethos) limit a leader's options, the party suffers the consequences from not being able to extend popular support…
Then why did you reduce a complex personality such as hers to a caricature of a PC-driven parliamentarian?
Huh? It seems you’re no longer talking about Chlöe Swarbrick but in abstract general terms!?
Your second paragraph is your typical mash of concepts and issues thrown together in inedible word soup.
You seem to criticise Swarbrick’s leadership – she’s been Co-Leader for only 4 months – when it’s clear that you neither know nor understand her. Then you revert again to some generic waffle about party politics and inner workings that you’re not privy to either.
None of what you wrote so far seems to have any bearing on the succession of Darleen Tana or Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis. Again, you criticise the Party and its Co-Leader without substance and based on innuendo and snide remarks.
No, my point has always been about the collective mind-set that continues to handicap the Greens. Her conformity is understandable in that context.
Curiouser and curiouser, so it wasn’t about anything in particular then, not about Chlöe Swarbrick, Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis, or James Shaw!? Not clear either what exactly you’re negating.
The Greens need strong authoritarian leadership, e.g., the egotistical authoritarian style of the National Party without the unnecessary consensus approach to decision making, which fits so well with its Randian doctrine. The Green Party should just emulate that?
What conformity? To the Green Party values, policies, or processes? To the contents or foundational principles of Benjamin Doyle’s Master’s thesis? Seems it’s all in your head and you’re looking for a pivot to have a tilt at your usual windmills.
Chloe Swarbrick could take out a .303 into mainstream Te Kuiti and shoot a farmer dead, and her 12% base wouldn't so much as fan themselves.
Her parliamentary "comrades" are some of the weakest the Greens have ever had, but Green supporters just don't care.
Well this Green supporter (not a member) does! Tana out – now. And I want them to be a lot more careful over candidate selection in future.
There is hope for NZ science after all!
Kudos to the authors of these two articles in Science for daring to speak truth to power, and to the editor who found the courage to accept these articles for publication – she risked being fired due to activist backlash. Few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.
Contrast with the behaviour of the Royal Society of NZ (supposedly a scientific body) who considered cancelling the membership of three scientist who dared to question the previous government’s decree that maatauranga is “co-equal” with so-called Western Science. Instead of promoting and defending science, RSNZ continues to peddle ideology: https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/envisioning-a-fairer-future-auckland.
And 2. Kind of you to include the measured response to the two anti letters, which takes apart the ideas they push. Basically, they make false equivalence by applying only the 'scientific' worldview as having value in education. Which is the whole point of presenting students with different cultural perspectives.
The response of Black and Tylianakis doesn't "take apart" anything – like you, all they have to offer is pedantry and equivocation. And it's not clear that you've understood much – contrary to what you've just said, neither of the two critiques claims that only the scientific worldview has value in education. They're attempting to circumscribe what does and doesn't belong in 21st century science classes. By all means teach traditional Maaori worldviews at school, but don't try to compel me to teach it in my science classes. I'm especially glad that Matzke has exposed the inclusion of vitalism (a debunked idea) in the NZ science curriculum.
But seeing you're interested in "different cultural perspectives", how would you feel about teaching kids the biblical creation story at school? After all, some Kiwis have fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
As has already been pointed out to you, these are letters, not “articles”, as you falsely claim. Given that you work in a NZ university, you would know the difference.
Jennifer Sills is the Senior Letters Editor of the journal Science and her areas of responsibility are Letters (https://www.science.org/content/page/meet-editors). An Editor is not a Censor.
You’re fearmongering about a risk of being fired for doing her job and doing it well. You also made up the ‘activist backlash’ that would lead to this. You have no evidence for either and it’s basically BS.
Ok, again, where’s your evidence for this assertion? These letters are intelligent, well-written, and evidence-based that criticise one position and defend another one and as such, they are without and above your illusory cries of “racism”, which is not mentioned even once. It looks to me that’s where you want to drag this.
Your description of RSNZ as a biased organisation captured by ideology is misleading, as demonstrated by the link that you provided. It’s one thing to criticise RSNZ for handling of the case but it’s another one to paint them as the enemy. As you know, RSNZ did not cancel anybody’s membership.
https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/statement-in-relation-to-complaints-about-a-letter-to-the-new-zealand-listener/
If you want to join and contribute to this debate then you should take a leaf out of those letters and response and provide intelligent evidence-based comment instead of misleading innuendo.
"these are letters, not “articles”
So what? How does that invalidate anything I've said? Hopefully you have more to offer than pedantry.
"As you know, RSNZ did not cancel anybody’s membership."
As YOU know, I did not say that RSNZ cancelled anybody's membership. I stated (correctly) that they considered doing so: https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/11/17/royal-society-investigation-into-matauranga-maori-letter-sparks-academic-debate/
It is shameful that RSNZ even considered taking such action against the academics who dared to question government policy.
"An Editor is not a Censor."
Editors have the discretion to reject contributions that they deem unsuitable – you know this perfectly well. And when I was an editor of a NZ journal, I was pressured by my boss to reject an article for political reasons ("racism") – pressure that I did not succumb to.
"Ok, again, where’s your evidence for this assertion?" [that few if any editors of NZ journals would dare accept articles like these, terrified as we are of cries of “racism”.]
Why have no similar critiques been published in NZ journals? Can tell me that, Incognito? Here is evidence of the sort of pressures and accusations that await anyone who sticks their head above the parapet of current political orthodoxy:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/447898/university-academics-claim-matauranga-maori-not-science-sparks-controversy
https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/07/31/dismissing-matauranga-maori-racism-and-arrogance-in-academia/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/08/m-ori-scientists-say-slow-violence-of-racism-drives-them-out-of-universities.html
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/experts-shaun-hendy-and-siouxsie-wiles-among-those-rejecting-claim-maori-knowledge-isnt-science-as-scientific-racism/QQSKY6Y2CBP7ONYRXXL3VUUBN4/
Lapped up by an uncritical media.
More evidence of the climate of fear: https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300889028/academics-dont-feel-free-to-air-controversial-opinions-according-to-survey
"Your description of RSNZ as a biased organisation captured by ideology is misleading, as demonstrated by the link that you provided"
As demonstrated by the link I provided? How so?
You're not doing the left any favours by gaslighting readers about the state of science and science education in NZ, or by misrepresenting other people's comments.
It casts doubt on your credibility and your retort further emphasises that you’re not commenting in good faith but with intent to mislead and gaslight exclaiming that “There is hope for NZ science after all!”, but not thanks to you.
The initial reaction by RSNZ to the open letter in The Listener can be considered an over-reaction. However, they followed due process and things were not taken any further.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/127919019/controversial-listener-letter-deemed-not-worthy-of-royal-society-investigation
You’re trying to paint RSNZ in a much worse light than is justified based on this and cherry-picking one link only shows your biased agenda.
So, in your mind, it was for political reasons, not because RSNZ received five complaints? Which specific ‘government policy’ are you referring to?
Indeed, editors follow the editorial policies of the publication, and censors have to classify and reject objectionable material. Jennifer Sills did a good job and there was nothing too controversial in any of those letters or in the response for that matter to warrant rejection by her on any other (NZ) journal editor. You’re looking for something that isn’t there.
Was this a science journal? How did your situation compare to those two letters in Science? Where is the ‘racism’ in those letters in Science? Did you lose your position as Editor because of it? What does it have to do with anything? Where is your evidence that Jennifer Sills risked her job and where’s your evidence for an ‘activist backlash’ that would cause this? Without any other information we cannot verify your personal anecdote and you only provide more BS to support your previous BS claims & assertions.
BTW, as a former Editor you would care more about the distinction between a ‘letter’ and an ‘article’ submitted to and published in reputable scientific journal.
Why do you answer my question with another question? If such letters have been submitted to NZ journals and rejected because ‘terrified as we are of cries of “racism”’ then provide your evidence. Without it this is just dangerous speculation on your behalf. So, put up or shut up.
None of those links point to political interference at NZ journals as you implied.
Sure, and by overzealous crusaders like you who want to stoke controversy, polarise, and seed division, it appears.
As I said, you’re fearmongering, together with the uncritical media that lap it up and spread it further to increase their revenue, which raises the question about your motives.
One cherry-picked link that is supposedly representative of all things done by RSNZ and their capture by ideology as alleged by you. You’re making it up as you go, don’t you? No room for error or doubt in your fixed & fixated mind.
What has ‘the left’ got to do with it? Poking holes in your disingenuous comments on this site is a dirty job that I’ll happily do as a service to all TS readers. No debate will ever be served by commentary such as yours.
Bryan Crump is busy trying to force his own right-wing views onto Grant Robertson while interviewing him in the "playing favourites" spot on Saturday Morning on RadioNZ.
His latest question was (paraphrasing) that "instead of enforcing vaccine mandates wouldn't it have been better to simply enforce mask wearing and wouldn't this have avoided the occupation outside parliament."
Earlier he asked questions that questioned the Labour government's over-spending and its resultant responsibility for the cost of living crisis.
Worth a listen if only to scream at the radio.
In which case a link would be helpful.
Sounds like Cramp is propagating a false dichotomy and equivalence of mask wearing vs. vaccination. They are, of course, complementary and additive measures of risk mitigation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_cheese_model
No link up yet Incog. Was still ongoing when I posted.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday
Okidoki
Not a huge fan of Peter Zeihan, but every now and again he speaks truth to power.
Yes adam. If only political parties would groom a Leaderly Successor! NZ included.
In a sentence…
jkfecke
As many people have said, the main problem with his age is that she's Black.
https://www.threads.net/@jkfecke/post/C9VXQPfuD-H
Sure Harris as black and female is a political liability to becoming US President.
But the core to her political weaknss is that the southern border issue has been her primary policy focus. That is really, really important to winning Presidential and down-ballot votes in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Trump has owned the southern border issue since 2016 and the Republicans see it for the electoral lever it truly is for them. But when you look underneath the hood, Harris has rallied private sector investment into border-adjacent areas of more than US$5.2billion from over 50 companies and organisations.
Also, border incursion encounters have fallen from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras from over 700,000 in 2021 to 330,000 as of May this year, so arguably she's been effective.
If you go back to Harris's 2019 presidential campaign there's a clear hint that, should she become president, she may attempt a more aggressive use of executive action when it comes to granting protection to some illegal immigrants.
In her campaign platform, Harris promised to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) by executive order – which gives protection to illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. She said she would eliminate age requirements on applications, and use parole authority to create a "parole in place" program to put those illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship. Her campaign estimated that the executive actions would result in more than 2 million "Dreamers" being given a pathway to citizenship.
And that – not the colour of her skin – is where the US southern voter prejudice from both white and settled Latinos really kicks in against Harris and for Trump. The only way now for the centre-left to win again anywhere including the White House is to go super-hard against immigration.
There was an agreement on aid to Ukraine and the border/immigration but Trump demanded the GOP in Congress abandon it.