Rain has begun falling in Riverton, easing what was becoming a very dry spring. My newly potted-up almond trees will be loving it! The rain hasn’t lessened the volume or intensity of the dawn chorus though – those birds are giving full-throat to greeting the day. I’m grafting apple trees today, and writing a column about tadpoles. Did you know…lettuce, boiled for 20 minutes then cooled, is good food for tadpoles, or at least that’s what’s recommended on tadpole-raising sites. They certainly do get stuck into it but last night, as I drifted toward sleep, it occurred to me that duckweed, similarly heat-treated, would excite them as much, so today, I’m giving that a try. I know this isn’t politics, but like most TS readers, I do stuff other than tap the keys and belly-ache over election results and someone might find it interesting 🙂
It’s been very dry in Queenstown too Robert, though perhaps it’s more typical for us than it is for you in Riverton. Yesterday morning, up early, I went out to put the sprinkler on the pots on the patio. As the sun came up over the Remarks the temperature dropped from about 4c to just below 0c and I stood in the kitchen watching the water droplets turn to ice as they fell.
Scott of the Antarctic! Yeah, the Gibbston Valley was dryasabone when we were there last weekend and chilly first thing but once the sun gets up into the sky, it can bake ya! I was once walking the Nevis in mid summer and got snowed in. Bit sad how the Remarkables got carved by roads and drowned out by the sound of incoming jets, imo. I did enjoy seeing the big hot air balloon drifting across the face though; that’s a technology I support, though I wouldn’t go up in one 🙂
Hot air balloons are magic. I flew in one in Turkey above the unforgettable landscape of Cappadocia. After an hour aloft, the pilot brought us back to within 50 metres of our lift-off point. The only mildly challenging point was when we sailed across the top of a spire which are rather ‘pointy’ when viewed from directly above.
Our balloon trip in Cappadocia was above a man and his donkey trotting off to his market garden. A funny angle to view a donkey.
Our pilot hugged the ground and slightly misjudged the proximity, and the graunch of the basket scraping a prominent rock added to our fun.
I wished that he would fly like a skylark but he wouldn’t.
“The lark in the morning she rises off her nest
She goes home in the evening with the dew all on her breast
And like the jolly ploughboy she whistles and she sings
She goes home in the evening with the dew all on her wings”.
I viewed a painting by Colin McCahon in May in Wellington titled “The Lark’s Song”. In my head, the words of “The Lark in the Morning” provided perfect rhythmic accompaniment to his brushwork.
Rosellas always chatter away while flying – not strictly speaking song I guess. I live on a hill and I hear them coming up the valley well before they get here. I have never seen one on its own – they are usually in a group of six or so – and the only time they are quiet seems to be when they are eating.
They definitely have Aussie characteristics – loud, brash, colourful and confident.
I once saw them attack some Mynas in a rather spectacular fashion. There was a small group of Mynas that would regularly gather in a tree close to my house and then one day a bunch of Rosellas flew up the valley with murderous intent (or so it seemed to me, watching from my kitchen window). There was a huge kerfuffle with lot of shrieking and an astonishing flurry of colourful feathers before the Mynas took off. The amount of gleeful chattering from the Rosellas suggested they had enjoyed the battle immensely. The Mynas have never returned to that tree.
I spent yesterday repairing fencing on my farm and it was exhausting but I needed to relax after the “mediafast” on the election.
Now we need to let the process evolve as we do know that NZF has at the centre of ther pocicy the saving of our country from the “National Party policy of wholesale selling of NZ”
Good fences, they say, make good neighbours. I guess that’s what negotiations are all about – bridges, sure, but fences, certainly. I’m very hopeful, cleangreen, but like others here who felt the pain of disappointment at the last 3 elections, I am keeping my composure in case I need to be staunch. A good result though, will have me waxing lyrical.
Thanks, Tony, that’s marvelous from Frost (frost too, can bring down walls, stone walls at least). I’m with Mr Frost regarding the saying, though it’s popular enough down here in rural Southland. I believe fences to be the result of wrong-thinking and would have them gone. I’m orchard, you see.
Yes, pervious to people and diverse of makeup. Hedgerows are magic. A hedgerowed New Zealand would be a world Heritage Park right there! And we could feed ourselves from them, just for starters!
Hedgerows have to be multicultural, as they are in Britain. Foolishly, and typically, we went for the monoculture version here. We are still holding top that principle; our landscape is essentially ryegrass.
Dumb
Dumb
Dumb.
Collecting tadpoles has been a spring time ritual since I was a kid and so it is with my kids now. One year I sold a few on trademe but stopped as some people wanted to keep them once they’d turned into frogs as pets for their kids. We always just let them hop away out of the container into the bushes when they’re ready.
Always feed them duck weed, but raw, never saw the need to boil it. They do love commercial fresh water fish flakes too.
A tiny teeney little frog croaked at me once. So cool.
Tadpoles are awesome, even though they’re Australian. (The Green Bell frog). Unfortunately we don’t see the native species up here in the north.
Hey, Brigid – a fellow tadpoleophile…or something like that! They fascinate me; their endless bumping against the glass, their waving ribbons of tails; I watched last night as in turn, some would drift, motionless, through the medium as if in a trance, while the others continued to go about their pollywog business of grazing algae and bumping into stuff. I find the emergence of their legs; rear. one two, front, three four, to be entrancing. Then the absorption of the tail and the first gulping breath through the mouth and into the newly-created lung – just amazing. Mine are Australians also; Brown Whistling frogs, but I’ve seen natives, though they were inside of plastic; very beautiful, our native frogs and a great travesty to find they are so close to extinct. I’m on the lookout for Golden Bells, but am aware of the need to not move stock around the countryside as that spreads ailments. My whistlers will go back to the site they came from (my neighbourhood) once they’re terrestrial. Once, when I was a boy, on a family holiday to the West Coast of the South Island, we stayed overnight in a motel at Manakaiawa, where we couldn’t sleep for the piping of the whistling frogs! heavenly!
🙂
And also interesting is collecting them as eggs and seeing them hatch into the teeniest wriggling speck. Before long they’re big fat tadpole blobs and if you put your hand in the water they rush over to nibble on your fingers.
And yes when the legs start appearing, it’s an important announcement in this house hold.
Once fully formed frogs though they become rather aloof and aren’t at all interested in any communication other than with their own kind.
Yes. I collected spawn for this community of tadpoles I’m watching now. Aloof, you say?
Oh yes, you don’t get fond looks or loving coos from a frog, you just have to love their clammy ways. For me, it’s the leaping of the young whistlers, to land, tongue extended, on a fly – splat would describe that landing well and for the “water-frogs” it’s the way they hang suspended on the surface of the water, arms and legs akimbo, eyes and nostrils breaking the surface. I spent many, many hours as a kid…
And
“The lethal chytrid fungus disease, widespread in Australia, means the southern bell frog faces extinction there, and the green and golden bell frog may also be at risk. New Zealand could have been a refuge for them – but now the fungus has arrived. It was identified in the southern bell frog in Christchurch over the summer of 1999–2000 by researcher Bruce Waldman.”
We get our eggs from a pond in a new subdivision up the road a bit. But in a few years it will be too polluted to support frogs, as all the others have become in the district;
We’ll be out of here by then I hope. Just got to get out of Dodge.
From DOC “The introduced Green and golden bell frog breeds in artificial dune land ponds and some natural seasonal wetlands. While not an indigenous protected
species in New Zealand, this country is now home to the largest population of
this species world-wide. With the species now endangered in its native
Australia, there are international reasons for looking after this frog.”
I go to the Uretiti DOC camp quite a lot and sometimes hear the frogs croaking away in the ponds that form when there has been a lot of rain
“this country is now home to the largest population of this species world-wide”
That’s astonishing!! I’m genuinely taken-aback by that news, thanks, Jan! I know where there is a population of these, not so far from here and bearing in mind the need to conserve and not destroy, I’m going to see if I can improve their chances of expansion. Tomorrow’s mission.
I love the sound of the whistling frogs in my flax here on the West Coast. Collecting taddies in jam jars was a favourite childhood pastime. Occasionally a tiny froglet would escape in the bedroom and whistle at night from under the bed. Used to find bullfrog tadpoles too. As a young child, my daughter mentioned that she’d never seen a frog. Sad.
Hi beatie – good point about children not knowing about tadpoles and frogs – I’m introducing all of the very young children I know; grandchildren, children of my children’s friends etc, to my tadpoles whenever they visit; they love them! They’ll love them more when they transform into frogs then they’ll understand how the chirpy little fellows come to be all about the neighbourhood.
Finally. Someone coming up with the obvious about the “car-culture” in NZ: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11932273
First step to improving the situation is recognising and understanding the problems. Unfortunately, and expected I might add, the article was moved from the “front-page” within minutes.
As a cyclist, road safety has been a hobby horse of mine for a number of years now.
“Transport policies continue to prioritise traffic flow and reliability for motorists over safety for everyone.”
No truer word said. The classic case in point is these giant, single lane into two lane roundabout and then back to single lane that predominate now. They seem to be designed to move traffic as fast as possible instead of as safely as possible. They are used more as an overtaking opportunity than as a method to control an intersection.
100lm/h open highway speeds on roads that would barely qualify for 80km/h in most first world countries yet we drive on them like we are on the Nurburgring.
Driving used to be a pleasure for me. Now it is something I avoid as much as possible.
Yes Kevin I agree about the fast speeds of 100 on some inadequate state highways. And some motorists seem to be relying too much on the quality of the car to hold to corners, don’t seem to brake at all.
I once followed a very confident and quick driver on a windy hill road, he braked briefly and then turned into the corner, and accelerated out at the required speed to match the road line and the next corner. But trying to do a steady 100 kmh over many of the roads is scary. There can’t be much safety space left for anything unexpected happening.
Transport Agency is not controlled by either government or citizens I think. It should be more collaborative. We used to have an option to put in safety ideas for our local area, but this has been dropped.
That means the Road Transport Forum and the AA are our equivalent of the NRA, I think all three should be labelled a terrorist organisation for lives cost annually, arrest all members and hold without charge in gitmo 🙂
Wouldn’t need to be very high, td; In fact, I do have such a bridge; I call it the “hump-backed bridge” whenever I lead my grandsons across it and while I don’t press the point, they both know full-well, it’s trolled.
Thanks, I wondered where james was-under your bridge. I suppose with Winston “shagging around like some old woman at a christening ” james is keeping a low profile.
James, when you’re out from under my bridge, sniffing around blogs looking to “amuse” yourself, would you mind cleaning up the mess you leave behind? After all, I’m not charging you rent; picking up your empty baked bean cans and pizza boxes is the very least you could do, there’s a good wee troll 🙂
I began my on-line “career” trolling Kiwiblog and I know I should be ashamed, but it was riotously funny, though they soon rounded and became nasty. Farrar booted me off on a trumped-up charge, and I returned under another guise, but style must out and I was booted again and again till I got bored. Trolling is great practice for anyone who likes words, but if you talk too smart, you won’t be understood or appreciated, especially over there on troglodyte blog. Actually, there are some smart cookies commenting there, it’s just that they’re pushed into the shade by the foam-flecked-chin brigade. I see some of “us” there on my occasional visits. What’s happened to Frogblog, I wonder?Great fun was had there in days gone by, supporting the Green kaupapa and wrasslin’ with right-wing trolls and assorted snipers. Big Bruv attracted my barbs and didn’t think much of my smarty-pants ways 🙂
It’s a shame that the right don’t have a place for intelligent RW debate. Maybe that’s why they bother coming here.
I was under the impression that the Greens eventually saw their blog as a liability. Better to let greenies go have their own space I think, distanced from parliament. We could do with some more green bloggers here on TS.
These think tanks – talking it up? The article above on Taiwan and China and USA:
The US’ arms sales to Taiwan was the biggest factor helping Taiwan to be involved in international politics, but it is unwise for Taiwan and the US to continue increasing arms sales in bilateral relations, Easton said….
Taiwan’s counterattack capabilities pose a threat to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), but it should expand its arsenal of long-range and shoulder-launched missiles, drones, fighter jets and cannons, and deploy weapons with lower lethality in areas closest to China,
Sounds like he is shilling for some defence/attack armament company.
Halfway down is an excellent Video: “Lord Deben discusses political and industrial responses to climate change with Rod Oram.”
He expresses opinions about NZs position and how it is sad that we (National) have let it be a political battle instead of a community problem solving issue.
Have a look at the Party tab on the RSS feeds of the right of the desktop site. This collects whatever Labour and the Greens are pumping out on their sites that is accessible via RSS.
There are currently 3 items from Labour, the latest from 6 days ago. I guess that they and the Greens have other things on their minds.
Incidentally before anyone asks, NZ First seems to only use email and the other parties from the centre to the left don’t seem to put anything out via RSS any more.
Its Friday the 13th, its been a long, long frustrating week, and we still don’t know.
Having just caught up on things here and noted that there was some discussion on Daily Review last night on the “Beardy hipster spook”. here is a link to more pictures and comments etc from back in August.
There is a lot of talk about Peters “dictating” to the bigger parties and that National should get to negotiate with NZF.
It could be done by Nat inviting NZF to discuss options for 5-6 days.
Then NZF could say that there were not satisfied so will now talk to Labour for 5-6days.
Then NZF could discuss among themselves the pros and cons.
Then NZF could go back to one or other for details.
OR
NZF could discuss policy with NAt and Labour separately for 5-6 days, then retire for caucus discussions.
Let me see. Which process would be best? Mmmm…
(Footnote. Seymour could be invited as a consultant.)
In a written statement, a spokeswoman said: “There is no truth to the speculation you’ve reported that we’re about to sign a deal with any company, local or offshore, for thousands of panellised houses.
It’s apparently a billion dollar deal which you would hope is outside the ambit of the current caretaker government. An incoming administration will probably have other ideas.
Well when under scrutiny the liar can always claim truth if there is one small item in a statement that is incorrect, even if the rest is valid. Possibly the deal is for hundreds of panellised houses, not thousands.
Bryce Edwards has put up:” Political Roundup: Signs of a Labour-NZ First government.”
Some reassuring stuff there after the deluge of Right wing bluster.
Winston Peters says NZ First board meeting will be on Monday.
‘NZ First will hold an all day joint-caucus and board meeting on Monday to decide which party to give their support to.
Leader Winston Peters told media on Friday that the board members will be flying in to Wellington from all over the country on Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Peters told media he has a “serious comprehensive dossier” from both parties to take to his caucus and board, promising that a new Government would be decided by next Friday.‘
“Nearly three weeks after New Zealand’s general election, the country is waiting for an anonymous, unelected board of individuals belonging to a minor party to make a decision on who forms the next government.”
Look JC , it is understandable, Tracey had to wait to draw the meat raffle, and Bill was calling the bingo. These guys have responsibilities way in advance of the NZF Board.
The decision will also incorporate the elected MPs and no doubt there will be some unelected people involved with the other parties as well. So what. The end result matters and then there will be real anger from National supporters when Labour NZF and Green step up to become our next Government.
“Brady’s report highlights the numerous former National MPs who have joined the boards of Chinese banks; Ruth Richardson and Chris Tremain are directors of Bank of China in New Zealand; Don Brash chairs the Industrial Bank of China in New Zealand; and former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley chairs the New Zealand subsidiary of the China Construction Bank.’”
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Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
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Rain has begun falling in Riverton, easing what was becoming a very dry spring. My newly potted-up almond trees will be loving it! The rain hasn’t lessened the volume or intensity of the dawn chorus though – those birds are giving full-throat to greeting the day. I’m grafting apple trees today, and writing a column about tadpoles. Did you know…lettuce, boiled for 20 minutes then cooled, is good food for tadpoles, or at least that’s what’s recommended on tadpole-raising sites. They certainly do get stuck into it but last night, as I drifted toward sleep, it occurred to me that duckweed, similarly heat-treated, would excite them as much, so today, I’m giving that a try. I know this isn’t politics, but like most TS readers, I do stuff other than tap the keys and belly-ache over election results and someone might find it interesting 🙂
You are going from politics to religion with this “lettuce-spray” 😉
Ha!
I kept away from leeks, too, as those are common in politics. And potatoes, given the several mentions of Jim Bolger on TS lately.
Any problems in the veges, you can usually fix with a lot of lye.
Well, I guess Auckland has had your share of spring rain. Good that you are getting some today.
It becomes political whent there’s excessive droughts and fires.
Not so great in California right now.
It’s been very dry in Queenstown too Robert, though perhaps it’s more typical for us than it is for you in Riverton. Yesterday morning, up early, I went out to put the sprinkler on the pots on the patio. As the sun came up over the Remarks the temperature dropped from about 4c to just below 0c and I stood in the kitchen watching the water droplets turn to ice as they fell.
Scott of the Antarctic! Yeah, the Gibbston Valley was dryasabone when we were there last weekend and chilly first thing but once the sun gets up into the sky, it can bake ya! I was once walking the Nevis in mid summer and got snowed in. Bit sad how the Remarkables got carved by roads and drowned out by the sound of incoming jets, imo. I did enjoy seeing the big hot air balloon drifting across the face though; that’s a technology I support, though I wouldn’t go up in one 🙂
Hot air balloons are magic. I flew in one in Turkey above the unforgettable landscape of Cappadocia. After an hour aloft, the pilot brought us back to within 50 metres of our lift-off point. The only mildly challenging point was when we sailed across the top of a spire which are rather ‘pointy’ when viewed from directly above.
Our balloon trip in Cappadocia was above a man and his donkey trotting off to his market garden. A funny angle to view a donkey.
Our pilot hugged the ground and slightly misjudged the proximity, and the graunch of the basket scraping a prominent rock added to our fun.
I wished that he would fly like a skylark but he wouldn’t.
Is it true that the skylark is the only bird that sings whilst flying?
Herons croak in flight, but don’t sing. Blackbirds pipe on the wing, but…
Blackbirds screech warnings as they take off. I guess most songbirds sing from a tree or pole. Must watch out.
“The lark in the morning she rises off her nest
She goes home in the evening with the dew all on her breast
And like the jolly ploughboy she whistles and she sings
She goes home in the evening with the dew all on her wings”.
I viewed a painting by Colin McCahon in May in Wellington titled “The Lark’s Song”. In my head, the words of “The Lark in the Morning” provided perfect rhythmic accompaniment to his brushwork.
Rosellas always chatter away while flying – not strictly speaking song I guess. I live on a hill and I hear them coming up the valley well before they get here. I have never seen one on its own – they are usually in a group of six or so – and the only time they are quiet seems to be when they are eating.
Do they have an Aussie accent?
They definitely have Aussie characteristics – loud, brash, colourful and confident.
I once saw them attack some Mynas in a rather spectacular fashion. There was a small group of Mynas that would regularly gather in a tree close to my house and then one day a bunch of Rosellas flew up the valley with murderous intent (or so it seemed to me, watching from my kitchen window). There was a huge kerfuffle with lot of shrieking and an astonishing flurry of colourful feathers before the Mynas took off. The amount of gleeful chattering from the Rosellas suggested they had enjoyed the battle immensely. The Mynas have never returned to that tree.
Hi Robert,
I spent yesterday repairing fencing on my farm and it was exhausting but I needed to relax after the “mediafast” on the election.
Now we need to let the process evolve as we do know that NZF has at the centre of ther pocicy the saving of our country from the “National Party policy of wholesale selling of NZ”
I believe in NZF vision.
Good fences, they say, make good neighbours. I guess that’s what negotiations are all about – bridges, sure, but fences, certainly. I’m very hopeful, cleangreen, but like others here who felt the pain of disappointment at the last 3 elections, I am keeping my composure in case I need to be staunch. A good result though, will have me waxing lyrical.
Robert Frost questions that saying, Robert.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44266/mending-wall
Thanks, Tony, that’s marvelous from Frost (frost too, can bring down walls, stone walls at least). I’m with Mr Frost regarding the saying, though it’s popular enough down here in rural Southland. I believe fences to be the result of wrong-thinking and would have them gone. I’m orchard, you see.
hedgerows?
Yes, pervious to people and diverse of makeup. Hedgerows are magic. A hedgerowed New Zealand would be a world Heritage Park right there! And we could feed ourselves from them, just for starters!
Strange that the Brits didn’t bring that tradition with them.
I think they did – but in the form of gorse!
No natural enemies – out of control!
Hedgerows have to be multicultural, as they are in Britain. Foolishly, and typically, we went for the monoculture version here. We are still holding top that principle; our landscape is essentially ryegrass.
Dumb
Dumb
Dumb.
Collecting tadpoles has been a spring time ritual since I was a kid and so it is with my kids now. One year I sold a few on trademe but stopped as some people wanted to keep them once they’d turned into frogs as pets for their kids. We always just let them hop away out of the container into the bushes when they’re ready.
Always feed them duck weed, but raw, never saw the need to boil it. They do love commercial fresh water fish flakes too.
A tiny teeney little frog croaked at me once. So cool.
Tadpoles are awesome, even though they’re Australian. (The Green Bell frog). Unfortunately we don’t see the native species up here in the north.
Hey, Brigid – a fellow tadpoleophile…or something like that! They fascinate me; their endless bumping against the glass, their waving ribbons of tails; I watched last night as in turn, some would drift, motionless, through the medium as if in a trance, while the others continued to go about their pollywog business of grazing algae and bumping into stuff. I find the emergence of their legs; rear. one two, front, three four, to be entrancing. Then the absorption of the tail and the first gulping breath through the mouth and into the newly-created lung – just amazing. Mine are Australians also; Brown Whistling frogs, but I’ve seen natives, though they were inside of plastic; very beautiful, our native frogs and a great travesty to find they are so close to extinct. I’m on the lookout for Golden Bells, but am aware of the need to not move stock around the countryside as that spreads ailments. My whistlers will go back to the site they came from (my neighbourhood) once they’re terrestrial. Once, when I was a boy, on a family holiday to the West Coast of the South Island, we stayed overnight in a motel at Manakaiawa, where we couldn’t sleep for the piping of the whistling frogs! heavenly!
🙂
And also interesting is collecting them as eggs and seeing them hatch into the teeniest wriggling speck. Before long they’re big fat tadpole blobs and if you put your hand in the water they rush over to nibble on your fingers.
And yes when the legs start appearing, it’s an important announcement in this house hold.
Once fully formed frogs though they become rather aloof and aren’t at all interested in any communication other than with their own kind.
Yes. I collected spawn for this community of tadpoles I’m watching now. Aloof, you say?
Oh yes, you don’t get fond looks or loving coos from a frog, you just have to love their clammy ways. For me, it’s the leaping of the young whistlers, to land, tongue extended, on a fly – splat would describe that landing well and for the “water-frogs” it’s the way they hang suspended on the surface of the water, arms and legs akimbo, eyes and nostrils breaking the surface. I spent many, many hours as a kid…
Interesting stuff here.
https://teara.govt.nz/en/frogs.
Rather a lot I didn’t know.
And
“The lethal chytrid fungus disease, widespread in Australia, means the southern bell frog faces extinction there, and the green and golden bell frog may also be at risk. New Zealand could have been a refuge for them – but now the fungus has arrived. It was identified in the southern bell frog in Christchurch over the summer of 1999–2000 by researcher Bruce Waldman.”
We get our eggs from a pond in a new subdivision up the road a bit. But in a few years it will be too polluted to support frogs, as all the others have become in the district;
We’ll be out of here by then I hope. Just got to get out of Dodge.
Jeepers, Brigid! Grab yer frogs ‘n’ runfrit!
From DOC “The introduced Green and golden bell frog breeds in artificial dune land ponds and some natural seasonal wetlands. While not an indigenous protected
species in New Zealand, this country is now home to the largest population of
this species world-wide. With the species now endangered in its native
Australia, there are international reasons for looking after this frog.”
I go to the Uretiti DOC camp quite a lot and sometimes hear the frogs croaking away in the ponds that form when there has been a lot of rain
“this country is now home to the largest population of this species world-wide”
That’s astonishing!! I’m genuinely taken-aback by that news, thanks, Jan! I know where there is a population of these, not so far from here and bearing in mind the need to conserve and not destroy, I’m going to see if I can improve their chances of expansion. Tomorrow’s mission.
I love the sound of the whistling frogs in my flax here on the West Coast. Collecting taddies in jam jars was a favourite childhood pastime. Occasionally a tiny froglet would escape in the bedroom and whistle at night from under the bed. Used to find bullfrog tadpoles too. As a young child, my daughter mentioned that she’d never seen a frog. Sad.
Hi beatie – good point about children not knowing about tadpoles and frogs – I’m introducing all of the very young children I know; grandchildren, children of my children’s friends etc, to my tadpoles whenever they visit; they love them! They’ll love them more when they transform into frogs then they’ll understand how the chirpy little fellows come to be all about the neighbourhood.
Finally. Someone coming up with the obvious about the “car-culture” in NZ:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11932273
First step to improving the situation is recognising and understanding the problems. Unfortunately, and expected I might add, the article was moved from the “front-page” within minutes.
As a cyclist, road safety has been a hobby horse of mine for a number of years now.
“Transport policies continue to prioritise traffic flow and reliability for motorists over safety for everyone.”
No truer word said. The classic case in point is these giant, single lane into two lane roundabout and then back to single lane that predominate now. They seem to be designed to move traffic as fast as possible instead of as safely as possible. They are used more as an overtaking opportunity than as a method to control an intersection.
100lm/h open highway speeds on roads that would barely qualify for 80km/h in most first world countries yet we drive on them like we are on the Nurburgring.
Driving used to be a pleasure for me. Now it is something I avoid as much as possible.
Yes Kevin I agree about the fast speeds of 100 on some inadequate state highways. And some motorists seem to be relying too much on the quality of the car to hold to corners, don’t seem to brake at all.
I once followed a very confident and quick driver on a windy hill road, he braked briefly and then turned into the corner, and accelerated out at the required speed to match the road line and the next corner. But trying to do a steady 100 kmh over many of the roads is scary. There can’t be much safety space left for anything unexpected happening.
Transport Agency is not controlled by either government or citizens I think. It should be more collaborative. We used to have an option to put in safety ideas for our local area, but this has been dropped.
Throw a colouring agent into petrol and diesel such that the exhaust fumes are visible.
Cars gone by lunchtime.
By then it’s to late, damage done.
That means the Road Transport Forum and the AA are our equivalent of the NRA, I think all three should be labelled a terrorist organisation for lives cost annually, arrest all members and hold without charge in gitmo 🙂
Robert, do you have a troll bridge over your tadpole pond,- -high enough for james to hide under?
Wouldn’t need to be very high, td; In fact, I do have such a bridge; I call it the “hump-backed bridge” whenever I lead my grandsons across it and while I don’t press the point, they both know full-well, it’s trolled.
Thanks, I wondered where james was-under your bridge. I suppose with Winston “shagging around like some old woman at a christening ” james is keeping a low profile.
Nah I’m here. Just not seeing a lot to comment on of late.
Just lots of people so so so sure that Winston and labour will be the next government- so I’m sitting back and saving myself for the nats – nzf win.
its going to be very amusing.
James, when you’re out from under my bridge, sniffing around blogs looking to “amuse” yourself, would you mind cleaning up the mess you leave behind? After all, I’m not charging you rent; picking up your empty baked bean cans and pizza boxes is the very least you could do, there’s a good wee troll 🙂
RW online trolls give real trolls a bad name. Although historically trolls have been given a pretty bad rap too (thank-you Tolkien).
I began my on-line “career” trolling Kiwiblog and I know I should be ashamed, but it was riotously funny, though they soon rounded and became nasty. Farrar booted me off on a trumped-up charge, and I returned under another guise, but style must out and I was booted again and again till I got bored. Trolling is great practice for anyone who likes words, but if you talk too smart, you won’t be understood or appreciated, especially over there on troglodyte blog. Actually, there are some smart cookies commenting there, it’s just that they’re pushed into the shade by the foam-flecked-chin brigade. I see some of “us” there on my occasional visits. What’s happened to Frogblog, I wonder?Great fun was had there in days gone by, supporting the Green kaupapa and wrasslin’ with right-wing trolls and assorted snipers. Big Bruv attracted my barbs and didn’t think much of my smarty-pants ways 🙂
It’s a shame that the right don’t have a place for intelligent RW debate. Maybe that’s why they bother coming here.
I was under the impression that the Greens eventually saw their blog as a liability. Better to let greenies go have their own space I think, distanced from parliament. We could do with some more green bloggers here on TS.
Which James; The decrypter?
Is it “James” or Green party Co-leader James Shaw????
Please clearly state this?
Not james Shaw, troll james who pokes his head up here on occasion.
Should they stay or should they go?
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/move-could-be-reality-for-franz-josef-town/
Surveillance is now a point of national pride
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-10/chinas-security-obsession-is-now-a-point-of-national-pride/9032518
China plans 2020 invasion: researcher
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/10/05/2003679744
These think tanks – talking it up? The article above on Taiwan and China and USA:
The US’ arms sales to Taiwan was the biggest factor helping Taiwan to be involved in international politics, but it is unwise for Taiwan and the US to continue increasing arms sales in bilateral relations, Easton said….
Taiwan’s counterattack capabilities pose a threat to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), but it should expand its arsenal of long-range and shoulder-launched missiles, drones, fighter jets and cannons, and deploy weapons with lower lethality in areas closest to China,
Sounds like he is shilling for some defence/attack armament company.
Dr Jan Wright has final words of warning.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/10/12/53075/environment-watchdogs-final-words-of-warning.
Halfway down is an excellent Video: “Lord Deben discusses political and industrial responses to climate change with Rod Oram.”
He expresses opinions about NZs position and how it is sad that we (National) have let it be a political battle instead of a community problem solving issue.
“Former New Zealand First MP Neil Kirton is picking Winston Peters will go into a full coalition with Labour.”
The process in Wellington is taking so long because Winston is working out if he can work with Jian Yang.
Winston Peters ‘totally owning’ National and Labour – Patrick Gower
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/winston-peters-totally-owning-national-and-labour-patrick-gower.html
Kelvin Davis and Paula Bennett defend Winston Peters after decision delayed
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/kelvin-davis-and-paula-bennett-defend-winston-peters-after-decision-delayed.html
Gower is dick, I don’t know why you give him time.
I don’t – but I thought it was interesting to see Bennett and Davis speaking in harmony!
I was referring to the first link 😉
Have a look at the Party tab on the RSS feeds of the right of the desktop site. This collects whatever Labour and the Greens are pumping out on their sites that is accessible via RSS.
There are currently 3 items from Labour, the latest from 6 days ago. I guess that they and the Greens have other things on their minds.
Incidentally before anyone asks, NZ First seems to only use email and the other parties from the centre to the left don’t seem to put anything out via RSS any more.
Hmm, Greens have their blog set up for RSS but not their news page. Another thing to add to the feedback list about their website.
https://www.greens.org.nz/media
No, they are busy at the bingo with Winstons board members.
“Beardy hipster spook”
Its Friday the 13th, its been a long, long frustrating week, and we still don’t know.
Having just caught up on things here and noted that there was some discussion on Daily Review last night on the “Beardy hipster spook”. here is a link to more pictures and comments etc from back in August.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/jacinda-ardern-s-bodyguard-s-beard-amasses-fan-base.html
If nothing else scroll down to “The PM and the guy who should run the country”.
Right now I would happily vote for ‘the guy’. LOL
There is a lot of talk about Peters “dictating” to the bigger parties and that National should get to negotiate with NZF.
It could be done by Nat inviting NZF to discuss options for 5-6 days.
Then NZF could say that there were not satisfied so will now talk to Labour for 5-6days.
Then NZF could discuss among themselves the pros and cons.
Then NZF could go back to one or other for details.
OR
NZF could discuss policy with NAt and Labour separately for 5-6 days, then retire for caucus discussions.
Let me see. Which process would be best? Mmmm…
(Footnote. Seymour could be invited as a consultant.)
Honestly , fuk this shite, no one voted for it.
In a written statement, a spokeswoman said: “There is no truth to the speculation you’ve reported that we’re about to sign a deal with any company, local or offshore, for thousands of panellised houses.
Yet, John Arnold, a New Zealand-based sales agent for Fast House, told Newsroom the company was “close to finalising” a deal with Housing NZ.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/10/12/53142/housing-nz-questioned-over-irish-prefab-plans
It’s apparently a billion dollar deal which you would hope is outside the ambit of the current caretaker government. An incoming administration will probably have other ideas.
Don’t Labour already have plans to bolster the local prefab industry?
One would expect Winston would want to put NZ companies first.
Well when under scrutiny the liar can always claim truth if there is one small item in a statement that is incorrect, even if the rest is valid. Possibly the deal is for hundreds of panellised houses, not thousands.
Bryce Edwards has put up:” Political Roundup: Signs of a Labour-NZ First government.”
Some reassuring stuff there after the deluge of Right wing bluster.
“http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11932628
The drive to weaken our GM stance
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/@news/2017/10/12/53154/challenges-and-opportunities-in-clean-green-synthetic-foods
Despite the environmental benefits, will lab food (with its GM additives) ever overcome the yuck factor and consumers anti GM sentiment?
Winston Peters says NZ First board meeting will be on Monday.
‘NZ First will hold an all day joint-caucus and board meeting on Monday to decide which party to give their support to.
Leader Winston Peters told media on Friday that the board members will be flying in to Wellington from all over the country on Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Peters told media he has a “serious comprehensive dossier” from both parties to take to his caucus and board, promising that a new Government would be decided by next Friday.‘
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97839780/winston-peters-has-finished-negotiations-but-we-could-be-quite-far-from-a-decision
“Nearly three weeks after New Zealand’s general election, the country is waiting for an anonymous, unelected board of individuals belonging to a minor party to make a decision on who forms the next government.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/13/new-zealand-election-result-anonymous-nz-first-board-winston-peters
Look JC , it is understandable, Tracey had to wait to draw the meat raffle, and Bill was calling the bingo. These guys have responsibilities way in advance of the NZF Board.
The decision will also incorporate the elected MPs and no doubt there will be some unelected people involved with the other parties as well. So what. The end result matters and then there will be real anger from National supporters when Labour NZF and Green step up to become our next Government.
So what, really “unelected people will be involved”. You really have no idea on democracy do you?
“Brady’s report highlights the numerous former National MPs who have joined the boards of Chinese banks; Ruth Richardson and Chris Tremain are directors of Bank of China in New Zealand; Don Brash chairs the Industrial Bank of China in New Zealand; and former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley chairs the New Zealand subsidiary of the China Construction Bank.’”
https://yournz.org/2017/10/13/yang-didnt-disclose-chinese-intelligence-connections/
Polyakov is only a cultural attaché, nothing to worry about. And besides, there’s Merlin.
Not sure why Harold thinks Plunket resigning from the BSA belongs in the Entertainment section …
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11932866
How could Labour implement such a policy from opposition?
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]