The NZ Herald use the word "Downfall" of Poto. But I guess in your view the NZH is a hard right wing publication.
It was only a week ago that Jacinda said she had full confidence in Poto but I guess a week is a long time in politics. I agree with your comment "Williams was wrong for Police and Ardern has corrected that." I guess Jacinda has to wear that error of judgement appointing her in the first place, but she took an awful long time to correct that, and has now been forced to act due to public pressure and probably internal polling.
Over the previous weeks there were plenty of Labour supporters here who defended Williams a whole lot more than Ardern did yesterday. For them, such love is blind.
I don't particularly like Ardern granted, but TBH Labour is always going to lose a Law and Order debate no matter what they do.
Ardern has renewed with 18 months to get the game back for a 3rd term.
"Over the previous weeks there were plenty of Labour supporters here who defended Williams"
That is a bit like going to an AA meeting and asking "Do any of you like beer?"
People on the Standard will of course defend any Labour or Green MP (and knock any Nats) no matter what they do. Remember when David Clark broke his own party's lockdown rules and went mountain biking, it was all fine according to people on here. Imagine if it had been a National MP that went biking!
Poto Williams is a fantastic caring and kind person with a huge background with helping the misfortune downtrodden and abused and vulnerable, she was the wrong person for police (and frankly Mahuta is a terrible pic for Mahuta but Mahutas faction is too powerful to reshuffle her)
Poto will do an incredible job in her new portfolios. Things she is strong and confident in, police was always a bizarre and strange pick for Poto but if you're offered a cabinet position you take it.
Call it a demotion call it whatever you want but she's still a minister, she's still in an extremely safe seat and will do a very good job with disabilities.
Trevor, compared to Carter as speaker, did a great job. Carter was probably the worst speaker in my lifetime (quite a long time!)
Poto did a great job of supporting the police. Not much will change under Hipkins because strong foundations have been laid by Poto and Labour. He just might be able to answer bully boy Mercenary Mitchell's attacks on the police a little better than Williams (though I think she did a good job of that too).
A few months back I said if I was advising the PM, I would be telling her to move off shore once her tenure in politics was over.
Fast forward, and Newshub reports threats against the PM have trebled. It's interesting to note for those who still believe our media is rightwing, the reasons given for these increased threats:
''The official information shows anti-vaccination sentiment was a driving force. Opposition to the Government's firearms crackdown post-March 15 was another factor.''
Understandable, especially watching well looked after semi-autos being destroyed by dint of a liberal governments ultimate political wet dream.
''Police said it was not possible to determine the motivation for many of the threats because they were simply "offensive, obscene or threatening words directed at the PM".
Yeah, it's possible to determine another cause for a solid core of threats against the PM. Of course that would be hard for liberal media to report because it may be considered offensive?
Flash back over a decade ago. Banskie was at his best. He had just received a threat on air from a Maori bro who told Banksie to keep his opinions about Maori to himself, or he would come up to Auckland and ''do Banksie, himself.'' ( Banks was proud to have his own case manager at the racist Race Relations Office.)
Banks then spoke about the many threats he had received as a politician. He said he ignored most of them because most people who really wish you harm don't rant and rave – they just get on with the job as one person had tried to do.
So when it comes to the PM, I doubt there's any conspiracy to ''get her'' once she no longer has diplomatic protection. More likely she will be walking to the dairy one day, when Bob Kiwi who is sitting in his car rolling a smoke happens to glance up and sees the woman responsible for not allowing him to hold the hand of his beloved grandma as passed away with no one by her side. The woman who'd brought Bob up. The person he loved the most. His mind goes blank as he exits the car.
Here's the problem. There are many Bobs up and down the length of our once great land. These people don't detest the PM. They don't dislike her. They hate her with a vengeance.
You should think before you post. You just reinforce the stereotype of the nasty Leftie. In your case brainless halfwit at that. Talking of nasty things. Check out this legacy.
"I don't comment on people's private lives and certainly when Trevor Mallard and David Benson-Pope made their allegations in Parliament about Dr Brash's private life they crossed the line," Mrs Collins said on National Radio today.”
You don't see your own hypocrisy Blade? You should follow your own advice and think before you post. You are coming across just like what you are accusing others of being.
That's quite an unhinged, rather threatening rant.
Why should the PM "move off shore once her tenure in politics was over'? I note John key and Paula Bennett, who were quite despised by many still live in NZ. Why should the PM leave NZ? it's her home.
Sounds like the Bob you are describing is yourself Blade, you're the one that hates the PM with a vengeance.
''That's quite an unhinged, rather threatening rant.''
No it's not. That's what you want it to be. That is my honest opinion. You didn't need to abuse. Or did you?
''Why should the PM "move off shore once her tenure in politics was over'? ''
Well, believe it of not, the answer to that is in my post.
''I note John key and Paula Bennett, who were quite despised by many still live in NZ. Why should the PM leave NZ? it's her home.''
''Quite true, and of course, Jacinda does not have to leave NZ. My post said… if I was advising her. John Key and Paula Bennett are not in the same dislike club as Jacinda, simply because Jacinda has had to make decisions that have pissed way more people off – whether rightly or wrongly.''
''Sounds like the Bob you are describing is yourself Blade, you're the one that hates the PM with a vengeance.''
I am neutral regarding the PM – she does nothing for me, or against me. In fact I have praised her on occasions. Not that that would interest you with your cheap point scoring.
"Cheap point scoring" That's what you're doing. Your opinion was abusive and threatening, you don't need to be like that but neither are you neutral either when it comes to the PM and her govt, quite the opposite in fact. Key and Bennett did indeed piss off a hell of a lot of people and the anti Jacinda brigade appear to be a minority, albeit loud and fodder for media clickbait. btw, unlike John key, it's not in Jacinda's DNA to do a runner when times get tough. NZ couldn't have a better leader than Ardern, particularly during these global crises.
No need. I have written time and again there is no one better than Jacinda for fronting a crisis. She is the best of all times. I have written she has bewitched the global community(not all though) with her special brand of Jacinda fairy dust.
Stu.. you are asleep at the wheel. Stay awake and I will learn you.
You need to establish that you are not merely a toxic turkey begging for the axe by showing that some tiny proportion of your sad contributions are based in fact.
You are a dull Blade, but the habit of validating your assertions will (eventually) grind away that superficial dross and scale, until you are no longer a blunt instrument.
I noticed that too. Rather than stop threats of violence against public figures, that she should move. Thankfully she has other advisors.
Or we could treat threats of violence in public life with the severity it deserves and act sharply against extremism. Those who deliberately spread untrue statements about government actions and create all kinds of trouble.
On Groundswell I guess we have to wait until a significant number of farms are rendered uneconomic by flooding and so on and even then perhaps we won’t see any kind of teal/green realization like Aussie.
This is the reality of transition surgery for some. It’s also why so many people are against affirmation of gender identity in children, because once they get to puberty the paths to this kind of surgery is often uncritically offered.
Tullip is a British man in his thirties who was so distressed he couldn’t give informed consent. His doctors certainly didn’t seek it. He had radical transition surgery on the NHS and is left permanently disabled in multiple ways. This is both medical negligence (I would guess much worse than negligence, there’s the sense of experimentation), but also part of a medical scandal that few will talk about but affects many.
The politics of this are that large chunks of the left had supported No Debate (the political position that no one should be allowed to criticises any trans issues), and cancel culture to the point that people are afraid to speak out for fear of losing the jobs and careers. Hence we don’t know what is happening, good research isn’t being done, and we are passing bad laws.
Tulip did a good interview last week on Transition Radio Show's Youtube channel. They also interviewed Shapeshifter a couple of weeks ago, another MtF transitioner talking openly about their medical interventions.
The backstory and timeline of Transition Radio show is interesting to look into, as well.
Scrolling through the replies leads to this contribution from the outstanding UnHerd platform.
Is it a result of the 'baby led' trend that has contributed to this crop of tantrum throwing snowflakes that demand their every wish be not only fulfilled, but accepted and embraced without question by all?
Time for the grown ups to put aside the 'cringe' from their own youthful struggles and step up and be actual parents.
I was talking to a friend recently about a mutual friend whose daughter has said she is a boy, and so her mum bought her a chest binder, and I said how sad I found that. My friend was shocked by my sadness.
“But what would you do if your daughter wanted one?” she asked.
“I’d ask her what she thought she could do as a boy that she can’t do as a girl, and I’d ask if she wanted to be a boy, or did she want to be different person,” I said.
“But it’s the daughter’s choice,” my friend said.
“It would be her choice if she wanted to self-harm. But I wouldn’t buy her the razor,” I replied.
I'm a bit worried about David, he appears to be the only ACT rep allowed to talk to the media. They don't care about his mental health and will work him delusional if he can't delegate. Could ACT find a representative to cover him while he takes a break?
Surely this lack of sharpness says a lot about why hes considered too Socialist in some circles.
Especially with your increased risk of substantive capital loss,on investment watch the capital gains of the last 2 years contract to their real price of around 5 median incomes to median price.
US mortgage rates just crashed through to 6.13%,and the bloody monday event on wall street saw a 4% wack on your super fund.
The substantive rates increases coming for AK will be a problem going forward with the debt blowout heading to 20b by 2027.(excluding the cost blowouts and uncosted changes to infrastructure for the light rail lemon.
Treasury stated in the budget update that ownership had yet to be determined for light rail.The cost of land and infrastructure realignment has not been determined or costed into the project,and is expected to double the cost.
Look at the cost of the blowouts on cycleways alone,all funded on increased debt.
Yes that's Treasury keeping the back door open for a PPP + 'targeted rates'. Whether they went through with a targeted rate, it's not determined if Ak Council would collect it, but I very much doubt they will.
Minister Robertson was clearer, saying: "the Government will fund the "lion's share" of the $15b project and look at other options, including "value uplift" – a charge on businesses and developments that benefit from the project – and some kind of targeted rate."
In the major projects industry we are generally viewing light rail is dead, unless Labour get back for a third term.
My general view of cycleway cost blowouts is simply: every single major transport project is about to blow out. Nothing we can do except kill projects if we want to stay in budget.
the full cost is 25B as neither land or moving of infrastructure and services has been costed in,treasury warning also stated interest costs and forex costs not fully included.
The $$ for ones on the starting line like PenLink, AMETI to Botany, Riverlink, 2nd Harbour Crossing, Downtown Wellington, and the next tranche of Ak trains … I would watch them closely as they are going to blow sky high.
In the US and Europe construction materials such as rebar and lumber have fallen off peaks,the latter in the US coming back 55% in 3 months as new inventory stalls in the housing market.
The RBNZ review into housing determined the NZ housing and construction sectors were operating at 133% of capacity and it needed to contract to sustainable levels to constrain build inflation.
The OECD suggested pausing large infrastructure,to constrain both deflation and forward debt risk.
House prices will fall,thats a given as the central banks QT and ratchet interest mechanisms start to rotate both buyers and sellers to the new reality.
Well the sandflys are still breaking into my whare at will trying to set me up to crashs everyday i go to work next minute national are waving the flag
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
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In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
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Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
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The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
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Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
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Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
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Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
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Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
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Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
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The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
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. ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
The Minister Responsible for GCSB and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security have been notified of this review, and have been provided a finalised Terms of Reference. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Minglu Chen, Senior Lecturer, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Robert Way/Shutterstock As the past few years have illustrated so clearly, the Australia-China relationship is complicated. As such, it is crucial for Australians to develop a more nuanced understanding of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mariana Campbell, Research Lecturer, Conservation, Charles Darwin University Marilyn Connell Australian freshwater turtles are facing an alarming trend. Almost half of these species are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is one of Australia’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash We’ve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of “reckless economic management” that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape “must stop lying to the people of Papua New Guinea”, ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Jane Arthur, author of Brown Bird, and former bookseller at Good Books.The book I wish I’d writtenI have been working on not comparing myself to others. On accepting that what I can ...
The final decision on the Wellington District Plan makes it official: High-density housing is legal across most of Wellington. Housing minister Chris Bishop has announced his decision on the Wellington District Plan, approving a series of amendments to radically upzone most of Wellington, allowing tens of thousands of new townhouses ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...
RNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a “catastrophic humanitarian situation”. Rafah was “significant” because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...
With funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. It’s 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown.(Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canada’s largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...
Responding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...
Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations?Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...
The Taxpayers’ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Minister’s office. Taxpayers’ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...
An objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. It’s power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, there’s the rich list and the powerful “c-suite” list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeer’s phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gadd’s story has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didn’t have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail – those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...
Stewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. What’s all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary.Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...
The inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones has turned up a new witness who says he saw two teenagers and a small child in a high vis vest in the area where the boy’s body was found the day he died. Lachie’s body was discovered face up ...
Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucy’s brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where “he had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didn’t get in”. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...
Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Auckland’s water woes. This is how it’ll work. New Zealand’s pipes are munted. They’re cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. It’s a big, ...
I knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...
Opinion: “As time passes, knowledge of the circumstances of the August 2016 outbreak will fade and its immediate impact will be lost.” This statement is from the 2017 report of the Official Inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacteriosis outbreak. The then National-led government established the inquiry after the outbreak left ...
Opinion: Nicholas Khoo looks at two key points in the high-stakes foreign policy pact debate – and asks if NZ can engage with as little drama as possible. The post Where to next for the Aukus ruckus? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 8 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: ‘Reference-class forecasting’ is at the heart of improving pricing a project and identifying the expected timeframe but it doesn’t appear to be in use here The post ‘Think fast and act slowly’ is failing big projects appeared first on Newsroom. ...
What do a sombrero in Argentina and cognitive driving tests have in common? Don’t worry, we’re not setting up a bad joke. Hinengaro Clinic dementia clinician Gregory Winkelman has the answer on today’s episode of The Detail. “We ask a patient’s spouse or son or daughter: If you went to ...
Wellington long jumper Phoebe Edwards is back and she’s having fun again. Until this year, Edwards, a top athlete in her teens, had never competed as a senior athlete in New Zealand. In March, the 26-year-old won a national long jump title in a lifetime best of 6.28m after ...
After replacing a fifth of their caucus in just four months, the Greens’ opportunity to reset, reshuffle and refocus on the Government is quickly slipping away The post Persistent Green Party scandals delay caucus reset appeared first on Newsroom. ...
ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
By Robin Martin, RNZ News reporter A New Zealand local authority, Whanganui District Council, has passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemnation of all acts of violence and terror against civilians on both sides of the conflict and the immediate return of hostages. It comes as ...
Asia Pacific Report The Aotearoa chapter of the Women’s International league for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has appealed to the New Zealand government to call out Israel over the “cruel and barbaric use of force” in Gaza and demand a permanent ceasefire. The league’s open letter was sent to Prime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will invest $566 million over a decade on data, maps and other tools to promote exploration and development in Australia’s resources industry. The project will fund “the first comprehensive map of what’s ...
Asia Pacific Report Following an open letter by Auckland University academics speaking out in support of their students’ right to protest against the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza, a group of academics at Otago University have today also called on New Zealand academic institutions to “repair colonial violence” and end ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda J. Graham, Professor and Director of the Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology Ryan Tauss/ Unsplash, CC BY Two male students have been expelled from a Melbourne private school for their involvement in a list ranking female students. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The Reserve Bank is now assuming Australians will see no interest rate cuts this year – and quite possibly none before the next federal election, due next May. That’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University The Victorian budget offered more of the same on Tuesday, with the only change being how the budget papers were packaged. The usual shrink wrap was gone, hinting at savings in the pages ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Coalition is demanding extensive amendments to the government’s legislation targeting non-citizens who refuse to co-operate with their removal. In a dissenting report to the senate inquiry into the legislation, the Coalition says it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanita Yadav, Senior Research Fellow, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Brett Boardman/Belvoir The complex and grappling issue of violence against women takes centre stage in the soul-stirring solo dance drama Nayika: A Dancing Girl. During a dinner conversation ...
Disruption to patient care from a nationwide junior doctors strike is bordering on unsafe, a senior doctor claims, despite what health officials say. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Diepstraten, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Ground Picture/Shutterstock The anti-cancer drug abemaciclib (also known as Vernezio) has this month been added to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat certain ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic McAfee, Postdoctoral researcher, marine ecology, University of Adelaide Robbie Porter, OzFish Unlimited Around Australia, hundreds of people are coming together to help a once-prized, but decimated and largely forgotten marine ecosystem. They’re busy restoring Australia’s native oyster and mussel reefs. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology Austin Human/Unsplash How does Earth stop meteors from hitting Earth and hurting people? –Asher, 6 years 11 months, New South Wales Alright, let’s embark on a meteor ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rory Mulcahy, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of the Sunshine Coast Professional sports organisations regularly promote and develop initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion. While sport has the power to change attitudes by sparking conversations about political issues and social ...
Comment: The weekly Monday post-Cabinet press conference is a useful forum for observing Christopher Luxon and how he is developing into the job of Prime Minister. He attempts to convey the impression of a man of action, speaking fast, delivering memorised National Party strategies in a connect-the-slogans kind of way, ...
Double votes, missing ballot boxes, tired tech and stressed staff: how tick-tallying went astray at last year’s election. Cast your mind back to November 2023, that bleary-eyed post-election period duringwhichwewaited, andwaited, for a coalition deal to be hammered out. A distraction from the hotel-hopping of our ...
With Poto Williams being demoted and Trevor Mallard going, that's National's two best assets gone which should strengthen Labour.
Cabinet reshuffle: Chris Hipkins new Police Minister as PM says Poto Williams 'lost focus' – NZ Herald
In my world Conservation is a promotion.
Spot on, Ad. Conservation is a very important portfolio!
You really should do stand up comedy (or spin for Labour. So in your view Poto has been promoted!)………that's gold!
Moved to Disabilities and Conservation where Jacinda hopes even Poto cant fuck those up!
Conservation is the primary Ministry within which our colonial sins are now washed clean. Sure ain't in Office of Treaty Settlements.
Check out the depth of partnership through all the national parks that we have with iwi.
Check out also Minister Williams' depth of background in disability issues.
Williams was wrong for Police and Ardern has corrected that.
The NZ Herald use the word "Downfall" of Poto. But I guess in your view the NZH is a hard right wing publication.
It was only a week ago that Jacinda said she had full confidence in Poto but I guess a week is a long time in politics. I agree with your comment "Williams was wrong for Police and Ardern has corrected that." I guess Jacinda has to wear that error of judgement appointing her in the first place, but she took an awful long time to correct that, and has now been forced to act due to public pressure and probably internal polling.
Over the previous weeks there were plenty of Labour supporters here who defended Williams a whole lot more than Ardern did yesterday. For them, such love is blind.
I don't particularly like Ardern granted, but TBH Labour is always going to lose a Law and Order debate no matter what they do.
Ardern has renewed with 18 months to get the game back for a 3rd term.
"Over the previous weeks there were plenty of Labour supporters here who defended Williams"
That is a bit like going to an AA meeting and asking "Do any of you like beer?"
People on the Standard will of course defend any Labour or Green MP (and knock any Nats) no matter what they do. Remember when David Clark broke his own party's lockdown rules and went mountain biking, it was all fine according to people on here. Imagine if it had been a National MP that went biking!
Poto Williams is a fantastic caring and kind person with a huge background with helping the misfortune downtrodden and abused and vulnerable, she was the wrong person for police (and frankly Mahuta is a terrible pic for Mahuta but Mahutas faction is too powerful to reshuffle her)
Poto will do an incredible job in her new portfolios. Things she is strong and confident in, police was always a bizarre and strange pick for Poto but if you're offered a cabinet position you take it.
Call it a demotion call it whatever you want but she's still a minister, she's still in an extremely safe seat and will do a very good job with disabilities.
plus 1 Ad, Conservation is massive, the fact RWs don't get that is rather showing IMO.
But weren’t Trevor and Poto doing a great job? And just the other day Kris Faafoi said he loved Parliament and wasn’t going anywhere.
Trevor, compared to Carter as speaker, did a great job. Carter was probably the worst speaker in my lifetime (quite a long time!)
Poto did a great job of supporting the police. Not much will change under Hipkins because strong foundations have been laid by Poto and Labour. He just might be able to answer bully boy Mercenary Mitchell's attacks on the police a little better than Williams (though I think she did a good job of that too).
Chris Trotter invokes the ghost of Muldoon.
https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-recession-new-zealand-has-to-have.html
Fuck he just moans.
He's incapable of admitting that this is the most interventionist social democratic government we've had since Kirk.
That is hard to argue against.
Intervention is not automatically a bad thing.
Chris Trotter spends his whole life living in 1982.
And complaining that the Labour Party don't invite him to sing at their Conferences any more.
He's done very well out of being a 'lefty' for the media to use as 'balance' like pagani etc.
Nice work If you can get it.
True. tc.
Agreed Sanc….that's why he hates the Greens. But he can write superbly at times
Hmmm…8 comments and not one addressed the theme of the article….no surprises there.
Mens Health..a sad indictment. And its this week !
A few months back I said if I was advising the PM, I would be telling her to move off shore once her tenure in politics was over.
Fast forward, and Newshub reports threats against the PM have trebled. It's interesting to note for those who still believe our media is rightwing, the reasons given for these increased threats:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/threats-against-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-involving-police-almost-triple-in-three-years.html
Quote:
''The official information shows anti-vaccination sentiment was a driving force. Opposition to the Government's firearms crackdown post-March 15 was another factor.''
Understandable, especially watching well looked after semi-autos being destroyed by dint of a liberal governments ultimate political wet dream.
''Police said it was not possible to determine the motivation for many of the threats because they were simply "offensive, obscene or threatening words directed at the PM".
Yeah, it's possible to determine another cause for a solid core of threats against the PM. Of course that would be hard for liberal media to report because it may be considered offensive?
Flash back over a decade ago. Banskie was at his best. He had just received a threat on air from a Maori bro who told Banksie to keep his opinions about Maori to himself, or he would come up to Auckland and ''do Banksie, himself.'' ( Banks was proud to have his own case manager at the racist Race Relations Office.)
Banks then spoke about the many threats he had received as a politician. He said he ignored most of them because most people who really wish you harm don't rant and rave – they just get on with the job as one person had tried to do.
So when it comes to the PM, I doubt there's any conspiracy to ''get her'' once she no longer has diplomatic protection. More likely she will be walking to the dairy one day, when Bob Kiwi who is sitting in his car rolling a smoke happens to glance up and sees the woman responsible for not allowing him to hold the hand of his beloved grandma as passed away with no one by her side. The woman who'd brought Bob up. The person he loved the most. His mind goes blank as he exits the car.
Here's the problem. There are many Bobs up and down the length of our once great land. These people don't detest the PM. They don't dislike her. They hate her with a vengeance.
Are you always an idiot, or do you work on it for this site?
You should think before you post. You just reinforce the stereotype of the nasty Leftie. In your case brainless halfwit at that. Talking of nasty things. Check out this legacy.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/trevor-mallard-retires-a-look-back-at-the-long-time-mp-s-career-in-parliament.html
Yep saw that on TV3 last night. Scalping rugby tickets to students ….how low can you go.
In terms of "lowness" that wouldn't even leave a mark
To be fair he probably needed the cash, MPs aren't well remunerated for their efforts
Terrible stuff, Jimmy. I think he went lower though.
Talking of nasty things = Talking of affairs.
Remember this? I would like to say plenty more about the character of the Left. But Sanctuary above and below has obliged me.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labours-questioning-of-brash-a-disgrace/MK5GPXOIUJONA2A2PF2B75XKJM/
Quote:
"I don't comment on people's private lives and certainly when Trevor Mallard and David Benson-Pope made their allegations in Parliament about Dr Brash's private life they crossed the line," Mrs Collins said on National Radio today.”
That's a wicked tag-team.
What a snowflake.
You don't see your own hypocrisy Blade? You should follow your own advice and think before you post. You are coming across just like what you are accusing others of being.
The first of your 2 options, Sanctuary!
LOL, I think the PM is a child ,in mind only.She hasnt any depth,she shall be remembered by many for what she has forced on NZ,hers to deal with.
bobnaki lol You show such depth of perception sarc.
I bet she can manage basic grammar and punctuation though.
The last 5 years proves your opinion wrong bobnaki
That's quite an unhinged, rather threatening rant.
Why should the PM "move off shore once her tenure in politics was over'? I note John key and Paula Bennett, who were quite despised by many still live in NZ. Why should the PM leave NZ? it's her home.
Sounds like the Bob you are describing is yourself Blade, you're the one that hates the PM with a vengeance.
''That's quite an unhinged, rather threatening rant.''
No it's not. That's what you want it to be. That is my honest opinion. You didn't need to abuse. Or did you?
''Why should the PM "move off shore once her tenure in politics was over'? ''
Well, believe it of not, the answer to that is in my post.
''I note John key and Paula Bennett, who were quite despised by many still live in NZ. Why should the PM leave NZ? it's her home.''
''Quite true, and of course, Jacinda does not have to leave NZ. My post said… if I was advising her. John Key and Paula Bennett are not in the same dislike club as Jacinda, simply because Jacinda has had to make decisions that have pissed way more people off – whether rightly or wrongly.''
''Sounds like the Bob you are describing is yourself Blade, you're the one that hates the PM with a vengeance.''
I am neutral regarding the PM – she does nothing for me, or against me. In fact I have praised her on occasions. Not that that would interest you with your cheap point scoring.
"Cheap point scoring" That's what you're doing. Your opinion was abusive and threatening, you don't need to be like that but neither are you neutral either when it comes to the PM and her govt, quite the opposite in fact. Key and Bennett did indeed piss off a hell of a lot of people and the anti Jacinda brigade appear to be a minority, albeit loud and fodder for media clickbait. btw, unlike John key, it's not in Jacinda's DNA to do a runner when times get tough. NZ couldn't have a better leader than Ardern, particularly during these global crises.
In fact I have praised her on occasions.
Citation required.
No need. I have written time and again there is no one better than Jacinda for fronting a crisis. She is the best of all times. I have written she has bewitched the global community(not all though) with her special brand of Jacinda fairy dust.
Stu.. you are asleep at the wheel. Stay awake and I will learn you.
I'm afraid there is every need, Blade.
You need to establish that you are not merely a toxic turkey begging for the axe by showing that some tiny proportion of your sad contributions are based in fact.
You are a dull Blade, but the habit of validating your assertions will (eventually) grind away that superficial dross and scale, until you are no longer a blunt instrument.
I noticed that too. Rather than stop threats of violence against public figures, that she should move. Thankfully she has other advisors.
Or we could treat threats of violence in public life with the severity it deserves and act sharply against extremism. Those who deliberately spread untrue statements about government actions and create all kinds of trouble.
Spin-off report on online mischief at the protests
On Groundswell I guess we have to wait until a significant number of farms are rendered uneconomic by flooding and so on and even then perhaps we won’t see any kind of teal/green realization like Aussie.
+1 newsense
This is the reality of transition surgery for some. It’s also why so many people are against affirmation of gender identity in children, because once they get to puberty the paths to this kind of surgery is often uncritically offered.
Tullip is a British man in his thirties who was so distressed he couldn’t give informed consent. His doctors certainly didn’t seek it. He had radical transition surgery on the NHS and is left permanently disabled in multiple ways. This is both medical negligence (I would guess much worse than negligence, there’s the sense of experimentation), but also part of a medical scandal that few will talk about but affects many.
The politics of this are that large chunks of the left had supported No Debate (the political position that no one should be allowed to criticises any trans issues), and cancel culture to the point that people are afraid to speak out for fear of losing the jobs and careers. Hence we don’t know what is happening, good research isn’t being done, and we are passing bad laws.
https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1536454022407655424
Tulip did a good interview last week on Transition Radio Show's Youtube channel. They also interviewed Shapeshifter a couple of weeks ago, another MtF transitioner talking openly about their medical interventions.
The backstory and timeline of Transition Radio show is interesting to look into, as well.
Detrans subreddit now at 33.6K members.
https://youtu.be/qtNVFljdo1E
Scrolling through the replies leads to this contribution from the outstanding UnHerd platform.
Is it a result of the 'baby led' trend that has contributed to this crop of tantrum throwing snowflakes that demand their every wish be not only fulfilled, but accepted and embraced without question by all?
Time for the grown ups to put aside the 'cringe' from their own youthful struggles and step up and be actual parents.
I was talking to a friend recently about a mutual friend whose daughter has said she is a boy, and so her mum bought her a chest binder, and I said how sad I found that. My friend was shocked by my sadness.
“But what would you do if your daughter wanted one?” she asked.
“I’d ask her what she thought she could do as a boy that she can’t do as a girl, and I’d ask if she wanted to be a boy, or did she want to be different person,” I said.
“But it’s the daughter’s choice,” my friend said.
“It would be her choice if she wanted to self-harm. But I wouldn’t buy her the razor,” I replied.
Indeed.
Political blindness 101. This lot should be the last to be pontificating.
Quote:
''But the changes haven't gone over well at the ACT Party, and Seymour said the reshuffle doesn't change the Government's "lack of talent.''
Oh, boy!
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/act-national-decry-cabinet-reshuffle-say-it-won-t-change-government-s-lack-of-delivery.html
I'm a bit worried about David, he appears to be the only ACT rep allowed to talk to the media. They don't care about his mental health and will work him delusional if he can't delegate. Could ACT find a representative to cover him while he takes a break?
Surely this lack of sharpness says a lot about why hes considered too Socialist in some circles.
Stats just released food index inflation came in at 6.8% annual increase,rental index cam in at 3.8% for existing tenancy ,and 5.3% for new tenancy.
https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/annual-food-price-increase-remains-high-at-6-8-percent/
https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/rental-price-indexes-may-2022/
prices will not affect next months ocr review as housing costs are still substantive,and property prices need a good wack.
Yep my fixed term tenancies ending at the end of this year will have prices going up. Got to pay that higher mortgage.
Especially with your increased risk of substantive capital loss,on investment watch the capital gains of the last 2 years contract to their real price of around 5 median incomes to median price.
US mortgage rates just crashed through to 6.13%,and the bloody monday event on wall street saw a 4% wack on your super fund.
My gearing is tiny and the cashflow just needs to stay balanced.
I'm reasonably sanguine on Growth … so far.
The substantive rates increases coming for AK will be a problem going forward with the debt blowout heading to 20b by 2027.(excluding the cost blowouts and uncosted changes to infrastructure for the light rail lemon.
Light rail is on central government's books not local government.
But Auckland Council is on the hook for the cost increases within City Rail Link which are already substantial.
Treasury stated in the budget update that ownership had yet to be determined for light rail.The cost of land and infrastructure realignment has not been determined or costed into the project,and is expected to double the cost.
Look at the cost of the blowouts on cycleways alone,all funded on increased debt.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/469068/cycleway-building-programme-faces-delays-deferrals-over-potential-670m-overspend
Yes that's Treasury keeping the back door open for a PPP + 'targeted rates'. Whether they went through with a targeted rate, it's not determined if Ak Council would collect it, but I very much doubt they will.
Minister Robertson was clearer, saying: "the Government will fund the "lion's share" of the $15b project and look at other options, including "value uplift" – a charge on businesses and developments that benefit from the project – and some kind of targeted rate."
Auckland $15b light rail project will largely be paid for by Government and built by 2033, say ministers – NZ Herald
In the major projects industry we are generally viewing light rail is dead, unless Labour get back for a third term.
My general view of cycleway cost blowouts is simply: every single major transport project is about to blow out. Nothing we can do except kill projects if we want to stay in budget.
The QS and Estimating teams are going nuts.
the full cost is 25B as neither land or moving of infrastructure and services has been costed in,treasury warning also stated interest costs and forex costs not fully included.
It's not a project we need to worry about.
The $$ for ones on the starting line like PenLink, AMETI to Botany, Riverlink, 2nd Harbour Crossing, Downtown Wellington, and the next tranche of Ak trains … I would watch them closely as they are going to blow sky high.
In the US and Europe construction materials such as rebar and lumber have fallen off peaks,the latter in the US coming back 55% in 3 months as new inventory stalls in the housing market.
The RBNZ review into housing determined the NZ housing and construction sectors were operating at 133% of capacity and it needed to contract to sustainable levels to constrain build inflation.
The OECD suggested pausing large infrastructure,to constrain both deflation and forward debt risk.
House prices will fall,thats a given as the central banks QT and ratchet interest mechanisms start to rotate both buyers and sellers to the new reality.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/us-canada/300612838/how-to-murder-your-husband-author-jailed-for-murdering-her-husband
For some reason I felt like listening to this song…
Bloody hell. Compton, here comes Aotearoa. It's been reasonably quiet in my neck of the woods recently. Just a couple of bashings and two ram raids.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/taupiri-shooting-man-dropping-his-child-off-at-school-injured-when-gunman-opened-fire/
Blade – you remind me of Marilyn Monroe luxuriating in a bubble-bath. Except for your appearance, of course.
Kia Ora whano
Well the sandflys are still breaking into my whare at will trying to set me up to crashs everyday i go to work next minute national are waving the flag