A single plastic bag took out nearly half the operating theatres? Maybe a rubbish sack? You don't see many plastic bags around these days – though I guess synthetic thread fabric is common enough. I suspect the false economy of delaying maintenance may have played its part in creating this expensive mess. Not the first time it has rained inside the old Dunedin hospital anyway.
Dunedin Hospital was forced to postpone 10 surgical procedures yesterday after heavy rain caused flooding in several operating theatres and surrounding areas late on Thursday night…
‘‘Around 10pm, staff were alerted to flooding in the theatre complex from water coming through the ceiling.
‘‘This affected four out of nine operating theatres.’’
Dr Cochrane said the leak was believed to have been caused by a plastic bag, which had blown on to the hospital roof and covered a drainage duct.
Who remembers the classic Footrot Flats cartoon with the dog asking guess where Wal is during the first rain of the season or words to that effect? Behind him is a drenched Wal on a ladder cleaning an overflowing gutter of leaves.
John Pilger again proving why he will be remembered as one of the foremost journalist of our life time…unbelievably MSM media journalists have become so captured in this prevailing moment of 'manufacturing consent' in media that they intentionally ignore this symbolic public torture..fucking cowards..guess Pilger was right on the mark when he saw right through Kim Hill's bullshit liberal facade all those years ago and recognized her as nothing more than the defender of the status quo she is…..
JOHN PILGER: A Day in the Death of British Justice
"There is more: WikiLeaks disclosed the U.S. campaign to suppress wages in sweatshop countries like Haiti, India’s campaign of torture in Kashmir, the British government’s secret agreement to shield “U.S. interests” in its official Iraq inquiry and the British Foreign Office’s plan to create a fake “marine protection zone” in the Indian Ocean to cheat the Chagos islanders out of their right of return.
In other words, WikiLeaks has given us real news about those who govern us and take us to war, not the preordained, repetitive spin that fills newspapers and television screens. This is real journalism; and for the crime of real journalism, Assange has spent most of the past decade in one form of incarceration or another, including Belmarsh prison, a horrific place."
And if I could not, I’m a “defender of the status quo”, or an “imperialist”, or something else altogether? Please let me know what label I should don so that I can make up my mind before I click on the link and lose a few minutes of my life that I will never get back.
As a case study in histrionic propaganda, it's of mild interest. If you're into that kinda thing.
As for providing any new facts or insight, not so much. Finding those few little tidbits that might be relevant is kind of a 'where's Waldo' exercise. Which ends up kinda pointless given the certainty that Pilger will be presenting a wildly distorted one-eyed view of the situation.
Look, Brigid, in case you didn’t get my comment(s) in this thread, I was commenting on the ‘style’, not the ‘substance’. In my view, Adrian’s comment was not about engaging in a discussion. His prejudice was dripping off his comment, as usual, with the undertones of an aggressive and hostile attitude towards a few other commenters here. We’ve all seen it here before, which is why Adrian and I butt heads regularly and why I put (his pet) words in the Auto-Moderation filter that trigger shit fights.
His comment @ 3 was not inviting in the slightest; it was polarising, and I think he either can’t help himself because he’s stuck in a pattern or it is deliberate or a bit of both.
Perhaps I should not have used my reply to you as a way to communicate to and about Adrian and I apologise for that because you seem genuinely interested in conversation on the ‘substance’ of his comment. My bad.
Sadly, Kim Hill doesn't seem to have learned a lot from that encounter with John Pilger. There are many more recent examples of her engaging in and/or providing an uncritical forum for vicious and cynical attacks on progressive activists and political dissidents. In 2013 she let Alex Gibney pour rhetorical filth on Julian Assange [1] and in 2019 she allowed Simon Schama to unleash an equally spurious attack on Jeremy Corbyn. [2]
To be fair, she does occasionally display some intellectual courage and moral awareness, such as when she confronted the neoconservative war enthusiast William Shawcross in 2004. [3] She also drove one Jeffrey Archer into a paroxysm of fury on air one memorable afternoon in 1994.
Morrissey, my contraire confrere! Oh, how I missed you, but I had an inkling you’d appear here today; the trigger words must have set off the red alarm.
I think dogmatic lefties and intellectual snobs alike, they have better things to do than losing their rag over an ancient interview between a woman and a man about another man and a woman (or was it another man?). For example, where was your outrage about moving Churchill’s portrait?
Life is too short to hold on to the past and your grudges unless you’re Chris Trotter, of course, but he’s a ‘political historian’.
That interview was such a glorious victory in the struggle to smash the establishment that its memory shall be revered forever as a shining inspiration to all true lefties. Viva la revolucion!
Ah, I see. Unfortunately, I’m prone to misunderstanding because I’m obviously not a ‘true lefty’, as I don’t go into full beast-mode at the slightest discursion from ‘the manifest’.
@ Incognito. So when has Kim Hill had on anyone defending or even seriously discussing the Assange case in the past couple of years?, infact as far as I can see RNZ has had only two guests over the past three years to talk about Assange specifically.. Kim Hill and RNZ undermine serious "progressive change" in exactly the same way as the Guardian does….the only change that gets regular coverage on RNZ are the changes in the stock market, that they report on half a dozen times a day!
Hmmm, a slightly better comment than the one that was visible in the front-end for 6’52’’ before you trashed it
I’m not losing any sleep over the things that seem to bother others no end. We all pick our favourite battles, don’t we? That said, I do see an analogy, at least one, between moving a portrait of Churchill and the reporting by RNZ and Kim Hill on Assange.
What the fuck is up with you commenting on the contents of my comment before the ten minutes ‘editing’ time is up?
"I do see an analogy, at least one, between moving a portrait of Churchill and the reporting by RNZ and Kim Hill on Assange"…I don't.
Defending Assange takes moral and ethical courage of the type Kim Hill and RNZ have not displayed for so long I sometimes wonder if it was ever present?
Getting on the Churchill train does not…just some low hanging fruit of the type that suits RNZ liberal sensibilities perfectly.
Twice in two days you put up a comment that was visible to others before you edited/trashed it. I can give you a personal message that I think your edit was an improvement and you know why. Other than that, I did not comment on the actual contents of your trashed comment. So, please spare me your false accusations and stop playing the poor victim. BTW, somebody else also commented on your second edited/changed comment, which you also improved by your edit. Perhaps you’re as smart as I think you are.
I'm with you. There is a limit to how far supposedly good journalists will stray from acceptable norms. Hill's limit was exposed in the Pilger interview, and is repeated in regards to Assange.
That misses out the bits where he really ripped into Kim Hill. Pilger is a hero but so is Hill….on this very rare occasion she didn't handle it very well.
Stewing in hate and wallowing in his own blackpilled misery with a social life revolving around howling into social media. The only thing missing is the manifesto.
This about Black Pill Incels in relation to the killer was horribly fascinating. Though, given that they are not interested in any kind of relationship beyond emotionless rutting; Involuntarily Chaste seems a better description than; I Celibate, because they are not looking for marriage anyway.
The world is full of arseholes and most of them can be found in groups lecturing others on what to do. Scott Guthrie, bankrupted many times, self appointed serial justice campaigner, actually anywhere he can get his hands on dopey buggers donations and funnel them towards himself just excelled at stitching up Christine Rankin,was, and I love this, a stalwart of the Sensible Sentencing Trust. Ha fucking ha!
Its all in the Press this morning, sorry can’t do links because of IT stupidity.
Yeah, that Guthrie sounds like a right conman. Though it is hard to detect a deceiver who believes their own deceit – is it even lying then? Still certainly manipulative and destructive to workplace cohesion, and corrosive to trust.
Nickie O’Leary, also a former trustee of Transforming Justice, said she had been a friend of Guthrie for 15 years, but now considered him untrustworthy.
“He’s got the gift of the gab I tell you. This man needs stopping. He’s already manipulated $10,000 out of the lady in Fielding.
The writer makes the case that sexism plays a role in the evaluation and trials of medications in general.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, does not warn women who get the shots that they may experience a disrupted menstrual cycle.
Why is this? In part because even though menstruation is sometimes called the sixth vital sign and directly implicates fertility, and the fact that women on average suffer higher rates of adverse reaction to vaccines of all sorts and medication in general, the effects of Covid vaccines on women’s health specifically, including the menstrual cycle, were not studied as part of the Emergency Use Authorization process.
Impacts on menstrual cycles are, it turns out, very rarely studied in clinical vaccine trials. Stated another way, the quality of COVID-19 vaccine safety data is better for men than it is for women, yet across the country, vaccine mandates make no sex-distinction and in practicality, actually fall more heavily on majority-women industries. In this way, it could be argued, women are not being treated equally under U.S. law.
Thanks francesca, an excellent long form piece that collates six months of commentary on this particular side effect of the covid jabs.
I have been following how MSM has been reporting on this issue for months and the responses from the experts are so similar you'd be forgiven for thinking they were following a common script.
A widely quoted male gynecologist told the BBC that there was “no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility.” Alan Copperman, MD, of the Mt. Sinai Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, claims“the evidence shows that the vaccines will not affect anyone’s fertility.” Just yesterday, from the Boston Globe, we are told there is “conclusive evidence that the vaccine has no negative impacts on reproduction.”
One wonders who they are trying to convince.
But, here’s what is confusing. The menstrual cycle – and please, someone do correct me if I’m wrong – is a fertility cycle, consisting of a follicular phase, the ovulation phase, the luteal phase, and then the passing of the menses itself. If a woman accepts a Covid-19 vaccine and begins to suddenly and hemorrhagically bleed, for weeks or months or end, this by no means necessarily suggests she is permanently sterilized, but nevertheless indicates her cycle has been thrown off track, which is a fertility-related side effect – one which is particularly salient to a woman trying to conceive.
And yes, basic biology…you'd think it would trump all the dismissive pontifications of the experts clearly spouting rubbish.
But no, Ms Parenti will most likely find herself on some FactcheckersRus shit list for daring to do such a deep dive into an issue that could affect near fifty percent of vaccine recipients.
And they wonder why vaccine hesitancy is an actual thing.
There are two ways to think about this pandemic – from the science perspective that in principle should embrace scrutiny, challenge and alternative hypothesis, OR from the public health perspective that is all about getting us to do the same thing.
One is about seeking the truth even when the path takes us through confusion and misinformation – the other is about the noble lie told in the interests holding our society together in a common purpose. These two motives could not be more different yet they're constantly muddled, conflated and are often in conflict with each other.
In an ideal world each would find a way to complement each other, each playing a role in evolving more intelligent and effective responses to this pandemic – yet here we are still taking sides when te virus doesn't care.
There are two ways to think about this pandemic – from the science perspective that in principle should embrace scrutiny, challenge and alternative hypothesis, OR from the public health perspective that is all about getting us to do the same thing.
Not sure about the principle of embracing alternative hypotheses. My "science perspective" is that scientific hypotheses should be testable, so I could embrace the testing of alternative hypotheses (educated guesses) in as far as that is possible.
In science, a hypothesis is an educated guess that can be tested with observations and falsified if it really is false.
You cannot prove conclusively that most hypotheses are true because it’s generally impossible to examine all possible cases for exceptions that would disprove them.
Existing data, however, strongly support the hypothesis that the benefits of the better Covid-19 vaccines to human life and limb greatly outweigh the risks.
Overall, the CDC said the report showed the estimated benefits outweigh the risks associated with vaccines.
“For example, per million doses of Janssen vaccine administered to males aged 50-64, 1,800 hospitalizations, 480 ICU admissions, and 140 deaths from COVID could be prevented compared with 14-17 cases of GBS and 1-2 TTS cases,” the CDC said.
Still, the CDC said the “balance of benefits and risks varied by age and sex because adverse events were primarily identified in specific subgroups of sex and age.”
Additionally, the CDC said it was important to tell everyone getting the COVID-19 vaccine about the benefits and risks, particularly in the age groups who might deal with GBS, thrombocytopenia, or myocarditis.
“Based on ACIP’s conclusion regarding the benefit-risk assessment on July 22, 2021, vaccination with any of the available COVID-19 vaccines licensed under the FDA EUAs continues to be recommended for all persons aged ≥18 years,” the CDC said. “With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. In addition, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine continues to be recommended for persons aged ≥12 years.”
To those who don't believe that the benefits of being vaccinated against Covid-19 outweigh the risks, and would prefer to be protected by their untrained immune system if/when the Delta variant arrives on our shores – I respect your right to choose and wish you, your whānau and friends the very best of luck.
Glad you've had your first AZ jab – some of my best friends are vaccinated.
I'm at a loss to understand what you don't understand about my reply, which was an attempt to provide evidence (or, as mauī calls it, "propaganda") consistent with expert consensus hypotheses about the benefits and risks of vaccination against Covid-19.
I chose to focus on evidence because, as you know and as evinced by some of the replies below, there are many alternative hypotheses about Covid-19, vaccines and vaccination floating around, including that:
NZ will "in short months be… fully vaccinated" [Ad @8:40 am]
'We' lack "full information and transparency" [francesca @8:54 am]
Vaccination of under-18s against Covid is unnecessary [mauī @9:58 am]
I embrace" expert consensus hypotheses (which are continually tested and, when necessary, revised) because imo they point the way forward more often than not. I'm less interested in false hopes ("fully vaccinated"), conspiracy theories ("transparency"), and promoting the odd "alternative hypothesis".
COVID-19 vaccine misinformation
There’s lots of information available about the COVID-19 vaccine, so it can be hard to know what is reliable.
Inaccurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, whether intentional (disinformation) or accidental (misinformation), could work against us at a time when we need to work together to beat the virus.
Mis or disinformation can spread quickly and can have harmful effects. Mis and disinformation can be spread through a range of different channels including social media, traditional media (television, radio and print), pamphlets, posters and letterbox drops.
Report it
Stopping the spread of mis and disinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine will limit any potential confusion for New Zealanders and help them to make informed decisions about the vaccine.
Help us by reporting any inaccurate or misleading information you see about the vaccine through the link below.
If possible,
Send us a link to the website if the content is online.
If you see COVID-19 misinformation on social media, report it to the platform (for example, Facebook or Twitter).
If it is a physical item, such as a leaflet, email us a photograph and if possible details of where and how you received it.
If possible, include when you received the item and where it came from.
By emailing us this information, you consent to us sharing it with our partner and other government agencies for investigatory and statistical purposes. Your personal information will never be shared publically.
You've missed the point that there is no evidence that menstruation is affected by the MRNA jab because no studies have yet been done
That is not disinformation , in fact all those who cried down womens reports of menstrual disruption , saying that the evidence was that the Mrna jab has no effect on fertility, were guilty themselves of misinformation
Finally the CDC in the US is taking this seriously, and hopefully menstrual disruption will appear as one of the side effects so that younger women can make informed choices(perhaps delaying IV therapy until some time after the jab)
I hope you are not trying to characterise the link I provided as misinformation , that should be reported .If you had bothered to read the link you would have seen that she is no anti vaxxer.
When young women's concerns are so cavalierly brushed aside it's no wonder that trust is lost and vaccine hesitancy becomes a thing
Mind if you don't ask for it you wont know either and i guess that is the issue if the male body is the default body on which such things are 'studied'.
But then, men a women now, so i guess biology does not matter, or matters even less then before so we are all good.
Edwards says the clinical trials would have picked up any issues that were truly dangerous. For example, researchers were able to detect an extremely rare and dangerous side effect, known as "thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome," that sometimes caused incidental changes to menstruation. "If it were leading to hospitalizations and severe illness, we would capture that," she says.
But she acknowledges that relatively minor or unusually rare changes to menstruation might be missed. Participants in the clinical trials are handed a checklist asking about minor side effects such as headaches or arm soreness, but Edwards says there aren't any specific questions such as, "Are your menstrual periods irregular? Is your flow heavier?"
Nope. It is unethical to raise false flags until there is sufficient evidence that it is justified and then warranted. As the data mountain grows and experts have time to analyse all the data into meaningful and actionable information it may or may not become clear whether this constitutes a possible safety signal. However, some small studies may commence that are unlikely to provide conclusive results and more likely to fan the fire of doubt, fear, and hesitancy for the simple fact that it has not been a major blip on the radar until now, after billions of vaccine doses worldwide.
Generally, one irregular period is not cause for alarm. "We really only tell people to let us know if [an irregular period] happens several months in a row or it’s happening multiple times during a year," Dr. Gunter says. "A one-off isn’t medically concerning."
However, there is concern that stories of early or heavy periods might prevent women from getting the vaccine.
"I think we need to be really careful how we discuss it so we don't frighten women with a theoretical concern," Dr. Polaneczky says. "I'm not advising women anything differently based on these anecdotes." In other words, there's no reason not to get the vaccine.
Pregnancies, periods and COVID-19 vaccines: what you need to know [29 June]
Do COVID-19 vaccines change your menstrual cycle? This article is based on scientific evidence but is not medical advice. Please speak with your doctor for advice regarding your personal circumstances and vaccines for COVID-19.
Apologies francesca, I get antsy when critiques of the vaccine rollout include "transparency", as some might take it to imply a cover-up .
I agree that it's important to maintain public trust in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, and that will require more impartial studies on vaccine and vaccination side effects, including side effects in various groups that were excluded (for precautionary reasons) during vaccine trials.
Imho it would be foolhardy for public health services to brush aside any potential negative health side effects of a global vaccination effort (4.66 billion doses so far). If we can agree that there has been no conspiracy to cover up possible side effects of the vaccine, then great.
I found this recent (balanced) article (by Stelin Paul) on the issue helpful.
The effects of COVID-19 vaccines on women and a rising vaccine hesitancy [27 July]
Similarly, women in the childbearing age also have major misgivings about infertility that has recently become another reason to turn down the vaccine. As women are delaying their motherhood plans, they are feeling more apprehensive about such information on infertility that indicate that vaccines may interfere with the female reproductive system and that the antibodies generated via the vaccine will start attacking the placenta as the COVID-19 spike protein has structural similarities to Syncytin-1—the protein assisting the development of the placenta. Such theories have been time and again proven wrong by several studies, however, the damage has been done. The situation is just as Raj Mathur, the Chair of the British Fertility Society, explains “The misinformation got there before the correct information.”
Social Media has provided fodder for newer conspiracy theories that suggest that vaccines are another tactic by the state to enroll a population control programme. It found fertile soil to sow the fear of infertility as it used the initial reservations that people had to propagate such unfound theories. These theories when accepted by health workers who have refused vaccines on the same grounds, has made it exponentially more difficult to convince the local population. Misinformation has made it twice as hard to achieve herd immunity, as we live in a time where people have more faith in Google than on the government. This behaviour not only affects personal decisions but also extends to the decisions made by family and close friends.
Even though there has been no concrete study conducted on this,
I don't know how many times this has to be said.
There has been no concrete study into the effect on women's menstrual cycles from the Covid vaccines. None.
So please…. produce an actual specific study into this or concede that these women reporting these symptoms should be taken seriously.
Because it just looks plain fucking dodgy ( and very possibly yet another example of the rise and rise of misogyny) that there has been no concrete study.
Q: Do you think that the lack of research on menstrual cycles during the COVID-19 pandemic is an indicator of a wider issue in health research?
A: Women’s health is an overlooked and underfunded area. So much research has been published on COVID-19 over the past 18 months, but none of the big COVID-19 studies or the vaccine trials have collected data on menstrual cycles.
Even the article you referenced, the one based on research findings that are yet to be peer-reviewed , agrees that there have been no major studies on either Te Virus or the vaccines that has studied the effects on women's menstrual cycles.
Of course, the article agrees, that was my point of linking to it!!
You’re are so antagonistic here – is that a better word for your constant tedious negative emotive commentary here? – that you cannot tell the difference between friend or foe.
Happy to "concede that these women reporting these symptoms should be taken seriously" – why you seem to think I believe otherwise is a mystery.
Similarly, I don't understand why you believe that the lack of a "concrete study" is evidence of something "plain fucking dodgy".
I'm disappointed at the monotonous negativity you dump on the public heath system and health experts, and have as much respect for your opinions on these matters as you have for mine.
The CDC, too, is finally searching its vaccine safety database for reports of menstrual changes to try and identify how the vaccine might impact one’s period. Finding a link and sharing the information with women who are getting the vaccine would help prepare them for a potentially unpleasant side effect, and prevent unnecessary concerns.
The CDC response has been tardy, but hopefully they will study the VAERS data( which will be skewed by under reporting) address the concerns and add to the list of side effects so that young women can be prepared
Your first link is a letter to the BMJ, not a study
Your second link says there is no hard data …still no studies
the third says could be short lived
None of these are studies
"Significantly, in June, the National Institute of Health (NIH) announced it would spend around $1 million to support three to four studies looking into the potential link between Covid vaccines and menstruation disruption. A call for proposals was issued, but so far, no awards have been granted. Consequently, no research has commenced, much less concluded with helpful insights.
I'm not talking about coverups, I'm talking about real studies addressing young women's concerns
If women are not listened to they lose trust and become vulnerable to misinformation
Another balanced article (imho), this one looking at the possibility of cause-and-effect between Covid vaccinations and menstrual changes, and how to study same. Hopefully health experts can design studies and learn from these once the pandemic is better controlled.
Why Reports Of Menstrual Changes After COVID Vaccine Are Tough To Study [9 August]
But even if the question can't be answered for COVID-19 vaccines, Riley says she believes issues such as the effects on menstruation need to be addressed in future clinical trials of drugs and vaccines: "Because when you can't answer those questions, you're asking people just to believe."
In the absence of (instant) answers, I believe that the benefits of being vaccinated against Covid-19 outweigh the risks, but that's just me – who/what to trust is a personal choice.
We will in short months be in a largely or fully vaccinated percentage population.
Our policy argument is no longer about vaccination but about protecting the vulnerable from more outbreaks, mitigating its damage, and mashing that effort with the broader public health programmes that we already have.
Like life pre-covid, we will give all of ourselves better outcomes if we are well connected with people, exercise a lot, are overall healthy, don't smoke, aren't in an isolated community nowhere from healthcare, don't have other major morbidity risks, and act quickly when we do fall ill.
Thank you for saying this out loud. The logical consequence of co-morbidities featuring so highly as a risk factor has been largely left out of the public narrative.
In principle one of the most potentially effective tools against COVID – improving the overall health of the entire population – has been left lying on the table untouched.
The faster the Ministry of Health and all those stupid District Health Boards have the load of COVID vaccinations and border controls lifted off them, the better off we will all be.
MoH have not covered themselves in glory here.
Government have been given consistent advice that MoH weren't up to it and it needed a separate dedicated agency.
To those who don't believe that the benefits of being vaccinated against Covid-19 outweigh the risks, and would prefer to be protected by their untrained immune system if/when the Delta variant arrives on our shores
To me your comment displays a mixture of propaganda and fear.
It would be nice to know for example how this "untrained immune system" you speak of has managed to protect millions of children under the age of 18 in the UK over the past year, with an estimated death rate of only 0.000002%
It would be nice to know for example how this "untrained immune system" you speak of has managed to protect millions of children under the age of 18 in the UK over the past year, with an estimated death rate of only 0.000002%
An annual "death rate of only 0.000002%" for under-18s in the UK is fanciful, since that's a death rate of 1 per 50 million under-18s.
In your link it's stated that there were 2 Covid-19 deaths per million ("25 children and young people have died as a result of Covid-19"), so the actual annual death rate is 100 times your estimate, i.e. 0.0002%, not "0.000002%".
Propaganda, or a simple 'miscalculation'? Who knows
Many thanks Francesca. I have been reading and hearing about this for a while now. This is a well presented look at what we know and what we don't. Again, thank you.
Cause & effect, not merely a correlation. If it gets on the list of actually causing bad things, it is a bad thing, which is not a good thing for a vaccine in a pandemic. In other words, I hope (!) the vaccines are as safe as realistically possible and as effective as realistically possible. But it is what it is and time will tell.
No quibble with that, as long as the information is correct and accurate, correctly interpreted, and not extrapolated and taken out of context. There are too many self-taught dilettantes ‘experts’ out there who twist and turn facts into ignorant word salads with an emotive dressing. They should be ashamed of themselves.
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – 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 politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
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 ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
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: ...
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. ...
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 ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
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 ...
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 ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],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, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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 ...
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. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],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, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
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. ...
Looking forward to getting back into the air when the borders open?
You might be in for a rough ride.
Have you considered tele-commuting?
https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/the-forever-project/hot-air-sucks-animation-video/
A single plastic bag took out nearly half the operating theatres? Maybe a rubbish sack? You don't see many plastic bags around these days – though I guess synthetic thread fabric is common enough. I suspect the false economy of delaying maintenance may have played its part in creating this expensive mess. Not the first time it has rained inside the old Dunedin hospital anyway.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/surgeries-cancelled-due-flooding
And gutter guard mesh costs $5-6 for 8 metres!
"For the want of a nail…."
Who remembers the classic Footrot Flats cartoon with the dog asking guess where Wal is during the first rain of the season or words to that effect? Behind him is a drenched Wal on a ladder cleaning an overflowing gutter of leaves.
Yep, the old; "she'll be right" kiwi attitude, doesn't mix too well with sterile operating theaters.
The SDHB is both underfunded and underfunding. Which ends up costing more; money, in the long term, and; human suffering, in the short.
John Pilger again proving why he will be remembered as one of the foremost journalist of our life time…unbelievably MSM media journalists have become so captured in this prevailing moment of 'manufacturing consent' in media that they intentionally ignore this symbolic public torture..fucking cowards..guess Pilger was right on the mark when he saw right through Kim Hill's bullshit liberal facade all those years ago and recognized her as nothing more than the defender of the status quo she is…..
JOHN PILGER: A Day in the Death of British Justice
"There is more: WikiLeaks disclosed the U.S. campaign to suppress wages in sweatshop countries like Haiti, India’s campaign of torture in Kashmir, the British government’s secret agreement to shield “U.S. interests” in its official Iraq inquiry and the British Foreign Office’s plan to create a fake “marine protection zone” in the Indian Ocean to cheat the Chagos islanders out of their right of return.
In other words, WikiLeaks has given us real news about those who govern us and take us to war, not the preordained, repetitive spin that fills newspapers and television screens. This is real journalism; and for the crime of real journalism, Assange has spent most of the past decade in one form of incarceration or another, including Belmarsh prison, a horrific place."
https://consortiumnews.com/2021/08/12/john-pilger-a-day-in-the-death-of-british-justice/
John Pilger dismantling Kim Hill…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rYQ2o4V3BM
That interview that you and some others here love mentioning so much was in 2003.
Some people are truly stuck in the past and let the past define them in ways that lock in the past and block progressive change.
But did you read the consortium article? Because that's what happening now.
So perhaps you could.
And if I could not, I’m a “defender of the status quo”, or an “imperialist”, or something else altogether? Please let me know what label I should don so that I can make up my mind before I click on the link and lose a few minutes of my life that I will never get back.
Anyway, back to work now.
As a case study in histrionic propaganda, it's of mild interest. If you're into that kinda thing.
As for providing any new facts or insight, not so much. Finding those few little tidbits that might be relevant is kind of a 'where's Waldo' exercise. Which ends up kinda pointless given the certainty that Pilger will be presenting a wildly distorted one-eyed view of the situation.
"And if I could not, I’m a “defender of the status quo” …."
Good grief.
The point of reading the article is to inform you. If you choose not to, I couldn't care less.
Look, Brigid, in case you didn’t get my comment(s) in this thread, I was commenting on the ‘style’, not the ‘substance’. In my view, Adrian’s comment was not about engaging in a discussion. His prejudice was dripping off his comment, as usual, with the undertones of an aggressive and hostile attitude towards a few other commenters here. We’ve all seen it here before, which is why Adrian and I butt heads regularly and why I put (his pet) words in the Auto-Moderation filter that trigger shit fights.
His comment @ 3 was not inviting in the slightest; it was polarising, and I think he either can’t help himself because he’s stuck in a pattern or it is deliberate or a bit of both.
Perhaps I should not have used my reply to you as a way to communicate to and about Adrian and I apologise for that because you seem genuinely interested in conversation on the ‘substance’ of his comment. My bad.
HTH and have a nice day.
Sadly, Kim Hill doesn't seem to have learned a lot from that encounter with John Pilger. There are many more recent examples of her engaging in and/or providing an uncritical forum for vicious and cynical attacks on progressive activists and political dissidents. In 2013 she let Alex Gibney pour rhetorical filth on Julian Assange [1] and in 2019 she allowed Simon Schama to unleash an equally spurious attack on Jeremy Corbyn. [2]
To be fair, she does occasionally display some intellectual courage and moral awareness, such as when she confronted the neoconservative war enthusiast William Shawcross in 2004. [3] She also drove one Jeffrey Archer into a paroxysm of fury on air one memorable afternoon in 1994.
[1] https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13072013/#comment-662336
[2] https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-06-07-2019/#comment-1634687
[3] https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-01082011/#comment-359152
Morrissey, my contraire confrere! Oh, how I missed you, but I had an inkling you’d appear here today; the trigger words must have set off the red alarm.
I think dogmatic lefties and intellectual snobs alike, they have better things to do than losing their rag over an ancient interview between a woman and a man about another man and a woman (or was it another man?). For example, where was your outrage about moving Churchill’s portrait?
Life is too short to hold on to the past and your grudges unless you’re Chris Trotter, of course, but he’s a ‘political historian’.
Work calls, again.
Nice to see you again, mon ami.
You misunderstand.
That interview was such a glorious victory in the struggle to smash the establishment that its memory shall be revered forever as a shining inspiration to all true lefties. Viva la revolucion!
Or something.
Ah, I see. Unfortunately, I’m prone to misunderstanding because I’m obviously not a ‘true lefty’, as I don’t go into full beast-mode at the slightest discursion from ‘the manifest’.
@ Incognito. So when has Kim Hill had on anyone defending or even seriously discussing the Assange case in the past couple of years?, infact as far as I can see RNZ has had only two guests over the past three years to talk about Assange specifically.. Kim Hill and RNZ undermine serious "progressive change" in exactly the same way as the Guardian does….the only change that gets regular coverage on RNZ are the changes in the stock market, that they report on half a dozen times a day!
Hmmm, a slightly better comment than the one that was visible in the front-end for 6’52’’ before you trashed it
I’m not losing any sleep over the things that seem to bother others no end. We all pick our favourite battles, don’t we? That said, I do see an analogy, at least one, between moving a portrait of Churchill and the reporting by RNZ and Kim Hill on Assange.
What the fuck is up with you commenting on the contents of my comment before the ten minutes ‘editing’ time is up?
"I do see an analogy, at least one, between moving a portrait of Churchill and the reporting by RNZ and Kim Hill on Assange"…I don't.
Defending Assange takes moral and ethical courage of the type Kim Hill and RNZ have not displayed for so long I sometimes wonder if it was ever present?
Getting on the Churchill train does not…just some low hanging fruit of the type that suits RNZ liberal sensibilities perfectly.
Twice in two days you put up a comment that was visible to others before you edited/trashed it. I can give you a personal message that I think your edit was an improvement and you know why. Other than that, I did not comment on the actual contents of your trashed comment. So, please spare me your false accusations and stop playing the poor victim. BTW, somebody else also commented on your second edited/changed comment, which you also improved by your edit. Perhaps you’re as smart as I think you are.
You don’t see an analogy, yet you do!?
I'm with you. There is a limit to how far supposedly good journalists will stray from acceptable norms. Hill's limit was exposed in the Pilger interview, and is repeated in regards to Assange.
It's worthwhile to acknowledge that.
That misses out the bits where he really ripped into Kim Hill. Pilger is a hero but so is Hill….on this very rare occasion she didn't handle it very well.
Yes, that was my impression – I thought they'd have hit it off.
Agreed
Stewing in hate and wallowing in his own blackpilled misery with a social life revolving around howling into social media. The only thing missing is the manifesto.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/300382597/very-young-girl-among-five-victims-of-britains-first-mass-shooting-in-more-than-a-decade
And the profile was so obvious. Clearly not a victim, just an entitled shit.
This about Black Pill Incels in relation to the killer was horribly fascinating. Though, given that they are not interested in any kind of relationship beyond emotionless rutting; Involuntarily Chaste seems a better description than; I Celibate, because they are not looking for marriage anyway.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/13/plymouth-shootings-may-be-a-sign-the-incel-culture-is-spreading
An ordinary, self entitled young man unable to deal with the boredom and disappointments that are part and parcel of being an ordinary young man.
The joys of an affluent, comfortable society./
The world is full of arseholes and most of them can be found in groups lecturing others on what to do. Scott Guthrie, bankrupted many times, self appointed serial justice campaigner, actually anywhere he can get his hands on dopey buggers donations and funnel them towards himself just excelled at stitching up Christine Rankin,was, and I love this, a stalwart of the Sensible Sentencing Trust. Ha fucking ha!
Its all in the Press this morning, sorry can’t do links because of IT stupidity.
Here we go
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/126062061/selfstyled-justice-advocate-bankrupted-twice-now-sacked-twice
This is from Stuff, who I think still do the Press – so it's probably the same as the print version.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/126062061/selfstyled-justice-advocate-bankrupted-twice-now-sacked-twice
Yeah, that Guthrie sounds like a right conman. Though it is hard to detect a deceiver who believes their own deceit – is it even lying then? Still certainly manipulative and destructive to workplace cohesion, and corrosive to trust.
{Edit – snap DBB}
Another angle to vaccine hesitancy?
The writer makes the case that sexism plays a role in the evaluation and trials of medications in general.
Thanks francesca, an excellent long form piece that collates six months of commentary on this particular side effect of the covid jabs.
I have been following how MSM has been reporting on this issue for months and the responses from the experts are so similar you'd be forgiven for thinking they were following a common script.
A widely quoted male gynecologist told the BBC that there was “no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility.” Alan Copperman, MD, of the Mt. Sinai Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, claims “the evidence shows that the vaccines will not affect anyone’s fertility.” Just yesterday, from the Boston Globe, we are told there is “conclusive evidence that the vaccine has no negative impacts on reproduction.”
One wonders who they are trying to convince.
But, here’s what is confusing. The menstrual cycle – and please, someone do correct me if I’m wrong – is a fertility cycle, consisting of a follicular phase, the ovulation phase, the luteal phase, and then the passing of the menses itself. If a woman accepts a Covid-19 vaccine and begins to suddenly and hemorrhagically bleed, for weeks or months or end, this by no means necessarily suggests she is permanently sterilized, but nevertheless indicates her cycle has been thrown off track, which is a fertility-related side effect – one which is particularly salient to a woman trying to conceive.
And yes, basic biology…you'd think it would trump all the dismissive pontifications of the experts clearly spouting rubbish.
But no, Ms Parenti will most likely find herself on some FactcheckersRus shit list for daring to do such a deep dive into an issue that could affect near fifty percent of vaccine recipients.
And they wonder why vaccine hesitancy is an actual thing.
(Surprise fact from the article….about one third of all American women will undergo fertility treatment at some point.)
There are two ways to think about this pandemic – from the science perspective that in principle should embrace scrutiny, challenge and alternative hypothesis, OR from the public health perspective that is all about getting us to do the same thing.
One is about seeking the truth even when the path takes us through confusion and misinformation – the other is about the noble lie told in the interests holding our society together in a common purpose. These two motives could not be more different yet they're constantly muddled, conflated and are often in conflict with each other.
In an ideal world each would find a way to complement each other, each playing a role in evolving more intelligent and effective responses to this pandemic – yet here we are still taking sides when te virus doesn't care.
Not sure about the principle of embracing alternative hypotheses. My "science perspective" is that scientific hypotheses should be testable, so I could embrace the testing of alternative hypotheses (educated guesses) in as far as that is possible.
Existing data, however, strongly support the hypothesis that the benefits of the better Covid-19 vaccines to human life and limb greatly outweigh the risks.
To those who don't believe that the benefits of being vaccinated against Covid-19 outweigh the risks, and would prefer to be protected by their untrained immune system if/when the Delta variant arrives on our shores – I respect your right to choose and wish you, your whānau and friends the very best of luck.
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) weekly COVID-19 meeting on 11 August 2021 update
Do the Benefits of COVID Vaccine Outweigh the Risks? [9 minute watch]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q0mQP8eoK8
Given that I've already had my first AZ shot two weeks ago – I'm at a loss to understand your reply.
Glad you've had your first AZ jab – some of my best friends are vaccinated.
I'm at a loss to understand what you don't understand about my reply, which was an attempt to provide evidence (or, as mauī calls it, "propaganda") consistent with expert consensus hypotheses about the benefits and risks of vaccination against Covid-19.
I chose to focus on evidence because, as you know and as evinced by some of the replies below, there are many alternative hypotheses about Covid-19, vaccines and vaccination floating around, including that:
I embrace" expert consensus hypotheses (which are continually tested and, when necessary, revised) because imo they point the way forward more often than not. I'm less interested in false hopes ("fully vaccinated"), conspiracy theories ("transparency"), and promoting the odd "alternative hypothesis".
You've missed the point that there is no evidence that menstruation is affected by the MRNA jab because no studies have yet been done
That is not disinformation , in fact all those who cried down womens reports of menstrual disruption , saying that the evidence was that the Mrna jab has no effect on fertility, were guilty themselves of misinformation
Finally the CDC in the US is taking this seriously, and hopefully menstrual disruption will appear as one of the side effects so that younger women can make informed choices(perhaps delaying IV therapy until some time after the jab)
I hope you are not trying to characterise the link I provided as misinformation , that should be reported .If you had bothered to read the link you would have seen that she is no anti vaxxer.
When young women's concerns are so cavalierly brushed aside it's no wonder that trust is lost and vaccine hesitancy becomes a thing
Mind if you don't ask for it you wont know either and i guess that is the issue if the male body is the default body on which such things are 'studied'.
But then, men a women now, so i guess biology does not matter, or matters even less then before so we are all good.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/09/1024190379/covid-vaccine-period-menstrual-cycle-research
disclaimer, i am fully vaccinated and i am past menstruating. 🙂
I realise this might be inconvenient to your narrative but you seem misinformed: https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-14-08-2021/#comment-1808944.
What CARM does is not in any way shape or form a "study". (Not what we have come to expect a "study" to comprise of. )
There are no studies…and it is very weird that this was not something that was specifically monitored in the initial Pfizer trials.
Even weirder that despite thousands of women reporting significant menstrual issues there has been no studies published.
Tardy, to say the least.
Nope. It is unethical to raise false flags until there is sufficient evidence that it is justified and then warranted. As the data mountain grows and experts have time to analyse all the data into meaningful and actionable information it may or may not become clear whether this constitutes a possible safety signal. However, some small studies may commence that are unlikely to provide conclusive results and more likely to fan the fire of doubt, fear, and hesitancy for the simple fact that it has not been a major blip on the radar until now, after billions of vaccine doses worldwide.
Where the US goes we go , and the CDC has finally started to take womens concerns seriously
Hopefully menstrual disruption will make it on to the list of side effects
FIFY
I hope it doesn’t.
"Bushed aside" like this?
Apologies francesca, I get antsy when critiques of the vaccine rollout include "transparency", as some might take it to imply a cover-up .
I agree that it's important to maintain public trust in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, and that will require more impartial studies on vaccine and vaccination side effects, including side effects in various groups that were excluded (for precautionary reasons) during vaccine trials.
Imho it would be foolhardy for public health services to brush aside any potential negative health side effects of a global vaccination effort (4.66 billion doses so far). If we can agree that there has been no conspiracy to cover up possible side effects of the vaccine, then great.
I found this recent (balanced) article (by Stelin Paul) on the issue helpful.
From the Stelin Paul article…
Side effects on menstrual cycle
Even though there has been no concrete study conducted on this,
I don't know how many times this has to be said.
There has been no concrete study into the effect on women's menstrual cycles from the Covid vaccines. None.
So please…. produce an actual specific study into this or concede that these women reporting these symptoms should be taken seriously.
Because it just looks plain fucking dodgy ( and very possibly yet another example of the rise and rise of misogyny) that there has been no concrete study.
Thats what I'm coming round to Rosemary
Good old fashioned sexism that's inclined to trivialise women's concerns as hysteria
The current state without the emotive hype that we come across on this site: https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/articles/the-global-pandemic-and-menstrual-cycles-what-do-we-know-351436
@Incognito
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-14-08-2021/#comment-1809098
The current state without the emotive hype that we come across on this site: https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/articles/the-global-pandemic-and-menstrual-cycles-what-do-we-know-351436
Even the article you referenced, the one based on research findings that are yet to be peer-reviewed , agrees that there have been no major studies on either Te Virus or the vaccines that has studied the effects on women's menstrual cycles.
As for 'emotive hype'… yet more "Good old fashioned sexism that's inclined to trivialise women's concerns as hysteria".
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Oh, get lost!
Of course, the article agrees, that was my point of linking to it!!
You’re are so antagonistic here – is that a better word for your constant tedious negative emotive commentary here? – that you cannot tell the difference between friend or foe.
@Rosemary (4:58 pm): Yes, a helpful article imho.
Happy to "concede that these women reporting these symptoms should be taken seriously" – why you seem to think I believe otherwise is a mystery.
Similarly, I don't understand why you believe that the lack of a "concrete study" is evidence of something "plain fucking dodgy".
I'm disappointed at the monotonous negativity you dump on the public heath system and health experts, and have as much respect for your opinions on these matters as you have for mine.
The CDC response has been tardy, but hopefully they will study the VAERS data( which will be skewed by under reporting) address the concerns and add to the list of side effects so that young women can be prepared
Your first link is a letter to the BMJ, not a study
Your second link says there is no hard data …still no studies
the third says could be short lived
None of these are studies
"Significantly, in June, the National Institute of Health (NIH) announced it would spend around $1 million to support three to four studies looking into the potential link between Covid vaccines and menstruation disruption. A call for proposals was issued, but so far, no awards have been granted. Consequently, no research has commenced, much less concluded with helpful insights.
I'm not talking about coverups, I'm talking about real studies addressing young women's concerns
If women are not listened to they lose trust and become vulnerable to misinformation
That was for Drowsy
Another balanced article (imho), this one looking at the possibility of cause-and-effect between Covid vaccinations and menstrual changes, and how to study same. Hopefully health experts can design studies and learn from these once the pandemic is better controlled.
In the absence of (instant) answers, I believe that the benefits of being vaccinated against Covid-19 outweigh the risks, but that's just me – who/what to trust is a personal choice.
We will in short months be in a largely or fully vaccinated percentage population.
Our policy argument is no longer about vaccination but about protecting the vulnerable from more outbreaks, mitigating its damage, and mashing that effort with the broader public health programmes that we already have.
Like life pre-covid, we will give all of ourselves better outcomes if we are well connected with people, exercise a lot, are overall healthy, don't smoke, aren't in an isolated community nowhere from healthcare, don't have other major morbidity risks, and act quickly when we do fall ill.
Thank you for saying this out loud. The logical consequence of co-morbidities featuring so highly as a risk factor has been largely left out of the public narrative.
In principle one of the most potentially effective tools against COVID – improving the overall health of the entire population – has been left lying on the table untouched.
The faster the Ministry of Health and all those stupid District Health Boards have the load of COVID vaccinations and border controls lifted off them, the better off we will all be.
MoH have not covered themselves in glory here.
Government have been given consistent advice that MoH weren't up to it and it needed a separate dedicated agency.
Drowsy M K
Be good sweet maid and let those who will be clever
Informed consent relies on full information and transparency
To me your comment displays a mixture of propaganda and fear.
It would be nice to know for example how this "untrained immune system" you speak of has managed to protect millions of children under the age of 18 in the UK over the past year, with an estimated death rate of only 0.000002%
"Covid: Children's extremely low risk confirmed by study" https://www.bbc.com/news/health-57766717
An annual "death rate of only 0.000002%" for under-18s in the UK is fanciful, since that's a death rate of 1 per 50 million under-18s.
In your link it's stated that there were 2 Covid-19 deaths per million ("25 children and young people have died as a result of Covid-19"), so the actual annual death rate is 100 times your estimate, i.e. 0.0002%, not "0.000002%".
Propaganda, or a simple 'miscalculation'? Who knows
Many thanks Francesca. I have been reading and hearing about this for a while now. This is a well presented look at what we know and what we don't. Again, thank you.
Medsafe is monitoring menstrual disorders after vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine as a possible safety signal.
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/safety-report-21.asp
Incognito
Why on earth would you hope menstrual disruption doesn't make it on to the list of side effects for the MRNA vaccine?
Do you have similar feelings about the other side effects listed like itch, localised soreness, headache, tiredness, rash?
Cause & effect, not merely a correlation. If it gets on the list of actually causing bad things, it is a bad thing, which is not a good thing for a vaccine in a pandemic. In other words, I hope (!) the vaccines are as safe as realistically possible and as effective as realistically possible. But it is what it is and time will tell.
I would always prefer to be armed with information , no matter how "bad" those "bad things" may be
All drugs have "bad" side effects, with varying degrees of severity, not much point denying it
No quibble with that, as long as the information is correct and accurate, correctly interpreted, and not extrapolated and taken out of context. There are too many self-taught
dilettantes‘experts’ out there who twist and turn facts into ignorant word salads with an emotive dressing. They should be ashamed of themselves.