Open mike 14/09/2024
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6:00 am, September 14th, 2024 - 33 comments
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Labour’s Mangere MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will shortly take medical leave. ...5 days ago
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The Government is taking a wrecking ball to our public education system by reinstating charter schools. ...6 days ago
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The National Party is wasting millions of dollars allowing David Seymour’s Treaty Principals Bill to be drafted and go to Select Committee. ...6 days ago
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Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Thanking social workers on their national day
“Today, on Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day, I would like to recognise the tremendous effort social workers make not just today, but every day,” Children’s Minister and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says. “I thank all those working on the front line for ...3 hours ago - Minister of State for Trade heads to Laos for ASEAN meetings
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg will travel to Laos this week to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane. “The Government is committed to strengthening our relationship with ASEAN,” Ms Grigg says. “With next year marking 50 years since New Zealand became ...3 hours ago
- Members appointed to retail crime MAG
The Government has appointed four members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “I am delighted to appoint Michael Hill’s national retail manager Michael Bell to the group, as well as Waikato community advocate and business ...6 hours ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation AGM and Conference 2024
It’s my pleasure to be here to join the opening of the NZNO AGM and Conference for 2024. First, I’d like to thank NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, NZNO President, Anne Daniels, and Chief Execuitve Paul Gaulter for inviting me to speak today. Thank you also to all the NZNO members ...6 hours ago
- Improvements for New Zealand authors
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says changes to the Public Lending Right [PLR] scheme will help benefit both the National Library and authors who have books available in New Zealand libraries. “I am amending the regulations so that eligible authors will no longer have to reapply every year ...1 day ago
- Minister commends Police for gang operation
Police Minister Mark Mitchell congratulates Police for the outstanding result of their most recent operation, targeting the Comancheros. “That Police have been able to round up the majority of the Comancheros leadership, and many of their patched members and prospects, shows not only the capability of Police, but also shows ...1 day ago
- New appointments to the EPA board
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has announced a major refresh of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board with four new appointments and one reappointment. The new board members are Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart and Nancy Tuaine, who have been appointed for a three-year term ending in August 2027. “I would ...1 day ago
- Enabling rural recovery works in Hawke’s Bay
Cabinet has approved an Order in Council to enable severe weather recovery works to continue in the Hawke’s Bay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell say. “Cyclone Gabrielle and the other severe weather events in early 2023 caused significant loss and damage to ...1 day ago
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From today, low-to-middle-income families with young children can register for the new FamilyBoost payment, to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. The scheme was introduced as part of the Government’s tax relief plan to help Kiwis who are doing it tough. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we ...1 day ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
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- Targets data confirms rise in violent crime
The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...2 days ago
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Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...2 days ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...2 days ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
Thank you for the introduction and the invitation to speak to you here today. I am honoured to be here in my capacity as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, and Minister for Children. Thank you for creating a space where we can all listen and learn, ...2 days ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...2 days ago
- Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...3 days ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...3 days ago
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A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...3 days ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...3 days ago
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From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...4 days ago
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New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...5 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...5 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...6 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...6 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...6 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...6 days ago
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- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...6 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...6 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
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- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...7 days ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...7 days ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...1 week ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...1 week ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...1 week ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...1 week ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...1 week ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...1 week ago
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Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...1 week ago
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More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...1 week ago
- Why the case for higher speed limits is fatally flawed
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It just got easier for authors to get paid for the use of their books by libraries. But is it enough? What is the Public Lending Right scheme and why am I hearing about it now? The Public Lending Right scheme (PLR) is an annual payment to New Zealand authors ...2 hours ago - AUKUS in talks with Canada, Japan, NZ, say leaders
The leaders said that new partners could contribute to the so-called AUKUS "Pillar Two", which does not involve nuclear submarines. ...3 hours ago
- ‘I am a proud reader of some objectively terrible books’: Time Out’s Abby Irwin-Jones
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- Funding cuts could see ‘significant change’ for Whakaata Māori
Its chief executive says the organisation is looking "at everything possible" to achieve cost savings and ensure the next 20 years for Whakaata Māori. ...3 hours ago
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- Environment Ministry opens detailed climate projections to the public
Anyone can visit the public database and select whether they are interested in drought, rainfall, wind or temperature, which season they are interested in and whether they would like to see projections for low, medium or high greenhouse gas emissions. ...6 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images As the government’s plan to increase speed limits begins to roll out, a group of local and international road safety and health experts has warned the ...7 hours ago
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Pagers that detonated simultaneously, killing at least eight people and injuring thousands, were brought in by Hezbollah in recent months. ...9 hours ago
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 18 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...12 hours ago
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First lady Laura Loomer?
Bringing a 9/11 conspirator to a 9/11 memorial is a move.
Cabinet Homeland Security post?
A matter of time before she becomes Laura Loony.
The press would be apoplectic if Harris was traipsing around the country canoodling with a party operative younger than her children while her husband was in California.
Bernard Hickey sure knows his stuff. The actions of this Government in rejecting Treasury advice regarding Debt has killed off so much for so many.
$80 BILLION?!!!
Aussie Malcom. Wouldn't be surprised . Never liked him back then. An arrogant b….
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350414745/former-national-party-minister-accused-historical-child-sex-abuse
A disturbing read – what a horrible person he allegedly was. Of course nothing in NZ Herald – but if it was a Labour, Green or Te Pati Maori ex MP. . . need I say more.
Malcom passed away a few days ago. My understanding, these allegations became public yesterday. It is not surprising other news agencies have no mention of the allegations. Most people have a sense of decency in these situations. Any form of abuse is bad enough without being sullied for political purposes.
Trying to sully the story with an accusation of "political purposes" is pathetic. And for the record its up on the RNZ site and also the Herald. No doubt it is also appearing on the other news agency sites.
The victims have had to live with what was done to them for 30 to 40 years. In the case of some of them at the least it would have ruined their lives. Yet what you are inferring is they have no right to have the alleged perpetrator's name made public – something that would have likely occurred had it gone through the court system.
Time and place Anne, time and place…
Malcom was MP 40 years ago, but lost his seat in 1984. He passed away only a few days ago.
The media reporting on the allegations against him will be due to his death and presumably name suppression lapsing.
It could be argued that Malcom was a thorn in Muldoon's side and he helped bring an end to Muldoon’s tenure as PM. Malcom was one of the more socially liberal politicians, certainly ahead of his time for a traditional national party MP.
I know little of the allegations against the man. However I have felt and lived with the effects of abuse for all my life.
Two things I know to be true.
1st, perpetrators of abuse come from all walks of life, all sides of the political spectrum.
2nd, should your abuser be involved in politics, the apparatchiks will do anything to smear your name, with no concern for morality, or for what is right.
You have a political axe to grind, which is fair enough, we all do to a greater or lesser extent. However your writing contained a certain distasteful glee, the passing of Malcom, a former national party MP and cabinet minister, had been under investigation for historic abuse of young men.
You only care about abuse when the perpetrators are identified as being your political opponents, victims of crime and abuse are for political point scoring, nothing more, nothing less.
That is what I meant by distasteful.
"The tōtara has fallen" – too soon for some, not soon enough for others.
Poor man likely had his demons, and fostered more – RiP, you poor man.
Like I said, political apparatchiks only care about the victims of abuse when they are in a position to make political capital from it.
Like I said, poor man likely had his demons, and fostered more.
Some abusers don't give their victims a second thought – don’t have to.
"The tōtara has fallen" – RiP.
No-one can know what might have been, had Aussie lived a little longer.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350414745/former-national-party-minister-accused-historical-child-sex-abuse
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/crime/former-national-party-minister-aussie-malcolm-accused-of-historical-child-sex-abuse/
Like clockwork, baldy seizes the opportunity to look like he cares. It's convenient all this caring suddenly emerges only after the perpetrator has died.
We didn't know, governor, promise.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pm-christopher-luxon-urges-people-to-come-forward-over-historical-child-sex-abuse-claims-against-former-national-minister-aussie-malcolm/UKMMDHBZYVHZ5CPC6STPCRGTCY/
However, it distracts from the massive screw up National is making of the economy, I suppose.
Your judgements on my intentions, and my supposed lack of empathy and understanding disgusts me almost beyond words. You are an ignorant fool. The man in question is dead and buried – so to speak. Yes, the circumstances will be very difficult for his family but the victims take precedence. They have lived with the awful shame for decades.
I have been in their predicament – although not quite in the same way but just as distressing – so I think I have an understanding of how the victims are feeling. They will have suffered an enormous blow with the death of the alleged perpetrator. They will know there only hope now of full closure will be to go public and tell their stories. Be prepared for those stories because it will start happening very soon.
Will you apologise? I doubt you have it in you.
Sorry who should I apologise to?
Certainly not to any victims of abuse, especially those who are linked to Malcom. You are the one who is attempting to make political capital from their experience of abuse, not me.
That feeling of disgust you have, is indignation, you’re acting appallingly, most grown adults would know this.
There are people involved with politics who would never speak for the victims of abuse. The only concerns will be, is the perpetrator from our side, if not, can we make political capital from it? This is what many people will find distasteful about politics, regrettably all political parties have the bottom feeders, those on the left are just as bad as those on the right. But back to the (alleged) victims of Malcom. This is their story to tell in their own time, not yours. I’ve been in their shoes, I will keep my advice quiet, but for this. It only makes the trauma worse when others get involved in order to further their own agenda.
As for the victims having precedence, we know that is a lie, they don’t. It all depends on who is the victim and who is the perpetrator, who can make political capital, and who can look virtuous.
Projecting your own behaviour onto someone else? Straight from the Trump playbook:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350416236/predator-ex-national-mp-investigated-least-three-times-over-alleged-child-sex
And what behaviour would that be Anne? Or have you confused me with someone else?
It IS important to continue this after his death, as there may be more people he abused as children who haven't yet come forward. Even knowing that they were not the only ones can help. Just because he's dies, doesn't stop the harm he did.
Well of course certain investigations will continue even after Malcoms death, as usually happens in these circumstances when a PEP is involved.
No time for him at all. Helped kill off Skybus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skybus_(Aqua_Avia) (invoking legalistic measures while making no secret at all of his intentions), and as Immigration Minister granted visas for the 1981 Springboks. "Goodnight Aussie."
A friend of ours was at Dilworth. He told my partner once that Aussie Malcolm was his rugby coach. I wonder if the two things are connected?
Could be.
Uuuugh. Bought stuff from Trade Depot what a stuff around…
Get text saying will deliver friday stay home all day …nothing
Get text Satuday saying they were unable to deliver please reschedule
Phone them – speak to an an asian lady with faux american accent (not in nz) oh they were to busy they will deliver today. Uugh I'm not optimistic. Third party contracting what a pain in the arse.
At least you weren't speaking to someone in Asia with a faux Aussie accent who answered my call to Qantas. She had no idea where Wellington was, and very surprised to learn it's the capital of NZ…
Bought a few things from there 6 years ago. Not been back since and never will.
Why do some articles not have a byline? Some articles have no attribution and so are written by no-one. Or perhaps by ChatGPT? Or, maybe they are written by someone who wants to remain anonymous, someone who is probably not a reporter, someone who wants to make promotional or publicity material look like a news article, someone in a government agency or in the office of a minister?
Here's one, with quotes and everything, explaining how safe NZ's drinking water will soon be, but the identity of the author remains a mystery…
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/527970/half-a-million-people-on-track-for-safer-drinking-water-by-end-of-year
I'm surprised RNZ does not have a policy of bylining all published material so readers know from where it was motivated.
Everyone might like to watch out for this to see if there's a pattern.
A re-written presser masquerading as news.
https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/news/articles/drinking-water-suppliers-make-progress-implementing-critical-treatment/
Interesting.
Here's another one, this time Stuff via RNZ. It's basically a press release for the government complete with "Labour is soft on crime".
But no-one at RNZ is willing to put their name to it.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350416016/pm-luxon-police-minister-mark-mitchell-say-auckland-assaults-are-dropping
And the original at RNZ, no author, but at least it includes Labour’s response:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/528044/pm-luxon-police-minister-mark-mitchell-say-auckland-assaults-are-dropping
Ouch
@dieworkwear
These things still exist. In London, there are over 50 gentlemen's clubs. There's over that number across the United States. But "return to the past" trad accounts don't know about them because they are not part of the socio-economic class that's allowed into these clubs
https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1834748031222374448
You mean like this?