Exposing a deeply twisted and paranoid world view, and undermining his own case, police prosecutor Ross Burns defames the New Zealand Anti-Apartheid movement in court.
Burns compared the actions of the accused to the “violent protests against the Springbok tour”.
Mr Burns said by combining all the different bits of evidence against the accused including footage of people patrolling the bush, throwing molotov cocktails, a thermite bomb recipe found in the home of one of those formerly accused in the case, and conversations between some of the accused talking about war and killing people the jury would see what the group’s true motives were
He compared the camps to the violent protests against the Springbok tour in 1981 no-one wanted to believe it was happening in New Zealand, but it was..
All those who took part in the acts of civil disobedience and protest, honoured and celebrated across Africa and around the world, should be deeply offended at Burns comments.
It’s an interesting comparison, Jenny. Clearly there were incidents of organised protest that went beyond mere civil disobediance, the flour bombing of Eden Park being the most well known example. So perhaps there may be some thin grounds to say there are similarities.
For me, the most offensive comparison in court was saying Tama Iti was just like Nelson Mandela! An own goal in two aspects; one, Iti’s a buffoon and secondly, Mandela was convicted of trying to blow things up, hardly a link that a defence lawyer should be drawing attention to, I would have thought.
I might have believed their headline. If said Maori were sitting outside a bank, in a stolen car, with balaclava’s and guns. But people living in the back blocks need firearms to sustain them selves and their families.
A query: why is it that when looking at fairness and long-term viability of superannuation and welfare generally, people discuss age of eligibility and capital gains tax, but no mention is ever made of trusts which are set up to dodge tax, and to qualify for a range of government handouts.
Actually Arthur, I was at several demos in 81 when the violence came from all sides. As the Tour progressed it became very evident to some of us that the Police (Red Squad in particular) were deliberately inciting violence as were Police “agents provocateurs”. On the protester side it also became evident that some groups within the protest movement were becoming willing to mix it. You can only take so much violence before you respond, I saw it close up. Had the tour gone on any longer I think the most protesters would have all met fire with fire.
The petition originates from IUF, a collective of agricultural, food and hotel industry Unions based overseas. You don’t have to be a Union member to sign the petition.
Signed. It seems that the only way that the Owners/Boards want to negotiate, is from Locking out the work force. The old starve em out mentality, along with other prehistoric ideas.
Personal information emailed to an unauthorised person in August 2011.
ACC know of the error in December 2011.
New ACC minister in December 2011
Media reports the incompetence in March 2012
Without an independent inquiry, when ACC knew of the error may not be correct.
“…Cannabis and its active constituents appear to be safe and modestly effective treatments in patients suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions –
– including neuropathy (pain due to nerve damage) –
– according to a literature review to be published in The Clinical Journal of Pain…”
Yesterday I commented upon the intellectual vacuity of ACT candidate Stephen Franks. Today I will comment upon the diatribe that passes for informed journalism in our MSM publications.
Have you ever noticed that when members of the status quo, and in particular the “successful” (aka wealthy and rich) have their comment published you invariably get given a line or two about them being “first class minds”?
Last night I had the misfortune to glance at the Listener (angst mag for the well healed classes). An article on Alan Gibbs described him as a “first class mind”. It went on to outline his career, from being a “communist” at university to being a “free market radical”, and an acknowledged business maestro. I have no doubt that Alan is extremely clever and successful, what gets to me is the blanket categorization of him as a “first class mind”.
Lets break it down a bit: he was a communist, he is now a free market radical…which says that he is a radical ideologist, both dogmas being the bastard off spring of mechanistic rationalism. That is a bit like being good at arithmetic, 1+2=3, yet you are not required to ascertain what 1,2 and 3 quantify or relate to. To me that does not signal a first class mind, merely the ability to think narrowly and act accordingly.
Gibbs was also extremely good at business: some people are extremely good at taking risk, which in itself is not a good basis for judging them a first class mind. This too is a narrow discipline, as is the ability to make radical decisions which impact on other peoples lives. This too indicates more about temperament. Ideological apparatchiks were extremely good at slinging people into the Gulag, ideological economic rationalists with MBAs excel at making others redundant whilst citing a narrow viewpoint that justifies exorbitant salaries. The pain caused is always “justifiable” within the bounds of the ideology as being for the greater good. These are both successful individual behaviors within an environment, they do not however indicate a “first class mind”.
I am sure Pravda used to promote “first class minds”, here in NZ the MSM needs a big kicking to dispel this lazy behavoir.
Gibbs was also extremely good at business: some people are extremely good at taking risk, which in itself is not a good basis for judging them a first class mind.
Last night, I watched the (old) detective series New Tricks on Prime. The episode was about a University lecturer who had been fired as the new chancellor wanted to concentrate on offering business degrees… to idiots, as shown in an hilarious scene where the retired detectives were given an assignment to hand in to a lecturer.
My point is that the new chancellor was one of those narrow business men. He’d shut the library (replacing it with a few dozen computers) and got rid of the History and philosophy of science faculty (for one example.) I think the series is about 2-3 years old (maybe 4, which is the norm for British programmes on NZ TV) but it was very relevant!
Found this on scoop. Well worth reading the real-life stories of those who are being made to pay for the deficit via cuts to public sector jobs. I’ll just post the author’s conclusion:
A couple of years ago, people getting in touch were worried about services disappearing under George Osborne’s scalpel. Now, as thousands lose their jobs, it’s fear about living off credit cards, and making ends meet until the end of the month. Many of these middle-aged workers being thrown out of work are watching their children becoming adults with little prospect of getting a secure job, too. One text was from a woman whose husband had just lost his job; their unemployed 20- and 24-year-old kids couldn’t afford to leave home. The lost and forgotten generations are increasingly living under the same roof.
This generation of unemployed is forgotten, but not accidentally so. Much of the media enthusiastically backs the biggest cuts since the 1920s. They have little interest in exposing the human reality: after all, if it is widely realised that the deficit is being paid off with people’s futures, then passive acquiescence to austerity can hardly be taken for granted. The Government is counting on the anger and despair of the forgotten generation to remain unseen, contained, confined to the dignified privacy of their homes. But if the forgotten and the lost organise, join forces, and make their voices heard, the Cameron Project could be sent hurtling into reverse.
This is, in my opinion, one of the major challenges Labour has – to be an inclusive party with broad appeal, rather than one where different opinions are seen as heresy – especially when you are in opposition.
Ah no. The problem with both you and David is that both of you seem to think that disagreements should be polite or silent (unless of course you’re the one doing the disagreeing). That arguments should be held behind closed doors.
That isn’t exactly how Labour or any left-wing party operates. I view that “polite” behaviour is almost the defining behaviour of the right (it vies with short-term thinking). It is in my view extremely hypocritical and usually evasive to try to pretend that disagreements don’t happen in public.
In Labour and just about every organisation I’ve ever been in, the disagreements tend to be aired in public or near public. But I guess you don’t particularly like that.
Josie understands that and is (and was) quite capable of defending herself. Like the young labour person that Farrar was ‘defending’, she doesn’t need the assistance of minor political figures who really seem have no frigging idea about how politics operates on the left.
I’d point out that I’ve spent decades in Labour with economic and social views that look like an old ACT manifesto, a non-unionist, and someone who views the government as primarily a infrastructural development system than anything else. I just happen to lack the ability to think only in the short-term like a true conservative and I’m not scared of verbal conflict in the way that you and Farrar appear to be. I get in regular disagreements both inside Labour and outside. It really isn’t an issue.
Quit moaning and just defend your ideas. In fact based on what I have seen you do recently, the first thing you should do is actually lay out some ideas that you will defend.
I don’t usually get criticised for my silence on blogs, I’ve been involved in more than a few disagreements “aired in public or near public” – and I’ve been prepared to be open about my identity which is more than many will do.
So trying to give me the silent treatment falls a bit flat.
Sometimes I pormote and defend my ideas – but I also like to test and explore other people’s ideas, sometimes a nudge helps that happen. There’s a lot less tolerance of that in some blogs than others, and that lack of tolerance seems to be more to the left. I get plenty disagreement elsewhere, but much less personal attacks.
testing and exploring other people’s ideas without offering specific ones of your own is pretty selfish at best.
At worst it is simply a guise for undeclared sophistry – ask for a proposition or “evidence”, when it is offered reduce it to absurdity or misinterpret it, ask for more propositions or evidence, reduce that to absurdity or misinterpret it, and so on. Meanwhile try as hard as possible to avoid providing your own propositions or evidence for all except the most patently obvious things, then crow about how smart you are (Gosman) or – when people finally get bored with “debating” with a propositional vacuum – complain that people refuse to engage in polite discussion (sound familiar, pg?).
It has been notable around here, and many have commentated on it, that you seldom present your ‘ideas’ in a form that can be discussed.
What you do instead is wave some vague aspirations around with no detail about how they’d be implemented and then try to tell everyone else off for not agreeing with something that is so vague that they make clouds look solid. In other words you don’t put up any ideas that are worth agreeing with, disagreeing with, or even discussing because they show no signs of being thought through. My great nephew at just over one year old, has ideas that have more substance than those I have seen from you. He at least has a observable tangible goal and a process when I see him figuring out his next bit of mischief…
In effect what you seem to call ideas, I view as being meaningless waffle. But I’m not really into ‘ideas’ that show no signs of being obtainable without a religious miracle.
But have a look around the comments you’ve left here. Point to an “idea” that shows any kind of plan of the process towards implementation.
Funny. That’s one of the weaker criticisms I’ve had. Was anyone not aware of who I was then for a few days?
I used a pseudonym on Redbaiter’s blog for about 10 days but then made it obvious who I was (he said he knew all along but banned me as soon as he actually knew). I used a pseudonym for my first month or two on KB. I got reporteed for telling someone who I was when they asked on Trademe.
But I might be any number of other identities, mightn’t we.
On another post PG was trying to say that controversial post titles cause changes in readership. It ain’t so…
The titles of posts don’t substantially change the numbers of people reading a particular post. Obviously we can test that pretty easily here because of the format we shifted to in 2010 with a drill down front page.
The rough order of effect is (from my testing)
1. How many people usually read your blog daily.
2. Topicality – ie is it really newsworthy.
3. How good the post is in it’s content
4. What is happening in comments (ie lively discussion)
5. The author (on multiauthor sites). There are authors who get more reads.
6. How many links and references you get from blogs, facebook etc (ie from people who read the post).
7. What the excerpt reads like where it is displayed (eg facebook).
8. What the graphic looks like (eg facebook).
9. What the title is (the main place that has an effect is on post rolls – minor).
I’ve tested this several times over the years as we keep shifting formats and social media (I’m due to do it again when I get some time to test the effect of the RSS feed changes – which saved 50GB of overseas traffic last month).
It is additive, so if you get everything right then you’ll get about 3-4 times the first one. There are a few post that go somewhat larger than that – they tend to be the ones that have a strong topicality.
I have a strong suspicion that your site fails on the first one, which impacts on most of the others. If it isn’t seen and spread then it drops into a bit of an abyss.
You’re comparing dissimilar things. The major blogs are first or a regular port of call for many people, so it can depend much more on what’s topical and whats on the main page. Small blogs work differently. There are obviously many factors but on lower volume blogs the title can make a big difference (at least quadruple with the one I tried today). I don’t expect many hits unless I do something to attract them.
4. What is happening in comments (ie lively discussion)
That’s an interesting one. Activity attracts activity, people like to go where it’s popular. I suspect that here you’ll get a lot of hits off the recent comment list.
And if you have a look at Whale’s latest interface which lists the topics with number of comments very clearly the topics with numbers attract more numbers.
I don’t expect big numbers because most of what I do is elsewhere to my blogs, they are just useful tools. If I wanted to attract a lot more hits I’d post regularly about abortion, aliens, global warming, religion, homosexuals, David Bain, John Key Sucks and Labour are Labouring. But I think there’s enough of that elsewhere.
I suspect that here you’ll get a lot of hits off the recent comment list.
I tend look at most of this statistically..
Less than 5% of post views come via the comments list (closer to 1-2% on a average day). However if you are talking about commentators then it is about 20-30%.
On most days, people who comment regularly are about 20% of the clicks to posts and usually less than 10% of the visitors. The majority of people are lurkers who read the posts. Some will then go on to read the comments (you can tell when they never or seldom leave comments, but do read a post several times). That been steadily increasing and looks like it is getting to be something like 20% of non-commenting regular readers.
Quite simply a lively debate isn’t that much interest to the vast majority of readers unless it is topical. Even then, you’ll get a flood of page views if you’re off first with it rapidly tailing off to the usual commentators plus the people interested in the topic.
I suspect that the commenting behaviour here is a bit different on whale’s site. I’ve noted before that the people coming into this site from there are typical pack animals. Where one goes you find a pile of pack members following, a spate of quick piddling (ie rubbish comments) to mark territory, and then departure. Most of them have been banned from here in the past for trolling meaningless twaddle, but you can still observe their marking behaviours on whale’s site – short comments with a lack of content reflecting their high thought levels.
The pack behaviour is distinctive. We can get a hundred or even two hundred page views coming from whale’s site in an hour if whale is upset with something on our site. It then drops to nothing. But on average it is minimal compared to search (ie topicality) or facebook (ie references) or several other sites.
If I wanted to attract a lot more hits I’d post regularly about …. (no particular substance)
ie the Whale strategy (currently with more posts). It isn’t particularly useful. It is kind of hard to see with Whale artificially bumping his page views at present (which I’ll look at sometime when I have time). But what he doesn’t get from that strategy is the the first item on my list – numbers of regular readers. He has a pretty minimal (if ardent) regular audience and has to keep doing more and more and more frantic activity all of the time. Not a good technique for pacing yourself.
Whereas we’ve been slowly dropping the posts over the last few years back to sustainable rates and so people can comment before the posts disappear. It isn’t often that we have more than 10 posts in a day (whereas that was more common a year or two years ago) and the average is closer to 5 per day. But while that shift has been happening, the numbers of readers has kept climbing. Over xmas was pretty classic. The numbers of posts dropped like a stone (because authors out of network or constrained by family), but page views and comments merely dropped to last years usual weekend levels. People are coming to read and write the comments in OpenMike if nothing else.
I’m a little perplexed regarding the legislation for the selling of energy assets. Section 9 of the SOE Act gives Maori treaty rights under section 9. Key has compromised and will cover Maori concerning 51 % (government shares).
This morning on Nine to Noon (first slot) I learn that with the sale of energy assests that a person will no longer be able to access information OIA or go through the ombudsman. Auckland Airport info cannot be obtained through the OIA or the ombudsman. Private prison info will be able to be obtained through the OIA and the ombudsman.
What perplexes me is how will Maori be able to get info regarding their treaty rights being recognised in the governments 51 % energy shares?
The government is to focus its efforts on re-arranging the furniture in John Key’s Beehive office, the Prime Minister announced today, ending months of speculation about National’s plan to reduce the deficit and grow productivity during their second term.
In a speech that is expected to set the political and fiscal agenda for the next two years, Key made the announcement at a breakfast meeting of the Waitakere Business Club, who greeted the policy with sustained applause.
‘This government will form a high level committee to carry out this task, consisting of myself, Finance Minister Bill English, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Northland electorate MP Mike Sabin who used to shift pianos when he was a student and is still in pretty good shape.’
May I suggest a Hawaiian theme, complete with sand, a few jelly fish and a hammock. The hammock is for Key to ponder on why he said in 2008 that he would not cut public service jobs or sell state assets during a speech.
… blah blah “a stay of execution” and ….blah blah “death sentence”
We don’execute people in NZ, and we don’t have the death sentence – to compare the financial difficulties of the ORU and decisions over its future to a human life is just bad taste churnalism.
The MSM has gone totally tabloid and its only Wednesday – sheesh.
Yeah especially since there hasn’t been another election since then and he never indicated at all that they were planning on cutting public service jobs or selling assets, oh wait…
I think it was Key’s arguments as to why selling assets was a bad idea that are significant…. the reasons still hold, and he doesn’t have a better argument for the asset sales..
As remarkably ironic as that video is, I recon Key will confidently shrug and tell us “we live in a dynamic world” and sadly most Nat supporters will accept that feeble excuse. The guy has had plenty of practice shrugging off previous broken promises. It’s what the teflon meister does best, making excuses and blagging his way out of things.
The amazing thing about that video is he could have been an opposition candidate campaigning rather effectively AGAINST Nationals policies. Amazing how fickle his policies and commitments are.
Agreed Ianmac, Duncan’s apologetic analysis was utterly pathetic, the guy added absolutely nothing to the story other than ‘I like National, and I’ll make excuses for them, that is all’.
Shame it wasn’t revealed before the election when it mattered, could have swayed a percent or 3 fence sitters. Will make excellent ammo for the opposition come next election though.
What is your beef with ACC burt, thats a couple of things today…All ok mate. or have we had a bad experience when your counsin the dodgy doctor was inspecting your pre season groin strain..
Couple of things today…. After my first comment of the day. Your credibility muzza – shot to shit.
Yeah, and that’s real funny about inspecting the groin strain… were you mailed my case file to try and help ACC find a way of wriggling out of their responsibilities ?
DePuy spokeswoman Melissa Tyndale-Biscoe said in January that the company regretted the impact the recall had on patients, their families and surgeons.
It was now providing support for more than 4000 patients in New Zealand and Australia.
It would pay “reasonable” costs for any patient who needed testing and treatment, including the full cost of any revision surgery required.
X-rays and other scans, travel, and temporary home care after surgery would also be covered for patients who needed them.
So, what was your actual problem? Because I can’t see any reason to sue.
The monopoly state provider wasn’t at fault and the company that was is paying the damages.
That said, not being able to sue is the most efficient system as most people can’t actually afford to sue and so being able to won’t achieve the desired result. Regulations keep things in check better than lawyers.
Right… so the monopoly state health and accident insurance systems completely fuck up and the best thing is that you take the one size fits all recourse they offer – yeah… that’s the most efficient for them.
Yep, it’s all about what’s efficient for them… ease of administration is so much more important than anything else.
Hey I hear if they send your private case details to other people they …. well they… umm, they give you a phone call to say sorry.
DEAKER-WATCH No. 2
Notorious race-baiting broadcaster Murray Deaker is in the news for yet again using racist language on air. The target this time was Muslims, but longtime Deaker-watchers know that he has been making brutal, demeaning comments about Māori and Polynesian athletes for more than twenty years.
The DEAKER-WATCH series is designed to bring Deaker’s bigotry to the notice of those people who are not bored enough, or sad enough, or dull enough to listen to one of his programmes. Here then, like a sulphurous blast from seven years past, is the first in the series…
Deaker still concerned about “dumb” Polynesian players
by MORRISSEY BREEN, Daisycutter Sports Inc.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Great test match on Saturday, in spite of it being played at night-time in Dunedin. A thrilling late try by Keven Mealamu means we beat the Springboks and are in line for the Tri-Nations title.
New Zealand fans and New Zealand media commentators would be elated at that, surely? Well, yes, they are… mostly.
You’ve been thinking the All Blacks have played brilliantly this season? Think again, buddy. Deeper, cleverer minds than you or I have been cogitating, and they are gravely concerned.
Minds like Murray Deaker’s, for instance. As ever, the man grandiosely billed on his radio station’s promos as “New Zealand’s number one sports broadcaster” is again giving voice to his perennial theme, viz., the All Blacks, being full of Polynesian and Maori players, are just too…. well, …. too dumb.
Tonight, in tones of deep seriousness, he informs his listeners that “our players are faster, stronger, better athletes — but they’re not BRIGHTER.”
A caller named Mark is in full agreement with the great man: “They’re BRAINLESS, Murray! Why are they so THICK?”
Deaker develops his theme: “Umaga — a GREAT player. But I question his judgement. If only he had somebody like Grant Fox inside him — a player with BRAINS. These guys play with fantastic athleticism but they don’t play with NOUS.”
Got it, New Zealand football fans? No matter how good they look, those darkies are just too st00000-pid to play rugby football at the top level. They are constantly being out-thought by smarter white players, as we saw demonstrated in Paris last November, and during the Lions series earlier this year.
When are the All Black selectors going to LISTEN to real, passionate, BRIGHT fans like Murray Deaker and “Mark”, and get rid of those darkies? Can’t they see how they are DESTROYING the All Blacks? Deaker and “Mark” can, for Chrissakes!!! What’s WRONG with Henry, Hansen and Smith? Are they blind?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DEAKER-WATCH is a series dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Murray Deaker to New Zealand public life.
Why is Obama’s regime persecuting whistle-blowers?
Democracy Now!, March 9, 2012
From corporate whistleblowers to Army refuseniks, a new book, “Beautiful Souls: Saying No, Breaking Ranks, and Heeding the Voice of Conscience in Dark Times,” explores what compels ordinary people to defy the sway of authority and convention for the greater good. “I feel like we have two very different discourses about whistleblowers in this country,” says the book’s author, Eyal Press. “On the one hand, when you see them cast in Hollywood movies, they’re invariably heroes, played by leading actors and actresses, and everybody salutes them… On the other hand, when we have whistleblowers actually speaking up in real time, the response is very different.” [includes rush transcript]
JUAN GONZALEZ: We turn now to whistleblowers and the unprecedented attack they’ve come under during the Obama administration. Evoking the Espionage Act of 1917, the administration has pressed criminal charges against no fewer than six government employees, exactly twice as many as all previous administrations combined. Their crime? Leaking classified information to reporters.
Last month Jake Tapper, the White House correspondent for ABC News, questioned the Obama administration for applauding truth-seekers abroad while simultaneously prosecuting them at home. Tapper raised his concerns shortly after White House Press Secretary Jay Carney lamented the deaths of journalists Marie Colvin and Anthony Shadid, saying they had given their lives “in order to bring truth” while reporting in Syria. This is Jake Tapper.
JAKE TAPPER: How does that square with the fact that this administration has been so aggressively trying to stop aggressive journalism in the United States by using the Espionage Act to take whistleblowers to court? You’re currently—I think that you’ve invoked it the sixth time. And before the Obama administration, it had only been used three times in history. This is the sixth time. You’re suing a CIA officer for allegedly providing information in 2009 about CIA torture. Certainly that’s something that’s in the public interest of the United States. This administration is taking this person to court. There just seems to be a disconnect here: you want aggressive journalism abroad; you just don’t want it in the United States.
PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY: Well, I would hesitate to speak to any particular case, for obvious reasons, and I would refer you to….
Goldman Sachs executive director of European equity derivatives business grows a conscience and quits. Greg Smith writes a public letter as a farewell present to the bank’s management…
He said junior analysts are absorbing a culture in which the most important question is “how much money did we make off the client?”, and that hearing talk of “muppets,” “ripping eyeballs out” and “getting paid” will not turn them into “model citizens”.
…He claims the fast-track to a Goldman promotion involves persuading clients to invest in stocks or other products “that we are trying to get rid of because they are not seen as having a lot of potential profit”; getting clients to trade “whatever will bring the biggest profit to Goldman” – referred to internally as hunting elephants and securing a job trading “any illiquid, opaque product with a three-letter acronym”.
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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: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
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 ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
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 ...
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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. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
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There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
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The Urewera Trial
Are you a terrorist?
Exposing a deeply twisted and paranoid world view, and undermining his own case, police prosecutor Ross Burns defames the New Zealand Anti-Apartheid movement in court.
Burns compared the actions of the accused to the “violent protests against the Springbok tour”.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6569723/Urewera-trial-Maori-people-plus-guns-equals-crime
All those who took part in the acts of civil disobedience and protest, honoured and celebrated across Africa and around the world, should be deeply offended at Burns comments.
It’s an interesting comparison, Jenny. Clearly there were incidents of organised protest that went beyond mere civil disobediance, the flour bombing of Eden Park being the most well known example. So perhaps there may be some thin grounds to say there are similarities.
For me, the most offensive comparison in court was saying Tama Iti was just like Nelson Mandela! An own goal in two aspects; one, Iti’s a buffoon and secondly, Mandela was convicted of trying to blow things up, hardly a link that a defence lawyer should be drawing attention to, I would have thought.
I might have believed their headline. If said Maori were sitting outside a bank, in a stolen car, with balaclava’s and guns. But people living in the back blocks need firearms to sustain them selves and their families.
A query: why is it that when looking at fairness and long-term viability of superannuation and welfare generally, people discuss age of eligibility and capital gains tax, but no mention is ever made of trusts which are set up to dodge tax, and to qualify for a range of government handouts.
Trusts = Elephants? So true but how likely would it be that MPs would pursue this as it would be a conflict of interest? 🙂
As I recall it the violence in 81 came almost exclusively from police and supporters.
Actually Arthur, I was at several demos in 81 when the violence came from all sides. As the Tour progressed it became very evident to some of us that the Police (Red Squad in particular) were deliberately inciting violence as were Police “agents provocateurs”. On the protester side it also became evident that some groups within the protest movement were becoming willing to mix it. You can only take so much violence before you respond, I saw it close up. Had the tour gone on any longer I think the most protesters would have all met fire with fire.
True – Jenny.
Just on another note I’m passing on a petition to support locked out Afco/Talleys workers, for those of you who are interested:
http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=662
The petition originates from IUF, a collective of agricultural, food and hotel industry Unions based overseas. You don’t have to be a Union member to sign the petition.
Signed. It seems that the only way that the Owners/Boards want to negotiate, is from Locking out the work force. The old starve em out mentality, along with other prehistoric ideas.
I just signed, and shared it on Facebook! 🙂
Link please Vicky. For us lazy old buggers.
http://whoar.co.nz/2012/got-propaganda-why-all-of-the-milk-industrys-health-claims-have-been-proven-wrong/
“…Marketers have been trying desperately for over a decade to increase the public’s consumption of milk –
– but they keep failing.
Here’s why…”
(cont..)
phil-at-whoar.
ACC’s accident?
Clearly an independent inquiry is required…
The timeline is not a good look either.
Personal information emailed to an unauthorised person in August 2011.
ACC know of the error in December 2011.
New ACC minister in December 2011
Media reports the incompetence in March 2012
Without an independent inquiry, when ACC knew of the error may not be correct.
http://whoar.co.nz/2012/no-medical-value-27-studies-show-pot-kills-pain/
“…Cannabis and its active constituents appear to be safe and modestly effective treatments in patients suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions –
– including neuropathy (pain due to nerve damage) –
– according to a literature review to be published in The Clinical Journal of Pain…”
(cont..)
phil-at-whoar.
Yesterday I commented upon the intellectual vacuity of ACT candidate Stephen Franks. Today I will comment upon the diatribe that passes for informed journalism in our MSM publications.
Have you ever noticed that when members of the status quo, and in particular the “successful” (aka wealthy and rich) have their comment published you invariably get given a line or two about them being “first class minds”?
Last night I had the misfortune to glance at the Listener (angst mag for the well healed classes). An article on Alan Gibbs described him as a “first class mind”. It went on to outline his career, from being a “communist” at university to being a “free market radical”, and an acknowledged business maestro. I have no doubt that Alan is extremely clever and successful, what gets to me is the blanket categorization of him as a “first class mind”.
Lets break it down a bit: he was a communist, he is now a free market radical…which says that he is a radical ideologist, both dogmas being the bastard off spring of mechanistic rationalism. That is a bit like being good at arithmetic, 1+2=3, yet you are not required to ascertain what 1,2 and 3 quantify or relate to. To me that does not signal a first class mind, merely the ability to think narrowly and act accordingly.
Gibbs was also extremely good at business: some people are extremely good at taking risk, which in itself is not a good basis for judging them a first class mind. This too is a narrow discipline, as is the ability to make radical decisions which impact on other peoples lives. This too indicates more about temperament. Ideological apparatchiks were extremely good at slinging people into the Gulag, ideological economic rationalists with MBAs excel at making others redundant whilst citing a narrow viewpoint that justifies exorbitant salaries. The pain caused is always “justifiable” within the bounds of the ideology as being for the greater good. These are both successful individual behaviors within an environment, they do not however indicate a “first class mind”.
I am sure Pravda used to promote “first class minds”, here in NZ the MSM needs a big kicking to dispel this lazy behavoir.
Succinct and true. Bravo.
Last night, I watched the (old) detective series New Tricks on Prime. The episode was about a University lecturer who had been fired as the new chancellor wanted to concentrate on offering business degrees… to idiots, as shown in an hilarious scene where the retired detectives were given an assignment to hand in to a lecturer.
My point is that the new chancellor was one of those narrow business men. He’d shut the library (replacing it with a few dozen computers) and got rid of the History and philosophy of science faculty (for one example.) I think the series is about 2-3 years old (maybe 4, which is the norm for British programmes on NZ TV) but it was very relevant!
given the increasingly proven cancer/premature-death etc.-causing properties of our main exports..
..(animal bits/bye-products..)
.(we really..as a country..are the merchants of death..eh..?..)
..hand in hand with the soon-to-be production of lab/warehouse grown meat..(with no animals/cruelties involved..in countries of consumption…)
..wouldn’t it make some sense to flog all the meat-farms off to foreigners..?
..and then to sit back and watch/wait for them to go (inevitably) broke..
..then we can buy the farms back cheap..
..and start growing real food on them..?
..(just saying..!
..it’s a plan..!..)
the alternative of course is to start switching to growing real food now..eh..?..)
phil-at-whoar.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/owen-jones-my-father-and-the-reality-of-losing-your-job-in-middle-age-7546015.html
Found this on scoop. Well worth reading the real-life stories of those who are being made to pay for the deficit via cuts to public sector jobs. I’ll just post the author’s conclusion:
A couple of years ago, people getting in touch were worried about services disappearing under George Osborne’s scalpel. Now, as thousands lose their jobs, it’s fear about living off credit cards, and making ends meet until the end of the month. Many of these middle-aged workers being thrown out of work are watching their children becoming adults with little prospect of getting a secure job, too. One text was from a woman whose husband had just lost his job; their unemployed 20- and 24-year-old kids couldn’t afford to leave home. The lost and forgotten generations are increasingly living under the same roof.
This generation of unemployed is forgotten, but not accidentally so. Much of the media enthusiastically backs the biggest cuts since the 1920s. They have little interest in exposing the human reality: after all, if it is widely realised that the deficit is being paid off with people’s futures, then passive acquiescence to austerity can hardly be taken for granted. The Government is counting on the anger and despair of the forgotten generation to remain unseen, contained, confined to the dignified privacy of their homes. But if the forgotten and the lost organise, join forces, and make their voices heard, the Cameron Project could be sent hurtling into reverse.
A certain blog has posted a very valid point about current Labour. The intolerance of diversity.
This can also apply to blogs.
Labour being accused of the intolerance of diversity – lolwut.
Ah no. The problem with both you and David is that both of you seem to think that disagreements should be polite or silent (unless of course you’re the one doing the disagreeing). That arguments should be held behind closed doors.
That isn’t exactly how Labour or any left-wing party operates. I view that “polite” behaviour is almost the defining behaviour of the right (it vies with short-term thinking). It is in my view extremely hypocritical and usually evasive to try to pretend that disagreements don’t happen in public.
In Labour and just about every organisation I’ve ever been in, the disagreements tend to be aired in public or near public. But I guess you don’t particularly like that.
Josie understands that and is (and was) quite capable of defending herself. Like the young labour person that Farrar was ‘defending’, she doesn’t need the assistance of minor political figures who really seem have no frigging idea about how politics operates on the left.
I’d point out that I’ve spent decades in Labour with economic and social views that look like an old ACT manifesto, a non-unionist, and someone who views the government as primarily a infrastructural development system than anything else. I just happen to lack the ability to think only in the short-term like a true conservative and I’m not scared of verbal conflict in the way that you and Farrar appear to be. I get in regular disagreements both inside Labour and outside. It really isn’t an issue.
Quit moaning and just defend your ideas. In fact based on what I have seen you do recently, the first thing you should do is actually lay out some ideas that you will defend.
I don’t usually get criticised for my silence on blogs, I’ve been involved in more than a few disagreements “aired in public or near public” – and I’ve been prepared to be open about my identity which is more than many will do.
So trying to give me the silent treatment falls a bit flat.
Sometimes I pormote and defend my ideas – but I also like to test and explore other people’s ideas, sometimes a nudge helps that happen. There’s a lot less tolerance of that in some blogs than others, and that lack of tolerance seems to be more to the left. I get plenty disagreement elsewhere, but much less personal attacks.
testing and exploring other people’s ideas without offering specific ones of your own is pretty selfish at best.
At worst it is simply a guise for undeclared sophistry – ask for a proposition or “evidence”, when it is offered reduce it to absurdity or misinterpret it, ask for more propositions or evidence, reduce that to absurdity or misinterpret it, and so on. Meanwhile try as hard as possible to avoid providing your own propositions or evidence for all except the most patently obvious things, then crow about how smart you are (Gosman) or – when people finally get bored with “debating” with a propositional vacuum – complain that people refuse to engage in polite discussion (sound familiar, pg?).
It has been notable around here, and many have commentated on it, that you seldom present your ‘ideas’ in a form that can be discussed.
What you do instead is wave some vague aspirations around with no detail about how they’d be implemented and then try to tell everyone else off for not agreeing with something that is so vague that they make clouds look solid. In other words you don’t put up any ideas that are worth agreeing with, disagreeing with, or even discussing because they show no signs of being thought through. My great nephew at just over one year old, has ideas that have more substance than those I have seen from you. He at least has a observable tangible goal and a process when I see him figuring out his next bit of mischief…
In effect what you seem to call ideas, I view as being meaningless waffle. But I’m not really into ‘ideas’ that show no signs of being obtainable without a religious miracle.
But have a look around the comments you’ve left here. Point to an “idea” that shows any kind of plan of the process towards implementation.
Lynn, was that to me or pete? Or possibly both (damn, that would have me meditating on self-reflection for longer than usual)?
edit – argh – just remembered to follow the comment numbers. it’s the little gravatar that throws me occasionally 🙂
and I’ve been prepared to be open about my identity which is more than many will do.
Oh really Pete?
Or should I say… Secret Squirrel…
Funny. That’s one of the weaker criticisms I’ve had. Was anyone not aware of who I was then for a few days?
I used a pseudonym on Redbaiter’s blog for about 10 days but then made it obvious who I was (he said he knew all along but banned me as soon as he actually knew). I used a pseudonym for my first month or two on KB. I got reporteed for telling someone who I was when they asked on Trademe.
But I might be any number of other identities, mightn’t we.
Unless the Kiwiblog post is actually applauding intolerance within Labour, the H-word seems painfully inadequate…
I give up Pete. Which blog are you trying to bolster visitor numbers for with your link?
Drilling for natural gas, take a look its a bit freaky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01EK76Sy4A&feature=player_embedded
On another post PG was trying to say that controversial post titles cause changes in readership. It ain’t so…
The titles of posts don’t substantially change the numbers of people reading a particular post. Obviously we can test that pretty easily here because of the format we shifted to in 2010 with a drill down front page.
The rough order of effect is (from my testing)
1. How many people usually read your blog daily.
2. Topicality – ie is it really newsworthy.
3. How good the post is in it’s content
4. What is happening in comments (ie lively discussion)
5. The author (on multiauthor sites). There are authors who get more reads.
6. How many links and references you get from blogs, facebook etc (ie from people who read the post).
7. What the excerpt reads like where it is displayed (eg facebook).
8. What the graphic looks like (eg facebook).
9. What the title is (the main place that has an effect is on post rolls – minor).
I’ve tested this several times over the years as we keep shifting formats and social media (I’m due to do it again when I get some time to test the effect of the RSS feed changes – which saved 50GB of overseas traffic last month).
It is additive, so if you get everything right then you’ll get about 3-4 times the first one. There are a few post that go somewhat larger than that – they tend to be the ones that have a strong topicality.
I have a strong suspicion that your site fails on the first one, which impacts on most of the others. If it isn’t seen and spread then it drops into a bit of an abyss.
You’re comparing dissimilar things. The major blogs are first or a regular port of call for many people, so it can depend much more on what’s topical and whats on the main page. Small blogs work differently. There are obviously many factors but on lower volume blogs the title can make a big difference (at least quadruple with the one I tried today). I don’t expect many hits unless I do something to attract them.
4. What is happening in comments (ie lively discussion)
That’s an interesting one. Activity attracts activity, people like to go where it’s popular. I suspect that here you’ll get a lot of hits off the recent comment list.
And if you have a look at Whale’s latest interface which lists the topics with number of comments very clearly the topics with numbers attract more numbers.
I don’t expect big numbers because most of what I do is elsewhere to my blogs, they are just useful tools. If I wanted to attract a lot more hits I’d post regularly about abortion, aliens, global warming, religion, homosexuals, David Bain, John Key Sucks and Labour are Labouring. But I think there’s enough of that elsewhere.
I suspect that here you’ll get a lot of hits off the recent comment list.
I tend look at most of this statistically..
Less than 5% of post views come via the comments list (closer to 1-2% on a average day). However if you are talking about commentators then it is about 20-30%.
On most days, people who comment regularly are about 20% of the clicks to posts and usually less than 10% of the visitors. The majority of people are lurkers who read the posts. Some will then go on to read the comments (you can tell when they never or seldom leave comments, but do read a post several times). That been steadily increasing and looks like it is getting to be something like 20% of non-commenting regular readers.
Quite simply a lively debate isn’t that much interest to the vast majority of readers unless it is topical. Even then, you’ll get a flood of page views if you’re off first with it rapidly tailing off to the usual commentators plus the people interested in the topic.
I suspect that the commenting behaviour here is a bit different on whale’s site. I’ve noted before that the people coming into this site from there are typical pack animals. Where one goes you find a pile of pack members following, a spate of quick piddling (ie rubbish comments) to mark territory, and then departure. Most of them have been banned from here in the past for trolling meaningless twaddle, but you can still observe their marking behaviours on whale’s site – short comments with a lack of content reflecting their high thought levels.
The pack behaviour is distinctive. We can get a hundred or even two hundred page views coming from whale’s site in an hour if whale is upset with something on our site. It then drops to nothing. But on average it is minimal compared to search (ie topicality) or facebook (ie references) or several other sites.
If I wanted to attract a lot more hits I’d post regularly about …. (no particular substance)
ie the Whale strategy (currently with more posts). It isn’t particularly useful. It is kind of hard to see with Whale artificially bumping his page views at present (which I’ll look at sometime when I have time). But what he doesn’t get from that strategy is the the first item on my list – numbers of regular readers. He has a pretty minimal (if ardent) regular audience and has to keep doing more and more and more frantic activity all of the time. Not a good technique for pacing yourself.
Whereas we’ve been slowly dropping the posts over the last few years back to sustainable rates and so people can comment before the posts disappear. It isn’t often that we have more than 10 posts in a day (whereas that was more common a year or two years ago) and the average is closer to 5 per day. But while that shift has been happening, the numbers of readers has kept climbing. Over xmas was pretty classic. The numbers of posts dropped like a stone (because authors out of network or constrained by family), but page views and comments merely dropped to last years usual weekend levels. People are coming to read and write the comments in OpenMike if nothing else.
I’m a little perplexed regarding the legislation for the selling of energy assets. Section 9 of the SOE Act gives Maori treaty rights under section 9. Key has compromised and will cover Maori concerning 51 % (government shares).
This morning on Nine to Noon (first slot) I learn that with the sale of energy assests that a person will no longer be able to access information OIA or go through the ombudsman. Auckland Airport info cannot be obtained through the OIA or the ombudsman. Private prison info will be able to be obtained through the OIA and the ombudsman.
What perplexes me is how will Maori be able to get info regarding their treaty rights being recognised in the governments 51 % energy shares?
Without transparency there will be skullduggery.
Prime Minister to re-organise office to boost economy
May I suggest a Hawaiian theme, complete with sand, a few jelly fish and a hammock. The hammock is for Key to ponder on why he said in 2008 that he would not cut public service jobs or sell state assets during a speech.
One news talking about Otago Rugby Union:
… blah blah “a stay of execution” and ….blah blah “death sentence”
We don’execute people in NZ, and we don’t have the death sentence – to compare the financial difficulties of the ORU and decisions over its future to a human life is just bad taste churnalism.
The MSM has gone totally tabloid and its only Wednesday – sheesh.
…talking about Otago Rugby Union
Actually, it’s the Otago Rugby Football Union.
…the financial difficulties of the ORU…
It’s the ORFU.
The MSM has gone totally tabloid and its only Wednesday
One News seems particularly poor at the moment—and that’s really concerning to anyone who cares about television.
TV3 news Has just shown The Donkey Saying he will not cut public service jobs,or sell our state assets. This going to take some deflecting on his part eh ?.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Labour-Key-promised-no-job-cuts-asset-sales-in-2008-speech/tabid/1607/articleID/246600/Default.aspx
Yeah especially since there hasn’t been another election since then and he never indicated at all that they were planning on cutting public service jobs or selling assets, oh wait…
I think it was Key’s arguments as to why selling assets was a bad idea that are significant…. the reasons still hold, and he doesn’t have a better argument for the asset sales..
Remakable broadcast Katy but unfortunately Duncan National apologist made excuses at the end to help let his mate Key down gently.
As remarkably ironic as that video is, I recon Key will confidently shrug and tell us “we live in a dynamic world” and sadly most Nat supporters will accept that feeble excuse. The guy has had plenty of practice shrugging off previous broken promises. It’s what the teflon meister does best, making excuses and blagging his way out of things.
The amazing thing about that video is he could have been an opposition candidate campaigning rather effectively AGAINST Nationals policies. Amazing how fickle his policies and commitments are.
Agreed Ianmac, Duncan’s apologetic analysis was utterly pathetic, the guy added absolutely nothing to the story other than ‘I like National, and I’ll make excuses for them, that is all’.
Shame it wasn’t revealed before the election when it mattered, could have swayed a percent or 3 fence sitters. Will make excellent ammo for the opposition come next election though.
Lets hope that Mallard’s not the campaign manager or that excellent ammo will only be used to shot himself in the foot.
Stuff: Kiwis to sue over faulty hip replacements
So let me guess, they couldn’t sue under NZ law because we have ACC….. .
What is your beef with ACC burt, thats a couple of things today…All ok mate. or have we had a bad experience when your counsin the dodgy doctor was inspecting your pre season groin strain..
Couple of things today…. After my first comment of the day. Your credibility muzza – shot to shit.
Yeah, and that’s real funny about inspecting the groin strain… were you mailed my case file to try and help ACC find a way of wriggling out of their responsibilities ?
So, what was your actual problem? Because I can’t see any reason to sue.
Yeah, not having the right to sue completely works for a monopoly state provider… of course we shouldn’t have that right.
The monopoly state provider wasn’t at fault and the company that was is paying the damages.
That said, not being able to sue is the most efficient system as most people can’t actually afford to sue and so being able to won’t achieve the desired result. Regulations keep things in check better than lawyers.
Right… so the monopoly state health and accident insurance systems completely fuck up and the best thing is that you take the one size fits all recourse they offer – yeah… that’s the most efficient for them.
Yep, it’s all about what’s efficient for them… ease of administration is so much more important than anything else.
Hey I hear if they send your private case details to other people they …. well they… umm, they give you a phone call to say sorry.
DEAKER-WATCH No. 2
Notorious race-baiting broadcaster Murray Deaker is in the news for yet again using racist language on air. The target this time was Muslims, but longtime Deaker-watchers know that he has been making brutal, demeaning comments about Māori and Polynesian athletes for more than twenty years.
The DEAKER-WATCH series is designed to bring Deaker’s bigotry to the notice of those people who are not bored enough, or sad enough, or dull enough to listen to one of his programmes. Here then, like a sulphurous blast from seven years past, is the first in the series…
Deaker still concerned about “dumb” Polynesian players
by MORRISSEY BREEN, Daisycutter Sports Inc.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Great test match on Saturday, in spite of it being played at night-time in Dunedin. A thrilling late try by Keven Mealamu means we beat the Springboks and are in line for the Tri-Nations title.
New Zealand fans and New Zealand media commentators would be elated at that, surely? Well, yes, they are… mostly.
You’ve been thinking the All Blacks have played brilliantly this season? Think again, buddy. Deeper, cleverer minds than you or I have been cogitating, and they are gravely concerned.
Minds like Murray Deaker’s, for instance. As ever, the man grandiosely billed on his radio station’s promos as “New Zealand’s number one sports broadcaster” is again giving voice to his perennial theme, viz., the All Blacks, being full of Polynesian and Maori players, are just too…. well, …. too dumb.
Tonight, in tones of deep seriousness, he informs his listeners that “our players are faster, stronger, better athletes — but they’re not BRIGHTER.”
A caller named Mark is in full agreement with the great man: “They’re BRAINLESS, Murray! Why are they so THICK?”
Deaker develops his theme: “Umaga — a GREAT player. But I question his judgement. If only he had somebody like Grant Fox inside him — a player with BRAINS. These guys play with fantastic athleticism but they don’t play with NOUS.”
Got it, New Zealand football fans? No matter how good they look, those darkies are just too st00000-pid to play rugby football at the top level. They are constantly being out-thought by smarter white players, as we saw demonstrated in Paris last November, and during the Lions series earlier this year.
When are the All Black selectors going to LISTEN to real, passionate, BRIGHT fans like Murray Deaker and “Mark”, and get rid of those darkies? Can’t they see how they are DESTROYING the All Blacks? Deaker and “Mark” can, for Chrissakes!!! What’s WRONG with Henry, Hansen and Smith? Are they blind?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
DEAKER-WATCH is a series dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Murray Deaker to New Zealand public life.
DEAKER-WATCH No.1…
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13032012/#comment-446445
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/3/9/beautiful_souls_eyal_press_on_the
Why is Obama’s regime persecuting whistle-blowers?
Democracy Now!, March 9, 2012
From corporate whistleblowers to Army refuseniks, a new book, “Beautiful Souls: Saying No, Breaking Ranks, and Heeding the Voice of Conscience in Dark Times,” explores what compels ordinary people to defy the sway of authority and convention for the greater good. “I feel like we have two very different discourses about whistleblowers in this country,” says the book’s author, Eyal Press. “On the one hand, when you see them cast in Hollywood movies, they’re invariably heroes, played by leading actors and actresses, and everybody salutes them… On the other hand, when we have whistleblowers actually speaking up in real time, the response is very different.” [includes rush transcript]
JUAN GONZALEZ: We turn now to whistleblowers and the unprecedented attack they’ve come under during the Obama administration. Evoking the Espionage Act of 1917, the administration has pressed criminal charges against no fewer than six government employees, exactly twice as many as all previous administrations combined. Their crime? Leaking classified information to reporters.
Last month Jake Tapper, the White House correspondent for ABC News, questioned the Obama administration for applauding truth-seekers abroad while simultaneously prosecuting them at home. Tapper raised his concerns shortly after White House Press Secretary Jay Carney lamented the deaths of journalists Marie Colvin and Anthony Shadid, saying they had given their lives “in order to bring truth” while reporting in Syria. This is Jake Tapper.
JAKE TAPPER: How does that square with the fact that this administration has been so aggressively trying to stop aggressive journalism in the United States by using the Espionage Act to take whistleblowers to court? You’re currently—I think that you’ve invoked it the sixth time. And before the Obama administration, it had only been used three times in history. This is the sixth time. You’re suing a CIA officer for allegedly providing information in 2009 about CIA torture. Certainly that’s something that’s in the public interest of the United States. This administration is taking this person to court. There just seems to be a disconnect here: you want aggressive journalism abroad; you just don’t want it in the United States.
PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY: Well, I would hesitate to speak to any particular case, for obvious reasons, and I would refer you to….
Read more by clicking on this link….
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/3/9/beautiful_souls_eyal_press_on_the
National’s purpose for DoC is “Conservation leadership for a prosperous New Zealand”. Protecting our natural heritage for perpetuity no longer features. http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/neoliberalism-infiltrates-doc.html
Goldman Sachs executive director of European equity derivatives business grows a conscience and quits. Greg Smith writes a public letter as a farewell present to the bank’s management…