‘An apparent Jeremy Corbyn supporter has created a website detailing The Guardian‘s most anti-Corbyn headlines of the past two years.
Quite a list…….
The website, called Dump The Guardian!, gives 36 examples of times when the paper has run negative stories about Corbyn. Some of the examples featured include…’
I’m sure similar lists could be made for Espiner and Ferguson on Morning Report.
To see the bias on the Herald, ZB, Stuff and Garner’s awful show, you need to look at Murdoch’s garbage for a comparison.
What are the real issues Ed? Why attack a journo then? Perhaps you could state why this National led gov’t is keen on stopping any info coming to the public’s view concerning Auckland’s rail report.
Good questions but the point of eds posting is esoteric – personally I’d prefer 1 link with some original comment or thought but that ain’t the way ed rolls. Forcefed or nothing – but the plaintive cries will soon come out from ed…
It takes all sorts and ed is included so take it all with a grainary of salt ed ☺
The good thing is that these newspapers can’t win by keeping with this trajectory.
With the proportion of young people in the UK voting Labour and the proportion of old people voting Conservative, the newspapers are pandering to a population that will be dead in 10-20 years (and a minority even sooner) … and so will the newspapers if they don’t change.
BM
There is nothing that I despise more than some supercilious creep like yourself who skates on thin ice and knows just how to manipulate the blog, making moderating type criticisms like a smart alec. And what drives you mad apparently is someone who is concerned about many issues. Too much information! Makes your synapses pop apparently.
I see Joyce hasn’t learnt his lesson offered up in Nationals loss to NZF Leader Winston Peters.
Joyce was snapped last week with some of the Hundertwasser fund raisers.
After previously receiving substantial Government funding it now looks like further taxpayer funding is coming from his Govt through the heritage fund. It is what it is ‘more pork barrel politics with an election coming up.
Here the RNZ interview. Incredible given Joyce is on record saying no more taxpayers money. Must not be going well for Shane Reti if he has to do a flip flop. Expect WP to be laughing about it; http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=201847467
‘One in nine NZers hit by ‘significant income fall
A joint study by Deloitte and Victoria University’s School of Government has found one in nine New Zealanders will experience a significant fall in income in any given year.
Lower to middle income earners are even more vulnerable, with the odds dropping to one in six.
Report co-author and Deloitte partner Dave Farrelly said the odds of being caught in serious financial strife surprised him.’
Considering the earthquake risk, is it wise for Wellington city to build upwards?
Is Wellington really constrained in its ability to grow out ? There seems to be plenty of scope for growth between Wellington, Kapiti and the Wairarapa rail corridor.
Would it not be more beneficial for council to buy buildings rather than lease?
Developers would be looking for long-term leases and the guarantee of income, yet it is expected that the housing provided will be cost neutral for ratepayers in the long term. However, if council decided to buy instead of lease, it would not only be cost neutral, it would also result with council owning new assets.
On Daily Review last night swordfish posted a great link on the Yougov detail of how/who voted in the UK. Fascinating. (Hope you don’t mind swordfish.)
Maybe (low income) Labour voters are more likely to die quite young? the UK health system, no longer being comprehensive care for all from cradle to the grave.
All the oldie voters I know in the UK, would never vote for the Tories.
This is a bit of self-indulgent narcissism – so feel free to disregard it – as many will, I know.
And I wish to make absolutely certain I still intend to work for the Labour Party to become the government in September.
So, what I’m talking about is a sort of cathartic moment – when the darkness dawns and the light goes out.
Let me explain. I attended a meeting in ChCh for Labour party workers, and Andrew Little spoke to the troops – preaching to the converted.
What I should have heard was a vision of what NZ would become under a truly progressive Labour-led government. A moving image of equality and fairness, a sharing of the wealth of the country among all its people and a determination to tackle the really big issues facing this country.
What I heard was a prescription for better administration – for neoliberalism with a smiling face. Waiting lists would be tackled, houses built, NEETs given training and so on.
All worth working and fighting for – but so so limited, so so mediocre! So so lacking in real willingness to fundamentally change any damn thing!
Frankly, I was deeply disappointed. But perhaps the fault was mine – perhaps I expected too much of a Labour Party still mired in the muck of Rogernomics?
Yes you are right Tony you did expect too much. If you have ever tried to move forward when standing in the mire in your gumboots, you will know how hard it is to lift them out and move forward. Rogernomics has led us deep and left us there.
What you would have liked to hear was a big picture, full-colour cenario but you know talk is easy, and if Andrew Little is going to provide services, tackle problems, housing, etc. actually DO SOMETHING INTELLIGENT AND POSITIVE. that will be 100% better than Dr Dolittle’s government of strange animals which we have now.
So buck up Tony, it will be a brighter future, but in winter the sun rises later in the day and then we rejoice to get it. We have been in the winter of our discontent so long that small amounts of regular sunshine will start a NewZeal Spring.
You’re not on your own Tony V. I went to a Greens meeting recently and felt just like you did. There’s no fire in their bellies, their meetings are just a 101 introduction. They don’t even have enough faith in themselves to call out neoliberalism for what it is.
I don’t think we are expecting too much, I just don’t think the talent is there.
@ garibaldi (8.2) … the Greens lost the fire in their bellies, the day Russel Norman left Parliament. Even Meteria Turei is a diluted version of what she once was. She used to spit hell, fire and brimstone at the Natz, alongside Russel. But not anymore now. The spirit seems to have gone out of the party with the fire. Pity.
Rod Donald must be turning in his grave to see what the Greens have come down to now, a murky shade of blue!
@Tony Veitch (not etc), garibaldi, you probably are right about Labour piecemeal messaging, too many policy wonks, and power points and not enough activism, but what is the alternative, they can hardly be worse that National and ACT!
Little is more cunning that everyone gives him credit for. He’s trying to navigate his own neoliberal MP’s, the shark Natz, dirty politics and the voters, many of whom still believe the MSM myth that the NZ economy is doing great guns! I’m just hoping that Labour don’t get the same nightmare advisor/management team that Cunliffe used with Vote positive, somewhere between an insurance slogan and mirth.
Also there are some good people in the Green party – Gareth Hughes and Barry Coates are still activists and deliver new ideas and speeches.
Yes saveNZ we know we have to vote for them because there is no alternative.
There are good people in Labour and the Greens but they get no exposure because of ‘discipline’.
“Boring” will not beat the Natz.
Corbyn got through to the people. There’s so much we could learn from Brit Labours campaign but we’re too proud/stupid/ignorant, or just too mired in neoliberalism,to do so.
no-o I think solid work by an mp shows through in the end.
And discipline in caucus is a shedload better than the post-clark Labour caucus bullshit. It just poisons the entire well: even the good mps have to start backstabbing in self defense – politics being the only pasttime that comes to mind where a backstab can actually be self defense lol
I think the way Natz dirty politics is steering the discourses is very cunning too. They are keeping the lefties focused on Labour and Greens messaging and their gaps… while superficially mimicking similar messaging. But under the covers the National party actions are actually very FAR RIGHT, not like Labour at all. It’s very far right, media control, state official controls, cronyism, deregulation of everything from environment to state assets, destruction of the welfare state etc.
The trick is not to bother with National messing or the Ministry of Truth propaganda and just look at what the Natz are up too not believe their press releases.
Like Trump, National’s policy doesn’t actually doesn’t make any sense – like some deranged is at the helm, homeless in expensive hotels, state houses being sold off or empty and then government paying more money to build less houses to private developers, buying fake carbon credits while promoting 100% pure NZ, building dams in areas that are prone to drought and making it worse by catching the water to get more water intensive business at the drought prone spot, giving water away for free to foreign interests, having zero tax havens that you don’t have to declare who owns the money… while using NZ respectability to mask it. Giving casino’s state money, even giving them TVNZ space to put a conference in, that get’s more gamblers here, sending millions on sheep to Saudi businessmen to die in a desert in the hope they might impress someone somewhere to give them a trade deal. Perservering with the zombie TPPA when even the US has pulled out, mass surveillance, having our SAS kill civilians in Afghanistan but pretending it didn’t happen….
The trick is to say to yourself – I wonder what the NZ mafia are up to now? And then keep tally life Blip did with Key. Just noting how the political machine shapes the once reasonably healthy NZ society so it is bulimic, it looks like a country but it’s real sick, though that’s not on show.
I remember the days when Corbyn campaigned for his initial Labour leadership bid. He was challenged during an interview that he obviously wasn’t interested in financial contributions to his party by wealthy donors. His answer was (not verbatim): “Well I am very interested in their contributions, but I don’t want small donations to the party, I’ll make them pay their fair share of tax instead”.
Evidently Corbyn’s campaign was financed with lots of small donations of 22 pounds each.
The much-mocked Corbyn had a very clear plan from the very beginning. “The politics of hope are not an inevitable reaction when politics fails,” he declared in a speech at the London School of Economics in May 2016. “The politics of hope have to be rebuilt.” Rebuilding, the Labour leader explained, required three things. First, “a vision to inspire people that politics has the power to make a positive difference to their lives.” Second, “trust – that people believe both that we can and that we will change things for the better.” Third, “the involvement and engagement of people to make the first two possible.”
1. Coal’s quickening demise, even in China
2. Diesel use in China declining fast as the economy becomes less oil intensive
3. Global carbon emissions are stabilising
Won’t necessarily save the world of course.
Just a good set of patterns for carbon use.
Coal isn’t the only fossil fuel at risk. Because of the rapidly improving performance and cost of batteries, Barry is “bullish” on electric vehicles. And as a result, he is bearish on oil demand, noting that “there was always this historic view on oil about peak supply but it’s about peak demand being an equal dynamic.” BNEF and the credit rating agency Fitch have made similar warnings.
It really does look like fossil fuels are on the out.
Of course we could, and should, have started that decades ago. The problem of leaving it to ‘the market’ is that it’s taken far longer than it should have.
“But some are already saying this year’s final could be overshadowed, perhaps even marred, by the fact the America’s Cup is a terrible, overly complicated, comically litigious excuse for a sport where the winner makes the rules – often for their own benefit – and nobody in the world actually cares about it anyway.”
I know, td. Yachts have feelings too. Fact is, I’ve one parked in the back yard and I know it’s yearning to get back in the lake. The Civilian post is funny though…
Our sailing history stretches back as far as we do. Most vehicular sports burn oil or calories, you race yachts sitting on your bottom while holding a stick and a rope. Being good at it requires a tuned sense of balance and an ability to read nature. It’s fun if you’re that way inclined.
Interesting that the hot-rods they’re racing in Bermuda are based on the twin hull design that Kupe showed up in, not the whaling barques that tied up centuries later.
The learn to sail fee at Taipa Sailing club is about $100. If that’s a bit steep I’m sure a couple of big Bacon and Egg pies for the family BBQ at the end of the month will do the trick. Sailing is not elitist, it’s available to everyone that wants to have a go. It’s one of the neat things about living in NZ.
Yep, sailors and fans want to watch the very best the world has to offer, the pinnacle of the game. Of course, the kids tootling around off Taipa…if you think the Bermuda Cats are boring…. Same with all sports, golfers don’t want to flick on Sky and watch the Helensville Open. They were just playing in the Muriwai Open.
This is as big as this sport gets, kids that started with tipping little sailing dinghys over on Lake Pupuke are duking it out with the very best in the world. Our competitors have a bottomless budget. I think it’s cool, I’m digging it, but if others are not interested, that’s cool too.
After becoming becalmed for an hour on Lake Te Anau during a race, I know what boring is; frustration too. I’ve no objection or opinion about those who like to watch high-end yacht racing but would baulk at the level of reporting it gets (apparently) in the mainstream media, though not having a tv means I’m not subject to that, nor news of the Lions. I feel blessed.
Becalmed is ok provided competitors are as well. When in the only zero pressure spot in the bay, frustration becomes a clubhouse ribbing.
With regard the level of reporting I see it in the same light as all lead stories, we get the media we deserve. Kiwis doing well on the world stage imparts a sense of accomplishment for recipients that need never leave the couch. “We’ve Won”.
I wonder which headline would get the most clicks? “House Prices Rise.” House Prices Stabilise.” or “House Prices Down.”
The one that gets the most clicks, that’s what we’re going to get.
Don’t you watch pirate live streams on your comp for sports Rob? (just nod, don’t type,)
Go the Middle Eastern Muslim Country Airline Team!
Too much emphasis on competition and big money spoils it for me, After the learn to sail at Taipa, it’s learn to race. That cuts out a few potential sailors.
Hi, love your name. I like those Twiss bronzes at the city end of the bridge.
I acknowledge that there is a mindset that views competition as de-constructive. I don’t. I think it is nature. All creatures and plants compete.
I also acknowledge that there is a view that would state “So you are no smarter than an ant or a lettuce huh Dave?”
I race myself. I set my phone stop watch and set off down to the letterbox, check it, work hard back up the drive, back into the office and loudly declare “I beat myself.” A racetubator. I figure I’m not hurting anyone and if someone else wants to race with me, I’m up for it. I think competing is a natural wholesome unavoidable pleasure in this day and age. it used to be about staying alive.
I still sail racing dinghies (not expensive) quite keenly. Sailing is a weather-dependent sport, like skiing or surfing. It can be heaven, but on some days it is better not to sail. I think that nowadays there is far too much emphasis on training. The emphasis should not be on how to win, it should be on how to enjoy sailing your boat. Before the days of intensive training we went out and did what we enjoyed doing. Sad to say, that is now a foreign concept for most trainees. They come in after training OK, but not with that light in the eye we oldies used to have after some really exciting blasts on a reach – something that simply does not exist in our current training programmes. Grafton Gully is right. Our sport is the poorer for it.
Yeah, if you’re that way inclined why join a sailing dinghy club? Those cats just go sailing. They are the majority.
Youngsters, particularly boys, naturally compete. Trying to get to the buoy first is a whole lot more attractive when you’re 15 rather than 50. Those tacking kids leap from side to side like coil springs. Bugger that.
Kids racing between buoys is not the ruination of yachting.
I think this change in attitude is a result of professionalism in sport. It is approached as a way to make money/have a career, rather than something you do for pleasure/escapism.
The America’s Cup was THE LEAD STORY on TVNZ One news last night. IMHO, nothing could more neatly illustrate the upper-class news values, class bias and neoliberal echo chamber of TVNZ.
A sport dominated by rich whites, viewable only on pay TV, and of interest primarily to a boat-owning segment of the middle class, led the news. What next, leading with Polo and a report on the this year’s fox hunting in Victoria?
90,000 young people neither in education or employmnet is scarcely reported upon. An elite sport for the idle rich? HELL YEAH!
Tally-ho! I’m with Sanctuary. Amazing, those yachts, technological marvels, poetry in action, but so’s a butterfly and I’d squash every yacht if it would ensure the survival of butterflies. Trouble is, we are moving in the direction of Save the Yachts, damn the butterflies.!
How do you feel about the business of exploring space Robert? Let’s go to some really remote place, unspoiled by people, and have a look at it just because we can, better than going to Antarctica, everybody goes there.
Planting trees in the desert was a post WW2 immense project to help stop the creeping desertification and many have been planted. But no we must have more fuel so we can go to somewhere special in space that we can brag about where movers and shakers congregate.
we should be invading space at full speed for many reasons ,
long term survival,
because it would be interesting ,
why not,
because young people have nothing much to get excited about , the rough necks of the world like me die inside at the thought that life is all about safety and mortgages.
it would /could unify the human race
So throw the health and safety books away and fire leaky rafts off into space and learn from the survivors.
bwaghorn
I have thought it would be an interesting end of life odyssey for adventurous old people to have ‘tours of duty’ to foreign lands where our allies or others have laid land mines. It would be dangerous, even knowing the techniques for safety wouldn’t stop the occasional death. But those times you know the value of being alive and alert. Here drones would be useful.
Once one had got old and bored why not be a hero and help some poor benighted people to have some land and growing area for their village on once dangerous areas. And help people not just amuse your own curiosity with boyhood fantasies. Read the space fiction, watch it on screen, live the taught excitement of this ventureon the Earth.
your idea is better than dribbling on oneself in a corner waiting to be euthanized .
Sci fi is often sci fact ,if you hang around long enough ,and the fact that i won’t is my only thing i hate about being mortal
I’m guessing you’ve just read Joe Bennett’s just-published article, ” What to do next after we reach Mars?”, Grey. If not, you’re in for a treat.
Space travel? Forget it. More of the same, as you describe.
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;”
I am also uninterested in the whole sail boat race thing. I avoid coverage of it like the plague.
Who exactly is interested? Not many people that I know.
Sailing used to be an art and DIY technology that everyone was involved in: an important mode of transport. Expensive sailing races are for the otherwise idle rich.
English will be very interested in holding the old mug aloft in one hand and a lions head in the other. On the world stage, representing us all. It may just happen –be brave, batten down the hatches is my nautical– and jolly rugger input.
The coverage is only delayed 1.5hrs not 5hrs, pretty damn good if you are not paying for it. If you want to bitch, go and get sky sport and watch it live like other people that want to watch sport live !
So it’s not free to air then. My mistake on the 5 hours, but you know 5 hours compared with 1 hour and a half is still delayed television, not free to air.
As for your pretty good comment, some of us have higher standards what is public broadcasting.
But then again, I don’t really care, as I have Netflix becasue I like good TV. Most gambling web sites will give you access to sport/game if you bet on it. So no need to pay for a monthly prescription.
It looks like Annie Goldson’s latest documentary, on Kim Dotcom, Caught in the Web will be on at this year’s Wellington Film Festival – hopefully also at the Auckland Festival. Click on the preceding title for a review.
so we are friends with the israelis again.
excuse me while i blow up some balloons.
i understand the pm wrote a letter of apology.
was it the typical polly apology eg: “sorry you feel that way’ or was it more fulsome?
what are we, as a nation sorry for?
where is the acknowledgement of responsibility and hurt in issues closer to home, eg children in state care.
It is ah, not one NZ comedian is this sharp or indeed funny in the sphere of politics. Most avoid politics like the plague, which I get, they have families, and we have a very tiny industry – so they don’t rock the boat. How lovely it is for the Tories to have all this self censorship, no one can then point fingers.
Hundertwasser museum in Whangarei are very happy.
“We are thrilled to tell you that the Hundertwasser art Centre project has just received a grant of $3.5 million from the New Zealand Lotteries Commission significant project fund. This means we have met our first target – raising $16,250,000 by 30 June 2017. Read more about it on our website……?
So horrible. Apparently it had recently been refurbished, what happened to the sprinklers? People are apparently trapped inside and the firefighters are spraying water but how the hell are the people supposed to get out – it’s 24 stories? It looks totally engulfed in flames.
I changed posting name so as not to be confused with the other Ed – who posts more frequently than I do.
A few weeks ago I saw an excellent graph showing government debt in billions, from the start of the Labour-led government to now – a clear downward curve until National’s tax cuts just after they were elected and a clear upwards curve from then.
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Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
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Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
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‘An apparent Jeremy Corbyn supporter has created a website detailing The Guardian‘s most anti-Corbyn headlines of the past two years.
Quite a list…….
The website, called Dump The Guardian!, gives 36 examples of times when the paper has run negative stories about Corbyn. Some of the examples featured include…’
https://www.thecanary.co/2017/06/12/someone-put-the-guardians-36-most-anti-corbyn-headlines-all-in-one-place-its-not-pretty-images/
http://theguardian.fivefilters.org/
I’m sure similar lists could be made for Espiner and Ferguson on Morning Report.
To see the bias on the Herald, ZB, Stuff and Garner’s awful show, you need to look at Murdoch’s garbage for a comparison.
The Herald wants you to be scared….
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11854593
Suzie Ferguson’s voice suggests she is more concerned about the fate of a sailing team than child poverty….
Distraction………… just another meaningless message to keep you from paying attention to the issues that really matter
What are the real issues Ed? Why attack a journo then? Perhaps you could state why this National led gov’t is keen on stopping any info coming to the public’s view concerning Auckland’s rail report.
Good questions but the point of eds posting is esoteric – personally I’d prefer 1 link with some original comment or thought but that ain’t the way ed rolls. Forcefed or nothing – but the plaintive cries will soon come out from ed…
It takes all sorts and ed is included so take it all with a grainary of salt ed ☺
The good thing is that these newspapers can’t win by keeping with this trajectory.
With the proportion of young people in the UK voting Labour and the proportion of old people voting Conservative, the newspapers are pandering to a population that will be dead in 10-20 years (and a minority even sooner) … and so will the newspapers if they don’t change.
Ed: Perhaps someone could create an equivalent site for the examples you mention.
Stop spamming open mike Paul.
Do you have no control? this is the sort of behaviour that got you banned last time around,
Ed is considerably more informative than Poison Peter. If you don’t like their comments just scroll on by.
BM
There is nothing that I despise more than some supercilious creep like yourself who skates on thin ice and knows just how to manipulate the blog, making moderating type criticisms like a smart alec. And what drives you mad apparently is someone who is concerned about many issues. Too much information! Makes your synapses pop apparently.
I see Joyce hasn’t learnt his lesson offered up in Nationals loss to NZF Leader Winston Peters.
Joyce was snapped last week with some of the Hundertwasser fund raisers.
After previously receiving substantial Government funding it now looks like further taxpayer funding is coming from his Govt through the heritage fund. It is what it is ‘more pork barrel politics with an election coming up.
Here the RNZ interview. Incredible given Joyce is on record saying no more taxpayers money. Must not be going well for Shane Reti if he has to do a flip flop. Expect WP to be laughing about it;
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=201847467
Isn’t it a Lotteries grant?
Some ideas for the Green or Labour’s manifesto.
https://mobile.twitter.com/ToryFibs/status/872558456712114177/photo/1
I suspect that quite a few of those (or the NZ equivalent) are already in Labour or the Greens’ policies. Have you looked?
The brighter future……
‘One in nine NZers hit by ‘significant income fall
A joint study by Deloitte and Victoria University’s School of Government has found one in nine New Zealanders will experience a significant fall in income in any given year.
Lower to middle income earners are even more vulnerable, with the odds dropping to one in six.
Report co-author and Deloitte partner Dave Farrelly said the odds of being caught in serious financial strife surprised him.’
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/332968/one-in-nine-nzers-hit-by-significant-income-fall
The brighter future……
‘Struggling schools are going into debt to fund support staff they say are necessary for pupils’ education needs.’
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/93635019/schools-support-staff-day-marked-with-strain
The brighter future……
‘90,000 young Kiwis have no job, no training to go to’
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/93170524/90000-young-kiwis-have-no-job-no-training-to-go-to
You’re talking to yourself again, Paul.
Yes dear
No, he’s highlighting things about this government and capitalism in general that you simply don’t like and you’re getting upset about it.
@ BM (3.1.1.1) … you don’t have to read Ed’s intelligent posts you know.
Ignore BM – we like your stuff.
Hi Ed (3.1.1 and previous comments) … many thanks for your informative posts. Much appreciated. Keep ’em coming please.
Aldous Harding, just a great artist. This video will test all you folk fans out there.
And this will test feminists, too. Is this what is called having your satire and letting it eat you, too?
Did you spot the reference of the dance, and what she is wearing?
if there is anything deep in that song i swear i missed it due to the fact a hot girl was dancing with not much on , not complaining mind you
completely lost on me, care to explain?
It’s a homage to Apocalypse Now scene.
There are no free lunches. Or is there?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/93651601/campbell-barry-stand-on-council-meals-is-about-fairness-to-all
Considering the earthquake risk, is it wise for Wellington city to build upwards?
Is Wellington really constrained in its ability to grow out ? There seems to be plenty of scope for growth between Wellington, Kapiti and the Wairarapa rail corridor.
Would it not be more beneficial for council to buy buildings rather than lease?
Developers would be looking for long-term leases and the guarantee of income, yet it is expected that the housing provided will be cost neutral for ratepayers in the long term. However, if council decided to buy instead of lease, it would not only be cost neutral, it would also result with council owning new assets.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/93410105/council-asks-developers-to-convert-innercity-buildings-into-affordable-apartments-and-it-will-be-landlord
Are the Wellington City Council working in the best interest of private developers or in the best interest of ratepayers overall?
Lester and Eagle (both of which are associated with Labour) seem to be driving this, thus how will this reflect on Labour?
On Daily Review last night swordfish posted a great link on the Yougov detail of how/who voted in the UK. Fascinating. (Hope you don’t mind swordfish.)
https://yougov.co.uk/news/2017/06/13/how-britain-voted-2017-general-election/
Older people vote Conservative. Better educated vote Labour. Hmmm?
73% Guardian readership voted Labour? Must have a lot of their readers swearing over the coverage and opinion pieces over the last few years.
Maybe (low income) Labour voters are more likely to die quite young? the UK health system, no longer being comprehensive care for all from cradle to the grave.
All the oldie voters I know in the UK, would never vote for the Tories.
As far as I can recall repeated surveys show that the better educated are more likely to vote Labour – in this country too
This is a bit of self-indulgent narcissism – so feel free to disregard it – as many will, I know.
And I wish to make absolutely certain I still intend to work for the Labour Party to become the government in September.
So, what I’m talking about is a sort of cathartic moment – when the darkness dawns and the light goes out.
Let me explain. I attended a meeting in ChCh for Labour party workers, and Andrew Little spoke to the troops – preaching to the converted.
What I should have heard was a vision of what NZ would become under a truly progressive Labour-led government. A moving image of equality and fairness, a sharing of the wealth of the country among all its people and a determination to tackle the really big issues facing this country.
What I heard was a prescription for better administration – for neoliberalism with a smiling face. Waiting lists would be tackled, houses built, NEETs given training and so on.
All worth working and fighting for – but so so limited, so so mediocre! So so lacking in real willingness to fundamentally change any damn thing!
Frankly, I was deeply disappointed. But perhaps the fault was mine – perhaps I expected too much of a Labour Party still mired in the muck of Rogernomics?
Yes you are right Tony you did expect too much. If you have ever tried to move forward when standing in the mire in your gumboots, you will know how hard it is to lift them out and move forward. Rogernomics has led us deep and left us there.
What you would have liked to hear was a big picture, full-colour cenario but you know talk is easy, and if Andrew Little is going to provide services, tackle problems, housing, etc. actually DO SOMETHING INTELLIGENT AND POSITIVE. that will be 100% better than Dr Dolittle’s government of strange animals which we have now.
So buck up Tony, it will be a brighter future, but in winter the sun rises later in the day and then we rejoice to get it. We have been in the winter of our discontent so long that small amounts of regular sunshine will start a NewZeal Spring.
You’re not on your own Tony V. I went to a Greens meeting recently and felt just like you did. There’s no fire in their bellies, their meetings are just a 101 introduction. They don’t even have enough faith in themselves to call out neoliberalism for what it is.
I don’t think we are expecting too much, I just don’t think the talent is there.
@ garibaldi (8.2) … the Greens lost the fire in their bellies, the day Russel Norman left Parliament. Even Meteria Turei is a diluted version of what she once was. She used to spit hell, fire and brimstone at the Natz, alongside Russel. But not anymore now. The spirit seems to have gone out of the party with the fire. Pity.
Rod Donald must be turning in his grave to see what the Greens have come down to now, a murky shade of blue!
@Tony Veitch (not etc), garibaldi, you probably are right about Labour piecemeal messaging, too many policy wonks, and power points and not enough activism, but what is the alternative, they can hardly be worse that National and ACT!
Little is more cunning that everyone gives him credit for. He’s trying to navigate his own neoliberal MP’s, the shark Natz, dirty politics and the voters, many of whom still believe the MSM myth that the NZ economy is doing great guns! I’m just hoping that Labour don’t get the same nightmare advisor/management team that Cunliffe used with Vote positive, somewhere between an insurance slogan and mirth.
Also there are some good people in the Green party – Gareth Hughes and Barry Coates are still activists and deliver new ideas and speeches.
Yes saveNZ we know we have to vote for them because there is no alternative.
There are good people in Labour and the Greens but they get no exposure because of ‘discipline’.
“Boring” will not beat the Natz.
Corbyn got through to the people. There’s so much we could learn from Brit Labours campaign but we’re too proud/stupid/ignorant, or just too mired in neoliberalism,to do so.
no-o I think solid work by an mp shows through in the end.
And discipline in caucus is a shedload better than the post-clark Labour caucus bullshit. It just poisons the entire well: even the good mps have to start backstabbing in self defense – politics being the only pasttime that comes to mind where a backstab can actually be self defense lol
I think the way Natz dirty politics is steering the discourses is very cunning too. They are keeping the lefties focused on Labour and Greens messaging and their gaps… while superficially mimicking similar messaging. But under the covers the National party actions are actually very FAR RIGHT, not like Labour at all. It’s very far right, media control, state official controls, cronyism, deregulation of everything from environment to state assets, destruction of the welfare state etc.
The trick is not to bother with National messing or the Ministry of Truth propaganda and just look at what the Natz are up too not believe their press releases.
Like Trump, National’s policy doesn’t actually doesn’t make any sense – like some deranged is at the helm, homeless in expensive hotels, state houses being sold off or empty and then government paying more money to build less houses to private developers, buying fake carbon credits while promoting 100% pure NZ, building dams in areas that are prone to drought and making it worse by catching the water to get more water intensive business at the drought prone spot, giving water away for free to foreign interests, having zero tax havens that you don’t have to declare who owns the money… while using NZ respectability to mask it. Giving casino’s state money, even giving them TVNZ space to put a conference in, that get’s more gamblers here, sending millions on sheep to Saudi businessmen to die in a desert in the hope they might impress someone somewhere to give them a trade deal. Perservering with the zombie TPPA when even the US has pulled out, mass surveillance, having our SAS kill civilians in Afghanistan but pretending it didn’t happen….
The trick is to say to yourself – I wonder what the NZ mafia are up to now? And then keep tally life Blip did with Key. Just noting how the political machine shapes the once reasonably healthy NZ society so it is bulimic, it looks like a country but it’s real sick, though that’s not on show.
You were probably hoping like Minto the left had learned something from Corbyn.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/06/12/what-does-the-corbyn-result-in-the-uk-mean-for-new-zealand/
Here is something Labour could take in:
I remember the days when Corbyn campaigned for his initial Labour leadership bid. He was challenged during an interview that he obviously wasn’t interested in financial contributions to his party by wealthy donors. His answer was (not verbatim): “Well I am very interested in their contributions, but I don’t want small donations to the party, I’ll make them pay their fair share of tax instead”.
Evidently Corbyn’s campaign was financed with lots of small donations of 22 pounds each.
And here is another one from The Intercept (https://theintercept.com/2017/06/11/jeremy-corbyn-is-leading-the-left-out-of-the-wilderness-and-toward-power/):
Some really big shifts in energy consumption across the world:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-13/the-seismic-shifts-transforming-global-energy-in-five-charts
1. Coal’s quickening demise, even in China
2. Diesel use in China declining fast as the economy becomes less oil intensive
3. Global carbon emissions are stabilising
Won’t necessarily save the world of course.
Just a good set of patterns for carbon use.
‘Coal is dead’ and oil faces ‘peak demand,’ says world’s largest investment group
It really does look like fossil fuels are on the out.
Of course we could, and should, have started that decades ago. The problem of leaving it to ‘the market’ is that it’s taken far longer than it should have.
The yachting – nobody cares 🙂
“But some are already saying this year’s final could be overshadowed, perhaps even marred, by the fact the America’s Cup is a terrible, overly complicated, comically litigious excuse for a sport where the winner makes the rules – often for their own benefit – and nobody in the world actually cares about it anyway.”
http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/could-this-years-americas-cup-be-marred-by-the-fact-its-a-horrible-sport-where-the-winner-makes-the-rules-and-nobody-cares/
Robert, some people do care very much.
I know, td. Yachts have feelings too. Fact is, I’ve one parked in the back yard and I know it’s yearning to get back in the lake. The Civilian post is funny though…
Our sailing history stretches back as far as we do. Most vehicular sports burn oil or calories, you race yachts sitting on your bottom while holding a stick and a rope. Being good at it requires a tuned sense of balance and an ability to read nature. It’s fun if you’re that way inclined.
Interesting that the hot-rods they’re racing in Bermuda are based on the twin hull design that Kupe showed up in, not the whaling barques that tied up centuries later.
The learn to sail fee at Taipa Sailing club is about $100. If that’s a bit steep I’m sure a couple of big Bacon and Egg pies for the family BBQ at the end of the month will do the trick. Sailing is not elitist, it’s available to everyone that wants to have a go. It’s one of the neat things about living in NZ.
Yep, sailors and fans want to watch the very best the world has to offer, the pinnacle of the game. Of course, the kids tootling around off Taipa…if you think the Bermuda Cats are boring…. Same with all sports, golfers don’t want to flick on Sky and watch the Helensville Open. They were just playing in the Muriwai Open.
This is as big as this sport gets, kids that started with tipping little sailing dinghys over on Lake Pupuke are duking it out with the very best in the world. Our competitors have a bottomless budget. I think it’s cool, I’m digging it, but if others are not interested, that’s cool too.
After becoming becalmed for an hour on Lake Te Anau during a race, I know what boring is; frustration too. I’ve no objection or opinion about those who like to watch high-end yacht racing but would baulk at the level of reporting it gets (apparently) in the mainstream media, though not having a tv means I’m not subject to that, nor news of the Lions. I feel blessed.
Becalmed is ok provided competitors are as well. When in the only zero pressure spot in the bay, frustration becomes a clubhouse ribbing.
With regard the level of reporting I see it in the same light as all lead stories, we get the media we deserve. Kiwis doing well on the world stage imparts a sense of accomplishment for recipients that need never leave the couch. “We’ve Won”.
I wonder which headline would get the most clicks? “House Prices Rise.” House Prices Stabilise.” or “House Prices Down.”
The one that gets the most clicks, that’s what we’re going to get.
Don’t you watch pirate live streams on your comp for sports Rob? (just nod, don’t type,)
Go the Middle Eastern Muslim Country Airline Team!
Too much emphasis on competition and big money spoils it for me, After the learn to sail at Taipa, it’s learn to race. That cuts out a few potential sailors.
Hi, love your name. I like those Twiss bronzes at the city end of the bridge.
I acknowledge that there is a mindset that views competition as de-constructive. I don’t. I think it is nature. All creatures and plants compete.
I also acknowledge that there is a view that would state “So you are no smarter than an ant or a lettuce huh Dave?”
I race myself. I set my phone stop watch and set off down to the letterbox, check it, work hard back up the drive, back into the office and loudly declare “I beat myself.” A racetubator. I figure I’m not hurting anyone and if someone else wants to race with me, I’m up for it. I think competing is a natural wholesome unavoidable pleasure in this day and age. it used to be about staying alive.
I still sail racing dinghies (not expensive) quite keenly. Sailing is a weather-dependent sport, like skiing or surfing. It can be heaven, but on some days it is better not to sail. I think that nowadays there is far too much emphasis on training. The emphasis should not be on how to win, it should be on how to enjoy sailing your boat. Before the days of intensive training we went out and did what we enjoyed doing. Sad to say, that is now a foreign concept for most trainees. They come in after training OK, but not with that light in the eye we oldies used to have after some really exciting blasts on a reach – something that simply does not exist in our current training programmes. Grafton Gully is right. Our sport is the poorer for it.
Yeah, if you’re that way inclined why join a sailing dinghy club? Those cats just go sailing. They are the majority.
Youngsters, particularly boys, naturally compete. Trying to get to the buoy first is a whole lot more attractive when you’re 15 rather than 50. Those tacking kids leap from side to side like coil springs. Bugger that.
Kids racing between buoys is not the ruination of yachting.
I think this change in attitude is a result of professionalism in sport. It is approached as a way to make money/have a career, rather than something you do for pleasure/escapism.
The America’s Cup was THE LEAD STORY on TVNZ One news last night. IMHO, nothing could more neatly illustrate the upper-class news values, class bias and neoliberal echo chamber of TVNZ.
A sport dominated by rich whites, viewable only on pay TV, and of interest primarily to a boat-owning segment of the middle class, led the news. What next, leading with Polo and a report on the this year’s fox hunting in Victoria?
90,000 young people neither in education or employmnet is scarcely reported upon. An elite sport for the idle rich? HELL YEAH!
Tally-ho! I’m with Sanctuary. Amazing, those yachts, technological marvels, poetry in action, but so’s a butterfly and I’d squash every yacht if it would ensure the survival of butterflies. Trouble is, we are moving in the direction of Save the Yachts, damn the butterflies.!
How do you feel about the business of exploring space Robert? Let’s go to some really remote place, unspoiled by people, and have a look at it just because we can, better than going to Antarctica, everybody goes there.
Planting trees in the desert was a post WW2 immense project to help stop the creeping desertification and many have been planted. But no we must have more fuel so we can go to somewhere special in space that we can brag about where movers and shakers congregate.
we should be invading space at full speed for many reasons ,
long term survival,
because it would be interesting ,
why not,
because young people have nothing much to get excited about , the rough necks of the world like me die inside at the thought that life is all about safety and mortgages.
it would /could unify the human race
So throw the health and safety books away and fire leaky rafts off into space and learn from the survivors.
“because young people have nothing much to get excited about”
So let’s pour our remaining credit into sky rockets!
Help me, Jesus!
bwaghorn
I have thought it would be an interesting end of life odyssey for adventurous old people to have ‘tours of duty’ to foreign lands where our allies or others have laid land mines. It would be dangerous, even knowing the techniques for safety wouldn’t stop the occasional death. But those times you know the value of being alive and alert. Here drones would be useful.
Once one had got old and bored why not be a hero and help some poor benighted people to have some land and growing area for their village on once dangerous areas. And help people not just amuse your own curiosity with boyhood fantasies. Read the space fiction, watch it on screen, live the taught excitement of this ventureon the Earth.
your idea is better than dribbling on oneself in a corner waiting to be euthanized .
Sci fi is often sci fact ,if you hang around long enough ,and the fact that i won’t is my only thing i hate about being mortal
I’m guessing you’ve just read Joe Bennett’s just-published article, ” What to do next after we reach Mars?”, Grey. If not, you’re in for a treat.
Space travel? Forget it. More of the same, as you describe.
“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;”
(Fragment of Yeats)
I wouldn’t mourn the cabbage white. Or Peter Dunne.
Pernicious pest!
And cabbage whites are a problem also.
I am also uninterested in the whole sail boat race thing. I avoid coverage of it like the plague.
Who exactly is interested? Not many people that I know.
Sailing used to be an art and DIY technology that everyone was involved in: an important mode of transport. Expensive sailing races are for the otherwise idle rich.
English will be very interested in holding the old mug aloft in one hand and a lions head in the other. On the world stage, representing us all. It may just happen –be brave, batten down the hatches is my nautical– and jolly rugger input.
Forgot–add —-a pair of paulas bloomers,” the mainsail”, draped around the English shoulders.
I agree with you, Carolyn. A sail though, springing to the wind, that’s magic! A screen between you and it though, is a sadness.
Your post is full of moaning and short on facts.
For example the Americas cup will be on free to air.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/06/america-s-cup-to-be-broadcast-free-to-air-but-with-1-5hr-delay.html
By definition that is not free to air if it is delayed by 5 hours, that is called delayed coverage.
The coverage is only delayed 1.5hrs not 5hrs, pretty damn good if you are not paying for it. If you want to bitch, go and get sky sport and watch it live like other people that want to watch sport live !
So it’s not free to air then. My mistake on the 5 hours, but you know 5 hours compared with 1 hour and a half is still delayed television, not free to air.
As for your pretty good comment, some of us have higher standards what is public broadcasting.
But then again, I don’t really care, as I have Netflix becasue I like good TV. Most gambling web sites will give you access to sport/game if you bet on it. So no need to pay for a monthly prescription.
The news is owned by billionaires, so course this is headline news.
Once again Brownlee proves he is not fit to hold public office. What a spineless, useless sack of shit he is.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93662467/israel-to-restore-diplomatic-ties-with-new-zealand-brownlee-refuses-to-endorse-earlier-policy
Gutless retorically if not visually.
It looks like Annie Goldson’s latest documentary, on Kim Dotcom, Caught in the Web will be on at this year’s Wellington Film Festival – hopefully also at the Auckland Festival. Click on the preceding title for a review.
See the website for the doco here.
Click on The Trailer box for a taste of the film.
thanks, interesting, I’ll probably watch it if it becomes available outside of cinemas.
Syrian artist and refugee Abdalla Al Omari depicts world leaders as refugees.
https://twitter.com/_abdallaomari_
so we are friends with the israelis again.
excuse me while i blow up some balloons.
i understand the pm wrote a letter of apology.
was it the typical polly apology eg: “sorry you feel that way’ or was it more fulsome?
what are we, as a nation sorry for?
where is the acknowledgement of responsibility and hurt in issues closer to home, eg children in state care.
This appeared in my YouTube as I rather like Frankie Boyle.
It’s 35 minutes long, so McFlock won’t be watching. Aired on election night in the UK, good for a laugh, only if your not easily offended.
I did watch it Adam and thought it sharp and perceptive and funny. How sad that we have no equivalent – at all.
It is ah, not one NZ comedian is this sharp or indeed funny in the sphere of politics. Most avoid politics like the plague, which I get, they have families, and we have a very tiny industry – so they don’t rock the boat. How lovely it is for the Tories to have all this self censorship, no one can then point fingers.
And we don’t have a Labour Party with socilalist principles.
Hundertwasser museum in Whangarei are very happy.
“We are thrilled to tell you that the Hundertwasser art Centre project has just received a grant of $3.5 million from the New Zealand Lotteries Commission significant project fund. This means we have met our first target – raising $16,250,000 by 30 June 2017. Read more about it on our website……?
It will be a bright colourful point and a change from NZ often dour style. I think we should run with that and have gurning competitions in a people’s fair.
(http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/21/world-gurning-championships-are-as-brilliant-as-you-would-expect-6142686/
huge fire in london block of flats
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-40269625
So horrible. Apparently it had recently been refurbished, what happened to the sprinklers? People are apparently trapped inside and the firefighters are spraying water but how the hell are the people supposed to get out – it’s 24 stories? It looks totally engulfed in flames.
I changed posting name so as not to be confused with the other Ed – who posts more frequently than I do.
A few weeks ago I saw an excellent graph showing government debt in billions, from the start of the Labour-led government to now – a clear downward curve until National’s tax cuts just after they were elected and a clear upwards curve from then.
Does anyone have a link for it?