I feel a lot more confident regarding our borders and MIQ facilities with Chris Hipkins being the lead. I think he is doing a good job and seems competent when fronting the media. David Clark really was useless in comparison to Hipkins and dropped the ball too often.
Probability would suggest we are almost guaranteed another outbreak, irrespective how many times the media prat on “how lucky are we” chippy Jacinda worship or not Lets hope the health sector is prepared this time
Based on NZ's COVID-19 health outcomes to date, is it really the case that "David Clark really was useless", and that the preparation of our health sector was poor?
Goodness gracious, if that's really is the case, then the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care must be considerably worse than useless, and there can be no words to describe the (lack of) preparedness of the UK health sector.
The reality is that the team of nearly five million (with some exceptional leadership and a little bit of luck) did a spectacular job of eliminating COVID-19 (stamp it out), and that MIQ staff have done an amazing job to protect the general population (keep it out) while facilitatating international travel. In the first two weeks of 2021, 5,735 people arrived in NZ, and 6,771 people left.
Life goes on, and it seems there are still some who don't know how lucky we are to live in this country. Yes, I know it’s not all roses, but there’s truly no place I’d rather be at the moment.
And you call that facilitating international air travel?
In the first 2 weeks of 2020 there were about 25,000 people per day going each way by air in and out of New Zealand. Thus we now have roughly 1 person travelling for every 60 we had at the same time last year. Those numbers are taken from the same link that you provided.
Just for comparison I have looked at what the figures would be for each Interislander trip between Wellington and Picton if we reduced the traffic volumes in the same way.
Each ferry would carry 3 passengers. Three quarters of the ferry would carry a car. 1 in five ferries would carry a rail wagon and 1 in every 14 would carry a truck.
Yes, I do call that facilitating the arrival of 5,735 people into NZ in the first two weeks of January 2021 during a steadily worsening global pandemic, including the evolution of more infectious strains.
Alwyn, would you prefer more arrivals (bags not from the US or UK), and if so, where do you suggest we put 'em – all round to yours?
The UK health bloke may be useless, I honestly don't know. But remember we had significant advantages due to our isolation and time on our side to get prepared. Heathrow I believe has around 80 million people go through it a year, that's around 220,000 per day! And don't forget Gatwick (46m) and Manchester (28m) airports. (Auckland airport a mere 20 million per year so only around 1/7th of the quantity). Just imagine the numbers carrying covid in to England in the early days.
I agree I would much rather be in NZ than anywhere else though as we have done a much better job than the UK.
Because it's impossible to reject an international flight plan?
We spent the first six months of the pandemic with people warning us our economy would collapse if we stopped international tourism and had a lockdown.
turns out we just bit the bullet and took the medecine early, and saved ourselves a lot of disease and economic hardship.
Yep in principal on the approach, not so much the spin and politics of it all , the team of 5m thing ( vomit inducing) , canonisation of certain individuals, smugness of nz in contrasting other countries without realising how much advantage we have to most other nations, releasing not so complementary reports on health sector performance very late and after the election, attempts to make this a left and right issue Apart from that on board
Red, what makes you think that there's a (general?) lack of realisation of the advantages (e.g. remote island, delayed risk of exposure, small well-educated population, competent leaders and dedicated public health workers focussed on protecting the health of citizens) that NZ has wrt this global pandemic?
IMHO "the team of 5m thing" that you find so nauseating was a masterstoke, both politically and as a subtle modifier of behaviour.
Like it or not, we're all (right and left) in this together – COVID's quite the leveller
I’m glad to hear that despite your visceral reaction and many reservations, you’re one of us and that’s all that matters in this pandemic; all the other stuff is just a distracting sideshow. This doesn’t mean stop criticising the authorities, including experts, as long as it is done with a positive outcome in mind. Often, we react to a particular message because of the messenger and/or the tone used but then we forget/ignore the message, which is lost in the noise in our brain. When people stop listening and start reacting instead, the connection is lost. Once the connection is gone, the cohesion will weaken, and before we know it, we are (back to being) a bunch of five million individuals mimicking Brownian motion.
"You know, the ‘team of five million’; are you one of us?"
"I’m glad to hear that despite your visceral reaction and many reservations, you’re one of us".
My, my. That sounds dreadfully like the mad orange man talking to the group of Congresswoman who disagreed with him. You remember them I assume?
Trump of course, completely ignoring the fact that most of them had been born in the USA, ranted that
"So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments … … … … now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run."
and "Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came"..
Are you going to tell people who think, and god forbid say, that the Government really hasn't done very well at all should leave the country? It does sound a bit like that you know when you start sorting the population into "them" and "us".
The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 infections has just topped the 2,000,000 mark.
Wouldn't dream of saying "people who think, and god forbid say, that the Government really hasn't done very well at allshould leave the country" – how bizarre.
As to whether or not the NZ Government has done a good, bad or indifferent job of handling the COVID-19 pandemic so far, well we're all 'entitled' to our opinions.
The question is, can you be a team player while holding our Government to account? That's behaviour I could admire.
The comment that you actually replied to provides the context. Despite that, you seem to jump to all sorts of weird and wonderful fiction. You really do crack me up, at times 😀
I take it from your bizarre rant, which is over-saturated with false equivalences AKA strawmen and pig-fucker statements, that you don’t see yourself as an integral part of NZ society AKA ‘the team of five million’. That’s ok with me, as long as you don’t create an unsafe situation for us New Zealanders who wish to do their bit ensuring that we’re all staying safe and well.
—from HECTOR STOOP in Beirut, for Daisycutter Sports, Jan. 15, 2021
Syria to send military and financial support to America's 'moderate rebels', to help them fight for democracy in their country. Afghanistan and Iraq to assist by flying in peacekeeping forces which will set up long-term bases in key American flashpoints.
I have twice tried to reply with something funny, something along the lines of asking whether they had set up a Give-a-little page.
Fear of upsetting those that see US democracy as paramount or at least more important than Venezuela,Vietnam, Honduras etc or being quickly labelled a white supremacist apologist has put me off.
Red, the health sector is overdue for some recognition and appreciation of the mammoth organisational task they have undertaken in the last 10-11 months. It's been learning as they go in so many ways, with the last pandemic 100 years ago, before mass travel worldwide was ever thought of or undertaken. Mistakes made, but quickly rectified. Staff being redeployed to new roles, endless behind the scenes issues to deal with. Mind boggling. And Dr Bloomfield's role has been appreciated widely.
A relative has a friend returned to NZ after many years in the US (and we all know the chaos there). He went to the Cinderella pantomime in Wellington recently. Fun references were made throughout about Dr Bloomfield. At the same performance Dr Bloomfield was in the audience and this friend said he wanted to go up and hug Dr Bloomfield. Heartwarming anecdote.
Everyone wants to hug Bloomfield. He has done an amazing job under extreme pressure. Hopefully he has a lot more support now with Hipkins than he did when Clark was minister of health. As per my above comment at 1.0, Hipkins is doing a good job too, but Ashley will be the crowd favourite.
I don’t want to hug Dr Bloomfield, I prefer social distancing. He’s a good leader of a good team and fortunately his political bosses have let him get on with his job without getting in the way and interfering.
If only I knew what you’re rambling on about, I could try parse your comment. As it is, it reads like something you hear at 1 am in the pub from somebody who’s had a few too many. Maybe best to call it a night, eh?
Your friend is obviously a sensitive soul, good on her but at the end of the day just an emotional response, has no real relevance to facts If Dr Bloomfield was not so geeky nerdish loveable type but an alpha and get out of my way male, get the job done, bugger if people like me or not etc would her response have been the same even if this person had done a better job, ie no second lock down etc
The Alpha Male is, evidently, a myth – which being so, that divisive stereotype need no longer be paraded as a model of leadership, but assessed on its merits, if any. In situations demanding conflict it may suffice, but for generating compliance there are better approaches.
I see OZ MP Dr Fiona martin weighing into her colleagues (George Christensen & Craig Kelly) over "…a duty to our nation to follow the evidence and facts."
Nada from scotty in marketing or any of his murdoch backed party to pull them into line….no surprises there.
I'm sure the DHB criteria for low cost contraception started out well intended. Now it's come down to this.
Surely other ethnic backgrounds have a need for low cost contraception too. The easy way around this is to make sure you tick Maori/Polynesian on any healthcare form.
In news surprising to nobody with pattern-recognition skills equal or better than a housefly, Don of the Deadbrains is stiffing Oozi Ghouliani. Yep, not paying fees.
But Oozi is still trying hard. In an explanation right up there with 'just tucking his shirt in', he sez he wasn't inciting violence with his "trial by combat" remarks. No sirree, that was just an innocent Game of Thrones reference.
The only info I have is the transcription in the tweet, so no way of knowing. However, when he said "trial by combat", his hands were below the lectern so it's entirely possible he was tucking his shirt in at that moment.
This struck me as a peculiar sentence for the offence described. Surely there should be assault charges for presenting a weapon during an argument, not simple possession? And yes, the socks had pool balls in them, but their possession seems insignificant beside the sawnoff pistol. Especially since they apperently stayed in the car while the gun was actually pointed at people.
…19 months’ jail for possessing the firearms, 12 months for possession of an offensive weapon (socks), and three months for possession of cannabis. All terms were concurrent.
I was thinking that it was in place of possession of an unbrandished kitchen knife. Certainly closer to my idea of a functional weapon. Also why wasn't the white powder residue analysed?
But I guess that the assault conviction would look bad at the pending domestic violence case. Impressive work from whomever the lawyer was!
Why it is good to get information straight from experts.
But first I wish to issue an expletive about this journalism (First in Australia and then in NZ). It exhibits utter failure to actually truly consult the experts, other than a passing token quote. I call false journalistic balance.
How good is the AstraZeneca vaccine looking? Look at the data, not news headlines
Tesla is an oddity in the business landscape. The company’s stock is so stratospheric that Elon Musk has surpassed Jeff Bezos as the world’s richest person. Now, we have another mind-blowing metric. At Tesla’s current price-to-earnings ratio, it would take the company almost 1,600 years to make what the stock market says it’s worth.
The New Statesman put up a startling comparison. In 2020, Tesla delivered 499,550 vehicles. Yet, its market capitalization shot up to $750 billion dollars. Comparatively, General Motors delivered 2.5 million vehicles in the same year, yet its market value is only $62 billion. Tesla’s price-to-earnings ratio — a comparison of current share price to earnings per share — is roughly 128X (the industry average is 15X), according to Zacks Investment Research. Based on that ratio, it would take Tesla 1,600 years to make the kind of money the stock market says it’s worth.
[…]
Musk’s tweets can also result in big changes in Tesla’s stock price. In a single tweet he erased $14 billion dollars in Tesla’s market value.
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
The pressure is mounting on the Government as it finalises its Budget Policy Statement, but yet more predicted revenue ‘goes missing’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Climate Commission has delivered another funding blow to the National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government’s tax-cutting plans, potentially carving $1.4 billion off the ‘climate ...
The Government now faces the prospect of having to watch another tax raise the price of petrol when, only six days ago, it abolished the Auckland Regional Fuel tax. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon argued that the regional fuel tax imposed costs on lower-income people with less fuel-efficient vehicles and that ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
Today marks a tragic milestone for New Zealanders as the Coalition Government side with big tobacco to repeal the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins and Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti. Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
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Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
Reacting to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s refusal to rule out introducing new taxes at the budget, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Today’s refusal to rule out new taxes suggests the Government is nothing more ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne Aila Images/Shutterstock Aged-care workers will receive a significant pay increase after the Fair Work Commission ruled they ...
He’s bringing ‘Sophie’ back, yeah. Goodshirt’s ‘Sophie’ music video is one of the most instantly recognisable New Zealand music videos of all time. Featuring a woman listening to the song on headphones while her entire house is burgled behind her, the video won the New Zealand music award for Best ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University A year ago, the AUKUS agreement was formally announced between Australian and UK Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden. The agreement mapped out the “optimal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreas Helwig, Associate Professor, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern Queensland SmartS/Shutterstock Steam locomotives clattering along railway tracks. Paddle steamers churning down the Murray. Dreadnought battleships powered by steam engines. Many of us think the age of steam has ended. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carrie Leonetti, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Victims who experience family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand are treated differently, depending on which part of the justice system they turn to for help. But a new member’s bill ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Tesch, Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for European Studies, Australian National University In perhaps the least surprising news of the year, Vladimir Putin has triumphed at the Russian ballot box and been enthroned for the fifth time as president. He ...
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has stopped a byelection for the Madang Open seat being held until an appeal filed by former MP Bryan Kramer is concluded. Kramer had appealed to the Supreme Court over a National Court decision not to review his application of the Leadership Tribunal decision ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Despite a “historic” ceasefire agreement in Papua New Guinea between Enga authorities and tribal leaders after months of bitter warfare, a young woman has been found brutally killed near Kaekin village, Wapenamanda. Despite the peace agreement and signing concluded in Port Moresby last Thursday ...
The second season of Ryan Murphy’s Feud is a sadder and slower entry into his canon of true story-telling, leaning heavily on a verdict about the cost of a single work of art. Hollywood heavyweight Ryan Murphy has had a bit of “ick” about him in the last few years. ...
Are you deeply passionate about sharing Māori stories? We’re on the hunt for an experienced writer/editor to lead coverage in our Ātea section.Ātea is a deeply valued section of The Spinoff site, offering Māori perspectives and insights across politics, current affairs and culture. We are thrilled to be looking ...
By Aisha Azeemah in Suva With the lights on one of his sneakers blinking as he ran through the gallery, a little boy looked up at several works of art. One of them was a sculpture of his grandfather: the man who changed how we see the Pacific — Epeli ...
WHAT: Uber drivers are holding a rally outside the Court of Appeal in Wellington tomorrow, as the company begins its appeal against 2022’s Employment Court verdict (in a case taken jointly by FIRST Union and E tū) that four drivers were permanent ...
RNZ Pacific The Fiji Meteorological Service has a heavy rain warning still in place for the whole of the country after a weekend of flooding, although some floodwaters have receded. Flood and flash flood warnings and alerts are also in place, including a warning for all flash flood-prone areas, small ...
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I feel a lot more confident regarding our borders and MIQ facilities with Chris Hipkins being the lead. I think he is doing a good job and seems competent when fronting the media. David Clark really was useless in comparison to Hipkins and dropped the ball too often.
Yeah, Chippy is brilliant in Level 4 lockdown, isn’t he? Clark never handled the Ministerial Portfolio of Covid-19 Response well, did he?
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/labour-2020-2023/covid-19-response
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/why-the-covid-19-response-minister-matters
Probability would suggest we are almost guaranteed another outbreak, irrespective how many times the media prat on “how lucky are we” chippy Jacinda worship or not Lets hope the health sector is prepared this time
Based on NZ's COVID-19 health outcomes to date, is it really the case that "David Clark really was useless", and that the preparation of our health sector was poor?
Goodness gracious, if that's really is the case, then the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care must be considerably worse than useless, and there can be no words to describe the (lack of) preparedness of the UK health sector.
The reality is that the team of nearly five million (with some exceptional leadership and a little bit of luck) did a spectacular job of eliminating COVID-19 (stamp it out), and that MIQ staff have done an amazing job to protect the general population (keep it out) while facilitatating international travel. In the first two weeks of 2021, 5,735 people arrived in NZ, and 6,771 people left.
Life goes on, and it seems there are still some who don't know how lucky we are to live in this country. Yes, I know it’s not all roses, but there’s truly no place I’d rather be at the moment.
It's certainly good advice to be prepared for the next incursion of COVID into the general population. Visit https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
" In the first two weeks of 2021, 5,735 people arrived in NZ, and 6,771 people left.".
And you call that facilitating international air travel?
In the first 2 weeks of 2020 there were about 25,000 people per day going each way by air in and out of New Zealand. Thus we now have roughly 1 person travelling for every 60 we had at the same time last year. Those numbers are taken from the same link that you provided.
Just for comparison I have looked at what the figures would be for each Interislander trip between Wellington and Picton if we reduced the traffic volumes in the same way.
Each ferry would carry 3 passengers. Three quarters of the ferry would carry a car. 1 in five ferries would carry a rail wagon and 1 in every 14 would carry a truck.
https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/blog/history-of-the-nz-interislander-nz-ferry/#:~:text=Fun%20facts%20about%20the%20Interislander%20Ferry&text=Between%20our%20three%20ferries%2C%20we,21%2C000%20trucks%20and%20210%2C000%20cars.
I would call that isolated. I certainly wouldn't say that travel had been facilitated.
Yes, I do call that facilitating the arrival of 5,735 people into NZ in the first two weeks of January 2021 during a steadily worsening global pandemic, including the evolution of more infectious strains.
Alwyn, would you prefer more arrivals (bags not from the US or UK), and if so, where do you suggest we put 'em – all round to yours?
Our international arrivals are twice that of Australia.
https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/markets-and-stats/tourism-statistics/international-market-performance.html
The UK health bloke may be useless, I honestly don't know. But remember we had significant advantages due to our isolation and time on our side to get prepared. Heathrow I believe has around 80 million people go through it a year, that's around 220,000 per day! And don't forget Gatwick (46m) and Manchester (28m) airports. (Auckland airport a mere 20 million per year so only around 1/7th of the quantity). Just imagine the numbers carrying covid in to England in the early days.
I agree I would much rather be in NZ than anywhere else though as we have done a much better job than the UK.
Because it's impossible to reject an international flight plan?
We spent the first six months of the pandemic with people warning us our economy would collapse if we stopped international tourism and had a lockdown.
turns out we just bit the bullet and took the medecine early, and saved ourselves a lot of disease and economic hardship.
Let’s hope the NZ population is prepared this time. You know, the ‘team of five million’; are you one of us?
Yep in principal on the approach, not so much the spin and politics of it all , the team of 5m thing ( vomit inducing) , canonisation of certain individuals, smugness of nz in contrasting other countries without realising how much advantage we have to most other nations, releasing not so complementary reports on health sector performance very late and after the election, attempts to make this a left and right issue Apart from that on board
Red, what makes you think that there's a (general?) lack of realisation of the advantages (e.g. remote island, delayed risk of exposure, small well-educated population, competent leaders and dedicated public health workers focussed on protecting the health of citizens) that NZ has wrt this global pandemic?
IMHO "the team of 5m thing" that you find so nauseating was a masterstoke, both politically and as a subtle modifier of behaviour.
Like it or not, we're all (right and left) in this together – COVID's quite the leveller
I’m glad to hear that despite your visceral reaction and many reservations, you’re one of us and that’s all that matters in this pandemic; all the other stuff is just a distracting sideshow. This doesn’t mean stop criticising the authorities, including experts, as long as it is done with a positive outcome in mind. Often, we react to a particular message because of the messenger and/or the tone used but then we forget/ignore the message, which is lost in the noise in our brain. When people stop listening and start reacting instead, the connection is lost. Once the connection is gone, the cohesion will weaken, and before we know it, we are (back to being) a bunch of five million individuals mimicking Brownian motion.
"You know, the ‘team of five million’; are you one of us?"
"I’m glad to hear that despite your visceral reaction and many reservations, you’re one of us".
My, my. That sounds dreadfully like the mad orange man talking to the group of Congresswoman who disagreed with him. You remember them I assume?
Trump of course, completely ignoring the fact that most of them had been born in the USA, ranted that
"So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments … … … … now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run."
and "Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came"..
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/14/trump-tells-congresswomen-go-back-counties-they-came/1728253001/
Are you going to tell people who think, and god forbid say, that the Government really hasn't done very well at all should leave the country? It does sound a bit like that you know when you start sorting the population into "them" and "us".
The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 infections has just topped the 2,000,000 mark.
Wouldn't dream of saying "people who think, and god forbid say, that the Government really hasn't done very well at all should leave the country" – how bizarre.
As to whether or not the NZ Government has done a good, bad or indifferent job of handling the COVID-19 pandemic so far, well we're all 'entitled' to our opinions.
The question is, can you be a team player while holding our Government to account? That's behaviour I could admire.
The comment that you actually replied to provides the context. Despite that, you seem to jump to all sorts of weird and wonderful fiction. You really do crack me up, at times 😀
I take it from your bizarre rant, which is over-saturated with false equivalences AKA strawmen and pig-fucker statements, that you don’t see yourself as an integral part of NZ society AKA ‘the team of five million’. That’s ok with me, as long as you don’t create an unsafe situation for us New Zealanders who wish to do their bit ensuring that we’re all staying safe and well.
Breaking News
—from HECTOR STOOP in Beirut, for Daisycutter Sports, Jan. 15, 2021
Syria to send military and financial support to America's 'moderate rebels', to help them fight for democracy in their country. Afghanistan and Iraq to assist by flying in peacekeeping forces which will set up long-term bases in key American flashpoints.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErqqLP8WMAItCze?format=jpg&name=small
I have twice tried to reply with something funny, something along the lines of asking whether they had set up a Give-a-little page.
Fear of upsetting those that see US democracy as paramount or at least more important than Venezuela,Vietnam, Honduras etc or being quickly labelled a white supremacist apologist has put me off.
A good nights sleep has emboldened me.
Red, the health sector is overdue for some recognition and appreciation of the mammoth organisational task they have undertaken in the last 10-11 months. It's been learning as they go in so many ways, with the last pandemic 100 years ago, before mass travel worldwide was ever thought of or undertaken. Mistakes made, but quickly rectified. Staff being redeployed to new roles, endless behind the scenes issues to deal with. Mind boggling. And Dr Bloomfield's role has been appreciated widely.
A relative has a friend returned to NZ after many years in the US (and we all know the chaos there). He went to the Cinderella pantomime in Wellington recently. Fun references were made throughout about Dr Bloomfield. At the same performance Dr Bloomfield was in the audience and this friend said he wanted to go up and hug Dr Bloomfield. Heartwarming anecdote.
Everyone wants to hug Bloomfield. He has done an amazing job under extreme pressure. Hopefully he has a lot more support now with Hipkins than he did when Clark was minister of health. As per my above comment at 1.0, Hipkins is doing a good job too, but Ashley will be the crowd favourite.
I don’t want to hug Dr Bloomfield, I prefer social distancing. He’s a good leader of a good team and fortunately his political bosses have let him get on with his job without getting in the way and interfering.
one could assume Bloomfield read that report…when it was first presented..
how can he not deny accusations he took part in covering up that report..?
so about the most charitable view of that..
is that he was at the behest of his political masters..
'cos if he were independent..there for the people..he would have demanded action/disclosure..way back then..
but he didn't..did he…?
so no…I don’t wanna hug him..
I want him to tell us why..?
If only I knew what you’re rambling on about, I could try parse your comment. As it is, it reads like something you hear at 1 am in the pub from somebody who’s had a few too many. Maybe best to call it a night, eh?
what don't you understand about that Bloomfield query…?
he knew…he covered up…
(hardly a quantum mechanics equation .is it..?..
quite simple really..)
What did Bloomfield "cover up"?
the report showing the failures @ the border…
that was presented to the govt in September..
that the govt sat on untill post-election/the last possible day to release..
all the while campaigning on their brilliance @ doing..what the report showed they weren't doing that well..
but nothing to see there…eh..?
and if national did that…you would be aok with that..?
I don't think so. .somehow..
Links are wonderful things, dude.
Please provide evidence to back up your assertion that AB covered up "the report showing the failures @ the border…"
Evidence needs to be a link along with a brief cut and paste of the pertinent point, and a brief explanation if needed.
Count this as a moderator request.
link not needed..it is common sense..
the report was about what he was running…
so of course he saw it..
and he said nothing…
and no..there is no link to Bloomfield saying 'i covered it up'..
that is the conclusion I have come to..
this is my opinion..perhaps one not yet voiced by anyone else
and the direct link to my brain is still a work in progress.
I'll let you know when it is up and running…
The Uncertainty Principle most definitely applies to your comment, which states that the more often one reads your comment, the less sense it makes.
Thanks for that Incognito – I was starting to think that Phillip has been indulging in one two many orifice plucks
Your friend is obviously a sensitive soul, good on her but at the end of the day just an emotional response, has no real relevance to facts If Dr Bloomfield was not so geeky nerdish loveable type but an alpha and get out of my way male, get the job done, bugger if people like me or not etc would her response have been the same even if this person had done a better job, ie no second lock down etc
Subconscious sexism 😉
Won't someone please think of the 'alphas'
they could all go and cluster around that billy te kaha..(another alpha male..)
The Alpha Male is, evidently, a myth – which being so, that divisive stereotype need no longer be paraded as a model of leadership, but assessed on its merits, if any. In situations demanding conflict it may suffice, but for generating compliance there are better approaches.
The research is here.
I see OZ MP Dr Fiona martin weighing into her colleagues (George Christensen & Craig Kelly) over "…a duty to our nation to follow the evidence and facts."
Nada from scotty in marketing or any of his murdoch backed party to pull them into line….no surprises there.
Link?
I'm sure the DHB criteria for low cost contraception started out well intended. Now it's come down to this.
Surely other ethnic backgrounds have a need for low cost contraception too. The easy way around this is to make sure you tick Maori/Polynesian on any healthcare form.
In news surprising to nobody with pattern-recognition skills equal or better than a housefly, Don of the Deadbrains is stiffing Oozi Ghouliani. Yep, not paying fees.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/donald-trump-rudy-giuliani-impeachment/index.html
But Oozi is still trying hard. In an explanation right up there with 'just tucking his shirt in', he sez he wasn't inciting violence with his "trial by combat" remarks. No sirree, that was just an innocent Game of Thrones reference.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rudy-giuliani-trial-by-combat-game-of-thrones_n_600076b2c5b6ffcab9627499
Did he have hair dye running down his face when he said that about GoT?
The only info I have is the transcription in the tweet, so no way of knowing. However, when he said "trial by combat", his hands were below the lectern so it's entirely possible he was tucking his shirt in at that moment.
This struck me as a peculiar sentence for the offence described. Surely there should be assault charges for presenting a weapon during an argument, not simple possession? And yes, the socks had pool balls in them, but their possession seems insignificant beside the sawnoff pistol. Especially since they apperently stayed in the car while the gun was actually pointed at people.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/crime/road-rage-gun-pointed-father-and-child-nazi-salute-shouted
maybe pled it out on the lesser charges rather than a defended hearing for assault?
I was thinking that it was in place of possession of an unbrandished kitchen knife. Certainly closer to my idea of a functional weapon. Also why wasn't the white powder residue analysed?
But I guess that the assault conviction would look bad at the pending domestic violence case. Impressive work from whomever the lawyer was!
ya hafta give a nod to that 'matinee idle' show on rnz..
it is really good fucken radio..
a shame it ends today ..
programming-idea:
rnz could open one of those unused frequencies they have..
and as part of their programming.. give these guys a drive show..
it would be a ratings winner..
and would also be really good bloody radio..
and the perfect salve for the end of the working day..for many..
o bugga. I forgot again.
Damn. It is the only thing I listen to (when I remember) ont Natrad these days. Plus Kim of course.
On the beer belly putsch.
https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom/status/1349868097914740737
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1349868097914740737.html
wow. That might be one of the best things I have read on that whole sorry mess.
Dude's a life long repug, too.
https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom/status/1349547655937064961
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1349547655937064961.html
Why it is good to get information straight from experts.
How good is the AstraZeneca vaccine looking? Look at the data, not news headlines
https://sciblogs.co.nz/diplomaticimmunity/2021/01/15/how-good-is-the-astrazeneca-vaccine-looking-look-at-the-data-not-news-headlines/
A thought-provoking article from Jess Berentson-Shaw who left Twitter last year.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/434117/we-need-social-media-systems-built-to-enhance-our-shared-humanity
Disclaimer: I am not on Twitter and never have been.
that was a good read too. It's where my thinking is at. Where are new models for internet engagement? Does it *have to be left to commerce?
The person who co-founded WhatsApp has created another messaging app, Signal, which relies on donations rather than advertisers for money.
I don’t know if this is viable long-term but Wikipedia is still around.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/300204609/why-whatsapps-new-privacy-rules-are-sparking-alarm
Signal in the news today
Signal messaging platform stops working as downloads surge
Endorsement influencer.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1347165127036977153
https://twitter.com/afshineemrani/status/1350143189378744320
Collateral damage.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/markets/world-markets/elon-musk-tweet-sparks-investment-frenzy-in-wrong-company-called-signal/news-story/c2e798e5011353e5527638c4aa5ba49c
Or con.
Tesla is an oddity in the business landscape. The company’s stock is so stratospheric that Elon Musk has surpassed Jeff Bezos as the world’s richest person. Now, we have another mind-blowing metric. At Tesla’s current price-to-earnings ratio, it would take the company almost 1,600 years to make what the stock market says it’s worth.
The New Statesman put up a startling comparison. In 2020, Tesla delivered 499,550 vehicles. Yet, its market capitalization shot up to $750 billion dollars. Comparatively, General Motors delivered 2.5 million vehicles in the same year, yet its market value is only $62 billion. Tesla’s price-to-earnings ratio — a comparison of current share price to earnings per share — is roughly 128X (the industry average is 15X), according to Zacks Investment Research. Based on that ratio, it would take Tesla 1,600 years to make the kind of money the stock market says it’s worth.
[…]
Musk’s tweets can also result in big changes in Tesla’s stock price. In a single tweet he erased $14 billion dollars in Tesla’s market value.
https://jalopnik.com/tesla-would-take-nearly-1-600-years-to-make-the-amount-1846044574