Lets start again the way modern NZ started in the beginning – with honest hard working people looking for opportunity to succeed that was no longer reachable in Britian in the 1800,s.
I well remember all those swindled English and German migrants sold land that wasn't owned, having to live in tents for years on end, sometimes as solo mums, as their children died. It was great. Not too many turned up with the equivalent of $50m in their pocket, and most towns were violent hell holes. Maori might have something to say about being shot at again, and having anything stolen off them. But your basic maths is right, if it weren't for the reality of how much it would cost to get that money here.
You must be very old to remember all that!. My pioneering ancestors didn,t mention that they met such horror in 1842 and 1852. They arrived to basic ( but expected ) primitive beginnings ( Nelson ) and successfully worked steadily to comfortable old ages.
It's a good idea – so long as this is their only citizenship and they renounce all others. And that $50m+ needs to be domiciled here.
We are about to lose the shirts off our backs economically, and we don't have enough millionaires either absolutely or proportionately to start up this country again.
I'm sure it goes against the egalitarian spirit of the left – but without some serious fresh injection of capital, the workers of New Zealand could toil away for decades and still have to rely on the state for most things in their lives.
The international (English language) media have been lauding the NZ response to the COVID-19 crisis, but looking at the worldometer stats (must admit I’ve been alternatively mesmerised and horrified over the last few weeks by the figures), there are some standout countries that have hardly been mentioned: Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong, in particular.
It’s hard to make sense of all thefigures and not easy to make easy comparisons because of so many different variables that you don’t know about: size of population, testing rate, amountof contact tracing, quarantining strategy etc., but it’s also hard to ignore Vietnam with no deaths and hardly any cases yet it’s right next to China. Taiwan similar with only 6 deaths and a population similar to Australia, Hong Kong with only 4 deaths and again hardly any cases. All 3 countries were badly affected by the SARS epidemic in 2003 and seemed to have learned from the experience. All shut down their borders in early January, 2 months before NZ, and had well thought out pandemic strategies already in place just in case another nasty zoonotic virus (one that jumps from another species) turned up, which of course it did.
Lessons to be learned by the rest of the world. Links below to articles about Taiwan and Vietnam.
For those who flunked Chinese 101, this basically says that Taiwan is part of China, and we are all ignorant and no doubt racist if we think otherwise as there is one and only one China.
Hmm, wonder how they reconcile their empire including Xinjiang and Xizang (Tibet) then. Hardly comprised of Han Tzu or historically part of China.
2021 is a dangerous year, and Xi has already stated repeatedly that within one year China will seize Taiwan back.
I just wish more Kiwis would read the local Chinese press. Racist and imperialist in the extreme. I honestly think many of our Chinese immigrants consider NZ to be just an overseas outpost of the Chinese Empire.
I just wish more Kiwis would read the local Chinese press. Racist and imperialist in the extreme.
Agreed. I cannot read the language, but I have trusted sources who do. And they tell me much the same things.
If people here think I'm stridently anti-CCP it's mainly for this reason.
I honestly think many of our Chinese immigrants consider NZ to be just an overseas outpost of the Chinese Empire.
The reality is a lot more nuanced. The overseas Chinese diaspora is deeply divided on the CCP. Many of those who oppose them fear a backlash in the West that would could scarcely help but to fail to discriminate between the various groups.
A good doco American Factory, about a Chinese business man buying a factory in USA, the way they describe the Americans is quite revealing, some quite truthful, but clearly quite racist.
Trumps presser yesterday was the most bizarre yet. Let's dim the lights, says trump as a little film starts up lamenting agent orange. It was weird. I've never seen him so defensive, he was off the hook raging at journalists who tried their best to hold him to account yesterday.
Today it looks like the presser is in the rose garden, thank goodness, can't dim the lights there, so no promotional film from POTUS.
Today's was even more unreal, he spent the longest time reading out names of big corporations. Can't even remember why now lololz, because he went on for so long. But he deliberately didn't mention microsoft, he must have beef with them.
He also spent most of the time blaming other people. It's all China's fault and the WHO because they didn't tell trump to take action and weren't transparent. It's got nothing to do with trump calling the virus a hoax or his lack of listening ability, nope, apparently everything is someone elses fault.
As well he talked up how the USA has more ICU rooms than Italy or France etc. Love to fact check on that. And he spent ages bragging about how many ventilators the USA has. Because it's a competition lolz.
Fauci was MIA, I hope he's ok.
Here's a link for a replay of today's bizarre presser in the Rose Garden.
Thanks Cinny. I got it through the Guardian link but couldn't stomach all of it. It was like listening to a drug addled nut-bar. Just awful.
Yes, I heard the latest installment of the blame game. The lies are so blatant that his followers must have the lowest IQ in the entire country to not know he is the fake.
Did you see the clip of Dr Fauci yesterday explaining what he meant by his comments the previous day concerning Trump 's original denial of the virus? He was in front of the microphone looking so small and vulnerable while two stony faced thugs stood over him just to his left. Trump and Pence. Poor man. Not surprised he didn't turn up today. He is being bullied behind the scenes. That is obvious.
Dr Fauci turns 80 this year – he has been a senior figure in US public health for a loooong time. Not sure how susceptible he is to bullying – at some point he may be forced to ‘stand down’, but I'm guessing he won’t be keen to go as long as he believes that continuing to advise Trump can do some public health good.
"He has turned down several offers to lead his agency's parent, the NIH [National Institutes of Health], and has been at the forefront of US efforts to contend with viral diseases like HIV, SARS, the 2009 swine flu pandemic, MERS, Ebola and COVID-19." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Fauci
Hi DMK, I didn't mean to infer Fauci was 'afraid' of Trump but rather he was being undermined behind the scenes – a better word than bullying.
Its a measure of the a*****e that – despite his [false] words to the contrary – Trump thinks he can push around an 80 year old with knowledge and experience he is incapable of ever attaining, and without any empathy or respect for the age of the gentleman.
Lets not forget he tweeted only a few days ago he wanted to fire Fauci because he said something Trump did not like.
Agree with all you've written Anne, just thought that Dr Fauci's age, medical expertise and record of public service were interesting. Being in their seventies would seem to be about the only thing Fauci and Trump have in common.
Identify, and if any of them catch covid and/or pass it on, hold them liable for treatment costs and consider criminal negligence or wilful endangerment charges.
Germany has drive by testing and done fairly well so far as a transit country to boot,
and in the US if you don't work you starve – and also right wing, and Donald wants a march and the Trumpists march.
Maybe the idiots are the ones pretending that they can stay home for month on end with the government sending care packages until the virus is eradicated and then they go back to live as it was before.
maybe the actual solution is somewhere inbetween.
Without knowing if any of those protesters aren't spreading covid, they're just being sour krauts and maple strops, and should heed the advice on social distancing and mass gatherings. I mean it would be really stupid to end a lock down as they want, only to have thousands more catch it because money and bau.
Though their self righteous reaction is a bit of an ah, now I get it moment.
Maybe the idiots are the ones pretending that they can stay home for month on end with the government sending care packages until the virus is eradicated and then they go back to live as it was before.
Who thinks that? Most people I'm seeing who understand the need for lock down also understand we're not going back to BAU.
Sure, though wilful breaching lock down orders are not only frustrating but ultimately dangerous to a lot of people. I hope none of them bought a surprise home to their bubbles.
Which would be tough as protesting is a right and all, and historically, most on the left would view the police on a spectrum of suspicion, but it's a deadly pandemic, and I would also expect a minimum warning of go home or be arrested would end a pointless protest like these above.
It's not the gathering to protest that bothers me, it's the blatant ignoring of the 2m distancing, and I'm guessing they're not bothering with hand washing, no face touching etc too.
I do agree, they can't really protest observing 2m spacing rules, so just like anyone too close in a queue at the moment, they'll cause some suspicion concerning their observance skills/understanding/compliance.
The liberal media show us that Chompsky's 'manufacturing concent' model is operating perfectly in it's job of protecting Biden…even here in little ol' NZ, RNZ doesn't touch this story either…
The Democratic Party seem to realise that they have coalesced around the worst possible anti-Sanders candidate. Biden is an incredibly 'target-rich environment' for Republican attack ads. There's the corruption allegations against his son (Hunter) and brother (James) – both suspected of using access to Joe as bargaining chips. There's his support for the Iraq war, for cutting social security, and for stripping people of bankruptcy protection. There's his support for NAFTA and TPPA. And now the glossed over and uninvestigated sexual abuse allegations. Not to mention an increasing tendency to flub his lines. It's going to be bloody. I guess the Democratic Party would have preferred to coalesce around Buttigieg or Klobuchar or Harris or even Bloomberg – but they weren't options after South Carolina.
What's also clear is that Sanders doesn't own his own movement. Despite endorsing Biden he can't command their obedience. To some extent, his movement will shuck him off and find a new leader – true to their likely belief in the Tolstoyan maxim that a leader is the wave pushed ahead by the ship. The age divide – Sanders winning under 45's decisively and Biden over 45's equally decisively – suggests many younger voters may simply not vote (which they are prone not to do anyway)
And Trump is going to claim victory over the 'Chinese virus' – irrespective of how many C-19 deaths there finally are. He's going to lie through his teeth about the whole thing, make a case for his own foresight and competence – and stand a good chance of being believed.
20% annually so 10% for 6 months I assume. Personally I'd have also taken a hatchet to the police commissioner and the head of the defence force who I believe earn way above the prime minister and given it to the director general of health
She could have played it like the old game, get one up on Bridges, for a moment in the news. But she informed him beforehand, gave him a chance to match her.
Taking the high ground is what works for her. It's good politics. Kicking him in the goolies plays well to the base, like some on here, but that's exactly what Bridges would do, and that's why he loses. Big picture classy versus small picture petty.
Sometimes I think that her political skills are as much underestimated by her supporters as her detractors.
Yes I flubbed a few lines. But; apart from the title, that was from memory (as I used my one editing chance on fixing that)! Surprised I did that well myself, after so many years.
If it is any consolation, anecdotally speaking, there seems to be a dramatic drop-off in numbers seeking hospital help for self-harm and suicide attempts.
I have been pondering possible reasons for this: limited or restricted access to alcohol, stronger ties to others by being connected to a bubble, a greater closeness and/or appreciation of those nearest and dearest….
Some of these may be an explanation for the drop in family harm notifications.
Biff fake-Tannin' is delaying the stimulus payments going out to Americans made unemployed by COVID-19. So they can have his shaky sharpie scrawl on them. Could be worse I s'pose, they could have been delayed further so that Dim Dotardashian got his ugly mug printed on them as well.
Louisiana has nearly half of all known coronavirus cases infecting kids in juvenile detention centers, and parents say the state isn't telling them anything
TOKYO: Japan urged its citizens on Wednesday (Apr 15) to stay home, as media reports warned that as many as 400,000 of them could die of the coronavirus without urgent action, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came under pressure to hand out more cash.
New Zealand is now "the envy of the world", according to the Grattan Institute, which said the country had a "realistic chance" of eliminating COVID-19 within the next couple of months.
So, it's been a strange day – apologies if I have seemed like a bear with a sore tooth at times,.. but that's pretty much accurate. I had a kernel from lunch caught in between my teeth – so I flossed it out, along with much of the tooth! Dental school (over the phone) gave me a choice between meds or extraction. Went with meds (painkillers and antibiotics until level 3 at least).
Anyway, on the way to the chemist there is this oldish crusty bloke reeling from side to side of the footpath. Shouting at the woman (normal street clothes) in front of me to get out of his way – even though it was clearly him lurching towards her. So then it's my turn…
I am wearing a zipped-up hoody, facial bandana and jeans (really not skirt weather today!). In retrospect, I may have looked a bit Islamic? He sneers at me: "If I had a gun, I'd shoot the lot of you!". That was surprising, maybe what Muslims in Dunedin put up with all the time? So I bellow back "Forget you – currant!", which he may have misheard, because he got out of my face really quickly after that.
The strange thing was that he didn't seem drunk or otherwise intoxicated. Guess it's just the stress of lockdown.. and him being an arsehole too, of course.
Simon Thornley of Plan B was a big fan of Sweden's no-lockdown approach, in his Stuff piece on March 31. (Sweden today: 2x NZ's pop — 11K cases; 1k deaths.) Should we really listen to someone who can't think 2 weeks ahead during a global pandemic with a 2 week incubation period?
I heard stephen mills saying on kathrine ryans program the other day that he thought jeremey corbyn was the worst leader the uk labour party had ever had funny i thought mills was supposed to represent the lefts view on the program he was taking part in an hooten the right ??but on yer steve may as well put the boot in everyone else has .Would have thought you couldve cut corbyn a tiny bit of slack tho steve it cant have been easy for example trying to be effective in ahighly corrosive poisonous snake pit that is the uk labour party .Even going home to put your feet up must have been something of an ordeal for jc given the daily onslaught of hit pieces in maybe all of the papers by hostile corporate presstittutes taking their orders from on high by powerfull figures determined to stop you getting any traction .IM petty sure that if a labour leader in this country managed to increase membership of the party by the numbers that jeremy corbyn did over there it would be have to be regarded equally with jesus's trick of walking on water !!Supprizes me that so many people both here and there cant decide weather they are left right or in between or how low they can go to keep their noses in the trough .The uk labour part it seems is no different to the democratic party in the states in that they will even go to the extream of deliberately losing an election to maintain the status quo .Rotten to the core would be an understatement in both cases imo.
Bridges is doing a better job of opposition than the UK Labour right now, & the UK actually have problems, urgent ones, that should be called out, but UK Labour? Not a squeak…
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What on earth is going on with the main opposition parties at the moment? Both National and ACT have been making numerous flip-flops and miscommunications, clearly indicating that they aren’t a viable alternative to the current Labour led Government.Of particular note is the duplicitous reasoning given for why they support ...
A ballot for two member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Housing Infrastructure (GST-sharing) Bill (Brooke van Velden) Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill (Debbie Ngarewa-Packer) Ngarewa-Packer's bill looks likely to start a shitfight with Labour, and not just because the ...
As you might have noticed, I have an on-going interest in working my way through old and intellectually influential reading material. Occasionally I even share my thoughts on it, which allows me to take a break from my generally-dominant Tolkien analysis. Well, today I thought I would take a ...
Golriz Ghahraman's Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill will probably face its first reading today. And three months after it was introduced - pissing on the "as soon as practicable" requirement of Standing Order 269 - it has received a section 7 report from Attorney-General David Parker stating that its proposed ...
The Green Party says the Government is right to carry out a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme - but says the review should start right now. ...
Our Government wants New Zealand to be the best place in the world to be a child, and we have a plan to make sure that’s a reality. We’ve put the wellbeing of children and families at the heart of our work since taking office in 2017 – from putting ...
The Green Party backs the Human Rights Commission’s call for an immediate rent freeze followed by reform of the rental system to guarantee that everyone has a warm, dry, affordable place to live. ...
The Green Party has once again shown that bringing people together to demand change works, with the announcement today that the Government will give communities a greater say over how their local transport services are run. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to ensure that as a nation which produces enough food to feed 40 million people, everyone in New Zealand can put an abundance of nourishing, nutritious kai on the table. ...
Following months of work by the Green Party and community and environmental organisations, Parliament will have the opportunity to pass legislation to protect public conservation land and waters from mining. ...
New evidence released today by Alcohol Healthwatch shows there’s never been a better time for Parliament to pass Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick’s Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill. ...
We’re helping more Kiwis into work, to help support whānau, grow our skilled workforce and secure our economy for future generations. During our time in Government, we’ve delivered record low unemployment rates, as well as a steady fall in the number of New Zealanders receiving a main benefit, and we’re ...
The Green Party once again calls on the Government to ban bottom trawling on all seamounts following the release of an industry white paper on so-called ‘sustainable’ trawling. ...
Urgent reform is essential to ensure disabled people have equal access to the care and support they need, the Green Party says in response to a new report that challenges politicians to fix the current system. ...
Emerging from an energetic selection meeting, we’re pleased to announce that Kaydee Zabelin and Brent Barrett are your Green Party candidates for Palmerston North City Council. ...
COVID-19 is here to stay and so the Government needs to put in place long-term protection measures, including mandatory ventilation standards, the Green Party says. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to overhaul the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme in the wake of revelations of shocking human rights violations. ...
The Green Party is calling for a cross-party commitment to guaranteeing at least a living wage and safe working conditions to people seeking employment, instead of continuing benefit sanctions. ...
The Green Party is once again calling on the Government to announce its support for a moratorium on deep sea mining, and to support a member’s bill going to select committee. ...
The Government must take steps to ensure that the way we build our homes is helping to meet New Zealand’s climate change targets, the Green Party said. ...
The Government’s employment initiatives led by the Ministry of Social Development must guarantee liveable incomes and fair working conditions, the Green Party says. ...
New Zealanders deserve a health system that works for everyone, no matter who you are or where you live. Our Government has a plan to make this a reality, and we’re taking the next steps. We now have thousands more health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, working in New ...
During her time as Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has navigated New Zealand through unprecedented times. Through it all, she’s become known as someone who leads with kindness, compassion and strength, while keeping the wellbeing of Kiwis at the heart of her approach. To celebrate five years of Jacinda leading the ...
Since taking office in 2017, our Government has worked hard to lift wages and make life more affordable for New Zealanders, as we move forward with our plan to grow a secure economy for all. ...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has wrapped up her first official visit to Niue, reaffirming Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to work together to strengthen resilience in the region and support climate action. During the visit, Nanaia Mahuta met Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi and Cabinet, and was the first outside speaker to ...
In line with Aotearoa New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK and the EU, the Government is establishing an Artist Resale Royalty Scheme to ensure the creators of visual arts are recognised and rewarded when their work is resold on the secondary art market. “This is about fairness. ...
A total of 29 Pacific businesses located across regional New Zealand have received up to a $100,000 each from the Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment’s Kānoa - Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, transferred $2 ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker today released the Government’s response to the Future of Commercial Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand report. “The report has already been influential in shaping this Government’s approach to oceans and fisheries management,” David Parker said. The report calls for immediate evidence-based action and identified ...
A Kiwi trawling innovation that enables most undersized fish to escape unharmed is going global with the help of government funding. “We’re supporting the further improvement of a fishing system that enables fish to swim freely and thereby allowing juveniles and non-targeted species to escape,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister David ...
The Government is providing $6.5 million to a programme that will grow and retain the numbers of Māori in the research, science and innovation workforce. “Growing a research workforce where the perspectives and expertise of Māori are well represented is a key part of ensuring we have a thriving and ...
The Government is increasing the number of funded clinical psychology internships and the payment interns receive on placement to support more students to choose clinical psychology as a career and address mental health workforce demand. By 2024 we will have increased the number of interns to 40 every year, along ...
Workers’ have experienced their biggest pay hike on record, outstripping inflation. Stats NZ figures show median weekly earnings from wages and salaries jumped by 8.8 percent in the June year, the largest annual increase since records began in 1998 and well ahead of inflation at 7.3 percent. “This is an ...
Pacific community organisations are strongly urged to apply for the Pacific Community Health Fund, now open for applications. “Pacific communities know what works for our communities, and what will create positive changes to lift Pacific wellbeing for families,” said the Associate Minister of Health Aupito William Sio. “We only have ...
Savings for a family with two children at school of up to $62 a week, over $2000 a year Lunches now reaching 220,000 kids at 950 schools every school day A million lunches delivered a week, over 63 million in total to date 2,361 jobs created or retained The Government’s ...
The Government is continuing to make regional economies stronger and more resilient with investment in a project that will likely create the world’s first commercial seaweed-based nanocellulose manufacturing plant. The innovative $1.5 million project in Paeroa in the Waikato is being supported with a $750,000 loan from the Government’s Regional ...
A new partnership strategy aimed at putting the decision-making and support for children in need in the hands of the community has been officially launched in Kaitaia by Minister for Children Kelvin Davis. TE ATATŪ, formed in partnership with Te Kahu Oranga Whānau and Oranga Tamariki, is the first such ...
$6million investment in research into three green hydrogen projects New Zealand research teams now able to access European green hydrogen research facilities and expertise A green hydrogen research programme has been established with Germany will support Aotearoa New Zealand’s move towards a more sustainable, low-emissions economy, Research, Science and Innovation ...
Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today announced the allocation of the remaining $14.9 million of the $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative. The four Māori boarding schools play a significant role in the development of future Māori leaders. They have been long-standing, staunch advocates ...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Andre Van Der Walt as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati. “As a Pacific nation we value our strong and enduring relationships throughout the region, especially with Kiribati,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Our two nations share a strong partnership based on ...
More than a third of eligible migrants are now New Zealand residents thanks to the Government’s one-off, simplified path to residence, providing a way forward for migrant families and certainty for New Zealand businesses, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood has announced. “This is great news for our migrant families and ...
New Zealand is making a further significant deployment of 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers, as part of an international effort to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war. It follows a completed deployment of 30 NZDF personnel ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will visit Niue and Tonga this week to engage kanohi ki te kanohi with counterparts, and progress work on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience and climate action priorities. “After the disruption caused by COVID-19 border closures, this is another opportunity to connect in-person with our ...
Our new approach to public transport will: Support ‘on-demand’ public transport services Allow councils to own and operate services in house Improve pay and working conditions Deliver routes and services that reflect community needs Incentivise the decarbonisation of the fleet Workers and public transport users are at the heart of ...
As-salamu alaykum, Tena tatou katoa, Thank you all for being here today. To the Afghan human rights defenders and your family members, welcome to Aotearoa. And thank you Your Excellency for hosting us all here at Government House. We have with us today from Afghanistan, human rights advocates, journalists, judges, ...
It’s my great pleasure to be able to speak with you about a really positive move for the Build-to-Rent sector. As you know, we announced changes last year to help steer property investors way from the existing pool of housing and toward solving New Zealand’s grave housing shortage - by ...
· Tax changes aimed at growing quality, secure rental supply · New and existing build-to-rent developments exempt from interest limitation rules in perpetuity, when offering ten-year tenancies · Exemption to apply from 1 October 2021. The Government is encouraging more long-term rental options by giving developers tax incentives for as ...
The Government has marked another milestone in its push for better rural connectivity, welcoming the delivery of Rural Connectivity Group’s (RCG) 350th tower. Waikato’s Te Ākau, which sits roughly 50 kilometres out of Hamilton is home to the new tower. “The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the ever-increasing importance of ...
Biosecurity co-operation topped the agenda when Australia and New Zealand’s agriculture ministers met yesterday. Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Murray Watt met with his New Zealand counterpart, Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, and Rural Communities in a conference call, which had particular focus on foot and ...
People could spend less time in hospital, thanks to a smart new remote device that lets patients be monitored at home, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Technology has the potential to really change the way we do things – to do things that are better for patients and at the ...
Concrete steps to clarify inclusive, evidence-informed teaching practices Strengthen capability supports along the professional pathway Enhance partnerships between the education system and whānau, iwi, communities Embed equitable additional learning supports and assessment tools that help teachers effectively notice and respond to the needs of students Improved student achievement is a ...
Aotearoa New Zealand has committed to strengthen global prevention, preparedness and responses to future pandemics with seed funding for a new World Bank initiative, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We cannot afford to wait until the next pandemic. We must all play our part to support developing countries ...
A law change to ensure that forestry conversions by overseas investors benefit New Zealand has passed its final reading in Parliament. Previously, overseas investors wishing to convert land, such as farm land, into forestry only needed to meet the “special forestry test”. This is a streamlined test, designed to encourage ...
International tourism recovery well underway with higher level of overseas visitor arrivals than previously expected UK and US card spend already back at pre-COVID levels Visitors staying in New Zealand longer and spending more compared to 2019 Govt support throughout pandemic helped tourism sector prepare for return of international ...
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has released its first strategy, setting out the actions it will take over the next few years to achieve better wellbeing outcomes for ethnic communities Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan announced today. “The Strategy that has been released today sets out ...
The Prime Minister has officially opened the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre today saying it is a huge asset to the region and to the country. “This is a world class facility which will be able to host national and international events including the world championships. With a 10-lane Olympic ...
The Associate Minister of Education, Aupito William Sio, has today announced the recipients of the Tulī Takes Flight scholarships which were a key part of last year’s Dawn Raids apology. The scholarships are a part of the goodwill gesture of reconciliation to mark the apology by the New Zealand Government ...
96% of estimated menstruating students receive free period products 2085 schools involved 1200 dispensers installed Supports cost of living, combats child poverty, helps increase attendance Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti today hailed the free period products in schools, Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata, a huge success, acknowledging ...
The Tourism Industry Transformation Plan outlines key actions to improve the sector This includes a Tourism and Hospitality Accord to set employment standards Developing cultural competency within the workforce Improving the education and training system for tourism Equipping business owners and operators with better tools and enabling better work ...
Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications Dr David Clark welcomes Google Cloud’s decision to make New Zealand a cloud region. “This is another major vote of confidence for New Zealand’s growing digital sector, and our economic recovery from COVID 19,” David Clark said. “Becoming a cloud region will mean ...
A package of changes to NCEA and University Entrance announced today recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on senior secondary students’ assessment towards NCEA in 2022, says Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti. “We have heard from schools how significant absences of students and teachers, as a result of COVID-19, ...
Te Reo Māori tauparapara… Tapatapa tū ki te Rangi! Ki te Whei-ao! Ki te Ao-mārama Tihei mauri ora! Stand at the edge of the universe! of the spiritual world! of the physical world! It is the breath of creation Formal acknowledgments… [Your Highness Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo] ...
The Government’s commitment to combatting firearms violence has reached another significant milestone today with the passage of the Firearms Prohibition Order Legislation Bill, Police Minister Chris Hipkins says. The new law helps to reduce firearm-related crime by targeting possession, use, or carriage of firearms by people whose actions and behaviours ...
Minister for Veterans, Hon Meka Whaitiri sends her condolences to the last Battle for Crete veteran. “I am saddened today to learn of the passing of Cyril Henry Robinson known as Brant Robinson, who is believed to be the last surviving New Zealand veteran of the Battle for Crete, Meka ...
Legislation to repeal the ‘Three Strikes’ law has passed its third reading in Parliament. “The Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill ends an anomaly in New Zealand’s justice system that dictates what sentence judges must hand down irrespective of relevant factors,” Justice Minister Kiri Allan said. “The three strikes law was ...
Today Te Tai Ōhanga, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga and Te Pūtea Matua are publishing a joint paper that provides an assessment of the key drivers of the housing market over the last 20 years. The joint paper was authored by the Housing Technical Working ...
Painters and other visual artists whose work is resold will get 5 percent in royalties under a new scheme set up as part of the EU and UK trade agreements, the government has announced. ...
Painters and other visual artists whose work is resold will get 5 percent in royalties under a new scheme set up as part of the EU and UK trade agreements, the government has announced. ...
The signals were clear enough before the on-line Labour caucus meeting this week and – sure enough – Hamilton West Dr Guarav Sharma was suspended. No surprises, then – except did it also mark the formal burial of the Prime Minister’s “be kind” policy? Sharma had been labelled a “rogue” ...
Injury statistics for work-related claims give information about claims accepted by ACC for work-related injuries. Key facts A total of 223,300 work-related claims were made in 2021 (up 4,800 from 2020). In 2021, the incidence rate of all ...
The experimental weekly series provides an early indicator of employment and labour market changes in a more timely manner than the monthly employment indicators series. Key facts The 6-day series includes jobs with a pay period equal to or less than ...
Treasury advisors warned the government against extending Fuel Excise Tax and Road User Charge reductions beyond August, saying it would lead to an expectation they would continue. ...
Auckland Council and Auckland Transport released their Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP) this week, calling for a significant increase in public transport use. The Free Fares campaign supports this call, urging the Government to implement ...
Local Government NZ (LGNZ) is backing IAG’s pragmatic and sensible solutions to help reduce flood risk in the country. “Tens of thousands of New Zealanders live in houses that are prone to flooding,” says LGNZ’s Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene. ...
A View from Afar – In this podcast, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will analyse the ongoing war in Ukraine. Specifically, we will examine how the invading forces of Russia are struggling against a determined and well-equipped Ukraine defence. What can we expect next from Russia? How ...
The Māori Party’s push to have representation in Local Government has had a successful start with incumbent Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, Toi Kai Rakau Iti, being re-elected unopposed. Iti is taking his re-election as a vote of confidence and not ...
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has confirmed the government will do a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme early next year. ...
A report which found the country's health and safety regulator lacks a clear strategy and cannot say if it is effective is "shocking", the National Party says. ...
The latest rise in the official cash rate by the Reserve Bank on Wednesday has only cemented the need for Government to respond positively to unions calling for a unified pay increase to recognise people working across the education, health and wider public ...
Having found time in his busy schedule, missing civil servant Stephen Town has hung up his boots and resigned from his $13,000-a-week garden leave ‘job’ - which is cushy even for Wellington. “We are delighted that our efforts to find Stephen ...
The Taxpayers’ Union says that cuts to Government spending are a far better way to deal with the inflation crisis than the Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiking the Official Cash Rate – and the public agree. Kiwi voters understand the drivers behind ...
The Monetary Policy Committee today increased the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 3 percent from 2.5 percent. The Committee agreed it remains appropriate to continue to tighten monetary conditions at pace to maintain price stability and contribute ...
It’s a tense time in New Zealand’s farming industries. Already the Ministry for Primary Industries has had to shoot down an overseas news report that China had shut its borders to NZ and Australian products due to concerns about foot-and-mouth. NZ exports to China are continuing as normal, a Ministry ...
Buzz from the Beehive Promoting the wellbeing of Māori is the common factor in three of the latest four Beehive announcements. The government is providing $14.9 million (from of the $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative) to four Māori boarding schools; and ...
There has been little progress in closing the gender pay gap despite record low unemployment, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions said today following the release of labour market data by Statistics NZ. The overall gender pay gap has stubbornly ...
“There are far too many dairies now also operating as licenced ‘Specialist Vape Retailers’. It makes a mockery of our vaping laws and so we’re pleased the Government is going to tidy up this unintended consequence,” says Nancy Loucas, co-founder ...
Median weekly earnings from wages and salaries rose by 8.8 percent to $1,189 in the year to the June 2022 quarter, Stats NZ said today. The 8.8 percent annual increase in median weekly earnings from wages and salaries was the largest annual increase ...
Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma's office has one staff member and no further decisions have been made on his staffing since he publicly accused Labour colleagues of bullying. ...
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore and Regulatory Committee Chair Linda Cooper will today present Auckland Council’s submission [speaking notes attached] to the government’s Finance Expenditure Committee hearing on the proposed Water ...
The MP's suspension from Labour's caucus will be reviewed in December but caucus could agree to expel him sooner if he breaches party rules again, the Prime Minister says. ...
The Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill is aimed at addressing the accessibility barriers faced by disabled people, tāngata whaikaha, and others, so they can live independently and participate fully in all areas of life. The bill also aims to ensure ...
Labour MPs may well be determining the fate of Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma at a special caucus meeting, as this post is being written. According to Stuff, the party’s MPs will enter a virtual meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was expected to speak to ...
Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr has a lot on his plate at present. He is battling to hose down prices which have been rising faster than they have done for 30 years, while at the same time “maximising” sustainable employment. It’s a task none of his predecessors had to undertake. ...
Te Tari Taiwhenua is inviting members of the public to apply to the current funding round of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. The Trust chairman, Mr Paul Chin, encourages people to make applications for proposals that support the aims of the Trust. The ...
The Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) says that disabled people’s human rights will not be fully realised in Aotearoa unless there is a jointly owned and implemented cross government agency approach. The IMM today released its third general update ...
Buzz from the Beehive Comings and goings were the common factor in the latest Beehive announcements. Immigration Minister Michael Wood handled the “inward” movements by regurgitating migrant statistics he presumably wanted to crow about. The “outward” movements are recorded in three statements – a further deployment of 120 New Zealand ...
Greenpeace Aotearoa is urging the New Zealand government to back the strongest possible Global Oceans Treaty as the latest round of negotiations for the long-awaited treaty kick off in New York. UN member states are meeting this week to hammer out the details ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ron May, Emertius Fellow, attached to the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program, Australian National University Paramilitary police and soldiers patrol ballot boxes at Tari airport, Southern Highlands, PNGAAP Image Despite Australia “stepping up” its relations with the Pacific since ...
With less than a year until its launch, Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson says he is willing to address opposition concerns over the independence of the new government funded public media entity. ...
Births and deaths releases provide statistics on the number of births and deaths of people resident in New Zealand that are registered during a given period, along with selected fertility and mortality rates. They may differ from statistics presented ...
New Zealand's resident population provisionally grew by 12,700 or 0.2 percent over the year, to reach 5.12 million at 30 June 2022, Stats NZ said today. This is the lowest annual growth rate since June 1986 when the population barely changed (0.0 ...
Retail NZ welcomes two policy initiatives from the ACT Party Law and Order policy document to combat retail crime – infringement notices and three strikes for burglary. “The announcement today from the ACT Party of two specific policies that will help ...
The departure of the Human Right’s Commission from its core role to defend classical human rights into left wing ideological advocacy would be comical if the policies it is pushing weren’t so dangerous, says the Taxpayers’ Union. “This was always ...
Given climate change not only poses a serious challenge to Auckland but New Zealand as a whole, mayoral candidate Efeso Collins is pledging to form a Coalition of Mayors For Climate Action. Collins says it’s vital local councils work closely together ...
Power Play - Labour MPs will be meeting for an urgent caucus early this afternoon, as the party tries to manage the snowballing damage from the serious allegations being made by one of its own, Gaurav Sharma. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ryan Heneghan, Lecturer in Mathematical Ecology, Queensland University of Technology US Department of Energy Even a relatively small nuclear war would create a worldwide food crisis lasting at least a decade in which hundreds of millions would starve, according to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Livingstone, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University Shutterstock The popularity of plant-based proteins, or “fake meat”, has increased in recent years as consumers look to eat fewer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arindam Basu, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University of Canterbury Yang Jianzheng/VCG via Getty Images Within less than three years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared two public health emergencies of international concern: COVID-19 in February 2020 and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Halog, Lecturer/Research Group Leader in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, The University of Queensland The Brisbane 2032 Olympic organising committee boardDarren England/AAP In a year of major sporting events – the Commonwealth Games, the FIFA World Cup, cricket’s T20 World ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne O’Mara, Associate Professor in Education, Deakin University Shutterstock It’s hard for parents to help kids with homework without doing it for them. It can be especially difficult to work out where to start when your child is preparing a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Day, PhD Student, Economic and Industrial Policy, Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney Shutterstock The NSW government’s industrial dispute with rail unions over the new intercity trains is tipped to add hundreds of millions of dollars ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan Lyons, Scholar in Media and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University IMDB When it was announced that the creators of Breaking Bad would be filming a prequel spin-off to their iconic series, few could have imagined the critical acclaim it would ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The only credible explanation for Scott Morrison personally installing himself, as an undisclosed ministerial partner, in several portfolios is the former prime minister’s passion for control. The fact he didn’t tell senior colleagues, let ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer in climate science and science communication, The University of Melbourne Mike Marrah/Unsplash, CC BY-SA On August 14 1912, a small New Zealand newspaper published a short article announcing global coal usage was affecting our planet’s temperature. ...
In the wake of the emotionally draining sagas that have dominated the mainstream media for the past week or so — -first the allegations of bullying within Parliament and by parliamentarians, and then the All Blacks’ triumph and turmoil over the coach’s future employment — can any relief be found? ...
Auckland mayoral hopeful Viv Beck should throw in the towel to give rival and former Far North mayor Wayne Brown a better go, says former Auckland mayor and National MP John Banks. ...
The government reduced pay parity funding for early childhood teachers in its May Budget to keep its education spending within agreed limits, briefing documents show. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Sydney Lukas Coch/AAP It has been reported that, during the pandemic, the then prime minister, Scott Morrison, swore himself in as a minister to several portfolios, including health, finance and resources. ...
The polytechnic sector has been getting a bad press in recent times. Former Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker has demanded an apology from Education Minister Chris Hipkins for turning the country’s polytechnic education system into “a national disgrace”. The Otago Daily Times has described the centralising of New Zealand’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University Glen Carrie/Unsplash Social media platforms have had some bad press in recent times, largely prompted by the vast extent of their data collection. Now Meta, the parent company of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Sandeman, Honorary Professor, Federation University Australia Shutterstock As a parent, it might feel like you are constantly giving your children worm treatments – usually in the form of chocolate or sweetened chewable tablets. In fact, most kids in ...
New Zealand will send another 120 Defence staff to the UK to help train Ukraine soldiers to defend against Russia after the completion of the previous 30-strong deployment. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Rubenstein, Professor, Academic Director, 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, University of Canberra With more independents, women, Indigenous Australians and MPs from a multicultural background than ever before, federal parliament seems ready to deal with issues that have been lying dormant for years. ...
LGNZ welcomes the Government’s move to allow councils to own bus services. The Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) has been replaced with the new Sustainable Public Transport Framework. The new framework gives councils the ability to own and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Shutterstock If you wake up in the morning feeling thirsty, you might be dehydrated. There are a few things which might be at play ...
The Free Speech Union has released the first Annual Universities Ranking Report , taking a critical look at the policies and practices of New Zealand’s universities with regards to free speech, and “grading” them on whether they suppress or encourage ...
Buzz from the Beehive The big announcement from the Beehive so far today is that workers and public transport users are at the heart of a new approach to public transport branded the Sustainable Public Transport Framework. This is great news, although when you take workers and public transport users ...
Caught a Bridges interview this morning.
We really dodged a bullet, avoiding having that degree of cognitive ignorance, in charge.
Sickening, watching the interveiwer treating him with deference and agreement, rather than the hostile way interviewers treat Government MP's.
We really do have a biased media.
Imagine if Bridges/ Nats were leading this, lockdown, then lift early, then lockdown, lift early etc … would have been chaos.
One of his henchmen, Paul Goldsmith, was on Kathryn Ryan's show this morning. Embarrassingly bad.
This ain't no "standard seasonal flu", they also may find the high death rate is because hospitals have been underfunded, as simple as that. And considering the UK aren't counting the residential home deaths, unlike us here. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/14/we-are-all-resigned-to-getting-it-nhs-staff-reveal-fears-from-the-frontlines-of-covid-19
Haven't heard an explanation why emergency rooms aren't routinely flooded with 'standard seasonal 'flu' cases.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/immunisation/influenza
In other words, it hasn’t started yet.
Flu jab nurse reckoned there will be substantially fewer cases this year because of all that hand washing and distancing we're doing.
The basic math goes like this: If NZ could attract 2000 people to invest $50m, that would raise $100b.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12324752
NO THANKYOU.!
Lets start again the way modern NZ started in the beginning – with honest hard working people looking for opportunity to succeed that was no longer reachable in Britian in the 1800,s.
Make NZ Great Again!
I well remember all those swindled English and German migrants sold land that wasn't owned, having to live in tents for years on end, sometimes as solo mums, as their children died. It was great. Not too many turned up with the equivalent of $50m in their pocket, and most towns were violent hell holes. Maori might have something to say about being shot at again, and having anything stolen off them. But your basic maths is right, if it weren't for the reality of how much it would cost to get that money here.
Can I get a hip hooray for the capitalists?
You must be very old to remember all that!. My pioneering ancestors didn,t mention that they met such horror in 1842 and 1852. They arrived to basic ( but expected ) primitive beginnings ( Nelson ) and successfully worked steadily to comfortable old ages.
It's a good idea – so long as this is their only citizenship and they renounce all others. And that $50m+ needs to be domiciled here.
We are about to lose the shirts off our backs economically, and we don't have enough millionaires either absolutely or proportionately to start up this country again.
I'm sure it goes against the egalitarian spirit of the left – but without some serious fresh injection of capital, the workers of New Zealand could toil away for decades and still have to rely on the state for most things in their lives.
Don't fret, it will happen anyway.
Europe is in for a very unsettling decade or two, there will be many well qualified people with both money and talent looking to escape.
"the workers of New Zealand could toil away for decades and still have to rely on the state for most things in their lives."
So UBI might as well start now and their toil and initiative over the next decades will quickly be constructive .
The international (English language) media have been lauding the NZ response to the COVID-19 crisis, but looking at the worldometer stats (must admit I’ve been alternatively mesmerised and horrified over the last few weeks by the figures), there are some standout countries that have hardly been mentioned: Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong, in particular.
It’s hard to make sense of all thefigures and not easy to make easy comparisons because of so many different variables that you don’t know about: size of population, testing rate, amountof contact tracing, quarantining strategy etc., but it’s also hard to ignore Vietnam with no deaths and hardly any cases yet it’s right next to China. Taiwan similar with only 6 deaths and a population similar to Australia, Hong Kong with only 4 deaths and again hardly any cases. All 3 countries were badly affected by the SARS epidemic in 2003 and seemed to have learned from the experience. All shut down their borders in early January, 2 months before NZ, and had well thought out pandemic strategies already in place just in case another nasty zoonotic virus (one that jumps from another species) turned up, which of course it did.
Lessons to be learned by the rest of the world. Links below to articles about Taiwan and Vietnam.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/asia/population-the-same-as-australia-s-but-a-fraction-of-the-coronavirus-cases-20200412-p54j67.html
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/with-no-deaths-reported-vietnams-response-to-coronavirus-pandemic-earns-praise/news
There is only one China.
For those who flunked Chinese 101, this basically says that Taiwan is part of China, and we are all ignorant and no doubt racist if we think otherwise as there is one and only one China.
Hmm, wonder how they reconcile their empire including Xinjiang and Xizang (Tibet) then. Hardly comprised of Han Tzu or historically part of China.
2021 is a dangerous year, and Xi has already stated repeatedly that within one year China will seize Taiwan back.
I just wish more Kiwis would read the local Chinese press. Racist and imperialist in the extreme. I honestly think many of our Chinese immigrants consider NZ to be just an overseas outpost of the Chinese Empire.
I just wish more Kiwis would read the local Chinese press. Racist and imperialist in the extreme.
Agreed. I cannot read the language, but I have trusted sources who do. And they tell me much the same things.
If people here think I'm stridently anti-CCP it's mainly for this reason.
I honestly think many of our Chinese immigrants consider NZ to be just an overseas outpost of the Chinese Empire.
The reality is a lot more nuanced. The overseas Chinese diaspora is deeply divided on the CCP. Many of those who oppose them fear a backlash in the West that would could scarcely help but to fail to discriminate between the various groups.
A good doco American Factory, about a Chinese business man buying a factory in USA, the way they describe the Americans is quite revealing, some quite truthful, but clearly quite racist.
Sorry I should have pointed out ,scroll down for English.
Well 3 guesses why Taiwan might not get mentioned.
I hate guessing. Just tell us.
Trumps presser yesterday was the most bizarre yet. Let's dim the lights, says trump as a little film starts up lamenting agent orange. It was weird. I've never seen him so defensive, he was off the hook raging at journalists who tried their best to hold him to account yesterday.
Today it looks like the presser is in the rose garden, thank goodness, can't dim the lights there, so no promotional film from POTUS.
Can you supply a link Cinny? I have trouble finding them – lack of knowledge and know how.
I saw part of yesterday's presser and it was like something out of A in Wonderland. Un…. believable!
Covfefe
Covfefailure
Anne, I'll post a live link for tomorrow.
Today's was even more unreal, he spent the longest time reading out names of big corporations. Can't even remember why now lololz, because he went on for so long. But he deliberately didn't mention microsoft, he must have beef with them.
He also spent most of the time blaming other people. It's all China's fault and the WHO because they didn't tell trump to take action and weren't transparent. It's got nothing to do with trump calling the virus a hoax or his lack of listening ability, nope, apparently everything is someone elses fault.
As well he talked up how the USA has more ICU rooms than Italy or France etc. Love to fact check on that. And he spent ages bragging about how many ventilators the USA has. Because it's a competition lolz.
Fauci was MIA, I hope he's ok.
Here's a link for a replay of today's bizarre presser in the Rose Garden.
Thanks Cinny. I got it through the Guardian link but couldn't stomach all of it. It was like listening to a drug addled nut-bar. Just awful.
Yes, I heard the latest installment of the blame game. The lies are so blatant that his followers must have the lowest IQ in the entire country to not know he is the fake.
Did you see the clip of Dr Fauci yesterday explaining what he meant by his comments the previous day concerning Trump 's original denial of the virus? He was in front of the microphone looking so small and vulnerable while two stony faced thugs stood over him just to his left. Trump and Pence. Poor man. Not surprised he didn't turn up today. He is being bullied behind the scenes. That is obvious.
Dr Fauci turns 80 this year – he has been a senior figure in US public health for a loooong time. Not sure how susceptible he is to bullying – at some point he may be forced to ‘stand down’, but I'm guessing he won’t be keen to go as long as he believes that continuing to advise Trump can do some public health good.
Hi DMK, I didn't mean to infer Fauci was 'afraid' of Trump but rather he was being undermined behind the scenes – a better word than bullying.
Its a measure of the a*****e that – despite his [false] words to the contrary – Trump thinks he can push around an 80 year old with knowledge and experience he is incapable of ever attaining, and without any empathy or respect for the age of the gentleman.
Lets not forget he tweeted only a few days ago he wanted to fire Fauci because he said something Trump did not like.
Agree with all you've written Anne, just thought that Dr Fauci's age, medical expertise and record of public service were interesting. Being in their seventies would seem to be about the only thing Fauci and Trump have in common.
CNN's chyron writer deserves a medal and a raise.
https://www.mediamatters.org/coronavirus-covid-19/cnn-chyrons-give-persuasive-rationales-cnn-stop-airing-trumps-coronavirus
The media highlight of the day? When such a beauty comes up early you know Trump or anyone else is going to have to go really hard to compete.
Man on radio talking about Obama endorsing Biden. (That's news? You're so bereft that it's the only thing in the world to talk about? etc, etc.)
Obama's thing is a 10 minute speech, well, 'monologue' and according to the guru "There's a man who likes the sound of his own voice." !!!!!!
Mirror, mirror on the wall ….
If Michelle Obama goes around publicly endorsing Biden his lead (already good) will stretch into the far distance.
Covidiocy abounds.
#COVIDIOTS
Identify, and if any of them catch covid and/or pass it on, hold them liable for treatment costs and consider criminal negligence or wilful endangerment charges.
Vancouver is a good size bigger than Auckland. The guy in the clip said there was a massive crowd. I think he is exaggerating.
Accordingto B.C. media it was a small group of about 20, mostly anti-vaxxers and other local right wing nut jobs.
Germany has drive by testing and done fairly well so far as a transit country to boot,
and in the US if you don't work you starve – and also right wing, and Donald wants a march and the Trumpists march.
Maybe the idiots are the ones pretending that they can stay home for month on end with the government sending care packages until the virus is eradicated and then they go back to live as it was before.
maybe the actual solution is somewhere inbetween.
Without knowing if any of those protesters aren't spreading covid, they're just being sour krauts and maple strops, and should heed the advice on social distancing and mass gatherings. I mean it would be really stupid to end a lock down as they want, only to have thousands more catch it because money and bau.
Though their self righteous reaction is a bit of an ah, now I get it moment.
Who thinks that? Most people I'm seeing who understand the need for lock down also understand we're not going back to BAU.
unfortunately it would be hard to establish who caught cv from who, so presumably endangerment or manslaughter wouldn't be a go.
Am curious what penalties Canada (or NZ) has for such behaviour in a pandemic or under a civil emergency.
Sure, though wilful breaching lock down orders are not only frustrating but ultimately dangerous to a lot of people. I hope none of them bought a surprise home to their bubbles.
I totally think the state should deal to that. If it were NZ I would expect arrests.
Which would be tough as protesting is a right and all, and historically, most on the left would view the police on a spectrum of suspicion, but it's a deadly pandemic, and I would also expect a minimum warning of go home or be arrested would end a pointless protest like these above.
It's not the gathering to protest that bothers me, it's the blatant ignoring of the 2m distancing, and I'm guessing they're not bothering with hand washing, no face touching etc too.
I do agree, they can't really protest observing 2m spacing rules, so just like anyone too close in a queue at the moment, they'll cause some suspicion concerning their observance skills/understanding/compliance.
The liberal media show us that Chompsky's 'manufacturing concent' model is operating perfectly in it's job of protecting Biden…even here in little ol' NZ, RNZ doesn't touch this story either…
The Democratic Party seem to realise that they have coalesced around the worst possible anti-Sanders candidate. Biden is an incredibly 'target-rich environment' for Republican attack ads. There's the corruption allegations against his son (Hunter) and brother (James) – both suspected of using access to Joe as bargaining chips. There's his support for the Iraq war, for cutting social security, and for stripping people of bankruptcy protection. There's his support for NAFTA and TPPA. And now the glossed over and uninvestigated sexual abuse allegations. Not to mention an increasing tendency to flub his lines. It's going to be bloody. I guess the Democratic Party would have preferred to coalesce around Buttigieg or Klobuchar or Harris or even Bloomberg – but they weren't options after South Carolina.
What's also clear is that Sanders doesn't own his own movement. Despite endorsing Biden he can't command their obedience. To some extent, his movement will shuck him off and find a new leader – true to their likely belief in the Tolstoyan maxim that a leader is the wave pushed ahead by the ship. The age divide – Sanders winning under 45's decisively and Biden over 45's equally decisively – suggests many younger voters may simply not vote (which they are prone not to do anyway)
And Trump is going to claim victory over the 'Chinese virus' – irrespective of how many C-19 deaths there finally are. He's going to lie through his teeth about the whole thing, make a case for his own foresight and competence – and stand a good chance of being believed.
Unhappy days.
Cuomo Governor of New York, "Donald Trump has declared himself as King Trump."
Midday news on 1.
Some twitter reaction to Nixon-on-bath-salts' proclamation that his "authority is total"
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-total-authority-twitter-coronavirus-pandemic_n_5e951344c5b606109f5ed818
I almost wish they would go for authoritarianism now, while there's still some fight left in people.
Meanwhile in a galaxy far away.
NZ Herald utterly gobsmacking incompetent…it's dammed obvious that proof reading is considered unnecessary
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12324961
States repeatedly it's 20% cut in salaries yet multiple examples given in $ terms are all 10% .
Oh and I’m waiting for reporters to ask Bridges and Rimmer if they will be taking cuts as well.
20% annually so 10% for 6 months I assume. Personally I'd have also taken a hatchet to the police commissioner and the head of the defence force who I believe earn way above the prime minister and given it to the director general of health
You are right as are they I've gotten old
Heard on the news Bridge's is.
If you a going to make a pointless token gesture, then they will all do it.
Assuming Rimmer is Seymour, imagine he will jump on the pointless PR band wagon.
Not sure about Winston given "The super annuation thing". Will probably say he will, which doesn't mean much.
It is a gesture, but it isn't pointless.
Ardern is smarter than that.
She could have played it like the old game, get one up on Bridges, for a moment in the news. But she informed him beforehand, gave him a chance to match her.
Taking the high ground is what works for her. It's good politics. Kicking him in the goolies plays well to the base, like some on here, but that's exactly what Bridges would do, and that's why he loses. Big picture classy versus small picture petty.
Sometimes I think that her political skills are as much underestimated by her supporters as her detractors.
Resumé
BY DOROTHY PARKER
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren’t lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
Portrait of the Artist
By Dorothy Parker
Lead me to a quiet cell
Where never footfall rankles
With steel chains go bind me well
Make fast my wrists and ankles
O wrap my limbs with linen fair
With hempen cord go bind me
And of your mercy leave me there
Nor tell them where to find me
Bar the door there as you go
And see its bolts be double
Come back in half an hour or so
And I will be in trouble.
Yes I flubbed a few lines. But; apart from the title, that was from memory (as I used my one editing chance on fixing that)! Surprised I did that well myself, after so many years.
Trump Rocks Bohemian Rhapsody.
Oh dang! Must show Miss 15, she loves that song and loathes trump. Putin on the piano is a beautiful touch loololz.
Funny as.
Unintended Consequences:
If it is any consolation, anecdotally speaking, there seems to be a dramatic drop-off in numbers seeking hospital help for self-harm and suicide attempts.
I have been pondering possible reasons for this: limited or restricted access to alcohol, stronger ties to others by being connected to a bubble, a greater closeness and/or appreciation of those nearest and dearest….
Some of these may be an explanation for the drop in family harm notifications.
Biff fake-Tannin' is delaying the stimulus payments going out to Americans made unemployed by COVID-19. So they can have his shaky sharpie scrawl on them. Could be worse I s'pose, they could have been delayed further so that Dim Dotardashian got his ugly mug printed on them as well.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trumps-name-on-stimulus-check-irs-coronavirus_n_5e965be0c5b6ead140045899
today they declared that the money will be accessible to debt collectors.
Many people will get it via direct bank deposit 🙂 and never see a cent.
But King Trump of Trumplandia will feel all great again, having his name on a 'cheque'.
Looting the exchequer while they still can.
http://archive.li/FIN3p
Not a fan generally, but this is a really good move by TOP.
That's clever and all but what are these guys actually doing? Looks like ACT for the Left to me.
apparently about to release new policy on a UBI.
Of course it can get worse.
..and worser…
TOKYO: Japan urged its citizens on Wednesday (Apr 15) to stay home, as media reports warned that as many as 400,000 of them could die of the coronavirus without urgent action, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came under pressure to hand out more cash.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/japan-citizens-isolate-reports-warn-covid-19-coronavirus-deaths-12644310
Suggestion that I put into practice today both at Work and Socially
Didn't email or txt, all interaction was by phone. Good also to just talk not just the functional txt/email.
I'm phoning two people every night.
Australia is flattening the coronavirus curve. But should we try to squash it like New Zealand?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-04-15/coronavirus-elimination-australia-new-zealand/12150302
So, it's been a strange day – apologies if I have seemed like a bear with a sore tooth at times,.. but that's pretty much accurate. I had a kernel from lunch caught in between my teeth – so I flossed it out, along with much of the tooth! Dental school (over the phone) gave me a choice between meds or extraction. Went with meds (painkillers and antibiotics until level 3 at least).
Anyway, on the way to the chemist there is this oldish crusty bloke reeling from side to side of the footpath. Shouting at the woman (normal street clothes) in front of me to get out of his way – even though it was clearly him lurching towards her. So then it's my turn…
I am wearing a zipped-up hoody, facial bandana and jeans (really not skirt weather today!). In retrospect, I may have looked a bit Islamic? He sneers at me: "If I had a gun, I'd shoot the lot of you!". That was surprising, maybe what Muslims in Dunedin put up with all the time? So I bellow back "Forget you – currant!", which he may have misheard, because he got out of my face really quickly after that.
The strange thing was that he didn't seem drunk or otherwise intoxicated. Guess it's just the stress of lockdown.. and him being an arsehole too, of course.
food for thought.
Wage subsidy spend to date 9 billion….
IMF projection 25 billion contraction NZ GDP next 12 months….
12 months interest (only) on residential mortgages NZ 13 billion…
12 months interest (only) on personal lending NZ 1.2 billion…
heh
I heard stephen mills saying on kathrine ryans program the other day that he thought jeremey corbyn was the worst leader the uk labour party had ever had funny i thought mills was supposed to represent the lefts view on the program he was taking part in an hooten the right ??but on yer steve may as well put the boot in everyone else has .Would have thought you couldve cut corbyn a tiny bit of slack tho steve it cant have been easy for example trying to be effective in ahighly corrosive poisonous snake pit that is the uk labour party .Even going home to put your feet up must have been something of an ordeal for jc given the daily onslaught of hit pieces in maybe all of the papers by hostile corporate presstittutes taking their orders from on high by powerfull figures determined to stop you getting any traction .IM petty sure that if a labour leader in this country managed to increase membership of the party by the numbers that jeremy corbyn did over there it would be have to be regarded equally with jesus's trick of walking on water !!Supprizes me that so many people both here and there cant decide weather they are left right or in between or how low they can go to keep their noses in the trough .The uk labour part it seems is no different to the democratic party in the states in that they will even go to the extream of deliberately losing an election to maintain the status quo .Rotten to the core would be an understatement in both cases imo.
Bridges is doing a better job of opposition than the UK Labour right now, & the UK actually have problems, urgent ones, that should be called out, but UK Labour? Not a squeak…
Kia Ora Newshub.
That's is correct we can't jump to soon out of isolation.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Hopefully we can step down to level 3 in good time.
Ka pai giving the Kaumatua flue vaxcernation at their Marae.
The Raukumara need a lot of mahi to minimise the pest in it I still champion A bounty on pest.
The new Te reo teaching programs are good.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Good to hear that our farmers are still working.
I remember that person pushing for lock down next minute he wants Aotearoa to come out early.
I say the government has done a good job with the virus it's impossible to keep everyone happy.
There are a few things from the old days that could create mahi.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Newshub.
You would think that property owners will give their business tenants rent reduction in times like this.
That's good Aotearoa being involved in a international research project for the virus.
Its awesome the mahi Doc is doing in Aotearoa.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
I think it's good to use online service to help tangi with the virus isolation.
That's what it used to be like people helping people Ka pai to the guy who put out the fire.
Cool that forestry workers can go back to mahi in level 3lock down.
Awsome that tangata are protecting Te Kauri Tane Mahuta.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Newshub.
Cool those people importanting PPE gear.
Extreme weather events is going to be the new normal.
Counterfeiters of virus cures are low flogging off crap that is just a money spinner.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Kia Kaha Whanau Aotearoa is in a great place.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Newshub.
You will always find some people who have a different opinion.
What fools go and dump rubbish in a cemetery.
I think ACC needs a cleanup.
That's is cool the 21st century commutation devices to make movies and waiata during the virus isolation.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Cool that their is going to be virus testing in our remote rual regions
In good time the lock down levels will lift.
Good the people getting donations and send out period products to unfortunate Wahine.
Ka kite Ano.