Joe Biden does not say that Palestinians have a rigtht to defend themselves,
When this latest round of tit for tat, but unequal slaughter ends, what kind of peace will it be?,
A peace where Palestinians in Gaza will have no right to defend their elected officials from assassinations?
A peace where Palestinians on the West Bank, and even in Israel, will have no right to defend themselves from eviction from their homes by far right Israelis fueled by racist ideology that the land and houses of Palestinians is theirs to take?
What kind of peace will it be where the US continues to say Israel has a right to self defence, and backs them with $billions in aid and the latest in modern weapons, while even humanitarian aid is withheld from the Palestinians?
And when this fake peace ends, and another round of unequal slaughter breaks out, will the world's leaders stand by with mealy mouthed comments. about Israel haveing the right to defend itself?
And when this fake peace ends, and another round of unequal slaughter breaks out, will the world's leaders stand by with mealy mouthed comments. about Israel having the right to defend itself?
Yes, Jenny, most of them will do exactly that—including, sadly, our own Jacinda Ardern, who evidently approves of her Foreign Minister's ridiculous "both sides" comment the other day.
Mahuta's statement is nuanced – it hints that the initial provocation comes from Israel. It's about as far as she can go, skirting round the truth to avoid a tidal wave of bogus accusations of antisemitism. The destruction of Corbynism by this method will have focused a lot of minds and had a chilling effect on what can be said.
…. skirting round the truth to avoid a tidal wave of bogus accusations of antisemitism.
That's exactly what she's been forced to do—no doubt by some "adviser." But journalists and politicians, even in the most heavily indoctrinated society on earth, the United States, regularly stand up to and counter the bullying and smears of the Israel lobby. Michael Brooks did not accept any nonsense when he went on Israeli television to confront someone who traduced Jeremy Corbyn and Representative Ilhan Omar….
Didn’t know that Michael Brooks was Foreign Minister at the time but you learn something unexpected every day. I fully agree with you that Nanaia Mahuta should go on Israeli TV and denounce Israel’s actions if only to silence her critics for 5 seconds. FFS!!
I never suggested that Michael Brooks was the Foreign Minister at the time. That position was, of course, taken by the grotesque Mike Pompeo.
And why should Nanaia Mahuta not go on Israeli TV and speak the truth? Is there a law against it? What consequences would we suffer, other than the horrible spectacle of Dame Lesley Max and Dr David Cumin raging in public?
Aaarggghhhh! Your attitude towards and understanding of international politics and diplomacy are somewhat lacking and immature, to say the least. Whose Truth should she be speaking, anyway? What power can and should she be wielding and what would or should she achieve on behalf of the people of Aotearoa-New Zealand and of other peoples? Crikey, I’m starting to sound like Gosman 🙁
In any case, to draw a parallel between Nanaia Mahuta and a dead person who went on TV two years ago to speak in his own personal capacity, and on his own show may I add, is stretching your intellectual honesty beyond breaking point.
There are stark, indisputable facts about the ongoing brutality being inflicted on the people of Palestine. Nanaia Mahuta is perfectly capable of speaking that truth forthrightly. The fact that she does not is because she is fearful of doing so. Are you trying to suggest that a paid Israeli Defense Force spokesperson is speaking a "truth" when he/she contradicts the testimony of doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and journalists in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem?
What power can and should she be wielding and what would or should she achieve on behalf of the people of Aotearoa-New Zealand and of other peoples?
If she and this country are so impotent, then she should have remained silent.
The NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs made a statement and you cannot read between the lines.
Nanaia Mahuta is “perfectly capable of speaking [the] truth forthrightly”.
Indeed, at a personal level, but as the Minister it is different what one [she] can and cannot say and how. You stubbornly refuse to acknowledge this because it doesn’t suit your narrative.
The same applies to spokespersons in general; they don’t speak in their personal capacity but in their professional one. That said, I’d think that many will and do believe the ‘truths’ they communicate on behalf of their bosses.
If she and this country are so impotent, then she should have remained silent.
Please stop with this all-or-nothing nonsense, this B&W ‘reasoning’. Lift your game, please.
PS I see that you’re receptive to constructive criticism, which I’ve never doubted all those times I ‘pleaded’ with you to lift your game here. We can all learn from each other here when we make a conscious effort 🙂
Isn't the Foreign Minister obliged to represent the position agreed by cabinet in their utterances? So Mahuta could choose the words she used, but not the message.
I am not about to download and read the entire cabinet manual, but this online statement of principles seem fairly clear (for legalese):
Ministers should keep their colleagues informed about matters of public interest, importance, or controversy. Where there is uncertainty about the type of consideration needed, Ministers should seek advice from the Prime Minister or the Secretary of the Cabinet…
In particular, {these} Ministers are required to consult… the Minister of Foreign Affairs on all proposals relating to international treaties
Condemning Israel, and announcing that Aotearoa stood fully behind Palestine would likely be an important, controversial matter of public interest. It would likely violate international treaties too – though I don't know which ones.
“We call on Israel to cease demolitions and evictions and for both sides to halt steps which undermine prospects for a two state solution.”
Nanaia Mahuta
Is Nanaia Mahuta statement, "fantasy"?
David Shearer said it's also a "fantasy" the two-state solution promoted by many world leaders is even close to becoming a reality, with Israel deploying "disproportionate" force.
Regarding the 'Two State Solution, the Minister is reading from a script. A script identical to that of the US State department.
I don't know that I know better than our Minister of Foreign Affairs.
But what I do know, is that the two state solution is a dead duck in the water.
Israel is an apartheid state.
Would you have suggested splitting up South Africa as a way of ending apartheid, with blacks in one part and whites in another?
Israel is an apartheid settler state, citizens of Israel and its dominions, Gaza and the West Bank even within metropolitan Israel itself, under apartheid like laws, are discriminated based on their ethnicity and religion.
Until there are equal rights for all people throughout Israel and its dominions,, there will be no end to the conflict.
The general view in the Middle East is that the relentless proliferation of settlements throughout the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 has made the very concept of creating a viable Palestinian state, let alone one with East Jerusalem as its capital, unrealistic if not impossible.
My wife is a well qualified nurse, MaN, post grad papers etc, and gets paid well, it’s hard to pin down weekly because of shift allowances etc. I say this as a declaration of interest.
Now there is a story in the Herald today of a nurse claiming that a friend in Australia is getting in a week what she gets in a fortnight. This is difficult to reconcile when a cursory glance at a Health Times table in Australia illustrates nurse salaries in all bands. This claim is pretty hard to believe even if the local nurse is on starting wages and the one in Oz is a Director of Nursing, about as high as one can get as a nurse.
The only possible explanation is if the Australian job is in a remote mining operation where there is a statuary requirement for a full medically staffed facility where few wish to work. There does seem to be a little bit of selective reporting involved here. Don’t get me wrong, nursing is difficult and demanding and underpaid and as I write this my wife is sleeping after a 13 hour night shift where she may well have had to do and experience things that even the most hardened ( and/or overpaid ) of people would blanche from.
Hi Adrian that's good to hear and it is a very admirable profession – I find the nurses great when I have hospital care.
And good to put the facts in place – seekers after truth wish to know it, not be misinformed by 'someone says'; exaggerated opinion which we tend to when chatting when captured on the page as fact doesn't do the job.
Yes. Its often an easy process to see weekly wages in Australia because their industry awards cover so many employers. These are mimimums and people do get more but it gives an idea of actual wage levels.
The major centres wage rates are still less than 'outback' rates – for good reasons. Theres always people who 'chase' the money as their priority, but you can do that in NZ as well with agency work etc
'The average remote area nurse salary in Australia is $117,500 per year or $60.26 per hour. Entry level positions start at $101,900 per year while most experienced workers make up to $158,898 per year.
What are the goals of political parties in Parliament re the trans-Tasman wage gap(s)?
In 2008 the National party campaigned on closing that gap – are they still keen to be seen to be doing something about it? Is it a priority for any political party; ACT maybe?
Don Brash's letter resigning from the National Party.
12 May 2011
Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Dear John
It was with a very heavy heart that I felt obliged to resign my membership of the National Party and to seek the leadership of the ACT Party.
I reached my decision after watching with mounting dismay the performance of your Government.
Why are you widening, not closing, the trans-Tasman wage gap?
In Opposition, we both expressed grave concern about the widening wage gap between New Zealand and Australia.
You gave an excellent speech just before the 2008 election committing any government which you led to bridging that gap.
After the election, you agreed to set up a Taskforce to advise how best to achieve that goal by 2025. You appointed me as chairman of that Taskforce.
Yet to date, you’ve dismissed virtually every recommendation the Taskforce has made. I’ve asked several times if we could meet and discuss our two reports. Each time you’ve declined to meet me.
From time to time, you’ve reaffirmed your commitment to the goal. But there’s not the slightest sign that you’re taking it seriously.
Now you’ve abolished the Taskforce. And of course, the gap continues to grow.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018795524/growing-future-farmers
This was a super project. The farmers seem to have initiated it and it should be funded well and run forever, the farmers properly reimbursed as they say their own productivity goes down by 50% while they are demonstrating and supervising these young people. The teenagers, go straight from school, and those on the course seem to love it.
WTF Google is preventing access to the Bowalley Road blog with a red screen saying Deceptive address and a warning from Google Safe Browsing.
Firefox blocked this page because it may trick you into doing something dangerous like installing software or revealing personal information like passwords or credit cards.
Maybe it's just Firefox? Chrome went through to Trotter's site fine when I clicked on the article link (in feeds box to the right of screen – under the recent comments list).
This on He Puapua report from TDB about PM Ardern's supposed statement that the government did not release it because the public would 'not understand' it. Cries of outrage have followed. But DX5 has looked up Hansard to see what was actually said – something different!
RobbieWgtn: ‘The PM said that they didn’t release it publicly because “NZrs wouldn’t understand it”. Which unbridled arrogance will see National/Act lead the next Government.’
I’ve seen ACT and Peter Williams running this line, but did she really say that? I heard her state that the release could be “misconstrued as Government policy”, not that people would fail to understand the report.
From Hansard:
David Seymour: Is the Prime Minister confident the Government’s been acting in an open and transparent manner in relation to the He Puapua report, and, if so, why did the Ombudsman have to become involved in an Official Information Act request to release it?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: To answer the latter half of the question, the reason that Te Puni Kōkiri made the argument about not releasing the report was because of a concern that it would be misconstrued as Government policy. I rest my case.
David Seymour: Is the Prime Minister saying that her Government cannot release reports taxpayers pay for because the people who pay for it might not properly understand it?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Absolutely not.
[…]
David Seymour: Is it the Government’s position that New Zealand deserves a debate or that the release of its documents should be supressed because poor little taxpayers might misconstrue it?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The member is completely mischaracterising my statement—[Interruption]
SPEAKER: Order!
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Of course our reports that are considered by Cabinet are proactively released, it is part of how we behave as a Government. This report had not been considered by Cabinet. There was no ability, therefore, for us to put formally our positions on the report, thus the argument that was in the absence of that it could be misconstrued as Government policy. And, I have to say, the member has proven that assertion to be completely correct.
So what about this issue then, there is a massive shortfall in the funding, or is this now the norm to fund by appeals to provide for adequate hospital capabilities ?
Every successive govt should be increasing funding just to keep pace with inflation and pop growth. And that is not even addressing the impact of COVID.
Is that extra 3.5 billion before or after making up for the shortfall of National? Because if it is after then the Government in the last four years after making up for national shortfall invested 1.2 billion and i guess that we are then still short a billion here or there.
But let me put it this way, there is a 8 month old here where i live and she has now been for 8 month on a waiting list to get her cleft palate operated, and it can't be done cause not enough beds. Maybe the government has some more funding for such things in the kitty. But then these are just kids. right?
I don't ask them to fix, i ask them to fund the beds for the only childrens hospital in the country. We are currently fundraising for ICU beds for our children.
"The money – which is a part of the government's $12 billion infrastructure spend – is earmarked for a bed expansion project in the hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit"
Though I find it hard to get too exercised about parliamentary debates – the thing that matters to me is what is written into law (and where funding is allocated). TDB is a bit diminished these days too, though I do still like some of the guest posts (McCarten's descriptions of life at the sharp edge of labour disputes have been grimly gripping reading recently).
I haven't been on TDB for some time. I got exercised about Bradbury choosing n drawing of a man aiming a gun as the image for his item venting his spleen on the Auckland religious group who chose to ignore the Covid19 restrictions at the start, causing a huge search for contacts and a lockdown to sort it out. I was annoyed about that but got ropable about TDB virtually inciting violence. After Christchurch you would think he would be more restrained, but no. I decided he was a dweeb, a unique nutcase with not enough redeeming features. I think I complained but no go. I think he likes the image of being a crusading stallion crashing through barriers instead of jumping over them.
[Repeating your lies and nonsense from TDB here on TS won’t get you far. In fact, you were called out on TDB; do you think you’ll get an easier ride here? The commenters here are generally much better behaved than on TDB but the TS Moderators are real pieces of work, much worse than Bomber 😉
You seem to not be able to understand the difference between cause, effect, and consequence. In fact, it looks like you don’t understand NZ politics at all, which is probably why you provided that link as your crutch. Stop hobbling along and learn to walk.
I’ve looked up your history here and it seems you’ve been trolling here before. If you keep it up, I will ban you permanently from this site. This is your warning – Incognito]
FWIW, I thought Trotter’s piece was quite bad; I nearly didn’t make it past his second paragraph, which was an absolute howler. For somebody who writes professionally for a living, it was particularly badly done and with mistakes. There are better ways to spend 5 minutes on a Saturday night than reading Trotter while dinner is in the oven.
I see the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the main Lutheran denomination has elected Rev Megan Roher as its first openly trans Bishop, based in San FranciscoThe Reverend Megan Rohrer, who uses they/them pronouns, was elected bishop in in ELC’s Sierra Pacific synod
Why is Biden's administration funding the USAn domestic terrorist group; The Proud Boys? That is one hell of a mistake, if it is indeed unintentional (though I am more imagining sympathizers within the bureaucracy turning a blind eye on glaring questions about the applications, rather than some diabolical plot from on high):
In the loan documentation, which was obtained by the news non-profit ProPublica, after a Freedom of Information Act battle with the Small Business Administration, {chairman of the far-right Proud Boys group} Tarrio is described as an independent contractor, working in the “Security Systems Services” industry, but the document names no associated business entity… in the course of an abortive 2020 congressional run, Tarrio described himself as the proprietor of “several companies that were involved in the surveillance and security industry”.
However, Tarrio was not found to be a licensed security officer in a search of Florida state records.
Another company, “Warboys LLC”, was voluntarily dissolved on 7 April. Records show Tarrio as the registered agent for that company, and Joe Biggs and Ethan Nordean as officers.
Biggs, also of Florida, and Nordean, of Washington state, are jointly facing federal conspiracy charges relating to their alleged participation in the riot at the Capitol…
PPP loans were first issued under the Cares Act in 2020, under the Trump administration, as a stimulus measure to an economy battered by the Covid-19 pandemic. The program was revived in January 2021 under the Biden administration, and businesses were able to apply for loans up to 31 March. Tarrio’s loan was issued as part of the second round of PPP funding.
One criterion for eligibility was that recipients not be a “business concern or entity primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities”. PPP loans are forgiven where it can be shown that at least 60% of money was spent on payroll costs. Independent contractors can use the loans to replace claimed lost earnings, and apply for forgiveness in order to keep the money.
He filled in a lot of forms; McFlock! Some of which appear to have been approved after the cutoff date of March 31st (only just noticed that on re-reading):
Tarrio, based in Miami, Florida, was approved for an initial loan of $7,750 on 30 March, and a succeeding loan for the same amount on 16 April…
the street address on the loan application is associated with both Tarrio and one of the LLCs for which he is named as an officer in Florida state records.
Those records show Tarrio as an officer in a number of inactive LLCs, including “SPIE Security LLC”, “Fund The West LLC” and “Proud Boys LLC”.
The best explanation I can think of is that the loan managers ("the Small Business Administration"?) were so flooded with applications that they didn't bother doing even basic checking of the applicants – and didn't get around to even that for a couple of weeks after the application period finished. We're not corrupt, just incompetent; is hardly the best excuse though. How many red flags do you need?
edit: Nope, the Grauniad strikes again! That should be; May the 31st, for cutoff date.
If we're talking relief funds, any people actually looking at the forms should only be seeing if the filled in stuff matches the criteria to meet funding. The emphasis is on speed of payment.
If someone's lied on the form or misused the funds, that gets picked up in an audit process weeks or months later. Sure, the media exposure probably helps Tarrio's form get put to the top of the audit list, but giving him money in the first place could actually be the sign of a well-working system.
But then, as you say, Florida. If it's a local or state program, corruption would be a given. Not so much for Federal.
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
The protest outside the White House correspondents’ dinner hotel. Image: Anatolu video screenshot APR More than two dozen Palestinian journalists had called for a boycott of the dinner, writing an open letter urging their American colleagues not to attend. “You have a unique responsibility to speak truth to power and ...
“Our exporters should, therefore, be deeply concerned that the Fast-track Approvals Bill was not assessed for consistency with any of our free trade commitments prior to being introduced to the House,” says Gary Taylor, Chief Executive of the Environmental ...
NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff is calling on all political parties to support the new Member’s Bill from Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich MP that would ensure negligent companies are held accountable when their employees ...
A historian with an uncanny track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go very wrong for him. ...
A historian with a track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go wrong for him. ...
Ngaio Marsh House is one of Christchurch’s best kept secrets – and contains more than a few mysteries of its own.Trust Ngaio Marsh to leave more than a few mysteries scattered through her house long after her departure. For a start, there’s the curious concrete portal in the garden, ...
Appointment viewing has been lost to the mists of time, but memories of Montana Sunday Theatre can still be conjured by hitting play on a particular piece of classical music. “You’re not going to be able to sell it.” Over 30 years on, Karen Bieleski still recalls how the task ...
Performance Review King Luxon sat behind His massive polished oak desk. It is Performance Review time. There is a knock on the door. “Enter!” says the King. In steps Minister of Disabilities and Carer Pedicures, Penny Simmonds. “I can explain everything …” she begins. “Fine,” says King Luxon, pressing the ...
The pair opened their first fully collaborative exhibition, Nina for Flowers, last Saturday. Gabi Lardies visited their studio to find out who Nina is and what working together was like.‘It didn’t start out like, ‘This is a show about Nina,’” says Josephine Jelicich, gripping a thermos of peppermint tea. ...
Thank you, Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, for your brilliant invention. I’m another mid-20s Kiwi who had an OE last year. I hopped on my bicycle where France meets the Atlantic and cycled east. I pedalled through the Loire Valley, down rivers lined with willows and ancient wisteria-draped chateaus. I relished ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
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 The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Joe Biden says 'Israel has right to defend itself' as US throws its support behind Jewish State
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/12/israel-gaza-strip-conflict-hamas-rocket-attack-palestinian-biden/
Joe Biden does not say that Palestinians have a rigtht to defend themselves,
When this latest round of tit for tat, but unequal slaughter ends, what kind of peace will it be?,
A peace where Palestinians in Gaza will have no right to defend their elected officials from assassinations?
A peace where Palestinians on the West Bank, and even in Israel, will have no right to defend themselves from eviction from their homes by far right Israelis fueled by racist ideology that the land and houses of Palestinians is theirs to take?
What kind of peace will it be where the US continues to say Israel has a right to self defence, and backs them with $billions in aid and the latest in modern weapons, while even humanitarian aid is withheld from the Palestinians?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47095082
And when this fake peace ends, and another round of unequal slaughter breaks out, will the world's leaders stand by with mealy mouthed comments. about Israel haveing the right to defend itself?
And when this fake peace ends, and another round of unequal slaughter breaks out, will the world's leaders stand by with mealy mouthed comments. about Israel having the right to defend itself?
Yes, Jenny, most of them will do exactly that—including, sadly, our own Jacinda Ardern, who evidently approves of her Foreign Minister's ridiculous "both sides" comment the other day.
https://twitter.com/NanaiaMahuta/status/1391992222921347073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1391992222921347073%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tvnz.co.nz%2Fone-news%2Fworld%2Fnanaia-mahuta-calls-israel-cease-demolitions-and-evictions-violence-escalates-palestinians
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2021/may/13/steve-bell-escalating-israel-gaza-conflict-cartoon
Mahuta's statement is nuanced – it hints that the initial provocation comes from Israel. It's about as far as she can go, skirting round the truth to avoid a tidal wave of bogus accusations of antisemitism. The destruction of Corbynism by this method will have focused a lot of minds and had a chilling effect on what can be said.
Yes we must never forget what happened to Corbyn and the white-anting of the UK Labour Party.
…. skirting round the truth to avoid a tidal wave of bogus accusations of antisemitism.
That's exactly what she's been forced to do—no doubt by some "adviser." But journalists and politicians, even in the most heavily indoctrinated society on earth, the United States, regularly stand up to and counter the bullying and smears of the Israel lobby. Michael Brooks did not accept any nonsense when he went on Israeli television to confront someone who traduced Jeremy Corbyn and Representative Ilhan Omar….
Didn’t know that Michael Brooks was Foreign Minister at the time but you learn something unexpected every day. I fully agree with you that Nanaia Mahuta should go on Israeli TV and denounce Israel’s actions if only to silence her critics for 5 seconds. FFS!!
I never suggested that Michael Brooks was the Foreign Minister at the time. That position was, of course, taken by the grotesque Mike Pompeo.
And why should Nanaia Mahuta not go on Israeli TV and speak the truth? Is there a law against it? What consequences would we suffer, other than the horrible spectacle of Dame Lesley Max and Dr David Cumin raging in public?
Aaarggghhhh! Your attitude towards and understanding of international politics and diplomacy are somewhat lacking and immature, to say the least. Whose Truth should she be speaking, anyway? What power can and should she be wielding and what would or should she achieve on behalf of the people of Aotearoa-New Zealand and of other peoples? Crikey, I’m starting to sound like Gosman 🙁
In any case, to draw a parallel between Nanaia Mahuta and a dead person who went on TV two years ago to speak in his own personal capacity, and on his own show may I add, is stretching your intellectual honesty beyond breaking point.
Whose Truth should she be speaking, anyway?
There are stark, indisputable facts about the ongoing brutality being inflicted on the people of Palestine. Nanaia Mahuta is perfectly capable of speaking that truth forthrightly. The fact that she does not is because she is fearful of doing so. Are you trying to suggest that a paid Israeli Defense Force spokesperson is speaking a "truth" when he/she contradicts the testimony of doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and journalists in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem?
What power can and should she be wielding and what would or should she achieve on behalf of the people of Aotearoa-New Zealand and of other peoples?
If she and this country are so impotent, then she should have remained silent.
The NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs made a statement and you cannot read between the lines.
Nanaia Mahuta is “perfectly capable of speaking [the] truth forthrightly”.
Indeed, at a personal level, but as the Minister it is different what one [she] can and cannot say and how. You stubbornly refuse to acknowledge this because it doesn’t suit your narrative.
The same applies to spokespersons in general; they don’t speak in their personal capacity but in their professional one. That said, I’d think that many will and do believe the ‘truths’ they communicate on behalf of their bosses.
Please stop with this all-or-nothing nonsense, this B&W ‘reasoning’. Lift your game, please.
PS I see that you’re receptive to constructive criticism, which I’ve never doubted all those times I ‘pleaded’ with you to lift your game here. We can all learn from each other here when we make a conscious effort 🙂
Isn't the Foreign Minister obliged to represent the position agreed by cabinet in their utterances? So Mahuta could choose the words she used, but not the message.
I am not about to download and read the entire cabinet manual, but this online statement of principles seem fairly clear (for legalese):
https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinet-office/supporting-work-cabinet/cabinet-manual/5-cabinet-decision-making-3
Condemning Israel, and announcing that Aotearoa stood fully behind Palestine would likely be an important, controversial matter of public interest. It would likely violate international treaties too – though I don't know which ones.
Yes, Nanaia Mahuta, as the NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs, is limited at what she can say (and do). It is not a job for everyone, I’d imagine.
The Israelis went further than just evictions and demolitions… which is constant theme.
This is what I think was the ultimate provocation
Jerusalem: Teargas and stun grenades inside Al-Aqsa mosque
https://news.sky.com/video/jerusalem-teargas-and-stun-grenades-inside-al-aqsa-mosque-12302587
“We call on Israel to cease demolitions and evictions and for both sides to halt steps which undermine prospects for a two state solution.”
Nanaia Mahuta
Is Nanaia Mahuta statement, "fantasy"?
Should we expect better of our Foreign Affairs Minister?
Such as? Feel free to show us that you know and can do better than the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government as a whole.
Regarding the 'Two State Solution, the Minister is reading from a script. A script identical to that of the US State department.
I don't know that I know better than our Minister of Foreign Affairs.
But what I do know, is that the two state solution is a dead duck in the water.
Israel is an apartheid state.
Would you have suggested splitting up South Africa as a way of ending apartheid, with blacks in one part and whites in another?
Israel is an apartheid settler state, citizens of Israel and its dominions, Gaza and the West Bank even within metropolitan Israel itself, under apartheid like laws, are discriminated based on their ethnicity and religion.
Until there are equal rights for all people throughout Israel and its dominions,, there will be no end to the conflict.
The Two-State-Solution is Dead, One-State is the Answer | HuffPost
The general view in the Middle East is that the relentless proliferation of settlements throughout the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 has made the very concept of creating a viable Palestinian state, let alone one with East Jerusalem as its capital, unrealistic if not impossible.
The Middle East seems far from the middle of our consciousness. Hasan Abi is a very direct and informed speaker with immediacy.
This is how Palestinians are being oppressed. Hasan Abi
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJr7vlpUbTY
Syria's Kurds How will Turkey's 'safe zone' plan affect the Kurds?
My wife is a well qualified nurse, MaN, post grad papers etc, and gets paid well, it’s hard to pin down weekly because of shift allowances etc. I say this as a declaration of interest.
Now there is a story in the Herald today of a nurse claiming that a friend in Australia is getting in a week what she gets in a fortnight. This is difficult to reconcile when a cursory glance at a Health Times table in Australia illustrates nurse salaries in all bands. This claim is pretty hard to believe even if the local nurse is on starting wages and the one in Oz is a Director of Nursing, about as high as one can get as a nurse.
The only possible explanation is if the Australian job is in a remote mining operation where there is a statuary requirement for a full medically staffed facility where few wish to work. There does seem to be a little bit of selective reporting involved here. Don’t get me wrong, nursing is difficult and demanding and underpaid and as I write this my wife is sleeping after a 13 hour night shift where she may well have had to do and experience things that even the most hardened ( and/or overpaid ) of people would blanche from.
Hi Adrian that's good to hear and it is a very admirable profession – I find the nurses great when I have hospital care.
And good to put the facts in place – seekers after truth wish to know it, not be misinformed by 'someone says'; exaggerated opinion which we tend to when chatting when captured on the page as fact doesn't do the job.
Yes. Its often an easy process to see weekly wages in Australia because their industry awards cover so many employers. These are mimimums and people do get more but it gives an idea of actual wage levels.
The major centres wage rates are still less than 'outback' rates – for good reasons. Theres always people who 'chase' the money as their priority, but you can do that in NZ as well with agency work etc
'The average remote area nurse salary in Australia is $117,500 per year or $60.26 per hour. Entry level positions start at $101,900 per year while most experienced workers make up to $158,898 per year.
https://au.talent.com/salary?job=remote+area+nurse
I think that Australians pay a number of different taxes to those in NZ though.
Different taxes ?
They have GST , income tax ( different rates). Theres swings and roundabouts but dont know which different ones will make it change much
I thought they had a few state taxes as well, and perhaps some accident insurance or something.
What are the goals of political parties in Parliament re the trans-Tasman wage gap(s)?
In 2008 the National party campaigned on closing that gap – are they still keen to be seen to be doing something about it? Is it a priority for any political party; ACT maybe?
Don Brash's letter resigning from the National Party.
Even John Key knew that implementing these would plunge literally thousands of people into complete and utter hardship.
An effective election campaign strategy tho, along with tackling the housing crisis.
Good news on farming on Radionz this morning.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018795524/growing-future-farmers
This was a super project. The farmers seem to have initiated it and it should be funded well and run forever, the farmers properly reimbursed as they say their own productivity goes down by 50% while they are demonstrating and supervising these young people. The teenagers, go straight from school, and those on the course seem to love it.
Also a farmer talking about his stress and mental health to encourage other farmers having troubles.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018795519/going-out-giving-back-and-getting-help
Wool use – good to see sheep getting their turn in the sun.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018795520/a-breath-of-fresh-air
WTF Google is preventing access to the Bowalley Road blog with a red screen saying Deceptive address and a warning from Google Safe Browsing.
What's that about?
Its not a https secure website address. Give it a miss anyway as hes just concern trolling the palestinians
Thanks but I will decide whose opinions and info I will sample.
Maybe it's just Firefox? Chrome went through to Trotter's site fine when I clicked on the article link (in feeds box to the right of screen – under the recent comments list).
It came on again in a short while thanks.
This on He Puapua report from TDB about PM Ardern's supposed statement that the government did not release it because the public would 'not understand' it. Cries of outrage have followed. But DX5 has looked up Hansard to see what was actually said – something different!
DX5 May 14, 2021 at 1:03 pm
RobbieWgtn: ‘The PM said that they didn’t release it publicly because “NZrs wouldn’t understand it”. Which unbridled arrogance will see National/Act lead the next Government.’
I’ve seen ACT and Peter Williams running this line, but did she really say that? I heard her state that the release could be “misconstrued as Government policy”, not that people would fail to understand the report.
From Hansard:
David Seymour: Is the Prime Minister confident the Government’s been acting in an open and transparent manner in relation to the He Puapua report, and, if so, why did the Ombudsman have to become involved in an Official Information Act request to release it?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: To answer the latter half of the question, the reason that Te Puni Kōkiri made the argument about not releasing the report was because of a concern that it would be misconstrued as Government policy. I rest my case.
David Seymour: Is the Prime Minister saying that her Government cannot release reports taxpayers pay for because the people who pay for it might not properly understand it?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Absolutely not.
[…]
David Seymour: Is it the Government’s position that New Zealand deserves a debate or that the release of its documents should be supressed because poor little taxpayers might misconstrue it?
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The member is completely mischaracterising my statement—[Interruption]
SPEAKER: Order!
Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Of course our reports that are considered by Cabinet are proactively released, it is part of how we behave as a Government. This report had not been considered by Cabinet. There was no ability, therefore, for us to put formally our positions on the report, thus the argument that was in the absence of that it could be misconstrued as Government policy. And, I have to say, the member has proven that assertion to be completely correct.
Ardern vs. Seymour: talk about a mismatch of intellect.
I've seen criticism of Ardern that she spends too much time with pre-schoolers!
thanks sooo much for adding to the conservation, I will bring the chat to your very low level.
Perhaps our PM is unable to move up the grades and talk to a primary school boy just yet 😉about a very serious topic. Hospitals having to go out cap in hand due to lack of funding.
perhaps we should just devolve and talk about nice warm stuff as the ability to talk about adult topics like adults is fast going as respected contributors are leaving.
https://www.google.co.nz/amp/s/www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/05/11-year-old-cooper-sinclair-left-confused-by-jacinda-ardern-s-response-to-letter-urging-more-funding-for-starship-hospital.amp.html
Herodotus, hospitals are getting more funding than what they were under National and there was nothing confusing about that letter either.
So what about this issue then, there is a massive shortfall in the funding, or is this now the norm to fund by appeals to provide for adequate hospital capabilities ?
Every successive govt should be increasing funding just to keep pace with inflation and pop growth. And that is not even addressing the impact of COVID.
The National govt underfunded health by $2.3 billion dollars.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1706/S00102/2-3-billion-shortfall-in-health.htm?from-mobile=bottom-link-01
The Labour led govt has been doing a catch up.
The Government has so far invested an extra $3.5 billion
https://www.labour.org.nz/news-our_record_on_health
Is that extra 3.5 billion before or after making up for the shortfall of National? Because if it is after then the Government in the last four years after making up for national shortfall invested 1.2 billion and i guess that we are then still short a billion here or there.
But let me put it this way, there is a 8 month old here where i live and she has now been for 8 month on a waiting list to get her cleft palate operated, and it can't be done cause not enough beds. Maybe the government has some more funding for such things in the kitty. But then these are just kids. right?
Labour never said they could fix the mess they inherited from National all at once or over night Sabine.
I don't ask them to fix, i ask them to fund the beds for the only childrens hospital in the country. We are currently fundraising for ICU beds for our children.
but i guess we all have priorities.
Priorities like a global pandemic Sabine?
"The money – which is a part of the government's $12 billion infrastructure spend – is earmarked for a bed expansion project in the hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit"
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/408579/starship-s-25-million-funding-boost-urgently-needed#:~:text=Starship%20says%20a%20%2425%20million,needed%20for%20the%20children's%20hospital.&text=The%20money%20%2D%20which%20is%20a,hospital's%20Paediatric%20Intensive%20Care%20Unit.
No doubt there is more funding for Health in the 2021 budget.
Yay for primary sources Greyws!
Though I find it hard to get too exercised about parliamentary debates – the thing that matters to me is what is written into law (and where funding is allocated). TDB is a bit diminished these days too, though I do still like some of the guest posts (McCarten's descriptions of life at the sharp edge of labour disputes have been grimly gripping reading recently).
I haven't been on TDB for some time. I got exercised about Bradbury choosing n drawing of a man aiming a gun as the image for his item venting his spleen on the Auckland religious group who chose to ignore the Covid19 restrictions at the start, causing a huge search for contacts and a lockdown to sort it out. I was annoyed about that but got ropable about TDB virtually inciting violence. After Christchurch you would think he would be more restrained, but no. I decided he was a dweeb, a unique nutcase with not enough redeeming features. I think I complained but no go. I think he likes the image of being a crusading stallion crashing through barriers instead of jumping over them.
Please also include my response which wason the dailyblog site.
"Jacinda is being disingenuous & the Govt has already committed to implementing it as govt policy.
https://www.act.org.nz/he_puapua_needs_some_sunlight "
[Repeating your lies and nonsense from TDB here on TS won’t get you far. In fact, you were called out on TDB; do you think you’ll get an easier ride here? The commenters here are generally much better behaved than on TDB but the TS Moderators are real pieces of work, much worse than Bomber 😉
You seem to not be able to understand the difference between cause, effect, and consequence. In fact, it looks like you don’t understand NZ politics at all, which is probably why you provided that link as your crutch. Stop hobbling along and learn to walk.
I’ve looked up your history here and it seems you’ve been trolling here before. If you keep it up, I will ban you permanently from this site. This is your warning – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 5:26 pm.
FWIW, I thought Trotter’s piece was quite bad; I nearly didn’t make it past his second paragraph, which was an absolute howler. For somebody who writes
professionallyfor a living, it was particularly badly done and with mistakes. There are better ways to spend 5 minutes on a Saturday night than reading Trotter while dinner is in the oven.I see the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the main Lutheran denomination has elected Rev Megan Roher as its first openly trans Bishop, based in San FranciscoThe Reverend Megan Rohrer, who uses they/them pronouns, was elected bishop in in ELC’s Sierra Pacific synod
Why is Biden's administration funding the USAn domestic terrorist group; The Proud Boys? That is one hell of a mistake, if it is indeed unintentional (though I am more imagining sympathizers within the bureaucracy turning a blind eye on glaring questions about the applications, rather than some diabolical plot from on high):
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/14/proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-received-ppp-loans
Dude filled in a form.
Hopefully, the dude got too creative and it's just another ticking clock in legal troubles for the insurrectionists.
He filled in a lot of forms; McFlock! Some of which appear to have been approved after the cutoff date of March 31st (only just noticed that on re-reading):
The best explanation I can think of is that the loan managers ("the Small Business Administration"?) were so flooded with applications that they didn't bother doing even basic checking of the applicants – and didn't get around to even that for a couple of weeks after the application period finished. We're not corrupt, just incompetent; is hardly the best excuse though. How many red flags do you need?
edit: Nope, the Grauniad strikes again! That should be; May the 31st, for cutoff date.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program
If we're talking relief funds, any people actually looking at the forms should only be seeing if the filled in stuff matches the criteria to meet funding. The emphasis is on speed of payment.
If someone's lied on the form or misused the funds, that gets picked up in an audit process weeks or months later. Sure, the media exposure probably helps Tarrio's form get put to the top of the audit list, but giving him money in the first place could actually be the sign of a well-working system.
But then, as you say, Florida. If it's a local or state program, corruption would be a given. Not so much for Federal.