Developed countries like ourselves are going to get to a post-pandemic and largely vaccinated phase by next year. We need to push our heads into a post-vaccinated state. Maybe concentrate less on whether people can fly in, and concentrate more on the crises we already have.
Vulnerability to further COVID infections is that such risk runs like a who's who of current public health risk:
If you are isolated, old, poor, in a tiny town away from healthcare, are generally sick on a few fronts already, you are a much higher COVID risk than others.
From this New Zealand study of cumulative health risk to COVID from March this year, my own conclusion is that a nationwide health entity that focused on people with these characteristics would be doing everyone a favour already:
"This study confirms important distinctions in vulnerability measures based on health, sociocultural and socioeconomic factors. It demonstrates that many areas of high vulnerability, particularly when considering combinations of older populations and populations with socioeconomic barriers, are outside of the major cities and in smaller communities of New Zealand, which typically have less access to healthcare and fewer resources (Fearnley et al. 2016; Health and Disability System Review 2019) and also attract less attention."
COVID becomes a summary filter to direct resource over multiple existing population risks.
“I used to think that top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these problems, but I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy, and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”
Pushing the Light rail up Dominion road at my local market this morning at least 10 people well versed in talking points.
Disappointing that when I asked what plans if any will be made to support the residents and small businesses along the route during construction the talking point was a long winded way of saying acceptable losses.
I dont support the light rail myself and prefer electric buses as a solution but when we embark on these massive infrastructure projects we've got to make sure we look after the local communities. To be told you'll reap the benefits when its complete is cold comfort when youve gone to the wall 12 months in or when your rent/lease doubles with the area now gentrified.
As usual western MSM report just part of the news……(including our own "progressive" RNZ National)
Turns out the US withdrawal from Afghanistan involves bombing the country with Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, while also spreading terror and death with Reaper drones and AC-130 Spectre gunships…
US B-52 Bombers, Gunships Sent into Action in Afghanistan in Attempt to Stop Taliban Advance on Key Cities
….oh thats right, according to your world view, US bombs kill and rip apart Afghan woman and girls bodies in a far more humane way…just like they have been doing for the past twenty years.
Just showing sympathy for the women and girls who now face a TBan future with curtailed freedoms, rights and the denial of education to be nothing more than property of and controlled by men.
So not really about my "world view" (or Andre’s for that matter – which you dropped from your first attempt at a reply), a conclusion you've erroneously jumped to, though I'd say yours may need a closer inspection, seeing how you appear to be more concerned in pushing anti msm thought speak than empathising with the poorest and most vulnerable knowing their terrible time ahead.
OK then Mr empathetic..how about you direct us all to your comments where you display your deep rooted “sympathy” for thousands of women and girls killed in US drone strikes..or this illegal US/UK invasion generally?…or is it as I suspect, as per usual, some media tells you to be suddenly concerned for the lives of these unfortunate peoples…so now you are.
Anyway just throw a couple of links for us to see your “sympathy for the women and girls” destroyed before the US withdrawal…
Death by Drone: America’s Vicious Legacy in Afghanistan
As the United States prepares to leave, thousands of killings remain unprobed, and Washington refuses to talk about them.
This wouldn't have even made it on to RNZ, yet I am very sure that if the Taliban execute 30 civilians now we will all hear about it…don’t you get or understand the relentless false equivalences that we are force feed daily?…yes the Taliban are ruthless fundamentalist…but so are the US, the only difference is that this is happening in the Taliban’s own country while the US/UK are foreign invaders engaged in a illegal war.
I'm always concerned by the suffering of innocents whatever side of the divide they fall on, no matter who is the aggressor, no matter what is the cause. Sorry if it poops all over your myopic grandstanding but I don't need (or ever have) a newspaper or tv show to tell me how to sympathise for victims.
Instead of posting links about how bad bombs and missiles are, which is a bit duh, as we already know, how about you show a little humanity and declare some support, show some love, or express your fears for those about to be plunged back into the dark ages.
The dark ages are what Afghanistan experiences every time an imperialist power believes it can use military force to impose its will on the Afghani people. If you think that the corrupt and criminally insane people that have been running the country have any sympathy for the fate of women and girls then you are seriously delusional. The situation there is changing very quickly but the response of Ghani to the advance of the Taliban is to team up with the US supported war criminal Rashid Dostum. This man is responsible for locking hundreds of prisoners in shipping containers and leaving them to asphyxiate. There is nothing simple about Afghanistan.
If you think that the corrupt and criminally insane people that have been running the country have any sympathy for the fate of women and girls then you are seriously delusional.
I've made no such claim and the rest of your post doesn't alter the sentiment I've expressed.
ahh the good old days when you could call someone a cunt on TS, btw I would have sided with Chooky in that debate, but I have to go to work now so won't take that any further.
The moderation in that link was really good too, not overbearing constant and boring like it is often now…nothing wrong with getting fired up and passionate about important issues and letting a few F bombs fly to make your point IMO!
Funny that you should say that because I was thinking about a Mod note to you. However, it seems this is no longer necessary because you’re working now
FYI, strong language is generally not a reason to moderate unless it is highly likely (as in: obvious) that it is flaming and will descend into a shit fight.
Strong language and particularly personal attacks and insults without making a political point have no place in debate, not even robust debate. As such, they are likely to attract attention of Mods.
Some commenters are on the Mods’ radar, with notes shared in the back-end, because of their commenting behavioural pattern here on this site.
You know these things and yet you think you can have a dig at moderation that is not even accurate!?
Women and girls age 12 – 45 are being taken and forced to marry by the Taliban. Last I heard is that the Taliban now control 22 out of 34 provincial capitals.
Another Vietnam senario now that the US has pulled out. The US in Afganistan for the last 20 years is not the answer either.
Destroying the poppies used for making herion would have reduced the fire power.
What I want for Afganistan is for people to live in peace. No more bombs, drones or weapons.
"Destroying the poppies used for making heroin would have reduced the fire power."
The only regime that stopped the heroin production was the Taliban. They managed a 99% reduction in the area of opium poppy farming in Taliban-controlled areas. That was roughly three quarters of the world's supply of heroin at the time. The ban was effective only briefly due to the US invasion 2002. Pity they only had one reliable (mainly US financed?) income stream to bide their time and re-arm to take their own country back.
Apart from the word of traumatised refugees pouring into Kabul in the hope of getting out of the country, is there any hard evidence to prove that women and girls age 12 – 45 are being taken and forced to marry by the Taliban? On checking out international MSM, one source quotes a nebulous 'insider' while most have almost 'cut and paste' regularity in their reports.
In raising this, the interest is in accuracy. It is not suggested that forced marriages are not or will not occur.
I think those fleeing Afganistan or seeking safety in Kabul know what the situation is for girls and women.
I will try and look up where I heard the age of girls and women taken into forced marriage and lists being compiled. Either Aljazeera TV or a news article earlier in the week.
Maybe you need to go and ask some immigrants/refugees from Afganistan what the news is from their country of birth.
For what it is worth, my perception of the first difference between USA's crap intervention in Vietnam and its crap intervention in Afghanistan (both roughly 20 yrs) is that the women in Vietnam did not unduly suffer as they are likely to do in Afghanistan after the USA running away (Peace with Honour!)
In the past I have been quite open in my thinking Faafoi was one of a few Labour MPs I genuinely thought was a bit of a gem in amongst the idiots, and I genuinely rated him.
But his refusal to front on immigration now and the mess he has made of things has turned that respect a bit to custard.
Still seems a decent bloke, just a shit Minister.
Edit: Sorry, should add watching the Nation and he refused to front again.
You are not wrong. Chris Faafoi is a good Minister who has been given the most contentious policy to deal with. Our borders are our weakness and our strength, and it needs courage and grit to withstand the huge pressures that came with the role. That is why he was chosen. He can not be coerced or corrupted. Exactly what we need until the vaccines are in arms.
I think also Patricia that the country is reaching a crucial tipping point with both Covid and Climate Change in the mix and I have lately also been wondering how much of a correlation there is between the two.
I watched Q&A this morning (which was devoted to Covid) and there were some excellent interviews from a range of experts covering a variety of aspects.
My impression is: the government is working through some mega decision-making which is going to affect the governance of this country for many years to come. In the meantime, no-one is prepared to speak until such a time the threads have been pulled together and the announcements can be made. That is my reading of what is going on anyway.
Yes Anne, both the Climate Calamity and Covid suppression are requiring a lot of restraint , re-evaluation and adjustment to the way we have been living on earth. In a perverse way Covid is accelerating the acknowledgement that we have passed the natural boundaries and have been pushing earth beyond her limits to sustain life on earth perpetually. Its a good time to push hard on the people to change their ways and lower their expectations about what to demand from life on earth.
In a perverse way Covid is accelerating the acknowledgement that we have passed the natural boundaries and have been pushing earth beyond her limits to sustain life on earth perpetually.
That is exactly what I was meaning but didn't quite know how to put it.
It is my suspicion pandemics are going to become more frequent and severe just as storms across the planet are going to increase in frequency and severity and the two are closely linked.
How say you now climate deniers who have caused so much damage and distress on a dying planet? Any sign of shame and culpability? Or are you still living in a little rose-tinted fake bubble of your own?
They're still in their bubble, and hunkering down as if they're victims of a giant conspiracy. And only they know the TRUTH.
Some idiot today arguing warming is good for the planet, because plants use CO2. And he's got a link to a scientist on youtube…
He asked 'where are your statistics!' Apparently the IPCC isn't good enough, but if I could just pull a new report out of my ass.
Another asked me 'What data set are you following?'
It's laughable if it wasn't so damnably dangerous. I'm beginning to detest these clowns, but hope my rant helps bring that down, as anger sure wont shut them down it just magnifies the victimhood.
Notice how many of the assholes claim they are victims these days? And they run in packs. Fucking 'social' media.
He once made a comment about someone receiving ACC making repairs or painting their roof. Can't have been true, just like I never saw a mates dad build a boat while he was on ACC with a bad back.
What seemed to piss people off was the assumption that not being able to work a full day at one's job necessarily means that one can't do some work at one's own convenience. Which is a bit much to tear one's hair out over.
I think a lot of it was a beat-up that was part of the factionalisation in Labour/leftists at the time (still heavily factionalised, but there's no anointed one who will lead us to sicialist paradise at the moment), and obviously a it's shitbucket our local tory agitators like to kick over every so often.
I have no idea, nor am I able to vote in Auckland mayoral elections, but I would urge all decent voters to back Shearer if the despicable P. Bennett enters the race as has been rumored.
I would definitely go with Shearer. He was the only really good Labour MP since Douglas, Prebble and Bassett were in Parliament. I think he would make an excellent Mayor for Auckland.
Pity Shearer was nobbled by Cunliffe wasn't it? He would have been a good PM if he had been left there through the 2014 election and by 2017 he could hopefully have mastered the job and cleaned out the Labour party dross in Parliament and we could have got a competent Government in 2017.
Still on, the bright side, Auckland has a decent chance of getting a competent leader.
When Shearer was silly enough to turn up in parliament with two dead fish dangling on each arm and that look on his face, I knew he could never win any election. Get real.
They'll be as shit as each other, we need a strong mayor prepared to go to battle with Central govt, Auckland transport and Watercare, party aligned Mayors wont always act in the best interests of Aucklanders
Yes. Shearer was the victim of some very bad advice over the roof painting incident. John Pagani anyone? I've met David a few times and found him a very pleasant person. I'd trust him over the other former politician.
Sunday viewing for those interested in housing. A 1994 Adam Curtis documentary that takes a retrospective look at the Harold Wilson led Labour government housing policies:
(From my perspective, a good example of why a hands-off, subsidy based approach without strict oversight will deliver expensive failures (both in financial and human costs).
“It is a symbiotic [my italics] relationship, to attract the business we need the housing and to attract the residents you need jobs and so we have reached that point now where we have got strong inquiry on both fronts,” he said.
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 ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Security forces reinforcements were sent from France ahead of two rival marches in the capital Nouméa today, at the same time and only two streets away one from the other. One march, called by Union Calédonienne party (a component of the ...
A poll last August found that just 16% of New Zealanders oppose bringing back the ‘Three Strikes’ law. The nationwide poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was commissioned by Family First NZ and carried out by Curia Market Research. ...
The solo show from Ana Scotney is both sprawling and intimate, and a must-see, writes Mad Chapman. In the opening moments of Scattergun: After the Death of Rūaumoko, writer and performer Ana Scotney lays out the groundwork, literally. Silently moving around the square stage, Scotney is not so much dancing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Burridge, Professor of Linguistics, Monash University Who makes the words? Why are trees called trees and why are shoes called shoes and who makes the names? – Elliot, age 5, Eltham, Victoria Good question Elliot! Let’s start with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne at amRawpixel.com/Shutterstock Roles of health professionals are still unfortunately often stuck in the past. That is, before the ...
COMMENTARY:By Malcolm Evans Last week’s leaked New York Times staff directive, as to what words can and cannot be used to describe the carnage Israel is raining on Palestinians, is proof positive, since those reports are published verbatim here in New Zealand, that our understanding of the conflict is ...
In the case of New Zealand, the results confirm that there is no popular support for the vicious austerity program being imposed by the National Party-led government, which is backed in all fundamental respects by the opposition Labour Party. ...
The ‘Vampire’ singer has never visited our part of the world, but that might all be about to change. We assess the evidence.Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour is pulling in massive crowds as it whips around the US and Europe, even helping to catapult regular supporting act Chappell Roan ...
Testing of drinking water in rural Canterbury over the weekend by Greenpeace revealed that several public town supplies were reaching levels of nitrate above 5 mg/L - the threshold which a growing body of scientific evidence has linked to increased ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University It may come as a surprise to hear 2023 was Australia’s biggest bushfire season in more than a decade. Fires burned across an area eight times as big as the 2019–20 Black ...
Responding to the Government’s announcement of changes to resource management laws, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said: “These changes are a step in the right direction in terms of removing ideological and unworkable ...
More than two years after the Human Rights Council called for the establishment of a national human rights commission, such a body has yet to be formed. ...
Comment:An emergency management system with wide variations in performance, significant capability gaps, funding shortfalls and above all a setup that is not meeting the needs of New Zealanders at times of crisis. The Government’s inquiry into the response to Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events in the North ...
Welcome to the whirring wonders of one brain trying to align its actions with its beliefs within a system it thinks is evil. My brain has been spiralling in a woke conundrum ever since I found out a bookshop I’ve never been to was shutting down. Good Books, a bookshop ...
We repeat our call for criminal justice policy to be based on evidence, something the three strikes regime neglects to recognise – with no evidence that it either reduces crime or assists with rehabilitation. ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara With only four more seats in the 50-member Parliament yet to be officially declared, there is no outright winner in the Solomon Islands elections. As of Monday, the two largest blocs in the winner’s circle, independents and the incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh ...
Two/fiftyseven is a multi-purpose space hidden in the heart of Wellington that is paving a way for sustainable building and responsible landlording in Aotearoa and beyond.By 2060 the world is predicted to double its entire building stock, which equates to building an entire New York City every 34 days, ...
Popstars wasn’t just a reality television revolution, it was also a huge moment for Y2K fashion.It’s 25 years since girl group TrueBliss was formed on New Zealand national television, breaking new ground for both the reality television industry and the shiny clothing industry. With the first episode on NZ ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Pepping, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, Griffith University Marvin / Shutterstock Are all single people insecure? When we think about people who have been single for a long time, we may assume it’s because single people have insecurities that make ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Geary, Lecturer in Quantitative Ecology & Biodiversity Conservation, The University of Melbourne Trismegist san, Shutterstock Landscapes that have escaped fire for decades or centuries tend to harbour vital structures for wildlife, such as tree hollows and large logs. But these ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher, Lecturer in Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Shutterstock/S Curtis Why are we crossing ecological boundaries that affect Earth’s fundamental life-supporting capacity? Is it because we don’t have enough information about how ecosystems respond to change? Or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Crocker, PhD Student in Economics, Deakin University Here’s something for the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia to ponder as it meets next month to set interest rates. It has pushed up rates on 13 occasions since it began its ...
Developed countries like ourselves are going to get to a post-pandemic and largely vaccinated phase by next year. We need to push our heads into a post-vaccinated state. Maybe concentrate less on whether people can fly in, and concentrate more on the crises we already have.
Vulnerability to further COVID infections is that such risk runs like a who's who of current public health risk:
If you are isolated, old, poor, in a tiny town away from healthcare, are generally sick on a few fronts already, you are a much higher COVID risk than others.
From this New Zealand study of cumulative health risk to COVID from March this year, my own conclusion is that a nationwide health entity that focused on people with these characteristics would be doing everyone a favour already:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03036758.2021.1900294
"This study confirms important distinctions in vulnerability measures based on health, sociocultural and socioeconomic factors. It demonstrates that many areas of high vulnerability, particularly when considering combinations of older populations and populations with socioeconomic barriers, are outside of the major cities and in smaller communities of New Zealand, which typically have less access to healthcare and fewer resources (Fearnley et al. 2016; Health and Disability System Review 2019) and also attract less attention."
COVID becomes a summary filter to direct resource over multiple existing population risks.
“I used to think that top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these problems, but I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy, and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/rod-oram-we-cant-afford-not-to-do-net-zero
I agree with you … and a parent at home while the children grow to instil these values / qualities.
Pushing the Light rail up Dominion road at my local market this morning at least 10 people well versed in talking points.
Disappointing that when I asked what plans if any will be made to support the residents and small businesses along the route during construction the talking point was a long winded way of saying acceptable losses.
I dont support the light rail myself and prefer electric buses as a solution but when we embark on these massive infrastructure projects we've got to make sure we look after the local communities. To be told you'll reap the benefits when its complete is cold comfort when youve gone to the wall 12 months in or when your rent/lease doubles with the area now gentrified.
The Rich As Fuck Hurricanes guy got "cancelled", the "lefty woke" win again, if only there was a Stand Up For Racists group for him to whine too…
As usual western MSM report just part of the news……(including our own "progressive" RNZ National)
Turns out the US withdrawal from Afghanistan involves bombing the country with Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, while also spreading terror and death with Reaper drones and AC-130 Spectre gunships…
US B-52 Bombers, Gunships Sent into Action in Afghanistan in Attempt to Stop Taliban Advance on Key Cities
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/08/08/us-b-52-bombers-gunships-sent-action-afghanistan-attempt-stop-taliban-advance-key-cities.html
And of course the CIA has vowed to keep a presence in the country…which again goes largely unreported by MSM…
With The U.S. Military Gone, The CIA Faces Tough Challenges In Afghanistan
https://www.npr.org/2021/07/12/1014542248/with-the-u-s-military-gone-the-cia-faces-tough-challenges-in-afghanistan
There is good reason why the world see the USA as sure a clear and present threat to world peace…
Much Of The World Sees The U.S. As A Threat To Democracy
https://www.npr.org/2021/05/05/993754397/poll-much-of-the-world-sees-the-u-s-as-a-threat-to-democracy
And yet I'd bet the cia, u.s bombs and drones are the least of the Afghan people's worries right about now, especially women and girls.
….oh thats right, according to your world view, US bombs kill and rip apart Afghan woman and girls bodies in a far more humane way…just like they have been doing for the past twenty years.
Just showing sympathy for the women and girls who now face a TBan future with curtailed freedoms, rights and the denial of education to be nothing more than property of and controlled by men.
So not really about my "world view" (or Andre’s for that matter – which you dropped from your first attempt at a reply), a conclusion you've erroneously jumped to, though I'd say yours may need a closer inspection, seeing how you appear to be more concerned in pushing anti msm thought speak than empathising with the poorest and most vulnerable knowing their terrible time ahead.
OK then Mr empathetic..how about you direct us all to your comments where you display your deep rooted “sympathy” for thousands of women and girls killed in US drone strikes..or this illegal US/UK invasion generally?…or is it as I suspect, as per usual, some media tells you to be suddenly concerned for the lives of these unfortunate peoples…so now you are.
Anyway just throw a couple of links for us to see your “sympathy for the women and girls” destroyed before the US withdrawal…
Death by Drone: America’s Vicious Legacy in Afghanistan
As the United States prepares to leave, thousands of killings remain unprobed, and Washington refuses to talk about them.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/03/27/afghanistan-drones-america-legacy-taliban/
U.S. drone strike kills 30 pine nut farm workers in Afghanistan
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-attack-drones-idUSKBN1W40NW
This wouldn't have even made it on to RNZ, yet I am very sure that if the Taliban execute 30 civilians now we will all hear about it…don’t you get or understand the relentless false equivalences that we are force feed daily?…yes the Taliban are ruthless fundamentalist…but so are the US, the only difference is that this is happening in the Taliban’s own country while the US/UK are foreign invaders engaged in a illegal war.
I'm always concerned by the suffering of innocents whatever side of the divide they fall on, no matter who is the aggressor, no matter what is the cause. Sorry if it poops all over your myopic grandstanding but I don't need (or ever have) a newspaper or tv show to tell me how to sympathise for victims.
Instead of posting links about how bad bombs and missiles are, which is a bit duh, as we already know, how about you show a little humanity and declare some support, show some love, or express your fears for those about to be plunged back into the dark ages.
The dark ages are what Afghanistan experiences every time an imperialist power believes it can use military force to impose its will on the Afghani people. If you think that the corrupt and criminally insane people that have been running the country have any sympathy for the fate of women and girls then you are seriously delusional. The situation there is changing very quickly but the response of Ghani to the advance of the Taliban is to team up with the US supported war criminal Rashid Dostum. This man is responsible for locking hundreds of prisoners in shipping containers and leaving them to asphyxiate. There is nothing simple about Afghanistan.
I've made no such claim and the rest of your post doesn't alter the sentiment I've expressed.
Oh, and is December 2014 far enough back?
The women and girls raped, tortured, killed and/or taken as bounty of war to be disposed of as chattel thank you for your support.
I don’t think NZ should be involved in amerika’s unilateral wars, but do think the UN should be peace keeping it’s arse off in Iraq and Syria or wherever the vulnerable are being so abused, protecting the basic human rights of women and children
ahh the good old days when you could call someone a cunt on TS, btw I would have sided with Chooky in that debate, but I have to go to work now so won't take that any further.
The moderation in that link was really good too, not overbearing constant and boring like it is often now…nothing wrong with getting fired up and passionate about important issues and letting a few F bombs fly to make your point IMO!
So I answered your demand with an ancient The Standard link.
Maybe when you come back on you can hit us up with a short line or two backing the Afghan women and girls about to be subjugated.
Funny that you should say that because I was thinking about a Mod note to you. However, it seems this is no longer necessary because you’re working now
FYI, strong language is generally not a reason to moderate unless it is highly likely (as in: obvious) that it is flaming and will descend into a shit fight.
Strong language and particularly personal attacks and insults without making a political point have no place in debate, not even robust debate. As such, they are likely to attract attention of Mods.
Some commenters are on the Mods’ radar, with notes shared in the back-end, because of their commenting behavioural pattern here on this site.
You know these things and yet you think you can have a dig at moderation that is not even accurate!?
Women and girls age 12 – 45 are being taken and forced to marry by the Taliban. Last I heard is that the Taliban now control 22 out of 34 provincial capitals.
Another Vietnam senario now that the US has pulled out. The US in Afganistan for the last 20 years is not the answer either.
Destroying the poppies used for making herion would have reduced the fire power.
What I want for Afganistan is for people to live in peace. No more bombs, drones or weapons.
"Destroying the poppies used for making heroin would have reduced the fire power."
The only regime that stopped the heroin production was the Taliban. They managed a 99% reduction in the area of opium poppy farming in Taliban-controlled areas. That was roughly three quarters of the world's supply of heroin at the time. The ban was effective only briefly due to the US invasion 2002. Pity they only had one reliable (mainly US financed?) income stream to bide their time and re-arm to take their own country back.
Apart from the word of traumatised refugees pouring into Kabul in the hope of getting out of the country, is there any hard evidence to prove that women and girls age 12 – 45 are being taken and forced to marry by the Taliban? On checking out international MSM, one source quotes a nebulous 'insider' while most have almost 'cut and paste' regularity in their reports.
In raising this, the interest is in accuracy. It is not suggested that forced marriages are not or will not occur.
I think those fleeing Afganistan or seeking safety in Kabul know what the situation is for girls and women.
I will try and look up where I heard the age of girls and women taken into forced marriage and lists being compiled. Either Aljazeera TV or a news article earlier in the week.
Maybe you need to go and ask some immigrants/refugees from Afganistan what the news is from their country of birth.
Go Adrian. Thank you.
For what it is worth, my perception of the first difference between USA's crap intervention in Vietnam and its crap intervention in Afghanistan (both roughly 20 yrs) is that the women in Vietnam did not unduly suffer as they are likely to do in Afghanistan after the USA running away (Peace with Honour!)
Tragic.
Bit of a micro rant sorry
In the past I have been quite open in my thinking Faafoi was one of a few Labour MPs I genuinely thought was a bit of a gem in amongst the idiots, and I genuinely rated him.
But his refusal to front on immigration now and the mess he has made of things has turned that respect a bit to custard.
Still seems a decent bloke, just a shit Minister.
Edit: Sorry, should add watching the Nation and he refused to front again.
You are not wrong. Chris Faafoi is a good Minister who has been given the most contentious policy to deal with. Our borders are our weakness and our strength, and it needs courage and grit to withstand the huge pressures that came with the role. That is why he was chosen. He can not be coerced or corrupted. Exactly what we need until the vaccines are in arms.
Agree, but he seems to have caved to the pressure, and that is disappointing.
Having said that if I was in charge at the time I probably would have given him it to.
So there ya go. every thing is easy in retrospect and that.
I think also Patricia that the country is reaching a crucial tipping point with both Covid and Climate Change in the mix and I have lately also been wondering how much of a correlation there is between the two.
I watched Q&A this morning (which was devoted to Covid) and there were some excellent interviews from a range of experts covering a variety of aspects.
My impression is: the government is working through some mega decision-making which is going to affect the governance of this country for many years to come. In the meantime, no-one is prepared to speak until such a time the threads have been pulled together and the announcements can be made. That is my reading of what is going on anyway.
Going just by current form I think this might be a bit wishful thinking, unfortunately.
Their tendency to close shop on anything important started pre-covid.
Yes Anne, both the Climate Calamity and Covid suppression are requiring a lot of restraint , re-evaluation and adjustment to the way we have been living on earth. In a perverse way Covid is accelerating the acknowledgement that we have passed the natural boundaries and have been pushing earth beyond her limits to sustain life on earth perpetually. Its a good time to push hard on the people to change their ways and lower their expectations about what to demand from life on earth.
That is exactly what I was meaning but didn't quite know how to put it.
It is my suspicion pandemics are going to become more frequent and severe just as storms across the planet are going to increase in frequency and severity and the two are closely linked.
How say you now climate deniers who have caused so much damage and distress on a dying planet? Any sign of shame and culpability? Or are you still living in a little rose-tinted fake bubble of your own?
They're still in their bubble, and hunkering down as if they're victims of a giant conspiracy. And only they know the TRUTH.
Some idiot today arguing warming is good for the planet, because plants use CO2. And he's got a link to a scientist on youtube…
He asked 'where are your statistics!' Apparently the IPCC isn't good enough, but if I could just pull a new report out of my ass.
Another asked me 'What data set are you following?'
It's laughable if it wasn't so damnably dangerous. I'm beginning to detest these clowns, but hope my rant helps bring that down, as anger sure wont shut them down it just magnifies the victimhood.
Notice how many of the assholes claim they are victims these days? And they run in packs. Fucking 'social' media.
Does anyone know whether Shearer is thinking of a tilt at the Auckland Mayoralty?
My disgust at his previous attitudes came flooding back!!
"disgust at his previous attitudes came"
Sorry, do you mind elaborating on that?
I actually thought he was alright, but may have missed the obvious. (wouldn't be first tbh) 🙂
He once made a comment about someone receiving ACC making repairs or painting their roof. Can't have been true, just like I never saw a mates dad build a boat while he was on ACC with a bad back.
What seemed to piss people off was the assumption that not being able to work a full day at one's job necessarily means that one can't do some work at one's own convenience. Which is a bit much to tear one's hair out over.
I think a lot of it was a beat-up that was part of the factionalisation in Labour/leftists at the time (still heavily factionalised, but there's no anointed one who will lead us to sicialist paradise at the moment), and obviously a it's shitbucket our local tory agitators like to kick over every so often.
Cant be worse then Phil 'rogernome' Goff
I have no idea, nor am I able to vote in Auckland mayoral elections, but I would urge all decent voters to back Shearer if the despicable P. Bennett enters the race as has been rumored.
I can't vote either, but both Shearer and Bennett would be better options to me if I could than Goff.
I would definitely go with Shearer. He was the only really good Labour MP since Douglas, Prebble and Bassett were in Parliament. I think he would make an excellent Mayor for Auckland.
Pity Shearer was nobbled by Cunliffe wasn't it? He would have been a good PM if he had been left there through the 2014 election and by 2017 he could hopefully have mastered the job and cleaned out the Labour party dross in Parliament and we could have got a competent Government in 2017.
Still on, the bright side, Auckland has a decent chance of getting a competent leader.
The obvious choice would be Bomber Bradbury's pick – Efeso Collins.
When Shearer was silly enough to turn up in parliament with two dead fish dangling on each arm and that look on his face, I knew he could never win any election. Get real.
He adviser was John Pagani of Josie Pagani fame. Need I say more.
You need not. But Josie will still be trotted out as a 'Left' commentator by our supposedly neutral media, won't she?
Saw her a few months back on some TV programme. Still talks gobbledygook.
They'll be as shit as each other, we need a strong mayor prepared to go to battle with Central govt, Auckland transport and Watercare, party aligned Mayors wont always act in the best interests of Aucklanders
Nice thought, but given the neverending line of idiots, can't see that happening.
Yes. Shearer was the victim of some very bad advice over the roof painting incident. John Pagani anyone? I've met David a few times and found him a very pleasant person. I'd trust him over the other former politician.
Meanwhile, in Tahiti…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNwzDHJHA_g
Sunday viewing for those interested in housing. A 1994 Adam Curtis documentary that takes a retrospective look at the Harold Wilson led Labour government housing policies:
The Great British Housing Disaster
(From my perspective, a good example of why a hands-off, subsidy based approach without strict oversight will deliver expensive failures (both in financial and human costs).
Of particular relevance is the end segment on using untried cladding systems as solutions to structural failures.
Ah…but this time will be different…..except we know from experience it seldom is.
Kabul about to be under Taliban control…weeks ahead of even recent expectations.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/15/afghanistan-taliban-close-in-on-kabul-as-last-government-stronghold-in-north-falls
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Fucking tragic. Twenty years, thousands of lives, and back to the beginning.
Oops…thought I had posted this in open mike.
No worries, I’ll move it to OM, so don’t get a fright.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/300381450/zombie-towns-get-new-lease-of-life-as-hostile-cities-force-residents-out
Crikey! Are they reading The Standard?